Unpopular Travel Opinions: Rethinking How We Explore

Photos by Annie Spratt

Travel is one of the most exciting and enriching experiences life has to offer, but not everyone shares the same views on how best to explore the world. Some opinions on travel challenge the conventional wisdom and break from the norm—these are the unpopular travel opinions. While they might raise a few eyebrows, they often offer refreshing perspectives on how we can rethink our approach to travel.

Here are a few unpopular travel opinions that might just change the way you plan your next adventure.

1. Skipping Major Tourist Attractions Can Lead to a Better Experience

While seeing famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum is often considered a must when visiting certain cities, some travelers argue that skipping major tourist attractions can lead to a more authentic and enjoyable experience. Tourist spots are often crowded, overpriced, and sometimes feel disconnected from the true essence of a place.

Instead, wandering through quieter neighborhoods, exploring hidden gems, and interacting with locals can offer a deeper connection to a destination. You might miss the postcard-perfect photo, but you’ll walk away with unique memories and a more personal travel experience.

2. Slow Travel Beats Fast-Paced Itineraries

Many travelers feel pressured to pack as much as possible into their itineraries, racing from one site to the next to "see it all." But slow travel—a growing movement in the travel community—advocates for a more leisurely approach. The idea is to spend more time in fewer places, allowing yourself to truly experience a destination rather than checking off a list of attractions.

This unpopular opinion encourages travelers to resist the urge to rush and instead savor each moment, build deeper connections with locals, and fully immerse themselves in the culture. Slow travel can lead to a more meaningful, fulfilling experience.

Morocco

3. Flying Economy Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

In an age where luxury travel and first-class flights are glamorized on social media, some travelers hold the unpopular opinion that flying economy is perfectly fine—and sometimes even better. While upgrading your seat can add comfort, economy travel often offers a more authentic travel experience by exposing you to a wider range of people and stories.

For many, the real adventure starts the moment you step onto the plane, and the humbler experience of flying coach keeps travel grounded and accessible. Plus, the money you save by flying economy can be put toward more enriching experiences at your destination.

4. All-Inclusive Resorts Aren’t the Best Way to Experience a Destination

All-inclusive resorts offer convenience and comfort, which is why they’re a popular choice for many travelers. But some argue that they create a bubble that isolates you from the real destination. When you’re in a resort, you’re less likely to explore local cuisine, culture, and community, as everything is catered to you in-house.

Travelers with this opinion believe that staying in more localized accommodations—whether it’s a small guesthouse, boutique hotel, or vacation home—opens up opportunities to engage more with the destination and its people. You get a more authentic experience, supporting local businesses and discovering hidden gems that are off the resort’s radar.

5. Traveling During Off-Peak Seasons Is Better

While many people prefer to travel during peak seasons when the weather is ideal and attractions are in full swing, others believe that off-peak travel offers a more peaceful and enjoyable experience. In off-seasons, destinations are less crowded, prices are lower, and you’re more likely to get a genuine feel for the place without the tourist frenzy.

Yes, you might encounter a bit of rain or cooler temperatures, but that can be a small price to pay for the serenity and unique opportunities that come with traveling during quieter times.

Morocco

6. Hostels Aren’t Just for Young Backpackers

Hostels have long been associated with budget-conscious backpackers, but they offer more than just cheap beds for twenty-somethings. This unpopular opinion holds that hostels can be an excellent option for travelers of all ages, offering community, social interaction, and a chance to meet people from all over the world.

Many modern hostels now feature private rooms, upscale amenities, and wellness-focused environments that cater to older travelers, digital nomads, and families. For those looking to make connections and enjoy a more social experience while traveling, hostels can be an unexpected but worthwhile choice.

7. You Don’t Need to Travel Far to Have an Amazing Experience

With social media constantly highlighting exotic, far-flung destinations, there’s a belief that travel has to take you far from home to be worthwhile. But many travelers argue that you can have equally enriching experiences by exploring nearby cities, rural areas, or even your own hometown.

This perspective encourages people to look for adventure and beauty close to home, appreciating what’s nearby without the need for long flights or expensive travel. Often, we overlook the gems that are right in front of us because we assume that meaningful travel must be far away.

Morocco

8. Travel Doesn’t Always Need to Be Instagrammable

In the age of Instagram, there’s a lot of pressure to make travel experiences picture-perfect. Some travelers, however, believe that focusing too much on capturing the perfect photo takes away from the true experience of travel.

This unpopular opinion promotes the idea of being present and immersing yourself in the moment rather than constantly curating content for social media. Travel is about connecting with a place, its people, and its culture—not just creating a beautiful feed. Letting go of the pressure to make every moment “Instagrammable” can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic travel experience.

Final Thoughts

These unpopular travel opinions might challenge traditional ideas, but they open the door to a more thoughtful and personal approach to travel. Whether you agree with them or not, they encourage us to question our habits and consider how we can make our travels more meaningful, relaxing, and mentally rejuvenating. Sometimes, stepping away from the norm leads to the best travel experiences of all.