Greece has secured a place on an international list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations for 2027, with the Dodecanese island of Karpathos earning recognition from travel publication Time Out.

Ranked 33rd among 41 destinations worldwide, Karpathos is praised as a quieter alternative to Greece’s heavily visited islands of Santorini and Mykonos.

The selection highlights growing interest in destinations that offer travellers beautiful landscapes, authentic local experiences and an escape from overcrowded tourist hotspots. Time Out Worldwide +1

Karpathos stands out for its beaches and traditional Greek culture

Time Out describes Karpathos as an alternative for travellers looking beyond the crowded beaches and tourist centres of Santorini and Mykonos.

The island, located in the Dodecanese between Crete and Rhodes, is recognised for its clear waters, quieter beaches and traditional villages.

One of the highlights is Olympos, a mountain village where longstanding customs remain part of everyday life. Traditional colourful clothing, local cuisine and distinctive cultural practices make it one of the island’s most memorable destinations.

The publication also points to the island’s beaches, where visitors can enjoy relatively peaceful stretches of coastline and waters frequented by the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.

Karpathos is ranked 33rd on the list, making it the only Greek destination included in Time Out’s 2027 selection. Time Out Worldwide +1

Australia also features on the list

Australia has two destinations recognised in the selection: Tasmania, ranked 28th, and Newcastle in New South Wales, ranked 30th.

Tasmania is highlighted for its wilderness, more than 800 hiking trails, coastal scenery, cultural attractions and opportunities to see the Southern Lights.

Newcastle is recognised for its surf beaches, coastal walks, restaurants, cafes and growing cultural scene, offering an alternative to Australia’s larger and busier cities. Time Out Worldwide

The 41 destinations selected by Time Out

The full selection spans Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Antarctica.

  • Bucovina, Romania
  • South Dakota, USA
  • Asturian Cities, Spain
  • Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
  • San Martín, Peru
  • Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
  • Bisbee, Arizona, USA
  • Shenzhen, China
  • Carry-le-Rouet, France
  • Tioga Pass, California, USA
  • Filandia, Colombia
  • The Azores, Portugal
  • Cartagena, Spain
  • Georgian Military Highway, Georgia
  • Morne Seychelles National Park, Seychelles
  • Ishikawa, Japan
  • Skopje, North Macedonia
  • Mongolia
  • The Hague, Netherlands
  • Macau, China
  • Côn Đảo, Vietnam
  • Malmö, Sweden
  • Gibraltar
  • Southern Tunisia
  • Bwlch Mountain, Wales
  • São Sebastião, Brazil
  • Prince Edward Island, Canada
  • Tasmania, Australia
  • Cochamó Valley, Chile
  • Newcastle, Australia
  • Brown Station, Antarctica
  • Cuenca, Ecuador
  • Karpathos, Greece
  • Lake Bacalar, Mexico
  • Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
  • Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe
  • Gippsland, Australia
  • Turku, Finland
  • Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

Time Out Worldwide +2

The list was compiled by Time Out editors and travel writers, with destinations selected for their natural beauty, culture, local experiences and appeal as alternatives to more heavily visited tourist destinations.

Original source: Time Out: The 41 Most Underrated Travel Destinations in the World.