42 Travel Destinations That Are Perfect for People Who Hate Crowds

3. São Miguel, Azores: Portugal’s Wild and Untamed Island Escape

While Lisbon and Porto are buzzing with visitors, Portugal’s Azores islands remain one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. São Miguel, the largest island in the archipelago, offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, steaming hot springs, crater lakes, and black sand beaches—all without the tourist crowds. The island’s lush, Jurassic Park-like scenery is perfect for hiking, whale watching, and soaking in nature. Despite being just a five-hour flight from the U.S., it still feels undiscovered.