Unforgettable experiences are often found in the most unexpected places. So this summer we’re helping you update your travel bucket list with these top underrated alternative destinations you’ll want to visit this summer.
Some once-in-a-lifetime experiences come with a hefty price tag, but travel shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why we’ve used our data to pull cheaper (and if you ask us, better) alternative bucket list destinations where saving on travel and unique experiences are just the start of an unforgettable trip. And, for more travel inspiration, we’re throwing in a few underrated “curveball” spots that are worth seeing at least once during your lifetime.
Disclaimer: The following alternative bucket list destinations have lower average flight prices for July and August 2023 at the time of publication. Prices will vary.
Top alternative bucket list destinations
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Singapore
- Split, Croatia
- Kyoto, Japan
- Churchill, Canada
- Island of Amrum, Germany
Like Istanbul? Try Tbilisi
Best for: unique architecture
Like Istanbul, Tbilisi sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its architecture is an eclectic mix of Georgian, Persian, Ottoman, Soviet, and futuristic styles seen in hilltop churches, fortresses, museums, and bridges. Distinct neighborhoods — Sololaki, Mtatsminda, Garetubani, Vera, and Chugureti (Marjanishvili) — conceal a cornucopia of shops, bars, cafes, and markets. And forget hammams; here, you can soak in ancient dome-shaped sulfur baths in the Abanotubani district.
Local cuisine combines meats, fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices into distinctly flavorful dishes, including bread topped with cheese and egg (khachapuri), meat-filled dumplings (khinkali), and juicy meat skewers (shashlik). As the cradle of wine, it’s everywhere and cheap. In summer, you can even have it as an ice cream flavor. From July 20-30, 2023, experience Georgian culture, folk music, and dance at the annual Art-Gene festival at the Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography.
Insider tip: Discover the city’s street art by booking a room at Fabrika Hostel. Housed in a former Soviet sewing factory, its walls are covered in gorgeous murals.
Like Seoul? Try Taipei
Best for: foodies
From ornate temples to bustling night markets, a trip to the capital of Taiwan is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Get the lay of the land atop Taipei 101, which once held the world’s tallest building title. Roam the halls of the National Palace Museum, housing more than 700,000 artifacts that date back to the Qing and Ming dynasties. Visit the Longshan Temple, where more than 100 gods and goddesses are worshipped. See the magnificent structure of the Bao’an Temple, winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award, whose walls tell epic stories and folk legends of old China. For a more modern experience, hang out at Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a former wine factory; it’s now a cool space with design shops, trendy restaurants, and performance venues.
As night falls, colorful after-dark markets are at every turn, allowing visitors to sample a dizzying array of local specialties, ranging from pork-pepper buns and scallion pancakes to braised pork rice and Taiwanese fried chicken. Traveling here in the summer means attending a slew of outdoor festivals, including the Tianmu Beer Festival (July 7-31, 2023) and the Taipei Children’s Arts Festival (July 1-August 13, 2023).
Insider tip: Head out on the MRT to Xinbeitou in the Beitou District, where you can soak inside of numerous public and private hot springs after your long-haul flight.
Like Bangkok? Try Singapore
Best for: green urban spaces
Although decidedly cosmopolitan and futuristic, Singapore’s ultra-modern facade is contrasted by unique green spaces, such as Gardens By the Bay; Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and The Southern Ridges, a 6-mile trail that connects five major parks (Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve) that visitors can enjoy year-round.
A multicultural city, you can spend your days exploring its diversity in Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. Shopping is second to none, whether you go all out at Design Orchard or bargain hunt along Bugis Street. As expected, nightlife in Singapore is nothing short of extraordinary, and with more than 50 Michelin-starred restaurants, the same can be said for dining experiences.
Insider tip: If you tire of the city, know that several tropical paradises are a boat ride away. The closest is Sentosa. The 1,236-acre island resort has a little bit of everything, from theme parks and golf courses to gorgeous beaches and shopping. For something low-key that’s immersed in nature and history, visit the island of Pulau Ubin.
Like Athens? Try Split
Best for: Eurotrip on a budget
While Greece is undoubtedly a bucket list destination, Croatia offers visitors similar (if not better) experiences. And Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, is the ideal base for exploring this small country, boasting 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Start your tour of Croatia in Split at Diocletian’s Palace, then go to Dubrovnik to see the City Walls, drive north to Pula for its well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, and then to Zadar for the Roman Forum. Take a break from sightseeing on stunning pebble beaches along the Dalmatian coast or go island-hopping (or sailing) through the Adriatic’s crystal-clear waters, where you’ll find both peace and festive vibes in addition to inexpensive seafood meals. Continue to indulge the senses in culinary treats in Istria, like truffles, and Pelješac, for local wines.
With eight scenic national parks — Plitvice Lakes National Park being the standout — you’ll have plenty of choices for outdoor adventures too. Summer brings a flurry of festivals to the country, from electronic music festivals in Split (Ultra Europe Festival July 7-9, 2023) to the famous Dubrovnik Summer Festival (July 10-August 25), when open-air performances — theater, opera music, and dance — take over the city.
Insider tip: In Zagreb, seek out the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships, housed inside a palace whose rooms are dedicated to momentos with sentimental and often funny breakup stories. And, if you’re so inclined, you can donate an object and story yourself.
Like Tokyo? Try Kyoto
Best for: spiritual retreat
Kyoto, the former imperial capital, is an excellent alternative and starting point for those who have Japan on their travel bucket list. Less crowded and impersonal, it sits at the heart of traditional Japanese culture, home to hundreds of temples, shrines, and Japanese gardens that visitors can explore year-round. Start with a visit to the Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace, the Nijo Castle, and the Nanzen-ji Temple, which stand frozen in time.
Discover Kyoto’s flavors in the narrow alleyway of Pontocho and Nishiki Market, where you can feast on kotteri-style ramen, soy-milk doughnuts, and kushikatsu, panko-coated meat and vegetable skewers. For the complete experience, sit down to Kaiseki, an elaborate multi-course meal of local specialties. From Kyoto, make trips to Osaka, Japan’s food capital; Chichibu, surrounded by picturesque mountains; Naoshima, known for its art museums; and Hakone, where you can sit back in hot springs with views of Mount Fuji.
Insider tip: The first matcha tea seeds are said to have been planted in Kyoto by a Japanese Buddhist Monk upon his return from China. Try it at Gion Tsujiri, a tea store founded in 1860 specializing in Uji tea. Not a tea drinker? Kyoto is also home to dozens of sake breweries, many located in the Fushimi district.
Curveball alternative bucket list destinations
Churchill, Canada
If your bucket list includes the northern lights and wildlife viewing — we’re talking polar bears and beluga whales — then there’s one place you see it all: Churchill, Canada. Travel to the edge of the Arctic, Manitoba’s northern Hudson Bay coastline, where you’ll find a remote town steeped in history and adventure. Here, northern lights can be seen up to 300 nights of the year, and the summer months bring thousands of beluga whales to the Churchill River. Take a trip into the rugged wilderness of Churchill Wildlife Management Area, where you’ll also spot foxes, moose, caribous, and bald eagles. In town, explore the Itsanitaq Museum before boarding the Tundra Buggy that will take you to a remote location for an unforgettable, locally inspired multi-course dinner at Dan’s Diner.
Island of Amrum, Germany
Characterized by mudflats and rolling grass-covered sand dunes as far as the eye can see, the small island of Amrum is one of the North Frisian Islands on the German North Sea. It sits in the heart of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. Its rugged landscape is a paradise for those seeking an action-packed getaway. Weather and sea conditions are particularly conducive for surfing, sailing, and kiteboarding. Or hop on a bike for a tour of the island, cycling along the coast and through the forest, to stop off in the handful of small villages — clusters of Frisian reed-roof houses — for a pickled herring or fried fish sandwich and beer. Then climb atop the Amrum Lighthouse, whose round platform offers breathtaking views. And when the day is done, plop down on a “beach basket” lounger, a typical feature of the North Sea coasts.
Looking for more alternative bucket list destinations?
Let Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search inspire your next bucket list destination. Type in “everywhere” as your destination, and discover incredible flight deals to worldwide destinations. Try it with specific dates, or for even more savings, select “whole month” on the desktop or “anytime” in the app.
