25 Most Beautiful Countries In The World

If you’re tired of being cooped up in your house because of the pandemic and can’t wait to plan a vacation, be sure to check out the 25 most beautiful countries in the world. The pandemic has absolutely destroyed the travel industry over the past two and a half years. As most countries went into lockdowns and closed their borders, travel was decimated and airlines and the hospitality industry started laying off tens of thousands of employees in a bid to reduce their losses, to little avail.

However, it seems like the sun is finally rising and 2022 seems to be the year that the world has come to grips with managing the pandemic. While Covid is definitely here to stay, high rates of vaccination globally and countries managing to implement plans to contain the spread have allowed a sense of normalcy to resume. The summer of 2022 has been the first major test for the travel industry, and there have been both positive and negative impacts noted so far.

The positive is that millions have been able to travel to some of the most beautiful countries in the world for the first time since the start of 2020; the negatives are quite a few. Airports and airlines laid off tens of thousands when Covid hit and the travel industry was impacted, but while the airlines were able to manage recruitments in anticipation of an uptick in travel during the summer, unfortunately many airports did not. A lack of baggage handlers has led to scenes of mayhem across Europe and the United States, with Heathrow Airport in particular suffering from that reality, resulting in images of luggage strewn with little care. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled daily and Heathrow took the unprecedented step of limiting passengers to 100,000 per day until September, brutally exposing its lack of preparation, and resulting in spats between airlines and Heathrow as well. In Dover, a major seaport in England, travelers were stuck in traffic for more than 20 hours.

The good news is, if you’re planning to travel now, most of the summer chaos has died down as schools resume and people go back to work. Also, the travel industry is figuring out how to manage the load and the situation is bound to improve in the coming months. At the very least, it can’t get any worse.

Determining the most beautiful countries is a really hard task. It is extremely subjective from person to person; after all, one might find beauty in a busy city with lots of people and events happening, while someone else may prefer a cozy retreat in a cabin in the mountains. Therefore, we have taken a consolidation of rankings carried out by major magazines and websites such as Forbes, CN Traveler and WorldAtlas, among others, with my admittedly limited travel experience bias also coming into play. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the most beautiful countries in the world which will make you want to drop everything and pack your bags!

25. Tonga

Tonga is a Polynesian country boasting more than 170 islands, which are lined with white, sandy beaches and stunning coral reefs, not to mention being covered by a tropical rainforest.

24. Malaysia

This tropical country is one of my personal favorites, having lived there for a few years. Malaysia is incredibly green, with abundant rainforests, while you can also visit stunning highlands, including an incredible resort in Genting Highlands.

23. Grenada

Grenada is a Caribbean country which is known for its chocolate factories as much as its 40 white sandy beaches and 15 waterfalls, not to mention its more than 30 dive sites.

22. Argentina

South America tends to get a bad rap because of safety issues, but if you’re an adventurous person, then Argentina should be next on your list. The boasts everything from its sky-high Andes peaks, to its glaciers, to the hustle and bustle of its capital city, Buenos Aires.

21. Costa Rica

A nature lover’s dream, Costa Rica allows you to explore abundant rainforests, wildlife, and beaches. Whether you’re on a budget or whether you want a luxury vacation in hotels costing more than $1,000 a night, Costa Rica has all your needs covered.

20. Australia

It is unfathomable how huge Australia is. You can go up to 500km without even running into a service station in the Outback! So it comes as no surprise that Australia’s terrain is incredibly diverse. You could spend a month in the country and not even cover 10% of it.

19. Japan

Japan has been on my wishlist for many years, and is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From the fast life in Tokyo to the cultural capital of Japan in Kyoto, you won’t be bored for a moment in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. The good news is, Japan has also made it much easier to enter the country recently thanks to dramatically relaxing its Covid rules.

18. United States of America

It may be controversial to not rank the United States higher than 18th, but I believe it’s more than just natural beauty which gives the country its uniqueness. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not beautiful; it has incredible national parks which allow you explore untouched beauty.

17. Pakistan

Pakistan may not be a safe country for travelers, but it has made recent strides, and has seen many vloggers come over from various countries. The Northern Areas of Pakistan are home to glaciers, while five of the 14 highest peaks in the world are located in Pakistan. You will come across lush valleys, cold deserts, lakes, and of course mountains, all of which will leave an impression for the ages.

16. Peru

When you think of Peru, the first think that likely comes to mind is Machu Picchu, the Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains. The trek is tough, but more than worth the views you get throughout, not to mention the stunning views once you reach the top.

15. Madagascar

The world’s second-largest island country is famous for its beaches as well as biodiversity. Not only can you explore the island, you can also see diverse wildlife developed over millions of years in relative isolation from the rest of Africa.

14. Sweden

Sweden is one of the safest countries in the world, in addition to being among the most beautiful countries in the world. Apart from the usual amazing natural beauty you can take advantage of in the country, it is also one of the few countries that you can see the Aurora Borealis from, and that is surely a sight worth seeing.

13. Kenya

Kenya is home to some of the biggest safaris in the world, where you can see diverse wildlife in its natural habitat. You can opt for budget safaris or luxury safaris, but either way, you are in for a memorable experience.

12. Greece

Whether you’re visiting Athens for the Acropolis, or Santorini for the idyllic town by the beach with views to die for, not to mention the active volcanoes, Greek is certainly a beautiful and historic country worth travelling to.

11. Philippines

It may not be the most economically developed country in the world and thus the infrastructure may be lacking in some areas, but the country of more than 100 million people welcomes your eyes with giant lakes, hot waterfalls, and national parks, not to mention pristine beaches.

10. Italy

While I personally didn’t find Venice to be that incredible, Italy definitely has more than its fair share of natural beauty, especially if you visit its vineyards or the Dolomites in the North.

9. Thailand

Many people have tainted Thailand by insinuating people only go there for hookups, but the diverse country has so much more to offer, including many pristine islands and beaches.

8. Bolivia

Whether you’re hiking the El Choro Inca Trail or its famous canyons, or visiting the Torotoro National Park, Bolivia is a dream for adventurers.

7. Ecuador

Located in the West Coast of South America, Ecuador’s landscape is as diverse as can be, ranging from the Amazon jungle to Andean highlands, as well as the famous Galapagos Islands, home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the entire world.

6. Switzerland

Switzerland is often said to be the most beautiful country in the world, and once you visit the Interlaken region, it may be hard for you to change your mind. Cascading waterfalls will greet you as you travel through valleys and small towns, while you can also drive around Lake Geneva, a stunning sight in and of itself.

5. Indonesia

Indonesia has unfortunately been mostly closed to the public since 2020, though it is loosening restrictions with time. It is one of the more inexpensive options in our list. Bali in particular offers spectacular views and adventure activities that will satiate even the most risk-inclined among us.

4. Colombia

Once in Colombia, you have a wide range of activities and places to select from, including visiting the sea of seven colors, deserted beaches in Providence, Tayrona Park, and the Sierra Nevada, among others.

3. Mexico

It is unfortunate that Mexico has been so affected by drug cartels that many people don’t dare venture into the country, despite it being among the most beautiful countries in the world. Mexico is home to stunning beaches and also boasts jungles, forests, lagoons, mountains, parks, and national reserves.

2. Norway

Norway is home to more than 1,100 fjords, narrow inlets of oceans between cliffs, lending to some beautiful visuals. The Trolltunga hike is one of the most famous in the world, rewarding those who manage it with unparalleled views.

1. Iceland

Topping the list of the 25 most beautiful countries in the world is Iceland, which is a huge country home to just 300,000 people, with most of the country being absolutely untouched physically. Whether you want to view raging waterfalls or waterfalls that you can actually walk behind, visit national parks or major glaciers, or visit active volcanos or natural geysers, Iceland has stunning views around every bend. On top of that, you’ll be able to enjoy the Northern Lights and admire the trillions of stars lighting up the sky from anywhere in the country. If that sounds like a sight for sore eyes, don’t wait a moment more and immediately plan your next trip to this beautiful country.