The Most Beautiful Countries in the World

Namibia is one of the most travel-friendly countries in Africa. You can see rare wildlife there, including a quarter of the world’s cheetah population and the last black rhinos that exist in the wild. Its network of reserves and natural parks is highly developed. Its coastal and desert landscapes, among the most photographed in the world, are also really worth a visit. The traditional culture is still alive there, despite the colonisation by Germany and then by South Africa.

Must-sees:

• Etosha National Park
• Sossusvlei Desert
• Skeleton Coast
• Twyfelfontein
• Caprivi Strip

Remote and unspoiled, New Zealand is high on lots of travellers’ bucket lists. Its incredible landscapes were used as a setting for The Lord of the Rings. The two main islands each have their own distinctive character. The North Island is warmer, with rolling hills, beautiful beaches and numerous volcanoes. The South Island is wilder, with high peaks and glacier-carved fjords.

Must-sees:

• Milford Sound
• Mount Cook National Park
• Tongariro National Park
• Queenstown
• Abel Tasman National Park

Iran, which everyone thought was dangerous and populated by nuclear bomb lovers, is one of the countries experiencing a huge surge in visitors. From the extremely welcoming people to the outstanding architecture, to the arid deserts and green mountains, travellers are realising that it’s an amazing country. However, it’s only recently opened to tourism and therefore has some peculiarities, such as the strict Islamic rules in force or the fact you can’t withdraw money from ATMs.

Must-sees:

• Tehran
• Isfahan
• Shiraz
• Yazd
• Kashan

Vanuatu is an explorer’s paradise. It’s a country where you can climb not just one, but two active volcanoes, swim in the world’s bluest lagoons, dive through incredible coral reefs and board a cargo ship heading to a lost island. You can also relax in natural hot springs or enjoy a secluded beach all to yourself. Vanuatu has a very rich culture, with over 100 languages and seven major religions (lots of people practise more than one). The country boasts 83 islands spread over 900 kilometres.

Must-sees:

• Mount Yasur
• Mele Island
• Champagne Beach
• Iririki Island
• Nanda Blue Hole

From the bustle of Tokyo to the zen of Kyoto, from the chilled out Okinawa to the harsh winters in Hokkaido, Japan is a mix of high-tech, manners and a deep respect for the past. The food there is delicious, the temples are majestic, the gardens are zen, the national parks are lush and the history is rich. Although the country has a reputation for being expensive, you can quite easily travel there at a lower cost.

Must-sees:

• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Mount Fuji
• Miyajima Island
• Nara

Mountains, jungle, mediaeval towns, spiritual sites and super-friendly people, everyone has their reason to love Nepal. The remarkable landscapes are a reason in itself to visit this country. The Himalayas offer some of the world’s most beautiful hikes and the tropical plains bordering India are one of the best places in Asia to see wildlife. But what makes this country so special is the indescribable sense of spirituality you get when you’re there, from the Himalayan peaks to the historical sites in the Kathmandu valley.

Must-sees:

• Annapurna Treks
• Everest Trek
• Chitwan National Park
• Kathmandu
• Pokhara

Floating all by itself between the North Atlantic and the Arctic, Iceland boasts breathtaking natural wonders. From the capital city, Reykjavik, it’s easy to visit the famous Golden Circle route with its geysers and thunderous waterfalls, the south coast with its glaciers, black beaches and volcanic landscapes or the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths. By staying at least two weeks, you can go around the entire island. The magic of Iceland doesn’t solely come from its magnificent landscapes, but also from the strong connection the inhabitants have with nature. It seems as if each stone has its own name and legend that dates back thousands of years.

Must-sees:

• Reykjavík
• Blue Lagoon
• Þingvellir
• Golden Circle
• Jökulsárlón

Colombia is South America’s best kept secret. For decades, the country was torn apart by drug traffickers and guerrilla warfare. Nowadays, most of the country is safe. Travelling in Colombia is a real mix: colonial towns, big dynamic cities like Bogota and Medellín, tropical beaches and green plateaus. Nature lovers enjoy the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest and the shade of coffee plantations, whilst travellers who simply want to relax can soak up the sun on one of the many beaches. History lovers can visit the ruins of pre-Columbian civilisations, thrill seekers can go surfing, diving or rock climbing, and, for music lovers, Colombia is the land of salsa.

Must-sees:

• Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
• Cocora Valley
• Medellin
• Cali
• Cartagena

Myanmar has a long history and rich Buddhist culture, famous for the abundant use of gold on statues, temples and palaces. Although the country has been shut off from the world for decades, travellers’ interest in its pristine beaches, snow-capped mountains and wild jungles is only growing. There’s still time to discover Southeast Asia’s least touristy country before it’s too late.

Must-sees:

• Temples of Bagan
• Inle Lake
• Hpa An
• Shwedagon Pagoda
• Mandalay

Turkey is a country full of contrasts: impressive mountain ranges and lush plains, coasts overrun with tourists and deserted beaches, rapidly growing cities and sleepy villages. The country has a rich history and traces of sieges and defeats still mark the land. Many sites are listed by UNESCO: from the cities of Pergamon and Ephesus near the Aegean Sea to the enchanting landscapes of Cappadocia in Anatolia, from stone churches to Roman aqueducts, from Byzantine churches to Ottomans mosques.

Must-sees:

• Istanbul
• Pamukkale
• Cappadocia
• Bodrum
• Ephesus

For some countries, there’s a low number of survey respondents because few travellers visit them. Below 30 respondents, there’s a higher margin of error, but by setting a threshold of 30 respondents, there would have been only extremely touristy countries in our ranking and we thought that was a shame.

The countries are ranked in order of this ratio: number of mentions of the country in the top three / number of respondents having visited the country. A country that’s visited a lot by RTW travellers is no more likely to be more highly ranked than a country that’s less visited.