7 Destinations That Used to Be Wildly Popular (But Aren't As Much Anymore)

Magaluf used to be the unchallenged party capital of Spain. In recent years, though, its title has been disputed as it has developed a somewhat seedy reputation as a playground for teens and 20-somethings looking to party in a perhaps less-than-safe way. In 2014 the Daily Mail released images that showed the darker side of Magaluf. Among them were a number of pictures of paramedics attending intoxicated tourists, as well as details of some of the sexual exploits girls are encouraged to partake in for free booze. The Guardian also reported on the sex scandals in 2014 and printed a quote from Jaime Martínez of the regional government, who plans to transform the island into a "mature tourist zone." Since the controversies have occurred, the party-hard crowd seems to be leaving Magaluf and heading to the more fashionable island of Ibiza.

Its lively culture -- and the fact that it long held a mysterious allure -- are two reasons why Cuba has been a firm favorite among travelers for decades. In recent years, however, concern has grown that Cuba is changing significantly, and not for the better. The influx of tourism has led some to boycott the island over authenticity concerns. In 2015, CSM Monitor warned travelers to visit Cuba before it became "overrun with tourists." The concern is that with more commercial air travel that ever before, the influx of tourists will bring about a decrease in the unique character of Cuba. Don't worry, though, this process is likely to be very slow, and you still have plenty of time to enjoy Cuba at its finest! 


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Southeast Asia is virtually unrivaled as a backpacker’s haven. The overall low costs and diverse regions have made it a popular destination for gap-year students. Vietnam, however, is being overtaken by the likes of Laos and Cambodia as the preferable spots for more style-savvy backpackers. The reason for Vietnam's decrease in popularity is the amount of tourism that has taken hold. Far from serene empty beaches and historic fishing villages from days of old, now tourists swarm Hanoi Bay and Nha Trang. As a result, Cambodia and Laos have seen a surge in popularity, with Cambodia making its way onto our list of the Hottest Destinations for 2016 Travel.

Turkey is a beloved destination for sun-seekers and culture connoisseurs alike. With its olive groves and Ottoman influences, Bodrum has been one of the most popular areas of the country. The increasing number of tourists has led to extensive tourist development, though, which has put some off the Bodrum Peninsula in favor of Istanbul. Voted third in the world on Trip Advisor's Travellers Choice Award in 2015, Istanbul is beloved for its culture rather than coastline, with the city's mosques, bazaars, and hammams all impressing visitors.

This one may surprise you; the country has made the news quite often as of late, and significant PR pushes by the tourism board has certainly made the headlines. But truth be told, the travel world’s love affair with Iceland is waning. Travelers are heading further north to the likes of Greenland for their fill of icebergs and polar bears. With many UNESCO-listed fjords, Greenland has proved to be tough competition for Iceland and has lured many in with its Arctic Winter Games, which includes skiing, snowboarding and ice hockey. Greenland's popularity is set to continue with the "Arctic Winter Games 2016 set to be the largest event of its kind in the history of Greenland."

A journey with plenty of outstanding natural beauty, The Ring of Kerry was deserving of its popularity, but Northern Ireland has enjoyed a surge of tourism in recent years which has led to a decrease in visitors to Kerry. Northern Ireland is becoming a particularly hot destination amongst travelers due to the fact that "Game of Thrones" often uses the location as a set. In 2014, the Belfast Telegraph reported that there was a six percent increase in external visitors in 2013 compared to 2012 in Northern Ireland.

Egypt has always been an incredibly popular destination. With its pyramids and sphinxes, luxury hotels and, of course, the Nile, Egypt has a lot to offer. Unfortunately the political situation has made travel difficult in recent years. Since the start of the revolution in 2011, its popularity has decreased as terrorism warnings have been issued. While the majority of those who still visit return home unscathed, there is no doubt that many others have avoided the country due to safety concerns.


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