Matthew is one of our editors.
And he shared a story with us a while ago.
The night before Matthew was leaving for Venice, he wasn’t enjoying himself. It was a sudden plan, so of course, there was lots to do.
He had tried very hard to anticipate his dream holiday. But it wasn’t working. And last-minute panic over the hotel prices and resentful Reddit users warning about endless crowds weren’t helping either.
Until he landed in Venice, he was weighing the conflicting merits and demerits of visiting the famous tourist destination. Yes, he was definitely not enjoying himself.
And just like he expected, he found the vaporettos as crowded as stifling NYC subways and fell (twice) in tourist traps at St. Mark’s Square.
By the time he finished his story, we had already ordered our second cups of coffee while Matthew’s was still sitting in front of him, untouched. He was very angry.
“I am never going to visit crowded tourist destinations ever again in my life.”
That is how he concluded his rant.
While some of us were unsure if we agreed, others in the group wholeheartedly supported Matthew’s opinion.
It was high time that we started looking for popular tourist destination dupes!
2025’s Hottest Travel Trend: Destination Dupes!
A modern tourist would never enjoy one bit of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with others in Barcelona, craning their necks to take a look at La Sagrada Família, or pushing a few toddlers out of the way to snap a decent photo – who has got the time and patience to do that?
To make things worse, the air smells like body odor and sunscreens.
Now, wouldn’t it be better if you were spending the same time and money sipping espressos in Girona’s Old Town in Catalonia? Feeling the magic of the winding alleys, the wandering cobblestone streets, and the rich heritage of the city.
There would be plenty of space to capture the most stunning shots for your Instagram, create reels that people will save in their favorites, and enjoy the food and experiences just like you had planned.
Which sounds better?
Matthew wouldn’t think twice before picking Girona’s Old Town over Barcelona.
In 2025, travelers like you are common. They want the most peaceful, affordable, and hidden travel destinations that are far better than popular hotspots, a.k.a Destination Dupes!
Why Destination Dupes Are So Trendy In 2025!
Instagram has ruined many iconic landmarks for us. With everyone adding the same travel spots to their bucket lists, they have turned into nightmares.
Venice’s canals? Overcrowded.
Maldives? Filled with TikTokers.
But the rebellious travelers have something else on their minds.
In fact, a recent Atlys report reveals that 73% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers prefer “escaping crowds” by choosing off-peak travel time. Why?
- Because overtourism suffocates the beauty of global destinations: More than half of global tourists flock to only a 10% portion of the world, such as the US and Europe, which leads to overtourism and overwhelms locals, other tourists, and the overall ecosystem.
- Because sustainability matters over everything else: According to a study by Booking.com, 45% of people feel like traveling sustainably is important. And Millennial and Gen Z travelers are spearheading the future of sustainable tourism.
- Because affordability is looking even more attractive than before: The reason? Inflation. On the other hand, Gen Z and Millennial travelers want to explore more of the world with cheap itineraries rather than travel luxuriously once in a lifetime.
This is why Destination Dupes, which are off-the-beaten spots that rival famous tourist destinations, have gone viral.
The #dupe trend has also gone global on TikTok, with travelers from all over the world sharing affordable, crowd-free, and charming alternative travel destinations.
How Social Media is Changing The Global Tourism Trends
“Let’s discover this hidden gem lake in Slovenia. It looks like a piece of paradise!” says Tessa, 22, a tourist from Ohio.
But she is not the only one who is searching for hidden gems around the world.
Do you know that the #dupe hashtag on TikTok has earned more than 3 billion views? While it can be anything from a new Korean skincare product to travel destinations, the dupes are catching fire on social media.
Algorithms are pushing “detour destinations” on top of everyone’s feeds – but we know what’s brewing on your mind right now…
Won’t these secret gems become overcrowded, now that everyone knows about them?
Remember Iceland’s Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon? It went viral in 2015 after it was featured in Justin Bieber’s song! And it nearly collapsed under foot traffic.
That’s the power of media over tourism!
The solution?
Run. Don’t walk to these destinations before others find out about them.
12 Destination Dupes To Explore In 2025
Destination dupes are like cheat sheets. The smart travelers know that they should swap Venice for Ljubljana and skip Mykonos for Cyprus.
By visiting lesser-known tourist destinations, they will find affordable hotel rates, fewer crowds, and an overall peaceful vacation!
So, are you ready to ditch the popular tourist destinations? And explore their hidden counterparts?
Here are the trendiest destination dupes to visit in 2025.
European Destination Dupes
Budapest instead of Barcelona
Barcelona is gothic and iconic! And it offers exciting events to tourists like the Festival Sónar.
But Budapest’s ruins, Danube River, and thermal baths outshine Barcelona. And the best part. You can plan a trip to Budapest at 30% lower costs than Barcelona.
Budapest, the Hungarian Capital, has many underground caves, a melodramatic café culture, and Art Nouveau architecture. Which is why many tourists are eager to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site – also known as Barcelona’s destination dupe!
You can start your days with Széchenyi Baths at sunrise, and end them with a night cruise along the Danube. Trust us. It is even more magical than Barcelona!
Girona, Spain instead of Barcelona
The historic fiction lovers have always gravitated towards Girona’s medieval walls and Arab baths, whether they are fans of Game of Thrones or the Witcher!
There is something so charming about this northeastern Catalonia region, with its walled Old Quarter, Força Vella fortress, and labyrinthine alleys.
We are not saying that you have to ditch Barcelona altogether for this destination dupe. You can take a 1 hour train ride from Barcelona to visit Girona, and be back before the day ends.
And it’s a cool place for a peaceful vacation as Girona witnesses a drastically lower percentage of tourists than Barcelona annually.
Ljubljana, Slovenia instead of Venice, Italy
Want to get an idea of how crowded Venice is all the time?
30 million tourists go to Venice every year. However, Ljubljana welcomes just 1.1 million tourists annually.
Why don’t you be one of the smart ones and visit Slovenia’s capital instead of Venice?
It looks like a fairy-tale land, with pastel buildings and pedestrian-friendly bridges everywhere you go. Oh wait, there is also a castle perched above the hills, the Ljubljana Castle.
So, if you are still wondering whether to ditch Venice for Ljubljana, let this be the sign you were waiting for.
Rent a bike and pedal to Tivoli Park, or hike to the top of Rožnik Hill for panoramic views.
Bonus points for eco-friendly travelers as Ljubljana was named Europe’s Green Capital in 2016. It is practically car-free and has plenty of zero-waste initiatives everywhere.
Maratea, Italy instead of Positano, Italy
Maratea is Positano’s quiet competition. This small Italian town is dubbed one of the best destination dupes in the world. It is also known as the ‘Amalfi Coast without the crowds.’
There are lots of beautiful villages, 44 churches, a luxury hotel Santavenere, and cliffside Christ the Redeemer statue.
This untouristed coast also has chic resorts and family-run agriturismo overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Or, if you were looking for rugged terrains and lots of adventure, hike the Lucan Dolomites.
A seafood dinner in Maratea costs €25, whereas the same type of meal would cost you €50+ in Positano.
Slovenia instead of Switzerland
That $10 you were going to spend on Swiss coffees, take them with you to explore Lake Bled’s emerald waters and Julian Alps hikes.
Yes, we get it. No place in the whole world looks like Switzerland.
But if you were looking for a destination dupe, Slovenia is the closest match.
Slovenia is also great for environment-conscious travelers. It has received a Green Destinations certification, which makes it a sustainable tourist destination.
The Postojna Cave? That should be the first thing you see as soon as you reach Slovenia. It is a 24-km underground cave that also offers a train ride through stalactite forests.
Tropical Destination Dupes
Cyprus instead of Mykonos
Mykonos beach clubs are every party-lover’s dream. However, these electrifying destinations are as expensive as they are popular.
So why don’t you try a destination dupe instead?
Where a beach club in Mykonos would charge you €100 for a sunbed, the Akamas Peninsula, coves, and other natural sites in Cyprus are free to explore.
If you want to splurge a little on your trips, explore the sea turtle nesting sites, stay in a Latchi village, or enjoy fresh octopus meze as you float on the Blue Lagoon in an aesthetic boat.
However, you must keep in mind that Cyprus’ tourism revenue has surged past €3 billion in 2024, so expect to find a little crowd as fellow travelers like you come looking for Mediterranean alternatives.
Lake Bacalar, Mexico instead of Maldives
Lake Bacalar is the best traveling alternative for Maldives out there. It has stunning white beaches and crystal clear blue waters and is very convenient for US travelers. Why? Because you can reach Bacalar in just 11 hours from the US, whereas Maldives is a 24-hour flight away.
Lake Bacalar is an underrated and affordable Maldives destination dupe! And it is one of the best tropical destinations in the world.
Many people call it the Mexican version of Maldives. Bacalar town sits on the stunning Lagoon of Seven Colors, which means that colored waters, breathtaking sunsets, and fresh seafood will be the highlight of your trip.
It is an undiscovered paradise. You can either kayak through mangrove forests or float among the stromatolites (ancient microbial reefs). There are also plenty of rustic cabins where you can arrange your stay.
Azores Islands instead of Hawaii
Azores is called the European version of Hawaii.
Both of them are volcanic islands and offer mild temperatures all year round. But the reason why Azores is an affordable destination dupe of Hawaii is that the whale-watching tours and volcanic lakes tours are 40% cheaper than that in Hawaii.
Hawaii is dealing with a serious over-tourism crisis.
But Azores? It is as culture-rich, warm and beautiful as Hawaii, minus millions of tourists.
And Azores is much more eco-friendly. You can soak in geothermal hot springs on São Miguel Island without even worrying about your tourist carbon footprints.
Indonesia instead of Maldives
Though Bali and the rest of Indonesia aren’t underrated anymore, it is still less overcrowded with tourists as compared to Maldives.
Another reason why many tourists prefer Indonesia over Maldives is because Maldives is quite small. It might be cool if you are looking for aquatic activities, seclusion, and luxury.
But for tourists who want to enjoy cultural experiences and diverse activities, Indonesia is a much better choice.
American Destination Dupes
Chicago instead of New York City
NYC’s Times Square is a nightmare for overstimulated individuals. Chicago, on the other hand, has such a beautiful lakefront.
Yes, NYC does smell like opportunities and luxury, but it also smells like cramped sidewalks, greasy subway seats, and frustrated locals. Chicago has miles and miles of beaches and parks and is much more affordable than NYC.
The Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Cloud Gate, Navy Pier, and other attractions in Chicago offer big-city energy with an American Midwest charm. And Chicago hotels are cheaper as compared to NYC hotels, with decent rooms starting from $180/night.
Emerald Lake, BC instead of Lake Louise, Banff
Emerald Lake’s emerald-colored water looks like it belongs on a postcard.
And we feel like it is nature’s call that this place is always peaceful and quiet. Like, it wouldn’t look so magical if it was flooded with tourists, would it?
Even though it is possible to visit the three lakes – Moraine, Louise, and Emerald Lake – in one day, Emerald Lake makes every tourist stop in their tracks.
The President Range surrounding the lake is purely aesthetic, but don’t just stand and stare. Rent a canoe from the Boathouse, grab some snacks, and float on the magical waters with your loved ones.
And if you’re lucky, you can also spot elk, grizzlies, and bald eagles in Yoho National Park nearby
Pigeon Forge instead of Orlando
Dollywood > Disney.
Do not agree with us?
Well, maybe you haven’t been to the Appalachian-themed park before.Pigeon Forge is the Orlando of Appalachia, so if you want to escape the crowds and bustle of Walt Disney World, it is the perfect destination dupe!
Pigeon Forge’s Smoky Mountain hikes and cozy cabins make up the perfect place for a family vacation.
There are so many things to do in Pigeon Forge, such as Wonderworks house, indoor skydiving, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, etc. Who would even miss the hour-long queues at Disney World?
