17 Underrated Honeymoon Destinations

When most couples plan their honeymoon, they often gravitate toward the same handful of destinations that everyone else seems to pick. Paris, Hawaii, the Caribbean—these places are popular for good reason, but they’re also crowded and expensive. Sometimes the most magical experiences happen in places that haven’t made it onto every travel blogger’s must-visit list yet.

The world is full of incredible destinations that offer everything you want in a honeymoon without the tourist crowds or inflated prices. Here is a list of 17 underrated honeymoon destinations that deliver romance, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

Faroe Islands

Tucked between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands feel like a secret the Nordic countries have been keeping to themselves. These 18 tiny islands offer dramatic cliffs, grass-roof houses that look like something from a fairy tale, and some of the most pristine landscapes you’ll find anywhere. The isolation means you’ll have hiking trails and scenic viewpoints almost entirely to yourselves. Imagine watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky while soaking in natural hot springs, with nobody else around for miles.

Slovenia

Slovenia sits quietly between Italy, Austria, and Croatia, offering the best of all three without the tourist madness. Lake Bled looks like a postcard come to life, with its medieval castle perched on a cliff and a tiny island church in the middle of emerald waters. The country is small enough that you can see mountain lakes, underground caves, and a Mediterranean coastline all in one trip. Plus, Ljubljana, the capital, has this charming old-world feel with outdoor cafes and a castle overlooking the city.

Azores, Portugal

Nine volcanic islands sitting alone in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are what Hawaii might have looked like fifty years ago. Hot springs bubble up from the ground, crater lakes reflect the sky like mirrors, and the whole place has this untouched, wild beauty that’s hard to find anywhere else. You can spend your days hiking around volcanic calderas and your evenings soaking in natural thermal pools under the stars. The local cuisine is incredible too—fresh seafood and unique dishes cooked using geothermal heat from the earth itself.

Tasmania, Australia

Everyone heads to mainland Australia, but Tasmania offers something completely different—pristine wilderness that feels like stepping back in time. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart is unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere, and the island’s food scene rivals Melbourne or Sydney. You can explore ancient rainforests, spot Tasmanian devils in the wild, and visit wineries that produce some seriously underrated bottles. The best part is how compact everything is—you can drive across the entire island in a few hours.

Oman

While everyone flocks to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Oman offers Arabian luxury without the overwhelming glitz. The country feels like a more authentic version of the Middle East, with ancient forts, traditional souks, and some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet. You can camp under the stars in the Wahiba Sands desert, swim in crystal-clear wadis (natural pools), and explore the dramatic coastline where mountains meet the sea. The capital, Muscat, blends modern amenities with traditional architecture in a way that feels genuine rather than manufactured.

Estonia

Tallinn’s medieval old town looks like a movie set, complete with cobblestone streets and towers that have been standing for centuries. Estonia offers a unique blend of Scandinavian efficiency and Eastern European charm, all without the crowds you’d find in Prague or Budapest. The country has embraced technology in fascinating ways—they invented Skype here—but they’ve also preserved their cultural traditions beautifully. You can island-hop to places like Saaremaa, where time seems to move slower and the landscape is dotted with ancient meteorite craters.

Madagascar

This island nation off the coast of Africa is like nowhere else on Earth—90% of its wildlife exists nowhere else in the world. Lemurs, baobab trees that look like they’re growing upside down, and landscapes that range from rainforest to desert make Madagascar feel like visiting an alien planet. The Tsingy stone forests create natural cathedrals of limestone, and the Avenue of the Baobabs offers sunsets that will leave you speechless. It’s definitely more of an adventure honeymoon, but for couples who love wildlife and unique experiences, it’s unbeatable.

Georgia

Nestled between Europe and Asia, Georgia offers wine regions that predate those in France, mountain landscapes that rival the Alps, and a capital city that buzzes with creative energy. Tbilisi feels like Berlin twenty years ago—full of artists, incredible food, and a nightlife scene that locals are passionate about. The country is incredibly affordable, and Georgian hospitality is legendary—locals will invite you into their homes and share their homemade wine with you. The Caucasus Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for everything, and the ancient cave cities are unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere.

Cook Islands

While everyone knows about Fiji and Tahiti, the Cook Islands offer similar Pacific paradise vibes with a fraction of the crowds. Aitutaki Lagoon is often called the most beautiful lagoon in the world, and after seeing photos, you’ll understand why. The water is so clear you can see tropical fish swimming 20 feet below your boat. Rarotonga, the main island, has this laid-back Polynesian culture where life moves at island time, and the locals genuinely seem happy to share their piece of paradise with visitors.

Jordan

Jordan packs an incredible amount of history and natural beauty into a relatively small space. Petra, the ancient city carved into pink sandstone cliffs, is obviously the main attraction, but it’s just the beginning. You can float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, camp in the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum where ‘The Martian’ was filmed, and explore Amman, a modern city built on ancient foundations. Jordanians are incredibly welcoming, and the country feels safe and accessible even for first-time Middle East visitors.

Albania

Albania sits on the Mediterranean between Greece and Italy, offering stunning coastlines and mountain villages without the tourist infrastructure that’s taken over much of the rest of the region. The Albanian Riviera has beaches that rival anything in Croatia, but you’ll pay a fraction of the price. Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage site, looks like it hasn’t changed in centuries, with stone houses cascading down hillsides. The food combines the best of Mediterranean and Balkan cuisines, and locals are genuinely excited to show off their country to visitors.

Bhutan

This tiny Himalayan kingdom measures success by ‘Gross National Happiness’ instead of GDP, which tells you something about their priorities. Bhutan carefully limits tourism to preserve their culture and environment, which means you’ll experience authentic Buddhist traditions without feeling like you’re in a theme park. Tiger’s Nest Monastery clings impossibly to a cliff face 10,000 feet above sea level, and the journey to reach it feels like a pilgrimage. The landscape ranges from subtropical forests to snow-capped peaks, and prayer flags flutter in mountain winds everywhere you look.

Kangaroo Island, Australia

Located off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is what Australia was like before European settlement. Echidnas waddle across roads, kangaroos bounce through eucalyptus forests, and the coastline alternates between pristine beaches and dramatic rock formations. Remarkable Rocks look like they were sculpted by giants, and the local honey is some of the purest in the world, thanks to the island’s disease-free bee population. The island is big enough to explore for days, but small enough that you never feel rushed.

Sao Tome and Principe

These two tiny islands off the coast of Central Africa are where chocolate lovers go to find paradise. The islands were once Portuguese cocoa plantations, and you can still tour working chocolate farms and taste cacao straight from the tree. The beaches are empty except for sea turtles coming ashore to nest, and the colonial architecture in Sao Tome city tells stories of a complex history. It’s not the easiest place to reach, but that’s exactly why it remains unspoiled—you’ll have tropical beaches and lush rainforests almost entirely to yourselves.

North Macedonia

This small Balkan country offers European charm at prices that seem too good to be true. Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest settlements, sits on a lake so clear you can see ancient ruins beneath the water’s surface. The city has 365 churches—one for every day of the year, according to locals—and the lakeside setting feels like a more affordable version of Lake Como. Skopje, the capital, is quirky and vibrant, with Ottoman-era bazaars next to avant-garde architecture. The wine regions produce bottles that compete with much more famous European wines at a fraction of the cost.

Vanuatu

This Pacific archipelago offers active volcanoes you can actually hike up to and peer into, along with some of the friendliest people in the world. On Tanna Island, Mount Yasur has been erupting continuously for over 800 years, creating a natural fireworks show every night. The ni-Vanuatu culture is incredibly welcoming—they invented bungee jumping here, using vines instead of elastic cords. Port Vila has this relaxed South Pacific vibe where you can go from snorkeling with dugongs to sipping kava with locals in the same afternoon.

Socotra Island, Yemen

Often called the ‘Galápagos of the Indian Ocean’, Socotra Island is home to plants and animals that exist nowhere else on Earth. Dragon’s blood trees look like giant umbrellas scattered across alien landscapes, and the beaches are empty except for the occasional dolphin pod offshore. Getting there requires some planning—you’ll fly through mainland Yemen—but the isolation has preserved an ecosystem that feels like visiting another planet. The Socotri people have their own language and traditions that have developed independently from the rest of the world for thousands of years.

Hidden Gems in Plain Sight

These destinations prove that the best honeymoon spots aren’t always the ones filling up your social media feeds. While couples continue flocking to the same well-worn paths, these places offer something increasingly rare—genuine discovery and authentic experiences. The tourism infrastructure in many of these locations is still developing, which means you’ll encounter local cultures in their natural state rather than performances designed for visitors. Each of these destinations offers that magical combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and the kind of memories that come from exploring somewhere few people have been before.