The world’s most popular destinations are increasingly overrun by tourists taking one selfie after another.
It can be almost impossible to get anywhere near a landmark thanks to Instagrammers and TikTok ‘influencers’ attempting to capture the ‘perfect’ pose.
The result? Many travellers are now looking elsewhere, discovering destinations that offer a similar vibe, but without mass tourism and high prices. So here’s our guide to some of the best ‘destination dupes’.
Swap Sydney for Perth
Sydney is the pin-up of Australian cities, set around its celebrated harbour with recognisable landmarks – but it consistently teems with tourists.
Instead, head for the often-overlooked west coast, where you can swim with dolphins and enjoy pristine beaches. There are also quokkas, an extremely cute cross between a cat and a kangaroo, which live exclusively on Rottnest Island – one of the big attractions that’s two hours away by boat.
Book it: A 16-night fly/drive holiday in Western Australia, including three in Perth, car rental, 15 nights’ accommodation and return flights is from £3,400pp (trailfinders.com).
Head for Perth, the often-overlooked west coast, where you can swim with dolphins and enjoy pristine beaches
Also in Perth are quokkas, an extremely cute cross between a cat and a kangaroo, which live exclusively on Rottnest Island – one of the big attractions that’s two hours away by boat
Swap Prague for Krakow
With gothic towers, statues and sculptures of saints, it’s little wonder Charles Bridge in Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital, is one of the most photographed bridges in the world – and usually heaving with crowds.
To avoid the throng, try Krakow in the south of Poland instead.
Its historical sites include the 14th century Wawel castle, Kazimierz – the city’s old Jewish quarter, with wide cobbled streets – and the striking Renaissance masterpiece of the Cloth Hall on the spectacular Rynek Glowny market square.
Book it: Three nights at the Plaza Boutique Hotel with Gatwick flights from £198pp (easyjet.com).
Krakow in the south of Poland has historical sites including the 14th century Wawel castle, Kazimierz – the city’s old Jewish quarter, with wide cobbled streets
Swap Paris for Bordeaux
Paris’s elegant boulevards, newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and Eiffel Tower are all lovely, of course, but overwhelmed by tourists.
For an alternative, how about Bordeaux? Its jewel is the Place de la Bourse, an 18th century square with the Miroir d’Eau, a reflecting pool on the banks of the Garonne. The Cite du Vin, resembling a giant wine decanter, is a stylish shrine to the humble grape.
Book it: Four nights staying at FirstName Bordeaux with Gatwick flights from £554pp (britishairways.com).
The Place de la Bourse, an 18th century square with the Miroir d’Eau, a reflecting pool on the banks of the Garonne in Bordeaux
Swap Croatia for Montenegro
Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is revered for its sparkling waters and old citadels – especially Dubrovnik, though it often suffers from hordes of cruise passengers.
An ideal ‘dupe’ is neighbouring Montenegro, with spectacular mountains, a glitzy marina in Tivat, and the Unesco-listed town of Kotor, featuring squares with alfresco dining.
Book it: Four nights’ B&B at Regent Porto Montenegro hotel with Stansted flights from £1,193pp (jet2holidays.com).
Montenegro has spectacular mountains, a glitzy marina in Tivat, and the Unesco-listed town of Kotor, featuring squares with alfresco dining
Swap Mainland Greece for Albania
Popular Parga on the Greek mainland may have pastel-coloured mansions and a 16th century Venetian fortress – but in high season it can be extraordinarily busy.
A quieter, cheaper option is neighbouring Albania. Expect mountainous landscape, crystal-blue waters and beaches such as Saranda and Vlore.
Book it: Seven nights’ B&B at Melia Durres Albania hotel with Luton flights from £1,230pp (travelrepublic.co.uk).
In Albania expect mountainous landscape, crystal-blue waters and beaches such as Saranda and Vlore
Swap the Taj Mahal for Bibi Ka Maqbara
You’ll be hard-pressed to recreate Princess Diana’s famous photo at the Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Shah Jahan in 1632 to honour his late wife – not with all the selfie-stick-wielding crowds.
Further south, however, is a less crowded temple dedicated to love, Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad. It bears a resemblance to the Taj Mahal and was constructed by Jahan’s grandson, Prince Azam, also as a shrine to his late wife, with reflective pools and a tranquil garden.
Book it: A 16-night ‘Heart of India’ tour, including two nights in Aurangabad, is from £6,115pp B&B with Heathrow flights (coxandkings.co.uk).
Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad bears a resemblance to the Taj Mahal in Agra
Swap Venice for Annecy
Venice may have gondolas, St Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal, but its overcrowding has become infamous. Alternatively, try Annecy in the Haute-Savoire region, known as the ‘Venice of the French Alps’.
It enjoys the same meandering canals, gliding swans, colourful mansions and mazy medieval streets, with wonderful views of the Alps thrown in.
Book it: Seven nights’ B&B at Hotel Hebe with Heathrow flights from £1,165pp (tui.co.uk).
Annecy in the Haute-Savoire region, known as the ‘Venice of the French Alps’
Swap Klosters for Parnassos
Nowhere does old-school ski glamour better than Switzerland, especially in Klosters, which can be busy as well as pricey.
Greece’s resort town of Arachova by Mount Parnassos, two hours from Athens, is cheaper and more laidback.
Known as the ‘winter Mykonos’, Arachova’s cobbled streets are packed with bars attracting glamorous Greeks head-to-toe in designer clothes yet enjoying the budget-friendly apres ski prices.
Book it: Return Stansted-Athens from £44 (ryanair.com); catch the ski bus from Athens to Parnassos from £12.50 (en.kantzos.gr); doubles from £169 B&B (santamarina-arachovaresort.gr).
Greece’s resort town of Arachova by Mount Parnassos is two hours from Athens
Swap London for Belfast
‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,’ said Samuel Johnson – but it can get terribly busy.
For a ‘dupe’ you could try Belfast with its buzzy Cathedral Quarter, near St Anne’s Cathedral, with a Soho vibe. Make sure you visit Titanic Belfast, which chronicles the story of the ill-fated liner that was built locally.
Book it: Four nights’ B&B at Titanic Hotel Belfast with Heathrow flights from £1,006pp (newmarketholidays.co.uk).
Titanic Belfast, which chronicles the story of the ill-fated liner that was built locally
Swap Jordan for Saudi Arabia
In Jordan, Petra’s Treasury monument looks magnificent as you emerge from the narrow Al Siq canyon to witness the heart of the 2,300-year-old city built by the Nabateans – though there are often hundreds doing the same.
In Saudi Arabia, it’s much quieter at Hegra in al-Ula, with 111 mysterious tombs that were also built by the ancient Nabateans, featuring columns crowned with sphinxes, eagles and griffins that were built for high-ranking officers and noble families.
Book it: Three nights’ B&B at Our Habitats AlUla hotel with Gatwick flights from £4,329pp (destinology.co.uk).
In Saudi Arabia, it’s much quieter at Hegra in al-Ula with 111 mysterious tombs that were built by the ancient Nabateans
Swap Santorini for Paros
With its blue-domed churches, whitewashed villages and splendid sunsets, Santorini is rightly loved. But then you have the crowds, high prices – and recent volcanic/seismic activity.
Yet on the nearby Cycladic island of Paros – where all is calm – you can enjoy a low-key, authentic Greek experience, with white cubist villages, quiet coves, sandy beaches and sophisticated nightlife that’s just as enticing.
Book it: Seven nights’ B&B at Zefi Hotel with Heathrow flights from £1,428pp (sunvil.co.uk).
Cycladic island of Paros where you can enjoy a low-key, authentic Greek experience, with white cubist villages, quiet coves, sandy beaches and enticing nightlife
Swap Hawaii for the Azores
Hawaii has a diverse group of island landscapes, with most visitors converging on Oahu to see its iconic Waikiki Beach, and enjoying nearby Honolulu.
A mere six-hour journey away, however, is a cluster of volcanic islands that look uncannily like Hawaii within the Portuguese Azores archipelago. It has the same lush vegetation, thermal springs, waterfalls and beaches.
Book it: Seven nights’ B&B in Ribeira Grande on Sao Miguel, with Heathrow flights, from £1,968pp (britishairways.com).
A cluster of volcanic islands that look uncannily like Hawaii within the Portuguese Azores archipelago. It has the same lush vegetation, thermal springs, waterfalls and beaches