Ditch the Crowds: 2025’s Hottest Travel Dupes That’ll Save You a Fortune

If you’re tired of elbowing your way through tourist-packed piazzas, queuing for overpriced cocktails, and blowing half your budget on entry tickets, it’s time to embrace a trend that’s gaining serious momentum in 2025: travel dupes.

Like the fashion world’s designer knockoffs that look just as good for a fraction of the price, travel dupes offer similar vibes, sights, and experiences to iconic destinations – without the eye-watering costs and crowds. Whether you’re dreaming of the Maldives, Machu Picchu, or Provence, there’s an affordable alternative that might just be better than the original.

Here are the top travel dupes to watch in 2025.

1. Instead of Iceland – Visit the Faroe Islands

Iceland’s blue lagoons, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes have made it a must-visit destination – and an increasingly expensive one. Enter the Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago between Iceland and Norway that offers similarly dramatic scenery, puffin-filled cliffs, and rugged coastal trails.

What makes the Faroe Islands special is their quiet charm. You’ll find turf-roofed cottages, fjords without tour buses, and locals who actually have time to chat. Flights from mainland Europe are increasing, and while it’s not bargain-basement cheap, it’s more affordable than Reykjavík – and far less crowded.

Vibe: Wild, untouched, cinematic.

2. Instead of Barcelona – Visit Girona

Barcelona is iconic – but also noisy, pricey, and overrun. Girona, just 40 minutes away by train, offers all the charm with none of the chaos. Think winding medieval streets, colourful houses along the Onyar River, and even some Gaudí-inspired architecture. Game of Thrones fans will also recognise it as a key filming location.

It’s also foodie heaven: Girona is home to El Celler de Can Roca, one of the best restaurants in the world, but you can also grab amazing tapas for just a few euros. It’s a brilliant base for exploring Catalonia without the tourist tax.

Vibe: Culture-rich, peaceful, underrated.

3. Instead of Provence – Visit Transylvania

Provence is dreamy, sure – lavender fields, wine, medieval towns. But the prices in peak season? Not so dreamy. Swap it for Transylvania, Romania’s most misunderstood (and now most up-and-coming) region.

With rolling hills, sunflower fields, and fortified Saxon villages, Transylvania is both romantic and rugged. You’ll find wildflower meadows instead of selfie sticks, and boutique B&Bs for the price of a sandwich in Avignon. Plus, the wine is excellent and shockingly affordable.

Vibe: Enchanted countryside with Gothic flair.

4. Instead of the Maldives – Visit Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Dreaming of overwater bungalows and turquoise seas? Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands might surprise you. This Spanish island offers dazzling white-sand beaches, volcanic landscapes, and crystal-clear waters – minus the long-haul flight and luxury price tag.

It’s perfect for couples, solo travellers, and families alike. Whether you want to kitesurf, sunbathe, or just sip sangria by the sea, Fuerteventura offers serious value. And because it’s in the EU, there’s no need to worry about visas or currency exchange if you’re travelling from Europe.

Vibe: Laid-back island life with a splash of surf culture.

5. Instead of Machu Picchu – Visit Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

Machu Picchu is awe-inspiring – and also overcrowded and heavily regulated. If you’re after a true Indiana Jones-style adventure, consider Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City) in Colombia. Reached via a four-day jungle trek, this ancient site predates Machu Picchu by centuries and sees a fraction of the visitors.

The trek is no small feat: humid, muddy, and full of river crossings. But you’ll be rewarded with a mystical archaeological site hidden in the misty mountains, guided by local Kogi people. It’s sustainable, adventurous, and deeply memorable.

Vibe: Epic, off-grid, spiritually rich.

6. Instead of Santorini – Visit Thassos

Santorini’s blue domes and white-washed views are stunning, but they come with cruise crowds and high prices. Thassos, a lesser-known Greek island, offers similar charm but with golden beaches, hidden lagoons, and traditional tavernas that won’t destroy your budget.

Thassos has a lush, green interior (rare for Greek islands) and is ideal for hiking, swimming, or lazy beach days. It’s accessible by ferry and remains blissfully uncrowded, especially outside the high season. In 2025, deals are as low as £189 per person for a week’s stay, making it a true hidden gem.

Vibe: Relaxed, authentic, unspoiled.

7. Instead of Bali – Visit Sri Lanka

Bali is beautiful, but overtourism has changed its soul. Sri Lanka delivers tropical jungles, surf beaches, spiritual sites, and wildlife-rich national parks – all with less traffic and fewer influencers.

In Sri Lanka, you can ride a scenic train through the hills, spot elephants in the wild, sip tea in colonial hill towns, and eat amazing curries for pocket change. The vibe is more soulful and the pace slower – perfect for 2025’s growing trend of meaningful travel.

Vibe: Soulful, sensory, adventure-ready.

Why Travel Dupes Matter in 2025

The pandemic changed the way we travel. Now more than ever, travellers are craving space, authenticity, and value for money. Travel dupes deliver all three. Whether you’re avoiding overtourism, seeking unique experiences, or simply trying to stretch your budget, these destinations are worth considering.

They also offer a more sustainable way to explore the world. By choosing lesser-known spots, you help spread the tourism load and support communities that don’t typically benefit from mass tourism. Plus, there’s something undeniably exciting about discovering somewhere before it hits the mainstream.

Tips for Finding Your Own Travel Dupe

• Look for lesser-known cities near major hubs.
• Search alternative hashtags on Instagram.
• Ask locals or travel bloggers about their off-the-radar picks.
• Consider travelling in the shoulder season for better deals.