What travel blogs won’t tell you—but your wallet will thank you for.
Why This Matters Every Summer
Every summer, millions of travelers flock to the same trendy destinations—only to be met with overpriced hotels, packed beaches, and Instagram-fueled disappointment.
Meanwhile, lesser-known places offer better value, authentic culture, and a more relaxed pace of life.
In this guide, we’ll compare 5 of the most overrated summer destinations with 5 underrated alternatives based on four key factors:
Cost
Crowd Levels
Digital Nomad Readiness
Cultural Depth
1. Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷
Overrated: Santorini
- Hotels often exceed $400 per night during peak season
- Crowds dominate the island’s narrow streets
- Sunset spots are filled with selfie sticks and noise
- Mass tourism has diluted local traditions
✅ Try Instead: Paros or Naxos
- Similar Cycladic views and crystal waters
- Boutique beachfront stays for $120–$150 per night
- Quiet fishing villages and family-run tavernas
- Ferry ride from Athens takes just 3–4 hours
Monthly apartment rental: $800–$1,000
Coworking scene: Small but growing
Best for: Couples and creatives seeking peace
2. Bali, Indonesia 🇮🇩
Overrated: Bali (Ubud, Canggu)
- Dense tourism with inconsistent infrastructure
- Price inflation on food, lodging, and transport
- Traffic congestion turns short trips into hours
- Increasing visa enforcement makes long stays harder
✅ Try Instead: Lombok or Flores
- Breathtaking beaches and volcano views
- Traditional villages with rich ceremonies
- Diving, hiking, and nature without Instagram mobs
Monthly stay cost: ~$500–$700
Coworking: Basic, but fast Wi-Fi at guesthouses
Best for: Nature lovers, solo travelers
3. Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸
Overrated: Barcelona
- Tourist taxes, heavy police presence near Airbnbs
- Overcrowded beaches and long lines at landmarks
- High prices in peak season (June–August)
✅ Try Instead: Valencia
- Similar Mediterranean coast with fewer tourists
- Flat, walkable city with historic charm
- Famed for authentic Paella and Las Fallas festival
One-bedroom rental: ~$700–$900/month
Coworking hubs: Multiple modern spaces
Best for: Remote workers, food lovers
4. Tulum, Mexico 🇲🇽
Overrated: Tulum
- Party-heavy scene, rising crime, inflated prices
- Ecological degradation from overbuilding
- Disconnect between tourism and local community
✅ Try Instead: Mérida or Bacalar
- Vibrant colonial city (Mérida) with low crime
- Bacalar’s Lagoon of Seven Colors is a dream for swimmers
- Cost of living is half that of Tulum
Monthly cost: ~$600–$850
Wi-Fi: Stable in most rentals, coworking optional
Best for: Cultural travelers, expats
5. Dubrovnik, Croatia 🇭🇷
Overrated: Dubrovnik
- Massive cruise ship traffic overwhelms the Old Town
- Game of Thrones fans flood every alley
- Lodging is limited and expensive in summer
✅ Try Instead: Šibenik or Zadar
- Quieter Adriatic towns with real Croatian life
- Beautiful harbors, fewer tourists, affordable cafes
- Great base for island hopping or slow travel
Average apartment: ~$600/month
Nomad network: Emerging, with quiet cafés to work from
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, digital nomads
How to Find Underrated Destinations on Your Own
Here’s how seasoned travelers identify hidden gems without relying on travel influencers:
Checklist:
- Can you find monthly rentals under $900?
- Is Wi-Fi speed over 30 Mbps?
- Are there coworking spaces or active expat forums?
- Can you eat out for under $10 a meal?
- Are locals welcoming to long-stay foreigners?
Search tips:
- Use Reddit or Facebook groups like “Digital Nomad XYZ”
- Search “city name + coworking” instead of “top 10 travel”
- Check visa policies—some countries offer 6–12 month stays for remote workers
Final Tip: Follow Function, Not Fame
In today’s world, the best travel isn’t about chasing Instagram views—it’s about longer, meaningful, and financially smart stays.
If a place offers clean food, stable internet, local connection, and peace of mind—it wins.
Travel deeper, not wider.
📌 Next Up:
Hunting for a last-minute flight deal without getting ripped off?
In our next post, we’ll break down live tools and strategies to catch the cheapest flights before prices spike.
