The least visited countries in the world have breathtaking landscapes

Islands in the middle of the Pacific, small forgotten territories in Asia and even a place very close to Portugal, or one with Portuguese official language. Why don’t we visit these magnificent places full of culture?

If you are tight of a tight at crowds, pay the price of a night by a beer or feel “copied” by your friends who visit the same places, you should turn to the Pacific. For the flights you must pay a small fortune, but rest and stunning landscapes are guarantee.

According to data from January 2025, the least visited countries in the world (apart from those that we don’t even have numbers, such as North Korea or), were far from Portugal – except for one.

They are not at war, they are not the poorest in the world, they are not little hospitable. What makes them forgotten relics? It’s hard to see, but accessibility (or lack of it) can help.

An island forgotten to the lacerated

The least visited country, with only 2,000 visitors last year, was the Kiribati. This island in the middle of the Pacific, belonging to Oceania, has only 131,000 inhabitants, but has fantastic atroesthreatened by climate change, which are raising the sea level.

Its natural wonders are UNESCO World Heritageand have coral reefs, blanket rays and amazing whale sharks. Interestingly, it is the only country in the world that brings together the four hemispheres in its territory.

Tem one of the largest protected marine areas in the worldand its shape is also very peculiar: it is a country “surchanted” by small lakes, which form islands like Christmas. Cities also have fun names such as banana, Paris or London. The landscapes are stunning, with White sand and translucent water beaches.

This country, before the pandemic, had 12,000 visitors a year, but Kiribati tourism never recovered. It is difficult to travel there: you should only do it through other Pacific Islandslike the Fiji, Nauru and Marshall Islands.

However, if you can get there, you can count on traditional dance shows, craft markets and local cuisine. And, of course, nature and a lot, very calm.

In Oceania, there are still several other countries on the list of the least visited in the world, with Tonga in third place on the podium. Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Niue (There is no data from 2025, but it is very likely that this country is even less visited than Kiribati) and the Marshall islands are also on the top.

The Country of Gross National Happiness

O Buttock It is a hidden treasure between India and China, “perched” in the Himalayas. According to, until recently this country – the last Buddhist kingdom in the world – strict rules to tourism.

To travel to this Asian country it was necessary to reserve a tourist package at an exorbitant pricewith the regime all included.

As rules have changedand it is already possible to travel independently to Bhutan, but fame has not yet stuck, and to make an unforgettable walk along the ways of the mountain ranges is still necessary to circulate in groups.

The country is known for mountainous landscapeswith thoroughly worked gold roof houses. The capital, Thimphu is full of life, including nightly, and contains several Buddhist monuments – is a real hidden treasury.

It is an extremely country safe and with some interesting particularities, such as measuring the Gross National Happiness Index of the Populationwhich measures factors as distinct as health and education or psychological well-being.

Despite being evolved in many ways – it was the first country in the world with negative carbon emissions – maintains a border dispute with China. By land, it is only possible to arrive there from India, and only a few pilots are allowed to fly there due to the high altitude of the airport, of difficult landing.

In 2024, Bhutan had 21,000 visitors. If you become the next one, you can wait for a calm holidays, full of nature and fresh air – and an extraordinary culture. The advantage is that it can be understood with the sites in English: it is the teaching language.

A pearl here next door

One of the least visited countries in the world is very close to Portugal. Little Liechtenstein receives just over 100,000 visitors a year.

With only 62km²this country located between Switzerland and Austria has immense culture: it is full of Medieval castles, picturesque villages and alpine landscapes dazzling.

“Liechtenstein is one of those small countries that can cross in a pair of hours. But despite being so small, it offers a wide range of attractions and experiences that make it an excellent travel destination,” says Olena Grabova, a magazine expert. Guarantees that the landscapes are “Perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts“.

There are no direct flights from Portugal, but you can always stop in Switzerland: Zurich and the capital of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, are just over an hour by car.

Country of Portuguese Language in Top 10

To close the list of the 10 least visited countries in the world, it appears Angolawith 130 thousand visitors in 2024, most Portuguese.

Miguel Silva, head of a travel agency in Luanda, told Angolan newspaper that the big problem is the bureaucracy needed to enter the country: “Interest in visiting Angola exists, but is forgotten when the potential tourist begins to face difficulties as soon as visa“.

It also points out other problems, “internal aspects, such as securityservice costs, or quality of them ”.

However, with the application of a new policy of visa exemptionthe situation may begin to change. Since October 2023, Portuguese, Brazilian and almost 100 other countries do not need a visa to stay for 30 days in the country. And more: There are direct flights from Portugal.

Despite some lack of security you can feel in Luandaespecially at night, and mosquito -transmitted diseases to be aware, Angola has an extraordinary culture, with quiet people, amazing landscapes and a little of all: beach, forest, city, nightlife, and a very own culture.