The World’s Least-Visited Countries — And Why You Should Check Them Out

There’s off-the-beaten-path travel, and then there’s really off-the-beaten-path travel. In countries located in remote corners of the world, with limited space and infrastructure, mere thousands of travelers visit each year. But, of course, this lack of tourism is precisely what makes them so incredibly desirable.

In a world that is shrinking by the day thanks to social media and increased accessibility, it’s a wonder to discover places that are still, by and large, untouched. Dive into these least-visited countries, which extend from the mountains of Europe to the deep seas of the South Pacific.

The best part? While they might take a bit longer to reach, they are all entirely visitable and very worth your time.

376,000 annual visitors

More than the subject of the popular DreamWorks movies, Madagascar is an island destination off the coast of East Africa that is an absolute paradise for nature obsessives and outdoor enthusiasts.

As, yes, those movies make clear, Madagascar is home to an incredible array of wildlife. Astonishingly, 5 percent of the world’s animals and plants are found here — and only here. Get acquainted with the lemur, frogs, turtles, sharks and humpback whales, and check out hundreds of orchids and desert forests.

*Note: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have used 2019 tourism numbers, per the UN World Tourism Organization’s 2020 “International Tourism Highlights” report. Some nations did not provide information for the report. In this cases, 2018 numbers were used. 

Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island, but its infrastructure is somewhat lacking. The roads are atrocious and it can be expensive to get around.

Nonetheless, adventure travelers will find much to enjoy. Off-road driving, national park exploration, private plane adventures, kite surfing, rock climbing and diving are just a few of the experiences to be found on the island.

363,000 annual visitors

Tucked onto just 200 hectares of the French Riviera, Monaco is, in fact, the world’s second-smallest country — only Vatican City is smaller. This is why it always feels so crowded despite not receiving many visitors.

But what the country lacks in size, it makes up for with sheer glamour. Monaco is the ultimate playground for the rich and famous, where the glitterati sunbathes in swimsuits that cost more than cars, and high-rollers spend like it’s going out of style.

Visitors will be stunned by the expensive yachts, elegant restaurants and ritzy real estate that costs a pretty penny. This is a seductive destination, with azure-colored water, gently lilting palm trees and a steep, craggy cliff that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea, called Le Rocher.

History is also ever-present here; the country’s charming cobblestone streets date back to the 13th century.