Those little-known spots, the ones your friends haven’t posted about on Instagram yet, often deliver the most magical family moments. Places where you’re not queuing for hours with cranky kids, or paying tourist-trap prices for mediocre ice cream, or desperately trying to get that perfect family photo without 50 strangers in the background.
I’ve spent years dragging my reluctant children to places off the usual family holiday circuit. Sometimes it’s been brilliant; other times I’ve questioned my sanity. But I’ve gathered a pretty amazing collection along the way – destinations where your family can have authentic experiences without the chaos of those overcrowded hotspots.
This isn’t about avoiding popular countries or cities altogether, it’s about finding their quieter corners. The places where local kids play, where menus don’t come in six languages, and where your family can breathe a bit and actually connect with each other and the place you’re visiting.
Why Should Families Bother with Lesser-Known Places?
In reality, travelling with kids can be a real pain sometimes. The planning, the packing, the “are we there yet?” on repeat. So why complicate things by choosing somewhere unfamiliar?
Well, I’ve found these lesser-known spots actually make family travel easier, not harder. They’re typically less crowded, which means your toddler can toddle without getting trampled and your teens won’t be rolling their eyes at yet another queue.
They’re often cheaper too. We stayed in Trogir, Croatia and paid about half what friends paid for their week in Dubrovnik. We had the same gorgeous Adriatic, just with more space on the beach and restaurants that weren’t charging ridiculous prices.
And there’s something special about every family member experiencing a place that hasn’t been filtered through TikTok videos and Instagram posts. Their reactions are more genuine, more curious. These places create the stories your family will still be telling years later.
Oman: Desert Adventures Without the Desert of Tourists
Oman makes a brilliant family destination, but most people haven’t cottoned on yet. When we went, it was like having this incredible adventure playground nearly to ourselves.
The country has this perfect blend of desert landscapes, crystal clear wadis (natural pools), and ancient forts that look like they’re straight out of Aladdin. My kids still talk about our night camping in the Wahiba Sands – lying on our backs counting stars while our Bedouin guide told stories that had them hanging on every word.
We spent one magical evening at Ras Al Jinz watching giant sea turtles lumber up the beach to lay their eggs. My youngest was literally trembling with excitement, whispering a bit too loudly about how “it’s just like in the nature documentaries but REAL!” The local guide was brilliant with the kids, answering their endless questions with patience.
If you’re thinking of going, aim for the cooler months between October and April. Pack modest clothing – it’s a conservative country and you’ll want to respect that. And definitely rent a car; the driving is straightforward and it gives you the freedom to stop at those random roadside fruit stands or pull over when you spot camels crossing the road.
Coimbra, Portugal: History That Doesn’t Bore the Kids
Portugal gets plenty of tourists, but they mostly flock to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Meanwhile, Coimbra sits in the middle, often overlooked despite being absolutely wonderful for families.
This medieval university town has a relaxed vibe that’s perfect when travelling with kids. The narrow cobbled streets of the old town are mostly pedestrianised, so you can let the little ones run ahead without constant traffic anxiety.
The absolute highlight for families is Portugal dos Pequenitos – a quirky park with miniature versions of Portuguese buildings and monuments. My kids thought it was brilliant being giants for the day, peering into tiny palaces and stepping over mini bridges. I got a solid hour of peace while they played “giant monsters”.
When the cultural stuff gets too much, the beach at Figueira da Foz is just a 40-minute drive away. It’s massive – seriously, you’ll never struggle to find space – with golden sand and decent waves if your kids are into bodyboarding.
We stayed near the university, which was about half the price of similar places in Lisbon. The best surprise was how affordable eating out was. We had proper family feasts for what would barely get you starters in a Lisbon restaurant.
Trogir, Croatia: Cobblestones and Clear Waters
Croatia isn’t exactly undiscovered, but most families head straight to Dubrovnik or Split. Meanwhile, little Trogir – just 10 minutes from Split Airport – offers the same stunning Dalmatian coast experience without the crowds or prices.
The old town sits on a tiny island connected by bridges to the mainland and is completely car-free, which is brilliant with kids. My lot spent hours just wandering the marble streets, discovering hidden ice cream shops and counting cats (there are loads).
The beaches aren’t directly in the old town, but Okrug Gornji on Čiovo island is just a 5-minute water taxi away. It’s got shallow, crystal-clear water that’s perfect for younger ones.
What made Trogir especially good for us was being able to rent an apartment with a kitchen, which saved us from restaurant meltdowns when the kids were too tired to behave. The local markets are fantastic for fresh produce if you fancy making a simple dinner.
I’d recommend visiting in May or September – you still get lovely weather but miss the worst of the summer crowds. We went during the Trogir Cultural Summer in July, which meant random street performances that kept the kids entertained while we enjoyed a glass of local wine in a square.
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City in northern Michigan has some of the most gorgeous beaches I’ve ever seen, with sand dunes and Caribbean-blue water that’ll think you’re actually in th Caribbean.
We spent days at Clinch Park Beach, right in town, where the shallow water was perfect for my nervous swimmer. The really wonderful thing was how many free activities we found – from the splash pad at the beach to hiking in the nearby state parks.
Cherry picking became a daily ritual – Michigan’s known for cherries, and the farms around Traverse City let you gather your own. The kids treated it like a competitive sport, determined to fill their buckets faster than each other. I actually kept their stained t-shirts as souvenirs.
If you’ve got slightly older kids, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-visit. Climbing those massive sand mountains had them exhausted and happy each night. And the Pirates Cove Adventure Park was a hit even with my too-cool-for-everything tween.
One warning – accommodation gets booked up quickly in summer, so plan ahead. We found a cabin near the state park that worked perfectly, giving us easy beach access without town prices.
Drake Bay, Costa Rica: Where the Wild Things Are
Drake Bay sits on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula and feels properly remote. Getting there involves a small plane or a boat ride, which immediately made it an adventure in my kids’ eyes.
This place is all about wildlife – it’s near Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic called “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” That’s not exaggerating. Within our first hour on a guided hike, we’d spotted monkeys, scarlet macaws, and a sloth that had my animal-obsessed daughter practically hyperventilating with joy.
The snorkeling at Caño Island was another highlight. My youngest, who’s normally quite timid, became suddenly fearless when faced with tropical fish, and even spotted a sea turtle before our guide did. He’s still dining out on that story.
We stayed at an eco-lodge where the rooms were open to the jungle on one side. I was worried about bugs, but mosquito nets did their job, and the experience of falling asleep to jungle sounds was worth the occasional gecko visitor.
The rainy season (May to November) is pretty intense here, so aim for December to April. And while it feels remote, the guides are excellent with children, making complex ecosystems understandable and exciting for young minds.
Tallinn, Estonia: Fairy-Tale Setting with Modern Conveniences
Tallinn’s medieval old town looks like it’s straight out of a storybook, with its pointy spires and massive stone walls. But unlike some historical European cities that can be a pain with kids, Tallinn brilliantly balances its ancient charm with modern family-friendliness.
The old town is compact and mostly pedestrianised, so it’s easy to explore without worrying about vehicles. My lot were obsessed with the city walls -climbing the towers and pretending to be medieval guards. They also loved the Seaplane Harbour Museum, which has real submarines you can go inside and lots of hands-on exhibits.
A brilliant day trip is taking the ferry to Helsinki, which is only two hours away. The ferries are like mini cruise ships with play areas – there was actually a Lego room on ours – and restaurants with high chairs and kids’ menus. It’s the easiest international day trip you’ll ever do with children.
We visited in December for the Christmas market, which was magical but freezing. If you’re not keen on bundling kids in multiple layers, summer is equally lovely with long, light evenings perfect for outdoor dining.
Ready to Ditch the Tourist Trap Treadmill?
Planning a family trip to lesser-known destinations doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve found it actually simplifies things once you’re there, even if it requires a bit more research beforehand.
Balance kids’ activities with cultural stuff that you want to see. And remember that sometimes the simplest experiences – like watching local kids play football in Oman or counting cats in Croatia – become the memories your children treasure.
So next time you’re planning a family adventure, consider venturing just a little off the beaten path. The rewards – more authentic experiences, fewer crowds, lower prices – make the small extra effort of research completely worth it. Your kids might just thank you for it. Eventually. Maybe when they’re adults.