Top 20 Most Beautiful Countries of the World to Travel (2024)

Top 20 Most Beautiful Countries 2024 - Ranked by Forbes

Regardless of how wonderful it is, the world is full of breathtakingly beautiful locations. When it comes time to take a vacation, you may have difficulty deciding on a single location. With 193 drastically different countries to choose from, it appears nearly impossible to narrow down a list of the world's most beautiful places.

Forbes rated Indonesia's natural beauty 7.77 out of 10, making it the most beautiful country in the world. Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands.

Colombia, with a score of 7.16 out of 10, has joined Indonesia and New Zealand as one of the world's three most beautiful countries.

Colombia's terrain is made up of mountains, tropical forests, and the Amazon rainforest, earning the country top marks for its breathtaking natural scenery.

Top 20 Most Beautiful Countries - Ranked by Forbes

1. Indonesia

Indonesia - Photo: posindonesia

One of Southeast Asia's jewels, Indonesia is home to some of the most beautiful islands on the planet. Bali, a paradise of sun and spirituality, is first on the list. Though crowded, there are still quiet areas, such as the UNESCO-protected rice fields, waterfalls, and butterfly gardens in Tabanan's central region.

With their blue canals and biodiverse reefs, the Raja Ampat Islands, which are off the coast of West Papua, are a scuba diver's dream come true. And don't overlook the relatively uninhabited island of Flores, which boasts tall green hills and white sand beaches.

2. New Zealand

New Zealand - Photo: theculturetrip

With its 9,000 miles of windswept beaches and turquoise lakes carved out of the mountains, New Zealand is home to some of the most striking landscapes on earth. Perhaps one of the world's most colourful places is Lake Tekapo, with its endless fields of pink and purple lupins and brilliant blue glacial waters.

Furthermore, New Zealand is teeming with museums and galleries that contribute to the cultural and artistic identity of the nation. The rich history and importance of the Mori people to New Zealand's national identity are highlighted by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

3. Colombia

Colombia - Photo: globalgrasshopper

Colombia is exceptional due to its extraordinarily varied terrain in addition to the fact that it includes portions of the Andes and Amazon rainforest. One of South America's most stunning locations is Tayrona National Park, which features beaches dotted with coconut palms and rainforests rising to almost 3,000 feet in elevation.

Reaching the unique cape of Cabo de la Vela, where the aquamarine sea meets the ochre desert, requires climbing rocky cliffs, but the view is well worth the effort.

4. Tanzania

Tanzania - Photo: planetware

Tanzania boasts enormous expanses of breathtaking wilderness and is among the most romantic, friendly, and complex countries in Africa.

In addition to two of Africa's highest mountains, stunning white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and some of the best game parks in the world, Tanzania is home to incredibly warm and inviting people.

The Serengeti plains; Lake Victoria, the cradle of the Nile; the towering mass of Mount Kilimanjaro; the red-clad Maasai cattle herders; the spice islands of Zanzibar and Pemba are names that evoke legend. While Sultan Said constructed opulent baths for his Persian wife, traders traveling the coast of East Africa gave rise to the Swahili people, who later became the subject of stories about Sinbad the Sailor. The renowned Victorian explorers Burton, Speke, Livingstone, and Stanley commanded porter convoys through extremely difficult terrain inland. This is a place where fantasy can run wild and reality exceeds it.

5. Mexico

Photo: globalgrasshopper

Mexico has 67 national parks, more than 5,000 miles of coastline, and a variety of landscapes, from deserts to snow-capped volcanoes, which contribute to its high ranking on this list. The state of Oaxaca claims Hierve el Agua, a group of naturally occurring rock formations and mineral springs, as well as untamed, deserted beaches. The 3,000-foot rock walls, caverns, and waterfalls of the Sumidero Canyon in the southern state of Chiapas are breathtaking.

Every autumn, millions of butterflies descend upon the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, located northwest of Mexico City, and the whale sanctuary in El Vizcaino is an essential site for the reproduction of grey and blue whales. Mexico takes significant steps to protect its wildlife as well.

6. Kenya

Photo: thrillophilia

The nation in East Africa is well-known throughout the world for its expansive savanna grasslands and abundant wildlife. But Kenya's natural splendor doesn't stop there. Glacial lakes can be found at the foot of Mount Kenya, dense native trees can be found in the Mau Forest Complex, and crystal-clear blue waters can be found along the shore.

The most populous city in the nation, Nairobi, is home to a variety of craftspeople, from talented glassmakers who have established Kitengela Hot Glass on the international design scene to woodworkers and weavers in Masai Market.

7. India

Photo: himalayan-gypsy

India did not disappoint in terms of offering a wide variety of thrilling travel experiences. "The different areas of India offer different things - lush rainforest in the south and the beautiful Himalayas in the north," according to one participant.

It is true that first-time visitors may find India overwhelming, but once you fall in love with the country, it is hard to leave. You can spend years exploring everything, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the floating palaces of Jaipur. For further inspiration, view India's most picturesque locations.

8. France

Photo: theboutiqueadventurer

The most diversified nation in the EU is France, the biggest member, whose "beautiful landscapes" you frequently compliment. Think of the Pyrenees in summertime, the golden stone chateaux, the gorgeous beaches, the purple lavender fields of Provence, the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, and the delicious food.

Moving up four places from our last poll, it's clear that France is still very appealing. There are plenty of hidden gems to find, and it's totally feasible to venture off the usual route in Paris.

9. Papua New Guinea

Photo: adventurebagging

Papua New Guinea, with its seven hundred languages, diverse cultures, strenuous trekking, and world-class surfing, is the ultimate destination for travelers. Scuba divers from all over the world come to explore World War II shipwrecks, and few places can match Papua New Guinea's legendary hospitality.

In Papua New Guinea, public land does not exist. The Papuan families and tribes own every square inch of land. You run the risk of trespassing on someone else's property and causing a bad situation if you go exploring alone.

10. Comoros

Photo: vanilla-islands

Located off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, the Comoros Islands are not your usual holiday spot. Make your flight reservation right away if you want to spend time with eccentric locals or if you want to momentarily vanish from the face of the earth. This is as remote as it gets; there are no typical signs of tourism here.

Travelers who manage to reach this place will confirm that it truly is a paradise, complete with banana and palm trees, cloves in the air, and ylang-ylang. The culture is quite traditional, and the bulk of the population is Muslim. This means that no alcohol is served, and modest clothing is expected. Since gaining independence in 1975, the country has experienced more than 20 coups, which has earned it the odd moniker Cloud Coup-Coup.

11. Ecuador

Photo: peruforless

It’s almost unbelievable how biodiverse Ecuador is. The country is a smidge smaller than Nevada, but encompasses pieces of the Amazon, Andes, and Pacific Coast, as well as the entire Galápagos archipelago.

We’d argue that the Galápagos Islands are reason enough for Ecuador to land on this ranking, filled with volcanoes, lakes, beaches, and more animal species than we have room to cover here.

12. United States

Photo: lifeberrys

You could spend a lifetime exploring the sites of America, all as beautiful as they are diverse. Hawaii’s vertical Na'Pali Coast is easily one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet.

Denali National Park in Alaska is worth braving the extreme low temperatures. And perhaps you’ve heard of a charming little tourist destination known as the Grand Canyon?

13. Vanuatu

Photo: Leeabbamonte

In Vanuatu, there is an abundance of natural beauty beyond the large hotels. There are active volcanoes, pristine beaches, coral reefs, isolated waterfalls, and vast plains of volcanic ash on the isolated islands that dot the archipelago. Tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe are drawn to Vanuatu by its natural attractions, which are the country's main export.

One of the few places where swimming with dugongs in their native seagrass habitat is possible is Vanuatu. Although dugongs were once hunted for their meat, conservation efforts have stepped up recently (thanks to non-profit organizations like the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project). While a few tourists claim to have spotted dugongs close to Port Vila, these reports are incredibly rare. The outer islands are the best places to see them, especially the seagrass meadows near Malakula and Lamen Bay on Epi. Although they take a little more work to achieve, they are valuable. Canoe tours leave from Lamap Point on Malekula (there's a small airport there, and Air Vanuatu has direct flights from Port Vila) to Gaspard Bay. In the morning, you can go crab fishing with knowledgeable local guides, swim with wild dugongs, and enjoy a picnic on a private beach.

14. Japan

Photo: globalgrasshopper

Japan, a captivating blend of ancient and modern, begins this year. High-speed trains make it simple to see a wide range of sights during your visit, from historic Shinto temples and Mount Fuji's serenity to the neon-lit cities of Tokyo and Osaka and its stunning islands. Indeed, many of you expressed your admiration for Japan's "diversity of scenery."

15. Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands - Photo: traveller

The Solomon Islands are a group of 992 tropical islands and atolls arranged in a gentle arc. They are made up of two major parallel island chains that stretch for about 1800 kilometers from the Shortland Islands in the west to Tikopia and Anuta in the east.

The population of about 550,000 people is predominantly Melanesian but includes other smaller groups. It is located in the South Pacific between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Exotic local customs and traditions continue to play an important role in the lives of Solomon Islanders.

The islands and waters remain an undiscovered pristine paradise. They are particularly notable for their extraordinary biodiversity, which includes thousands of different plant and animal species, particularly marine life. Many species are only found in the Solomon Islands.

16. Italy

Italy - Photo: roughguides

It's difficult to know where to begin when discussing Italy and its beauty. It's praised for its mouthwatering cuisine, picturesque pastel villages, and long-lasting appreciation for the arts. For city dwellers and history buffs, Rome is the birthplace of Western civilization, with a plethora of ancient sites to explore.

Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre villages, invites romantics to stroll through the candy-colored streets before arriving at the harbor. And no trip to Italy is complete without a day trip to Tuscany, where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see.

17. Philippines

Philippines - Photo: globalgrasshopper

The Philippines has over 7,000 islands, many of which are among the most beautiful in the world. Mangrove forests, one of the world's most impressive cave systems, and an underground river are all part of the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan.

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island are made up of approximately 1,776 grass-covered domes that are oddly uniform in shape. Banaue's and the Philippine Cordilleras' rice terraces offer panoramic views of every shade of green imaginable.

18. Peru

Peru - Photo: arzotravels

Many people have heard of the magnificent Inca ruins at Machu Picchu, but they are only a sliver of the wonders Peru has to offer. The quaint oasis of Huacachina is located in the heart of the Ica desert, where guests can explore the neighboring dunes before retiring to the small village at night.

Vinicunca, the rainbow-colored mountain, is not far from Machu Picchu's green peak. A trip to Peru would be incomplete without a visit to Lima, the country's capital city, which is rich in Colonial-era architecture and pre-Columbian art.

19. Australia

Photo: planetware

Australia boasts unparalleled natural beauty, encompassing the Great Barrier Reef, the remote wilderness of the Outback, and the wine regions of Victoria. Every traveler's bucket list should include seeing Uluru's majesty, whether it be from a helicopter above or from below during the vibrant sunset. Not to be missed is Tasmania. The island state boasts an astonishingly beautiful pristine coastline and a wilderness of mountains.

20. Costa Rica

Costa Rica - Photo: nomadicmatt

There are many natural attractions in every part of Costa Rica, from the beaches in Tortuguero National Park where turtles nest to the Osa Peninsula covered in jungle. Parque Nacional Los Quetzales is home to less-frequented wildlife wonders, and the Nicoya Peninsula is a remote location where kayakers can enjoy the company of sloths and monkeys. This is immersive travel to Costa Rica at its best.

The most varied nightlife can be found in San José, the capital city, which is home to numerous theaters, bars, clubs, and live music venues. In Los Yoses, Avenida Central is a well-known strip of posh bars; in San Pedro, Calle de la Amargura is more student-focused. A boca bar is the best place for people who want to meet locals. Bocas, or appetizers, are the customary free snacks offered in bars throughout Costa Rica. A menu of free bocas will be presented to you if you're lucky enough to get a seat at a boca bar. One beer is good for one boca, so you can keep drinking and eating—you might even be motivated to salsa. Live music wafts from bars even in the most remote rural areas.

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