The 20 Best Countries in the World: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
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Unforgettable food. Cutting-edge design. Immersive experiences. These are some of your top criteria for judging what makes a quality hotel—not to mention a worthy resort, cruise, spa, or island. In tallying up the 575,048 votes cast in our 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, we were struck by both your eagerness to embrace the new and your reverence for tried-and-true classics. Your favorite hotel in the five boroughs is the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, but you also can’t stop returning to storied French Polynesian resort The Brando. You’ve jetted through the sprawling Istanbul International Airport, booked intrepid sailings to Antarctica, and fallen in love with historic yet innovative cities like Copenhagen. Read on to start planning your next round of travels—these are the best countries in the world, as voted by our readers.
View this gallery as a full list of the top 20 countries in the world with scores here.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Marcin Nowak/Unsplash20. United Kingdom
Thanks to Brexit and a new monarch, it’s safe to say that the United Kingdom hasn’t seen such an intense period of transition since perhaps the Margaret Thatcher era. But despite the changes, most of the things we all know and love about the country are still intact, such as London’s dazzlingly diverse restaurant scene and its wide array of free museums (the National Portrait Gallery reopened its doors last summer after a three-year renovation). History is always being reimagined and remixed in these parts: Take, for instance, the landmark Old War Office, which has been transformed into Raffles London at The OWO, or the renovated 1511 Thornbury Castle, where you can now make like a Tudor-era noble and book an overnight stay. Up in the north of England, Sussex made it onto our list of the best places to go in Europe in 2025, thanks to its emerging culinary scene, and adventures await beyond the borders of England as well—foraging for mushrooms in Wales, tapping into maritime history in Northern Ireland, or hopping between swimmable tidal pools on the coast of Scotland.
Julia Solonina/Unsplash19. Germany
With its fairytale castles, charming small towns, and festive Christmas markets, Germany has always loomed large as a tourist magnet, whether you’re exploring it by train, river cruise, or road trip. While the country may seem tradition-bound, it’s also not afraid of trying something new, which might mean immersive art shows taking over unexpected spaces in Berlin or a $120 million, high-tech medi-spa in the pastoral North Frisian Islands. There are new contemporary-art-filled places to stay, buzzy neighborhoods (like Munich’s meatpacking district, Schlachthofviertel), and even an expanding fleet of ultra-eco-friendly, hydrogen-powered passenger trains that emit only steam and condensed water. Of course, the classics are just as beautiful as they’ve always been: When, for instance, you enjoy the healing thermal springs of Baden-Baden, you’re taking part in a millennia-old tourist tradition that dates back to the pre-Roman Celts.
Robert Bye/Unsplash18. Iceland
Long celebrated as a rugged adventure outpost, Iceland is the kind of edge-of-the-world place where your trip just might be interrupted or postponed by a volcanic eruption or mini-earthquakes—but is worth the wait. These days, urban life is just as alive and exciting as the geothermal activity bubbling underground: Think pilgrimage-worthy restaurants (like Ox, a speakeasy-style tasting-menu spot), see-and-be-seen design hotels (The Reykjavík Edition), and a robust roster of new natural wine bars, cocktail lounges, and innovative food halls.
As the Golden Circle becomes increasingly crowded with international visitors taking advantage of IcelandAir’s “stopover” program, the country is gently nudging travelers off the beaten path. The relatively new Diamond Circle, for instance, weaves a 155-mile loop through northeastern Iceland, stopping at waterfalls, mud pits, lava caves, and hot springs. And in 2023, the fan-favorite Blue Lagoon—which boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant of its own, Moss—expanded its footprint with the new Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, a cozy retreat in a part of the country’s rugged interior that’s so remote even many Icelanders haven’t stepped foot there.
Ibrahim Rifath/Unsplash17. India
A welcome new addition to our list, India is a South Asian destination with an epic legacy. There is, of course, Mumbai in all its undeniably alluring madness—along Marine Drive, the glittering waterfront thoroughfare, colonial architecture brushes up against Art Deco mansions and Buddhist pagodas, a nod to the city’s centuries of Gujarati, Portuguese, and British rule before India regained its independence in 1947. But if the hectic symphony of rickshaws and mopeds aren't your speed, color yourself impressed by roaming historic Kochi, one of our picks for the best places to go in Asia in 2025; hiking through the ethereal terrain of Hampi; holing up in the Portuguese casas in Goa; or stowing away in the Andaman Islands.
Pol Albarrán/Getty16. Austria
Vienna has long been a favorite stop on European grand tours, but despite the city’s Hapsburg-era pomp and splendor, it’s far from a dusty museum piece. Leaders recently announced plans to be carbon neutral by 2040, led by a hyperlocal culinary scene that has welcomed such innovations as a city snail farm and an urban collective that uses grounds from the city’s famed coffee house scene to grow mushrooms. Outside the capital, visitors still flock to alpine ski villages and jewel-box-like Salzburg, but other destinations are bubbling to the surface. The Cōmodo is an artfully repurposed 1960s health resort on the edge of the country’s largest national park in the mountain village of Bad Gastein. And, in 2023, the country celebrated its third European Capital of Culture—following Graz in 2003 and Linz in 2009—the spa town of Bad Ischl, where the healing salt waters have been attracting royalty and other elites since the early 1800s.
Diogo Fagundes/Unsplash15. France
All eyes were on Paris this year, when the city hosted the Summer Olympics. Following the reconstruction of Notre-Dame and last year's much-publicized battle with bedbugs, the City of Light is embracing the spirit of reinvention. That means playful design hotel openings, Dominique Crenn’s first restaurant in her home country, new ways of embracing athleticism and physical expression, and a slew of French Asian artisans and chefs shaking up the cultural scene. Well beyond the confines of the capital, there are new adventures to discover, from the low-key surf scene in Hossegor to a buzzy African-inspired restaurant in Nîmes to a wave of modernist-tinged openings in the perma-chic French Riviera.
Mwangi Gatheca/Unsplash14. Canada
Nowhere is the soul of Canada more evident than in its vast and varied outdoors. From the Pacific coast’s temperate rainforests, to the massive peaks and spires of the Western mountain ranges, to the big-sky country of the prairie grasslands, to the glacier-churned Atlantic coastline, many of the planet’s most iconic landscapes are found in the country. Just a stone's throw away from many of Canada's greatest sights are its major metropolitan areas, which stand as modern marvels in their own right. Warm up by restaurant hopping Montreal's bustling food scene, see the world in a city by staying in Toronto where Little India, Chinatown, Greektown, Koreatown, Portugal Village, two Little Italys, and more than 150 spoken languages blend together, and don't miss a beat on your winter vacation by bypassing the cold through Alberta's underground passageways.
Marco Meyer/Unsplash13. Switzerland
With its cow-studded green valleys, snow-capped peaks, and glitzy ski resorts, Switzerland is the kind of place that most people think they know. But this country in the heart of Europe is worth another look. Take, for instance, its notoriously expensive largest city, Zürich, which never seems to get enough credit for its progressive outlook, oft-overlooked art and music scenes, and a skyline shaped by staggeringly diverse architectural voices, including Le Corbusier, Santiago Calatrava, and Shigeru Ban. Its Alpine ski towns, with big names like Verbier, Davos, and Zermatt, meanwhile, are expanding their offerings beyond the snow season: The Engadin Valley, home to St. Moritz, has become a warm-weather hot spot, with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, electric mountain bikes for rent, and all manner of adventure sports, including paragliding, kitesurfing, and even class-4 whitewater-rapids rafting through Giarsun Gorge. But, of course, the classics still sing. After tackling the country’s rugged terrain, you’ve earned a stay in the new Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern, a stunningly remade Belle Epoque grande-dame hotel originally opened in 1906.
Khanh Bui/Getty12. Norway
Oslo has spent the past several years getting out of the shadow of its grander Scandinavian peers, like Stockholm and Copenhagen, with attention-grabbing openings like the Sommerro hotel and the new National Museum and buzzy districts like harbor-side Bjørvika, home to the new Munch Museum. But the capital city is a mere gateway for exploring the country and its fjord-filled coastline—recently recalculated as the second-longest in the world after Canada. This year, a must-visit stop is Bodø, the first European Capital of Culture north of the Arctic Circle, home to the Sámi culture and a new hotel made almost entirely out of wood. For the best way to get around these parts, you can’t beat Hurtigruten, a historic coastal ferry company that also doubles as a pleasure cruise line, a cargo vessel, a mail ship, and an expedition outfitter.
Spencer Davis/Unsplash11. Croatia
The secret’s out: This Balkan country may have been off-the-beaten path a decade or so ago, but it’s rapidly gaining in popularity, thanks to increased direct flights, an influx of cruises, and especially the popularity of Game of Thrones. Croatia is feeling the growing pains of its success, with spots like Dubrovnik and Split becoming every bit as overtouristed as Venice or Amsterdam, but there are plenty of areas around the country that reward exploration: dining at family-farm restaurants and sampling local olive oil in Istria, zipping around by speedboat off the coastline of Trogir, road-tripping through vineyards and oyster farms on the Dalmatian Coast, or sailing among the restful Kornati Islands, which are dotted with oak forests, centuries-old churches, and fortified villages. The result? What local Dalmatians call fjaka—that sweet feeling of doing absolutely nothing.
Raoul Croes/Unsplash10. Greece
Greece is attracting record-breaking tourist numbers, and the crystal Aegean waters are beckoning us back to some of your favorite islands in the world: postcard-perfect Santorini, mythology-steeped Mykonos, and massive Crete, with its reemerging viticultural scene. That roster of dreamy islands is ever-expanding, with more and more visitors venturing out to under-the-radar Paros, car-free Hydra, blissfully secluded Zakynthos, beach-filled Ios, and wild, windswept Tinos. And be sure not to ignore Athens. As it rebuilt itself after a paralyzing debt crisis, the ancient city leaned into a scrappy, creative energy that has yielded forward-thinking restaurants, avant-garde galleries, and hip hotels that rank Athens among Europe’s unexpectedly coolest capitals. And for those really looking for an adventure—albeit a slow one—consider a journey into Zagorohoria, a collection of 46 traditional stone villages scattered around the Pindus Mountains in Greece’s rugged northwest. Here, you’re likelier to encounter truffle hunters, bubbling hot springs, and monasteries with Orthodox frescoes than sun-seeking partiers.
Henrique Craveiro/Unsplash9. Ireland
For American travelers, Ireland has always felt a bit like an old cardigan: cozy, easy, and comfortable—the kind of place you can take multiple generations of family members to trace your genealogical roots or to scope out centuries-old castles and fireplace-warmed pubs. But there’s also a decidedly youthful wind whipping across the Emerald Isle. The capital city is emerging as one of Europe’s most forward-thinking tech hubs, nicknamed Silicon Docks for the prevalence of tech giants and startups headquartered along the Grand Canal Dock. This infusion of big thinkers (with big wallets) has blown the dust off the island’s traditionalist culture. Now, in addition to crossing Trinity College’s Long Room off your bucket list, you might also find yourself foraging for nettles and pears with Takingaleaf founder Miceal Murray or sipping whiskey at Teeling, the first new distillery to open within the city in more than 125 years. Beyond the capital, Ireland is dotted with remote hotels and Airbnbs that allow you to spend the night everywhere from an island lighthouse in County May to a Scandi-chic cabin in County Monaghan. And if you’re in the mood for something farther afield, it doesn’t get much more rugged than the Aran Islands, the filming location and inspiration for The Banshees of Inisherin.
Dan Freeman/Unsplash8. New Zealand
Ever since Peter Jackson cast his home country as Middle-earth in the Lord of the Rings film franchise, visitors have viewed this island nation as a place of almost mythical beauty, from the crystalline mountains lakes and sweeping fjords to misty rainforests and geothermal valleys. Culturally diverse Auckland remains the most popular point of entry for international travelers, but new lodges and trails are making it easier than ever before to venture far out into the country’s vast wilderness. Among the most dazzling openings in recent years is Flockhill Lodge, a 36,000-acre high-country sheep station in the Southern Alps that now doubles as an ultra-luxe retreat, while other properties are finding clever ways to honor the land (such as regenerative farming) and especially the country’s Māori heritage. And for something wildly unique, consider a flight on the world’s first winery airline, Invivo Air, which flies between Auckland and Queenstown and includes an eight-step wine tasting at 18,000 feet.
Rafa Prada/Unsplash7. Vietnam
One of two fabulous Southeast Asian countries that ranked in the top 10 list of best countries in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler readers, Vietnam is a study in bustling street scenes in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, beautiful natural destinations like Hạ Long Bay, and beaches where you can unwind or party the night away. Ho Chi Minh was also named one of our best places to go in Asia in 2025 for the year's upcoming celebrations commemorating the country's national reunification and buzzier than ever food and design scene. And that’s not to mention the forthcoming renovation of the city’s iconic Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel and the numerous others slated to open soon, including IHG's Hotel Indigo and the Kengo Kuma-designed Kempinski Saigon River.
Miltiadis Fragkidis/Unsplash6. Thailand
Constantly topping the lists of the world’s most visited cities, the Thai capital, Bangkok, lights up all the senses like a pinball machine gone haywire. Take in the smell of temple incense and tuk-tuk exhaust while you admire the sight of golden buddhas glimmering in the sun. Savor the taste of smokey chicken satay or spicy Michelin-star noodles—followed by balanced creative cocktails at the city’s award-winning restaurants and bars, no less. Embrace the soft touch of silk or the firm pressure of a Thai massage. And for a taste of beachy island life, postcard-perfect shores span from the east coast with Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, to the west coast with Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta.
Tomas Nozina/Unsplash5. Spain
When the World’s 50 Best Bars list was announced earlier this year, one of the top spots went to an innovative Barcelona cocktail lounge called Sips, and it shared the top five with fellow Barcelona speakeasy Paradiso, which is hidden inside a pastrami shop in the trendy El Born district. If you’ve spent any time in the country, especially after nightfall, you probably already know this obvious fact: The Spanish know how to party, and they love to do it in style, from the sherry and flamenco bars of Andalusia to the beach clubs of bohemian Formentera to the tapas bars of Barcelona. In an ironic twist, some of the country’s most notoriously party-hardy spots are moving in the opposite direction, shedding their reputations for debauchery to become serious cultural hubs. A new generation of creatives in Mallorca, for instance, are getting back to the land, with homey design hotels and natural wineries, while a host of boutique hotels and Michelin-star restaurants in Marbella is enticing visitors to explore beyond the (admittedly gorgeous) beachfront and into the previously underrated Old Town.
Liubov Ilchuk/Unsplash4. Italy
As Stanley Tucci’s popular CNN travelogue proved, there aren’t enough days in the year to uncover all the dolce vita that Italy has to offer. Beyond the hotspots in Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome, the country is blessed with seemingly infinite villages and underrated cities to explore and fall in love with. Palermo’s stunningly restored Villa Igiea, for instance, brought the glitterati back to Sicily, which is still riding high off its role in HBO’s The White Lotus, while Bergamo and Brescia—two former rivals who were epicenters of the early pandemic—put aside their differences to jointly hold the title of 2023 Italian Capital of Culture. Of course, one of Italy’s enduring legacies is its world-renowned cuisine, which the government has officially nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. And you don’t have to look far to see what all the fuss is about: Italy is a food lover’s paradise, where you can immerse yourself in the millennia-old Jewish cuisine of Rome, take part in a transformative cooking class in Tuscany, or try something completely new-to-you (like torta al testo) in landlocked Umbria.
Alex Azabache/Unsplash3. Turkey
Istanbul has always sat at the crossroads of the world, where the thin ribbon of the Bosphorus divides Asia from Europe, and East from West. It's taken its position to new heights with a game-changing international airport that opened in 2019 and gained fandom among our readers for its modern design and impressive duty-free shopping zone. Returning visitors will find all the things they love about Istanbul still intact, from its minaret-filled skyline to its thrilling food scene, but there are plenty of fresh offerings, including a burgeoning contemporary gallery scene in artsy Karaköy. Farther afield, the Turquoise Coast attracts jet setters with its traditional hammams and party-centric resorts alike, while the surrounding Aegean region has seen an explosion of modern wineries amid its ancient ruins. And speaking of antiquity, there’s a brand new (yet very old) reason to head out east into Anatolia: In 2021, UNESCO inscribed the 8,000-year-old Arslantepe Mound on its list of World Heritage Sites.
Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty2. Portugal
This Iberian Peninsula country has spent the past decade transforming from a budget-minded underdog destination to a major player that can rival the likes of Spain and Italy. From the start, even as it suffered under a 40-year authoritarian regime and a flailing economy, Portugal was brimming with delights that bordered on sensory overload: the intricate blue-and-white patterns of azulejo tiles, the intoxicating aroma of oven-fresh pastéis de nata, the mournful chords of live fado music, the bracing chill of a crisp vinho verde or the nectary sweetness of a port. With its jaunty yellow trams and hilltop São Jorge Castle, Lisbon is an easy-to-adore starting point for first-timers, but an increasing number of direct flights to Porto are inviting travelers to explore the second city’s contemporary cultural scene and must-try restaurants. And then? Portugal rewards repeat visitors with a choose-your-own-adventure that might include the terraced hillsides of the Douro Valley, the underrated wineries and burgeoning beach towns of the Alentejo region, the surfer havens of the Algarve, and the absurdly scenic hamlets scattered throughout. Now, thanks to new direct flights from the U.S., even the Hawaii-like volcanic landscapes of the Azores are right at your fingertips.
Yu Kato/Unsplash1. Japan
When Japan reopened for visa-free tourism, the country's generous array of incredible restaurants, ultra-relaxing onsens, Shinto temples, cherry blossoms, and impeccably clean and efficient high-speed trains, which run along some of the most scenic rail routes in the world welcomed travelers the world over. But there’s always something new popping up in this whizz-bang nation of the future. A buzzy gin scene? Sure. A hilltop castle from 1599 where you can book overnight stays? Check. Oh yeah, and new galleries and exhibits on Naoshima Island, ultra-stylish glamping resorts, and a growing roster of sushi bars helmed by female chefs—still a major rarity in this tradition-bound country. And now there are fantastic excuses to venture far out to the country’s extreme north and south: New UNESCO World Heritage designees include the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in the north and a chain of islands in the archipelago’s southwestern stretches that are entirely uninhabited by humans and filled with endangered species.
