Looking for a trip that’s far from ordinary? Forget crowded beaches and city breaks—2025 is the year to go weird. We’ve rounded up the world’s strangest destinations for travellers who want something different. These places are remote, surreal, and unforgettable—from mirror-like deserts to underground ossuaries and villages built on reeds. Read on for our top 10 strange places to go on holiday ideas and how to get to each one.
1. Deadvlei, Namibia
Best for: Desert photography, surreal landscapes
In Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park lies Deadvlei—a cracked white clay pan, framed by towering red dunes and dotted with 600-year-old blackened trees. The trees haven’t decomposed due to the region’s extreme dryness, leaving behind a surreal scene that looks like it belongs on another planet.
How to get there:
Fly into Windhoek (Hosea Kutako International Airport). From there, drive 5–6 hours or take a charter flight to Sesriem. Deadvlei is located within the park, reached by 4×4 and a short walk.
Tip: Combine Deadvlei with nearby Sossusvlei and Dune 45 for a full desert adventure.
2. Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia
Best for: Culture seekers, eagle festivals, remote escapes
Head west to Mongolia’s wildest frontier to meet the Kazakh eagle hunters of Bayan-Ölgii. Each October, the Golden Eagle Festival celebrates this ancient practice with competitions, parades, and horse riding. Or visit in summer to live with nomads and explore the Altai Mountains on horseback.
How to get there:
Fly into Ulaanbaatar, then take a domestic flight to Ölgii. Travel by 4×4 or horse with a local guide. Most experiences are organised via Mongolian tour companies.
Tip: Book through a reputable operator for easier logistics and cultural access.
3. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Best for: Stargazing, landscape photography, overland travel
The world’s largest salt flat stretches across southwest Bolivia like a blinding white sea. In the rainy season (Dec–Mar), it turns into a perfect mirror. In the dry season, the patterned salt crust creates endless photo ops. Expect flamingos, hot springs, and rusting trains in the middle of nowhere.
How to get there:
Fly to La Paz, then take a domestic flight or overnight bus to Uyuni. Multi-day 4×4 tours depart from Uyuni, Tupiza, or San Pedro de Atacama (Chile).
Tip: Bring sunglasses and warm clothes—temperatures plummet at night.
4. Uros Floating Islands, Peru
Best for: Cultural heritage, lakeside life, alternative homestays
Built from layers of totora reeds, the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca float atop South America’s highest navigable lake. Indigenous communities still live here, maintaining traditions that stretch back centuries. Stay overnight to learn how the islands are made—and maintained—and try local trout dishes. Truly a unique if strange place to go on holiday.
How to get there:
Fly to Juliaca (via Lima), then travel 1 hour to Puno. From Puno, boat tours run daily to the islands.
Tip: Book a local guide or stay overnight with a Uros family for a deeper experience.
5. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Best for: Skiing under the Northern Lights, coastal hiking, remote escapes
In the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands offer jagged peaks, tiny fishing villages, and wide beaches backed by snow. In winter, ski from summit to sea and watch the aurora borealis blaze overhead. In summer, enjoy 24 hours of daylight and breathtaking hikes.
How to get there:
Fly into Oslo, then connect via Bodø to Svolvær or Leknes. Rent a car to explore fully.
Tip: Winter months (Nov–Mar) are best for auroras; summer is ideal for hiking and kayaking.
6. Baliem Valley, Papua New Guinea
Best for: Anthropology, tribal life, jungle trekking
Tucked in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, the Baliem Valley is home to the Dani people—known for their traditional attire, sweet potato farming, and community spirit. Visit during the Baliem Valley Festival (August) for dances, rituals, and mock battles with stone axes.
How to get there:
Fly to Port Moresby, then take a domestic flight to Wamena. Travel is only possible with permits and local guides.
Tip: Independent travel is difficult—go with a small-group operator or arrange logistics through a local contact.
7. Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan
Best for: Hidden history, offbeat exploration, political oddities
Azerbaijan’s remote exclave of Nakhchivan is a land of pink stone mausoleums, salt caves, and mountain views. Separated from the rest of the country by Armenia, it’s one of the world’s least-visited regions. Explore ancient caravanserais, tombs of prophets, and even a museum of Noah’s Ark.
How to get there:
Fly to Baku, then take a domestic flight to Nakhchivan City. Overland travel is not currently possible due to regional tensions.
Tip: A visa for Azerbaijan is required. Some travellers may need additional permits—check ahead.
8. Carhenge, Nebraska, USA
Best for: Road trips, pop culture lovers, surreal selfie stops
What do you get when you combine classic cars and ancient stone circles? Carhenge. Located in Nebraska, this quirky monument replicates Stonehenge using vintage American cars. Visit at sunrise or sunset to see it cast dramatic shadows on the prairie.
How to get there:
Fly to Denver or Omaha, then drive to Alliance, Nebraska (5–6 hours). It’s a classic detour on a midwestern road trip.
Tip: Admission is free. Don’t miss the other car-themed sculptures onsite.
9. Spotted Lake, Canada
Best for: Natural phenomena, Indigenous culture, summer wonders
In the summer months, Spotted Lake near Osoyoos becomes a polka-dotted marvel. As water evaporates, mineral-rich pools are revealed—each with a distinct colour and healing reputation. For the Okanagan Nation, this lake is sacred, so while you can’t walk down to it, you can view it from the roadside.
How to get there:
Fly to Kelowna or Penticton, then drive to Osoyoos (1.5–2 hours). The lake is visible from Highway 3.
Tip: Visit in late July or August for the best “spots.” There’s no public access, so bring binoculars.
10. Paris Catacombs, France
Best for: Urban exploration, dark tourism, history lovers
Beneath Paris lie the skeletal remains of over six million former residents. The Catacombs were once limestone quarries, repurposed in the 18th century to house overflowing cemeteries. Walk through dimly lit tunnels past neatly stacked skulls and bones, and reflect on a darker side of the City of Light.
How to get there:
Fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly, then take the metro to Denfert-Rochereau. Book tickets online for timed entry.
Tip: The temperature underground is cool year-round—bring a jacket. Avoid peak times for a quieter experience.
Tips for Travelling to the Weird and Wonderful
Travel slow: the weirder the destination, the more rewarding it is when taken at a relaxed pace.
Book early for popular festivals like the Golden Eagle Festival or Baliem Valley Festival.
Pack smart: odd destinations often mean limited infrastructure—bring water filters, power banks, and a sturdy backpack.
Respect local customs. Many of these places have deep cultural or spiritual significance.
Go with a guide when visiting remote regions like Papua or the Mongolian steppe—logistics are tough without local knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Travel isn’t always about relaxation. Sometimes it’s about curiosity. These 10 destinations might not be the easiest to reach or the most luxurious—but they’ll give you stories you’ll never stop telling.
So if you’re planning your 2025 adventure and want something truly out of the ordinary, skip the crowds and try somewhere strange to go on holiday. Who knows? Weird might be just what you need.
Photo by Felipe Labate on Unsplash
