Deciding where to go next is the fun part of travel. It’s also weirdly stressful. Mountains or beaches? Big city or tiny village? A trip planned around dinner, or one planned around a good pair of hiking boots?
So we narrowed it down. Here are our 20 favorite countries to visit, starting at number 1 and working up to 20. Some are obvious, a couple might surprise you, and we’re pretty sure at least one of your favorites will land lower than you’d like.
How We Ranked the Best Countries to Visit
Quick disclaimer: this is a list of favorites, not a lab result. Everything here is worth visiting, so the order comes down to a few things we keep coming back to when we plan a trip.
- Variety. How much you can fit into one trip, from cities to countryside to coast.
- Food and culture. Does the way people eat and live make the place stick in your memory?
- Ease. Getting around and settling in shouldn’t feel like homework.
- Value. What you get for the money.
- Go-back factor. Do you leave already planning the return trip?
Your own list will probably look different, and that’s fine. Treat ours as a starting point.
Our 20 Best Countries to Visit, Ranked
1. Japan :Traditional Culture and Modern Cities
Japan takes the top spot because it gets so much right. Old temples and quiet gardens sit a short train ride from neon-lit cities, the food is excellent at every level, from ramen counters to formal multi-course dinners, and the trains are spotless and on time. People are thoughtful in a way you notice right away. If we could only book one trip, this is the one.
2. Italy : Historic Cities and Memorable Meals
In Italy, a plate of pasta can be the best part of your day. Add the art of Rome, Florence and Venice, the hills of Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, and you’ll never run out of things to do. Don’t try to see it all in one trip. You’ll just have a good excuse to go back.
3. Greece : Island Escapes and Ancient History
Greece has the ruins and the islands, and they pair nicely. You can see the Acropolis in the morning and be on a ferry by afternoon, heading for a whitewashed island village. Friendly people, good food and plenty of sea views come with the deal.
4. Spain : City Breaks, Food, and Coastal Getaways
Spain knows how to enjoy itself. Share tapas in Madrid, look up at Gaudí’s buildings in Barcelona, and spend a few lazy days on the southern coast. Dinner starts late, so just go with it.
5. France : Art, Villages, and Regional Cuisine
Paris is wonderful, but don’t stop there. There are lavender fields in Provence, hilltop villages in the Dordogne, and wine country in Burgundy and Bordeaux. Each region has its own specialties, so the best plan is to eat everything.
6. Mexico : Regional Food, Culture, and Ancient Ruins
Mexico is much more than its beach resorts. Every region cooks differently, from Oaxaca’s moles to slow-roasted pork in the Yucatán, and the ancient ruins are spectacular. Wander colonial towns, float down the canals of Xochimilco, or just park yourself at a good taco stand.
7. Portugal : Coastal Escapes and Historic Cities
Portugal is easy to love. Lisbon and Porto have steep streets, tiled buildings and good food, while the Algarve and the Atlantic coast bring cliffs and beaches. Add a custard tart and a glass of local wine and you’re set.
8. New Zealand : Hiking and Outdoor Adventures
If you like being outside, New Zealand is hard to beat. Multi-day hikes, glaciers, hot springs and coastal drives are all on offer, and the two main islands feel quite different from each other. It’s a long flight to get there, so don’t rush it. Stay a while.
9. Switzerland : Alpine Views and Scenic Train Journeys
Switzerland really does look like the postcards. Take a scenic train through the Alps, hike above the meadows, or sit by a lake and do very little. It isn’t cheap, but few places are this tidy and this beautiful.
10. Thailand : Temples, Markets, and Tropical Beaches
There’s a reason Thailand shows up on so many lists. Golden temples, night markets, great street food and island beaches are all close together, and it’s easy for first-timers. It’s good value too, which never hurts.
11. Morocco : Medinas, Mountains, and Desert Experiences
Morocco is loud, colorful and a little overwhelming, in the best way. Get lost in a medina, spend a night in the Sahara, then cool off in the Atlas Mountains or the blue streets of Chefchaouen. Haggling in the souks takes practice, but you’ll get the hang of it.
12. Canada : National Parks and Scenic Road Trips
Canada was made for road trips. Think mountain lakes around Banff, rugged coastline in the Maritimes, and friendly cities like Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Distances are huge, so pick a region instead of trying to do it all, and leave room for detours.
13. Turkey : Historic Cities and Diverse Landscapes
Turkey sits between Europe and Asia, and you can feel it. Istanbul could fill a week on its own, with mosques, bazaars and ferry rides across the Bosphorus. Then there’s Cappadocia’s strange rock formations and the beaches of the Turquoise Coast. That’s a lot of variety for one country.
14. Croatia : Coastal Towns and Island Hopping
Croatia’s coast is made for slow days. Walk the old stone streets of Dubrovnik or Split, hop on a ferry to an island, then eat seafood somewhere with a view of the water. It’s a good match if you want a trip that’s part sightseeing and part doing nothing at all.
15. Indonesia : Island Adventures Beyond Bali
Bali is lovely, but it’s one island out of thousands. Climb a volcano on Java, go diving near Komodo, or find a beach with hardly anyone on it. Indonesia rewards people who are happy to wander off the usual route.
16. Peru : Ancient Sites and Andean Culture
Machu Picchu gets most of the attention, and yes, it lives up to it. But Peru has more going on than one famous site. There are Cusco’s stone streets, the Sacred Valley, busy highland markets, and Lima, which has become a serious food city. Give it more days than you think you need.
17. Norway : Fjords and Outdoor Escapes
Norway is big, quiet and very beautiful. Fjords, waterfalls and hiking trails are everywhere. Summer gives you almost endless daylight, and winter gives you a shot at the northern lights. Fair warning: it’s expensive, so sort out your budget before you book.
18. Vietnam : Street Food and Scenic Landscapes
Come hungry. A bowl of pho on a tiny plastic stool might end up being the thing you remember most. Beyond the food there are limestone cliffs, rice terraces, lantern-lit old towns and a very long coastline, so a slow trip from north to south is worth the time.
19. Costa Rica : Wildlife and Rainforest Adventures
Sloths, howler monkeys, volcanoes, zip lines. Costa Rica has all of it, and you can finish the trip on either the Pacific or the Caribbean coast. It’s also one of the easier places in Central America to get around, which helps if it’s your first time in the region.
20. Slovenia : Lakes, Mountains, and Quiet Towns
Slovenia is small enough that you can see Lake Bled in the morning and be hiking in the Julian Alps by afternoon. The capital, Ljubljana, is easy to walk and refreshingly relaxed. If you like big scenery but not big crowds, this one deserves a spot on your shortlist.
How to Choose the Right Country for Your Trip
A ranked list is a nice place to start, but the right country is the one that fits your trip. Three things usually settle it.
Which Are the Best Countries to Visit for Your Budget?
Start with money. Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico tend to stretch a budget further, especially for food and local transport. Switzerland and Norway are gorgeous but pricey. And remember flights: a cheap destination with an expensive ticket might not be so cheap after all.
Match Your Destination to Your Travel Dates
Timing matters more than people think. Greece and Croatia are best in the warmer months, Japan is popular in spring and autumn, and Norway feels completely different in summer than in winter. In Southeast Asia, check the rainy season first. If you can, travel in shoulder season for smaller crowds and lower prices.
Choose Based on Your Interests and Trip Length
Think about what you actually want to do. Food lovers might lean toward Italy, Mexico or Japan, hikers toward New Zealand, Norway or Switzerland, and history fans toward Greece, Turkey or Peru. Then check the calendar: a long weekend suits somewhere compact like Slovenia or Portugal, while New Zealand and Japan deserve two weeks at the very least.
So, where to? Pick the country that makes you most excited, sort out your dates and budget, and start planning. The best trip is the one you actually take.
