3 of the World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations for 2027 I’ve Explored

Three destinations I’ve explored and photographed are among the world’s most underrated travel destinations for 2027. Bisbee, Arizona, ranks No. 7, Macau, China, ranks No. 20, and Canada’s Prince Edward Island ranks No. 27 on Time Out‘s newly updated international list of 41 destinations.

Published October 13, 2026, Time Out’s international ranking highlights destinations that deserve more attention from travellers.

These three places couldn’t be more different. Bisbee is a historic copper-mining town tucked into the mountains of southern Arizona. Macau combines centuries of Portuguese and Chinese heritage with spectacular modern architecture, while Prince Edward Island is celebrated for its red sandstone coastline, fishing villages and literary history.

Having visited all three, I can understand their appeal. Each offers opportunities to explore fascinating history, distinctive communities and cultural experiences beyond the usual tourist attractions.

Bisbee Arizona Ranks No. 7 – World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations

Historic mining town • Victorian architecture • Arts and culture

Tucked into the Mule Mountains about 145 kilometres southeast of Tucson, Bisbee is one of Arizona’s most unusual historic towns.
Once known as the “Queen of the Copper Camps,” Bisbee prospered during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its mines produced enormous quantities of copper, silver, gold and other minerals, including the prized Bisbee Blue turquoise.

Today, the former mining town has reinvented itself as a creative community, attracting artists, musicians and visitors interested in its colourful history.

As we approached Bisbee, the enormous Lavender Pit open-pit copper mine was our first indication of the town’s industrial past.
Beyond the mine, the streets climb steeply into the surrounding hills, where Victorian-era buildings, colourful homes, independent shops and galleries occupy a remarkable hillside setting.

Step back into the 1950s in historic Lowell

One of my favourite discoveries was Lowell, a historic neighbourhood on the outskirts of Bisbee. Walking along Erie Street feels like entering a 1950s movie set.
Vintage cars and Indian motorcycles are parked outside old storefronts and a former gas station. The buildings, signs and vehicles create a remarkably preserved picture of small-town America.

Lowell was once a separate community, but much of it disappeared as the neighbouring copper mine expanded. Today, the remaining historic street is one of the area’s most distinctive photography locations. It’s easy to spend time examining the vintage vehicles and storefront details, imagining what this community looked like decades ago.

Explore historic Lowell, Arizona, a well-preserved historic area with vintage cars, Indian Motorcycles, stores and gas stations from the 1950s. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

Explore Old Bisbee’s Victorian architecture and historic stairways

Bisbee’s downtown is filled with architectural reminders of its prosperous mining years. Main Street winds uphill past historic buildings, art galleries, restaurants and independent shops. Because the surrounding canyon offered limited flat land, early residents built their homes along the steep hillsides. Wooden stairways originally connected the houses to the streets below, but residents later replaced them with concrete steps in the 1930s. Some of these historic stairways involve climbs of approximately 200 steps.

They remain a distinctive feature of Bisbee’s landscape and offer interesting perspectives on the town’s unusual architecture.

Travel to Bisbee to discover one of those great, small southwest America towns where time has stood still. Photo Credit: Bisbee Visitor Center

One of the top things to do in Bisbee, Arizona is to explore the historic buildings on Main Street. Photo Credit: Bisbee Visitor Center

Discover Bisbee’s mining history and notorious Brewery Gulch

Bisbee’s mining past is central to its identity. At the Queen Mine, visitors can take an underground train tour to learn about the working conditions and history of the copper-mining industry.The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum provides additional insight into the people and industry that shaped the community.

Another fascinating area is Brewery Gulch, once a notorious entertainment district with approximately 50 saloons and numerous brothels. Several historic establishments remain, including St. Elmo Bar, which opened in 1902 and is recognized as Arizona’s longest continuously operating bar. Bisbee also embraces its reputation for ghost stories, with evening walking tours exploring historic buildings, stairways and alleyways.

For travellers planning an Arizona road trip, Bisbee makes an excellent addition to an itinerary that includes Tucson, Tombstone and southern Arizona’s historic communities.

Planning a visit? Explore my complete guide to 10 Things to Do in Historic Bisbee, Arizona, including its mining history, historic attractions, unusual architecture and photography locations.

Macau, China, Ranks No. 20 – World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations

UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Portuguese-Chinese Heritage • Historic Architecture • Culinary Traditions

Macau, on China’s southern coast near Hong Kong, is best known for its enormous casinos and luxury hotels. But beyond the glittering resorts is a fascinating destination shaped by more than four centuries of Portuguese and Chinese history.

Ranked No. 20 on Time Out’s list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations for 2027, Macau offers an extraordinary combination of European architecture, Chinese temples, historic neighbourhoods and distinctive cuisine.

Explore Macau’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

One of Macau’s greatest attractions is its Historic Centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The district preserves an unusual collection of Portuguese colonial buildings, Chinese temples, churches, public squares and historic streets. Among its most recognizable landmarks are the Ruins of St. Paul’s, the surviving stone façade of a 17th-century church destroyed by fire in 1835.

Nearby Senado Square is surrounded by pastel-coloured buildings and paved with distinctive black-and-white Portuguese-style mosaic patterns. Another important landmark is A-Ma Temple, which predates Portuguese settlement and reflects Macau’s longstanding Chinese maritime traditions. Together, these historic sites reveal a side of Macau that many visitors overlook.

Macau Ranks No. 20 – World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Discover Macau’s Portuguese-Chinese Culinary Heritage

Macau’s food is another reason to explore beyond its casinos. Macanese cuisine developed through centuries of cultural exchange, combining Portuguese cooking traditions with Chinese and other Asian influences.

Local specialties include African chicken, minchi, Portuguese-style egg tarts, and dishes seasoned with spices introduced through historic maritime trade routes.
Visitors can explore traditional bakeries, local restaurants and food markets while discovering how Macau’s multicultural history continues to influence its culinary identity.

Visit Koi Kei Bakery in Macau or Hong Kong, famous for its almond cakes. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

Explore Macau Beyond the Casinos

Although Macau’s large integrated resorts attract international visitors, its historic streets and neighbourhoods offer a very different experience. The quieter communities of Taipa and Coloane are particularly appealing for travellers interested in local architecture, traditional food and exploring at a slower pace.

Macau is accessible from Hong Kong, making it a convenient stop on a longer journey through southern China.

For travellers interested in history, architecture, photography and food, Macau offers far more than its reputation as a gambling destination suggests.

Explore more: Read my Macau travel guide for first-hand experiences, historic attractions and recommendations for exploring this fascinating destination.

Prince Edward Island Ranks No. 27 – World’s Most Underrated Travel Destinations

Coastal scenery • Scenic drives • Canadian history • Fresh seafood

Canada’s smallest province has earned a place on the international list for its sandy beaches, dramatic red sandstone coastline, walking trails and outstanding seafood.

Prince Edward Island is particularly rewarding to explore by car. Its scenic routes pass through rolling farmland, woodlands, small fishing communities and coastal landscapes where red cliffs contrast with the blue waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

During our visit, we combined two of the island’s scenic routes, Green Gables Shore and Red Sands Shore, on a 153-kilometre round trip from Charlottetown. Along the way, we discovered historic landmarks, coastal viewpoints, fishing villages and places connected to some of Canada’s best-known stories.

Top scenic drives in Canada – Prince Edward Island’s scenic Red Sands Shore drive takes you on red clay roads winding through the countryside of farmlands, rolling hills and woodlands and then onto impressive red sandstone cliffs and red sand beaches. Irish Moss can be found here. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

Explore the red sandstone cliffs and beaches of Cavendish

The Green Gables Shore scenic drive follows some of Prince Edward Island’s most photographed coastal landscapes. Around Cavendish, red sandstone cliffs rise above sandy beaches and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This stretch of coastline is also closely associated with Lucy Maud Montgomery, whose beloved novel Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908.

At Green Gables Heritage Place, visitors can explore the historic farmhouse and grounds that inspired Montgomery’s fictional world. The surrounding landscape includes the Haunted Woods and Lover’s Lane, two locations familiar to generations of readers.

Even visitors who haven’t read the books will find the setting a fascinating introduction to the island’s rural history and literary heritage.

Explore more: Green Gables Heritage Place and Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.

Enjoy fresh lobster in the fishing village of North Rustico

A short drive from Cavendish brings visitors to North Rustico, a working fishing village on the island’s north shore. The harbour is lined with fishing boats and the waterfront offers views of the community’s maritime activities.

North Rustico is particularly well known for its lobster, making it an excellent place to enjoy one of Prince Edward Island’s most celebrated culinary traditions.

The village is also home to a historic lighthouse dating to 1876, one of the few remaining PEI lighthouses designed with living quarters. During the summer, visitors can arrange deep-sea fishing excursions for cod or mackerel, explore the harbour or simply enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch.

Explore more: Discover Famous PEI Lobster in North Rustico.

Drive the scenic Red Sands Shore route

The Red Sands Shore scenic drive reveals another side of Prince Edward Island. Red clay roads wind through farmland, rolling hills and woodlands before reaching stretches of red sand beaches and sandstone cliffs.

One worthwhile stop is Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site at Rocky Point, overlooking Charlottetown Harbour. The site preserves important layers of the island’s Indigenous, French and British history and offers coastal walking trails and views across the harbour.

From here, visitors can also see the historic Blockhouse Point Lighthouse, built in 1876.

The combination of coastal scenery, historic landmarks, and rural communities makes this an enjoyable drive for travellers who prefer to explore at their own pace.

Explore more: Top 10 Scenic Drives in Canada, including Prince Edward Island’s Green Gables Shore and Red Sands Shore routes.

Discover Charlottetown the birthplace of Confederation

Great George Street National Historic Site in Charlottetown is one of Canada’s most important streets. In 1864, the Fathers of Confederation (23 elected officials) walked the street to Province House to attend the Charlottetown Conference, which set in motion plans for the Confederation of Canada. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

Charlottetown played a pivotal role in Canadian history when representatives of the British North American colonies gathered for the Charlottetown Conference in September 1864.
The discussions helped establish the foundation for Canadian Confederation in 1867. Great George Street is one of the city’s most historically significant streets. Delegates travelling to the conference walked along it to Province House, where they met.

Today, Charlottetown offers a combination of historic architecture, waterfront attractions, restaurants and cultural experiences. It also provides a convenient starting point for exploring Prince Edward Island’s scenic driving routes.

Explore more: Discover Historic Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Why These Three Underrated Travel Destinations Are Worth Visiting in 2027

From Bisbee’s historic mining streets to Macau’s Portuguese-Chinese heritage and Prince Edward Island’s spectacular coastline, these three destinations offer remarkably different travel experiences.

In Bisbee, visitors can explore Victorian-era architecture, mining history and the extraordinary vintage streets of Lowell. Macau rewards travellers interested in UNESCO World Heritage sites, centuries of cultural exchange and distinctive culinary traditions. Prince Edward Island offers coastal drives, fishing villages, fresh seafood and some of Canada’s most recognizable literary and historical landmarks.

Having explored all three, I would recommend them to travellers interested in history, photography, local culture and discovering destinations at their own pace.

Their inclusion on Time Out’s list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations for 2027 is a timely reminder that memorable travel experiences aren’t limited to the world’s most famous attractions.

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