The key facts

  • Bukovina (Romania) — No. 1 in Time Out's 2027 ranking; Asturias — 3rd, Zambujeira do Mar — 6th, Carry-le-Rouet — 9th, the Azores — 12th
  • The global top 10 also includes South Dakota, the Osa Peninsula, San Martín, Bisbee, Shenzhen and Tioga Pass
  • The Azores are certified by the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism

Time Out ranking: 41 underrated destinations

Time Out has published its annually updated ranking of the most underrated travel destinations, comprising 41 cities and regions. This year, first place went to a European destination — Romania's Bukovina. The outlet motivates the list, in particular, by the fact that love for popular cities such as Venice and Barcelona is beginning to harm local residents, while in lesser-known places holidays pass without battling crowds of tourists.

Bukovina — first place

Bukovina topped the 2027 ranking. Time Out compares the region with the better-known Transylvania, noting 'the same wild mountain nature, centuries-old traditions and striking architecture', but without tourist crowds. In recent years, Bukovina has been gaining popularity as the gateway to the Via Transilvanica — a 1,400-kilometre walking trail that Euronews author Rebecca Ann Hughes walked earlier this year.

European destinations in the list

The next European destination is Spain's Asturian cities, which took third place. The region's coastal areas are already popular, but Time Out recommends heading to Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés, especially for gourmets. In sixth place is Zambujeira do Mar, a clifftop town in Portugal's Alentejo with a 'Blue Flag' beach; tourists are few there, except on the weekends of the MEO Sudoeste festival. Ninth place went to the French resort of Carry-le-Rouet, which the magazine compared with Saint-Tropez and Cannes, calling it 'just as idyllic — rocks by the sea, turquoise water and fresh seafood, but at far more affordable prices'.

The Azores and sustainable tourism

In 12th place are the Azores. The remote Portuguese archipelago has been attracting increasing attention in recent years and has earned the nickname 'the Hawaii of Europe', while also working on sustainable tourism development. The destination is certified by the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism, and measures to protect cultural, historical and natural heritage are in place on the nine islands.

The global top 10

The first ten of the global ranking include: Bukovina (Romania), South Dakota (USA), the Asturian cities (Spain), the Osa Peninsula (Costa Rica), San Martín (Peru), Zambujeira do Mar (Portugal), Bisbee, Arizona (USA), Shenzhen (China), Carry-le-Rouet (France) and Tioga Pass, California (USA).