Hidden Gems: When the extraordinary becomes a problem
"Hidden gems," or supposedly secret, undiscovered places, are now at the top of many travelers' lists. Whether it's a secluded beach, a small café in a side street, or a viewpoint without tourist crowds: anything considered a "secret tip" seems particularly appealing. A question that inevitably arises is why we are so strongly drawn to this idea of the hidden and what happens when secret tips suddenly cease to be secret.
The allure of the supposedly hidden
The term "hidden gem" has become firmly established in our language in recent years. It describes places considered secret, undiscovered, or at least not yet overrun by mass tourism. But let's be honest: with Instagram, TikTok, and Google Maps, hardly anything is truly secret anymore. And yet we stubbornly cling to this idea. Why is that?
Part of the answer, in my opinion, is quite human. We don't just want to go anywhere; we want to feel like we've found something special. Something that isn't in the standard guidebook. Psychologically, this stems from a need for individuality and distinction: I'm not like all the other travelers; I know the "real" place. That feels good, almost like a small status symbol.
The problem is that many people rarely keep this feeling to themselves. Those who "discover" something often want to share it. This is precisely how a personal discovery quickly becomes something public. Unfortunately, this can also lead to complaints from local residents. You are still allowed to take photos there – but with restrictions in the form of "rules of conduct," not as an official ban.
Are social media ruining secret places? (Spoiler: Yes!)
And this need doesn't disappear as soon as we go online; on the contrary, it finds a perfect outlet there. Social media reinforces precisely the logic of uniqueness and exclusivity. Platforms reward the unusual, the visual, the "unknown." A post with a "secret spot" often performs better algorithmically than a classic landscape photo, simply because it triggers curiosity and conveys the feeling of seeing something others haven't yet discovered. At the same time, however, a contradiction arises: the more we present something as secret, the faster it becomes public. The concept of a "hidden gem" is thus actually a self-destructive mechanism: as soon as it works, it no longer applies.
The problem is that this dynamic isn't just a linguistic game, but often has real consequences. Places that are usually quiet and unknown are suddenly overrun. Small cafes, peaceful natural spots, or residential areas are often not designed to handle sudden influxes of visitors. This often means more trash, more noise, overcrowded paths, and increasing pressure on local infrastructure. In the case of the leaning palm tree on Lanzarote, the residents complained about the sudden surge of visitors for so long that it suddenly disappeared. And nobody knows who was responsible.
The debate surrounding geotagging
More and more people are therefore asking themselves whether certain places should even be shared publicly. Especially with sensitive natural areas or private retreats, a tension arises between the desire to share and the responsibility to protect them. I haven't tagged specific locations on social media for a long time. My little swimming lake at home with its emerald-green water and tranquil coves, as well as that one short hike with the stunning view, should remain the preserve of locals and not attract tour buses that let their guests swarm the trails for a photo.
This decision isn't as clear-cut as it might sound. It also means consciously keeping things hidden, potentially denying others access to something beautiful. What is a protected space for me could be that special "secret spot" someone else is searching for. And yet, I'm left with the feeling that "my" places are better off unshared (sorry).
Is it ultimately not about insider tips at all?
Perhaps the real problem isn't that certain places receive too little attention or others too much. Rather, it's that we've started constantly categorizing places as "special" and "too well-known," as if their value automatically diminishes as soon as more people know about them.
I don't think that's entirely true. A crowded mountain or beach is tiring, sure. But they aren't (usually) automatically less beautiful. And a "secret spot" isn't necessarily better just because it was harder to find. I think we're losing sight of the fact that good places don't depend on how many people know about them.
Perhaps more important than the search for new, hidden places is the question of why we even judge places by how "hidden" they are, and whether this classification does justice to most places.
More interesting articles by Nadine:
WHEN THE JOURNEY BECOMES AN EXPERIENCE
ON THE ROADS: AN ODE TO TRAIN TRAVEL
NEW TRAIN ROUTES FROM GERMANY THROUGH EUROPE
© Photos: unsplash / Jared Rice, Pexels / Suzanne Appealin, unsplash / Melvin Motures, Pexels / Celine
Nadine Pinezits
Nadine is a freelance editor and copywriter. She lives in Austria and commutes between Salzburg and Vienna. This means she is either in the mountains or in the urban jungle, but at the same time tries to spend as much time as possible in her beloved country, Portugal.
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