The iconic images of Paris, Table Mountain or New York dominate social media feeds and appear on postcards, but even the world’s most visited places have secret corners that don’t often make the brochures.
From overlooked hiking trails in Franschhoek to underground cities in Cappadocia, this list explores the unexpected side of famous destinations—local and international—that still have a few surprises up their sleeve.
South Africa’s famous places reimagined
Picture/Tranquillity Cracks/SA Venues
Table Mountain – Cape Town
Most visitors head straight for the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway or follow the well-worn Platteklip Gorge trail to the summit, rewarded with sweeping views over Cape Town. But hidden within the Table Mountain range lies the Tranquillity Cracks—narrow sandstone passageways cloaked in mystery and silence. These cracks, tucked behind the Twelve Apostles section of the mountain, are accessible via the Pipe Track and Corridor Ravine for those who know where to look. There are no signs, no crowds, just a maze of moss-covered corridors and viewpoints that feel like your own private balcony above the city.
Kruger National Park – Mpumalanga
Picture/Mphongolo Trail/©Anton Kruger
Self-drives and game vehicles are the norm in Kruger, and while they deliver thrilling big-five sightings, they also stick to tarmac roads and crowded viewpoints. For something wilder, Kruger’s primitive wilderness trails offer multi-day walking safaris into remote areas of the park. Trails like Mphongolo and Nyalaland are guided by experienced rangers, with nights spent in basic, unfenced camps. It’s a raw, immersive way to experience the bush—on foot, without the hum of engines or barriers between you and the wild.
Robben Island – Cape Town
Picture/South Africa Online/©Roger de la Harpe
Most tours of Robben Island focus understandably on the prison where Nelson Mandela was held, particularly his cell and the limestone quarry. Yet the island’s history runs far deeper. Before it was a prison, it was a leper colony and place of exile, and during World War II, it served as a military outpost. Few venture beyond the central prison tour to explore the island’s colonial ruins, desolate cemeteries, and abundant seabird colonies. With a little planning or a special interest tour, you can peel back layers of forgotten stories beyond apartheid.
Franschhoek – Western Cape
Picture/Perdekop Trail/Mont Rochelle Reserve
Often described as the gourmet capital of South Africa, Franschhoek’s main draw is its wine estates, historic charm, and wine tram hopping from one tasting room to the next. But above the valley, the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve offers an entirely different perspective. Hiking trails like the Uitkyk path climb into the mountains and reward walkers with sweeping views over vineyards and distant peaks. It’s peaceful, fragrant with fynbos, and rarely busy—a side of Franschhoek that’s all about space and silence rather than clinking glasses.
Drakensberg Mountains – KwaZulu-Natal
Picture/British Museum
Known for its towering cliffs and dramatic mountain lodges, the Drakensberg is a favourite for hikers and photographers alike. But tucked into this majestic range is one of the greatest rock art galleries on the continent. The Game Pass Shelter in the Kamberg Nature Reserve is often called the “Rosetta Stone” of San rock art. A guided hike from the Rock Art Centre leads you through grasslands to this sacred site, where eland paintings and shamanic symbols reveal spiritual and cultural stories thousands of years old.
Sutherland -Northern Cape
Picture/Northern Cape Info
Best known as the stargazing capital of South Africa, Sutherland draws visitors to SALT (Southern African Large Telescope) for tours and nighttime astronomy sessions. But beyond the stars lies an equally compelling, if more earthbound, mystery. The surrounding Karoo is dotted with half-forgotten railway sidings, crumbling stone cottages, and wind-blasted cemeteries. These remnants of frontier life and colonial expansion speak volumes for those who care to explore the stillness and stories etched into the land.
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Famous global destinations with hidden depths
Patrick T Kindt/Unsplash
New York City – USA
The neon dazzle of Times Square and the vast lawns of Central Park dominate most first-timers’ itineraries. Yet just a few minutes away, the Roosevelt Island Tram offers an entirely different view—gliding quietly over the East River to a sliver of land that feels far from Manhattan’s chaos. Roosevelt Island holds the ruins of a 19th-century smallpox hospital, modern parks, and panoramic skyline views. It’s a gentle reminder that even in the city that never sleeps, there are quiet corners to rest your eyes.
Paris – France
Picture/Aloha Hostel
The Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre, and Champs-Elysees are undeniably iconic, but Paris rewards those who wander. The Coulée Verte (also called the Promenade Plantée) is a former elevated railway transformed into a leafy urban walkway stretching above streets and rooftops. Nearby, tucked between Haussmann-era blocks, you’ll find the city’s 19th-century covered passages—glass-roofed arcades filled with second-hand bookshops, tea rooms, and curiosity stores. It’s Paris, but with fewer crowds and more character.
Istanbul – Turkey
Balat/Youssef Mohamed/Unsplash
The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia shimmer in tourists’ memories, and the Grand Bazaar draws thousands daily. But beyond the tourist trail, the neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener reveal a multi-layered Istanbul. Once home to the city’s Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities, the area is a colourful tangle of narrow streets, crumbling townhouses, synagogues, churches, and vibrant cafés. It’s a living museum of Istanbul’s past—best explored on foot, without a map, letting the mismatched doors and street art guide your way.
Petra – Jordan
Picture/Insight Guides
Most travellers make the long walk through the Siq to reach the famous Al-Khazneh (also know as The Treasury), carved in glowing rose stone. But if you push on deeper into the complex, climbing the steep path to the Monastery (Ad Deir), you’ll find something even grander and far quieter. The climb is steep—over 800 steps—but the reward is a colossally scaled facade overlooking a sun-drenched plateau. Along the way, Bedouin tea tents and cave stalls offer a slower rhythm, and by the time you arrive, the crowds have thinned and silence reigns.
Kyoto – Japan
Picture/Discover Kyoto
Tourists flock to Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari, often surrounded by crowds and cameras. But a gentler, more contemplative route winds along the Philosopher’s Path—a canal-lined walkway beneath cherry trees that links temples and traditional homes. One of the highlights is Honen-in, a tranquil Zen temple known for its moss gardens and minimal signage. Here, Kyoto whispers rather than shouts, rewarding those who prefer to drift rather than dash.
Cappadocia – Turkey
Picture/Past Pathways
Hot air balloons over Cappadocia’s lunar-like landscapes have become one of the most iconic travel photos in the world. But beneath the fairy chimneys lies another marvel: Derinkuyu, an underground city that once sheltered thousands. Descending eight levels into the earth, these interconnected tunnels include chapels, wine cellars, and even schools. Built as a refuge during times of invasion, it’s a haunting and humbling experience that reveals just how resourceful ancient communities could be.
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