The Undertourism Issue: Where to Go Before Everyone Else Finds Out

People are protesting over-tourism all over the world, from Spain to Mexico. You saw that video of Barcelona residents shooting squirt guns equipped with water at visitors, who they claim are ruining the city for locals? No worries, though—we have a solution here at HAP: uncrowded hotel and destination alternatives that are anything but basic. Read on for some of our editors’ favorites via this special-edition newsletter.

Sometimes you just want to go where the Americans aren’t… and in this case, it’s Francophone Africa’s Senegal (I’m American, for the record). Kitted out in Senegalese-style architecture, the wallet-friendly, design-centric, beachfront Tama Lodge, and its nine-key thatched-roofed accommodations, will put you in enchantment mode ASAP. Inside, Tuareg camel leather rugs, tree trunk-hewn bed frames, and Kuba fabric curtains coexist. The Lodge sits in the country’s Atlantic-fringing, third-largest city, Mbour—it’s a sensory overload where you’ll witness crowded markets displaying denizen-crafted art, fresh and colorful fruit, plus the daily catches from proud local fishermen—fruits of the sea are the area’s gastronomical claim to fame.

The Mediterranean Sea hugs the rugged isle of Cyprus, but despite its serene beaches, it’s often overlooked. Located in a bucolic mountain town called Pano Lefkara (it’s famous for its abundance of blue doors), the married couple-owned Agora Hotel, its 15 rooms and three suites, Mediterranean restaurant Novél, plus courtyard pool ooze pared-back charm.

-Brandon Berkson, CEO & Founder of Hotels Above Par

Scared of the crowds over in the French and Italian Riviera? Solve your problems in Montenegro, where you’ll live a paradiso dream. Montenegro offers a rare blend of luxury stays along the Adriatic with lush mountain scenery just steps away, making it a dream for travelers craving both indulgence and adventure. Stay at The Chedi Lustica Bay for unrivaled luxury locked between the Adriatic Coast and majestic mountains. Beyond the resorts, you’ll find warm local hospitality in family-run wineries, seaside cafés, and village markets that give every visit an authentic, personal touch.

Less touristy than its Cycladic sister islands, Greece’s Andros is a great option for those seeking to avoid the major crowds of Santorini and Mykonos. Lush landscapes, natural beauty, and its rich maritime heritage make it all worthwhile. Stay at Onar and be beguiled by its array of seaside stone houses.

- Katie Mok, Media Coordinator & Contributing Editor

Most travelers to Peru head straight for Lima and Cusco on their way to Machu Picchu, but Arequipa—the Land of the Incas’ second-largest city in the southern circuit—offers a refreshing detour. Known as the White City for its sillar stone architecture (a volcanic rock native to the region), this colonial gem brims with world-class gastronomy, winding cobblestone streets, and historic monasteries. After exploration-heavy days, CIRQA, a Relais & Châteaux property set in a 15th-century monastery, delivers soulful luxury with frescoed suites and a serene plunge pool made for pure relaxation.

From Cannes and Saint-Tropez to Antibes and Nice, every Brit, American—and their mother—have flocked to the South of France. A quieter Riviera stop beloved by the French, Saint-Raphaël is just a stone’s throw from Marseille, Nice, and even Paris by train. It’s easily accessible yet blissfully free of crowds, with all the resort-town charm travelers crave along the Côte d’Azur. Hôtel Les Roches Rouges seals the deal: think chic seaside style, airy curtains spilling soft light, a palette of beachy blues and creams, and a cinematic pool Sophia Loren herself might have lounged beside.

-Britney Eschelman, Senior Editor