Nowadays, finding a tourist place that can be described as a true hidden gem may be challenging. However, here at Plum Guide, we have compiled a list of 10 paradises that are still relatively unknown to the general public, and you may put your faith in our recommendations.
After all, we are professionals in the travel industry. Paradise may mean various things to different people, but for us, it is a lovely location, with a touch of seclusion thrown in there for good measure.
It should be noted that not all of these locations are tropical islands; in fact, sometimes a mountain or a forest may be just as lovely as a beach. It is thus time to take notice of this information if you are interested in venturing off the beaten road and impressing your friends with a treasure they have not yet heard about.
Please continue reading for our seasoned guide to some of the world’s most beautiful undiscovered paradises.
Find hidden paradises that will astound you and escape to the world’s best-kept secrets. Scattered over the world, these hidden jewels are just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
Whether you’re looking for unspoiled landscapes or perfect beaches, these top ten secret paradises will whisk you away to a place of absolute joy.
The year 2024 is guaranteed to be the pinnacle of your vacation dreams, so gather your belongings and get ready to see these lesser-known treasures.
Top 20 Hidden Paradises In The World 2024
1. Kirkjufell Mountains
Source: Reddit.com
Kirkjufell Mountain, located in Snaefellsnes, Iceland, is a hidden paradise known for its stunning views and unique pyramidal formations. Standing at 1519 feet, it is divided into several levels, with fossil-bearing strata on the bottom and lava layers on the top.
The mountain’s steeple-like appearance is attributed to its geological history. Stöðin, a meeting place, is next to Kirkjufell. The most visited attraction is Kirkjufell’s Falls, which are home to three waterfalls.
During winter, the snow-capped peak becomes snow-covered, while in summer, its vegetation turns green and red, making it a picturesque setting for the Northern Lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_UWNRC2hc&pp=ygUUS2lya2p1ZmVsbCBNb3VudGFpbnM%3D
2. Cano Cristales
Source: es.wikipedia.org
Cano Cristales, a world-renowned river in Colombia, is known for its vibrant colors, originating from the riverweed Macarenia clavigera.
The riverbed, home to the rare and endangered plant species, is characterized by its natural swimming pools and waterfalls. The river’s unique hues are a popular destination for tourists, especially during the summer months.
The Guiana Shield, the oldest rock on Earth, formed here, making Cano Cristales one of the most beautiful cosmic hidden paradises. The river’s unique hues make it a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReaWDxWPD4o&pp=ygUOQ2FubyBDcmlzdGFsZXM%3D
3. Taylor Glacier Blood Falls
Source: United States Antarctic Program Photo Library
Blood Falls, located in Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys, is a unique lake with a reddish hue resembling blood. The lake is home to 17 microbial species and is devoid of oxygen.
They metabolize ferric ions and sulfates through heat and low freezing points. The lake’s unique ecology allows it to freeze due to its salty or briny water.
The subglacial brine lake’s rusty hue is due to iron scraping off bedrock underneath the lake. The lake’s unique location and unique ecosystem make it a hidden paradise and marvel under the ice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fy-OWbqOWY&pp=ygUaVGF5bG9yIEdsYWNpZXIgQmxvb2QgRmFsbHM%3D
Beppu Hot Springs
Source: TripAdvisor.com
Beppu, Japan’s largest onsen town, is known for its thermal spring water, spanning over 2500 vents and attracting tourists with its picturesque townscape and long hot spring pools.
The city’s cluster of hot springs, known as Beppu Onsen, divides into eight tropical spring zones. Visitors can enjoy various types of spas, including outdoor, indoor, steam, sand, and foot baths.
Beppu is home to volcano research institutions and national medical facilities. Other popular hot spring destinations include Lake Shidaka, Mount Tsurumi, and the Kijima plateau.
The hot springs also attract wildlife like Hyppo and commercial systems for boiling eggs and cooking vegetables.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMEnMm2QxGo&pp=ygURQmVwcHUgSG90IFNwcmluZ3M%3D
5. Lake with Spots:
Source: @interest.based.facts on Instagram
Spot Lake Khiluk, located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, is the most mineralized lake in the area. It contains minerals like magnesium sulfate, calcium, sodium sulfate, and trace amounts of silver and titanium.
The lake was a holy site for the Okanagan nation and has been shared with the Canadian government and indigenous groups since 2001.
The 365 pools of water change colors depending on mineral concentration and the lake is surrounded by a fence to prevent visitors from getting too close.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmgHSCGWOvU&pp=ygUQU3BvdCBMYWtlIEtoaWx1aw%3D%3D
6. Red Beach Panjin
Source: : Lethi Anhtuyet via Flickr
Panjin Red Beach, a massive reed marsh and wetland in Dawa County, Panjin City, Liaoning Province, China, is known for its seepweed-covered terrain and the red Suaeda salsa plant.
It is one of the world’s secret paradises and home to 399 wild animals, including 260 endangered crane species. The plant’s life cycle starts in December and grows in both acidic and rich soils.
Its vibrant red hue is easily identifiable, turning green in spring and jade in early summer. To ensure the safety of the population and the beauty of Red Beach, officials provide state-level protection.
Despite being closed to the public, there is still a spot for tourists to work as attractions. The foliage is at its most vibrant between midway through September and mid-October.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SS-jd2hNX0&pp=ygUXNi7CoMKgIFJlZCBCZWFjaCBQYW5qaW4%3D
7. Travertine Pools of Pamukkale
Source: Reddit.com
Pamukkale, a historical and natural asset in southern Turkey, is known for its mineral-rich food, white lakes, and hot springs.
The valley of the River Menderes has a moderate climate all year round and is home to seventeen hot water springs. The region is home to seventeen hot water springs, including Hierapolis, an ancient holy city restored by the Romans.
The natural travertine and therapeutic waters of Pamukkale are popular for treating kidney stones, stroke, hypertension, rheumatism, circulatory issues, gastrointestinal disorders, nutritional deficiencies, mental and physical fatigue, and chronic illnesses.
Pamukkale is designated a World Heritage Site by Hierapolis. Visitors must stick to the roadway, as the terraces are off-limits. June through August is peak tourist season, so visitors should avoid crowds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaAY9NuctMY&pp=ygUdVHJhdmVydGluZSBQb29scyBvZiBQYW11a2thbGU%3D
8. Danxia from Zhangye
Source: Pinterest.com
Zhangye Danxia, also known as “the eye candy of Zhangye,” is a geological park in Gansu, China, spanning 116 to 197 square miles.
The region features numerous rock formations in a variety of rainbow colors, including crimson sandstone formations known as the Danxia.
The mountains’ landscape appears like a mirage when their summits peek through clouds and fog. The slanted rock strata have a wide variety of forms, sizes, colors, textures, and patterns.
The varying hues of the sedimentary rocks are due to river and wind erosion, which created the beautiful multicolored strata over thousands of years.
Visitors from around the world come to see Zhangye Danxia, which holds the title of one of the world’s 10 most picturesque secret paradises.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWmB40XxNYo&pp=ygUYwqDCoCBEYW54aWEgZnJvbSBaaGFuZ3ll
9. Retba Lake
Source: fontica.com
Lake Retba, located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula, is known for its distinctive bright pink hue, created by the Dunaliella salina bacteria. This unique lake, known for its high salt content, is a popular tourist attraction and salt production facility.
The lake’s high salinity makes it uninhabitable for most living things, making it a popular destination for tourists. The lake’s unique color is most striking from November through June when the weather is dry.
The lake’s inhabitants, known as Lac Rose, primarily used it for consumption and salt manufacturing, with mounds of salt appearing like white sand along its beaches.
The lake’s inhabitants cover themselves with shea butter to protect themselves from the sun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUfSn9utjMo&pp=ygUROS7CoMKgIFJldGJhIExha2U%3D
10. Maranhenses Lencois
Source: Youtube
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in northeastern Brazil is a breathtaking destination known for its stunning natural beauty.
During the rainy season, the park transforms into verdant lagoons of blue and green, attracting tourists with its turquoise lakes and silky white dunes.
The region is home to a variety of species, including wolf fish, birds, and a variety of animals and plants.
The Park receives its sand from the continent’s interior via the Parnaba and Preguiças rivers, and has an average yearly temperature of 79- to 83.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Park also features a mangrove and restinga habitat, along with the dunes.
From May through September, the park attracts 68,000 visitors annually, offering activities such as adventure tourism, rustic camping, surfing, canoeing, and horseback riding.
As the most stunning secret paradise on Earth, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDUcPQEg8aQ&pp=ygUTTWFyYW5oZW5zZXMgTGVuY29pcw%3D%3D
10. Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Grand Barrier Island is the place to go if your idea of paradise consists of disconnecting from civilization and living in harmony with the natural world.
The island’s one thousand residents must depend on renewable energy sources and the collection of freshwaters to stay alive. This island, which can be reached from Auckland City by boat in around 4.5 hours, has the feeling of being the most remote getaway possible. Because more than sixty percent of the island is preserved as a conservation park, it is pretty easy to get disoriented in the natural environment.
The island is covered in unspoiled forest, and inside that forest, you will find natural hot springs, desolate sandy beaches, and endemic species of both plants and birds.
9. Archipelago of Finland
It would be irresponsible of us not to put Finland on our list of the top 10 secret paradises of the globe, given its abundance of remote locations; the country is home to the biggest archipelago in the world, with tens of thousands of islands to select from.
The Finnish Archipelago is spread out throughout western and southwest Finland. Here, you will discover the wild and unruly wooded islands, isolated inlets, and picturesque communities of the region.
Explore this paradise in the way of Huckleberry Finn by taking a sailboat or kayak out on the water. Gather your food by gathering berries or catching fresh fish; who knows; you could even find an uninhabited island while you’re out there.
8. Havelock Island, Andaman Islands
Havelock Island is the place to go if you are searching for a backdoor entrance to something. This tropical island has everything, from deserted beaches with pristine white sand to verdant forests to crystal clear seas.
Even though resorts have replaced bamboo beach huts, a significant portion of the island has not been developed; in fact, there is a chance that you will be sharing the beach with a vast and unexpected visitor (guess how Elephant Beach earned its name).
If you arrive at this snorkeling hotspot early enough in the morning, you can see something even more unexpected than the fish: elephants washing off their antics from the previous night in the surf.
Havelock Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia; nevertheless, visitors shouldn’t overlook the island’s dense forest interior and instead go on a trekking excursion.
7. Setubal Bay, Portugal
There is no question that Portugal is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations on the whole globe. Setubal Bay is where we plan to go, although other tourists may go to Lisbon or the Algarve to get their fill of sun, sand, and sea.
We, on the other hand, are going to Setubal Bay. The bay is situated inside the boundaries of a National Ecological Reserve, and it is home to several distinct habitats cherished by many species of animals.
These habitats include the River Sado Estuary, which is regarded as one of the most significant wetlands in Portugal. The cove is also inhabited by a pod of bottlenose dolphins, which makes for a very unforgettable sight.
We ask that you retain the fact that the stunning Praia dos Galapinhos has been recognized as one of Europe’s Best Beaches, a well-guarded secret, because we don’t want it to cease being a well-kept secret.
6. The Basin of the Congo
The Amazon Rainforest often takes the spotlight away from the Congo Basin. Despite this, it is undoubtedly included in our list of preferred remote paradises because it is the most significant wilderness region on Earth.
The biodiverse jungle stretches from Tanzania to Cameroon and covers nine different nations. Go to this undiscovered treasure to see endangered animals such as the world’s most giant gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.
This park covers an expanse of woodland encompassing 13,600 square kilometers, and ecosystems include woods, marshes, rivers, and swamps. Odzala National Park is one of the oldest parks in Africa, and it is an excellent place to base yourself since it is still relatively unknown.
5. Sardinia, Italy
If you were to stumble onto the island of Sardinia, you might be astonished to learn that it is located in the Mediterranean Sea; this is about as near as Europe comes to having a secret island paradise.
If you want to spend a week stranded on an island by yourself, this is the option you should go for. Sardinia is one of the most popular islands in the Mediterranean.
Still, unlike other prominent islands in the region, it does not have crowds of tourists that can be seen at other famous Mediterranean sites. If you want to enjoy sunbathing without having to worry about being seen, you should go to the island’s extensive southern beaches.
4. Faroe Islands
If you go to a particularly gloomy and foggy part of Instagram, you’ll discover that many people have posted photographs of the Faroe Islands. However, even though they are not easy to get to, these islands have managed to keep their status as a hidden passageway.
The effort is well worth it, however. Since this North Atlantic archipelago is technically a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the city of Copenhagen is the most convenient route to get to the islands.
If you’re searching for a place to get away from it all in an area with stunning landscapes and plenty of privacy, go no further than the Faroe Islands. Although Torshavn, the capital, has a little more than 20,000 population, you won’t run across anybody else if you go climbing in the surrounding mountains.
Because of the weather’s unpredictability in this area, it is always a good idea to let others know when you are going out. Nothing is more captivating than the towering cliffs, circling seabirds, and pouring waterfalls into the ocean that can be seen on these islands; they will put you under their hypnotic spell.
3. Baja California Sur, Mexico
Most vacationers go straight toward Mexico’s Caribbean coast, but they are losing out on a great experience. Baja California, the second-longest peninsula on Earth, is home to miles of undeveloped shoreline.
It is the ideal secluded spot for surfers looking to avoid other people as they ride the waves. This part of the globe is still largely unexplored by tourists, so if you want to make the most of your time here, choose to do things more relaxedly than you would otherwise.
Take the world-famous Highway 1 to the northernmost point of the state, where you can find deserted beaches and quiet fishing communities. We suggest you go to Bahia Concepción if you are searching for a peaceful spot to swim. But shh, don’t let anybody else in on the secret.
2. Ladakh, India
Ladakh, known as “India’s final frontier,” is an area that is gradually becoming more popular among travelers. However, this sanctuary is still a secret, and a large part of the credit goes to the breathtaking peaks surrounding it.
The “Land of High Passes” is located in one of the most stunning regions of the Himalayas, which is wedged between Pakistan and Tibet and Xinjiang Province in China.
This undiscovered mountain paradise has snow-capped peaks, pure air, and mountain monasteries. Under the vast blue sky, there are red-robed monks and prayer flags used in the Buddhist religion.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of contemporary life by relocating to a self-sufficient and ecologically sustainable location. You can’t expect to go anywhere quickly in this area; it will take you at least a week to adjust to the high altitude and learn how to drive on treacherous roads.
1. Isle of Anglesey Wales, United Kingdom
When it comes to a guide to the best-hidden paradises around the globe, you may find this to be an unexpected option. However, the Isle of Anglesey in the United Kingdom is just about as undiscovered as possible.
The most remote part of Wales is home to Wale’s most oversized island, which serves as a favored retreat for members of the British royal family. You will come across kilometers of breathtaking coastline, beaches devoid of people, and important historical landmarks.
The Isle of Anglesey is also rich in history; according to Celtic tradition, the Roman invaders who arrived on the island in 60 AD were driven away by the Celtic druids who lived there at the time.
Even though it was never completed, what is left of the chapel on Llanddwyn Island, which was once home to Saint Dwynwen, is an astounding marvel of human ingenuity. You can also see the castle in Wales, which was the final structure to be erected there.
Conclusion
Spend some time relaxing on beautiful white sand beaches, soaking up the tropical sun, or discovering hidden lagoons and caverns. Palau is the perfect place to get away from it all, reconnect with nature, and discover real peace.
Get ready to be enchanted by the pristine beauty and one-of-a-kind experiences that await you as you set off on your quest to discover these secret paradises.
These lesser-known gems, ranging from Colombia’s Cano Cristales River to Iceland’s spectacular Kirkjufell Mountains, are guaranteed to make your holiday fantasies come true.
Get ready to go on an epic journey in 2024 to one of these secluded paradises throughout the globe.
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