Every country in the world has something special to share, like unique buildings and traditional foods from their area.

But really, talking about the world’s most attractive countries? That can be a bit tricky (it depends on who you ask, etc.).

Because of this, we let the World Economic Forum do most of the work for us. Every year, the foundation releases its Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, which looks at countries around the world based on several factors like safety, how long people live, and even the natural resources available.

The United States of America

You could spend your whole life visiting the places in America, and each one is both beautiful and different in its own way. Hawaii’s Na’Pali Coast, which goes straight up the mountains, is definitely one of the most stunning coastlines in the whole world. Denali National Park in Alaska is worth facing the really cold temperatures. Maybe you’ve heard of a nice little place that people visit for fun, called the Grand Canyon.

China

China has 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites located inside its country, making it the second country with the most such sites, behind Italy which has 58. You’ll discover amazing natural landscapes such as the Zhangye National Geopark, where the mountains are covered in colorful, striped patterns that look like something a photographer would create with Photoshop. You can also spot tall sandstone pillars that look like skyscrapers at Wulingyuan Scenic Area, vast fields of yellow rapeseed flowers in Luoping County, and colorful lakes in Jiuzhaigou Valley—and there are more wonders like these to discover.

Brazil

Brazil has plenty of amazing sights to see, whether you’re standing beneath the huge Iguazu waterfalls that look like a horseshoe, floating through the amazing Amazon River, or watching the view from the top of Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. Fernando de Noronha, a group of islands located along the northeastern coast, has some of the finest beaches in the country. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park has bright white sand dunes next to blue lagoons. Then there’s the biodiversity, which is actually the greatest in the whole world. You often see jaguars, spider monkeys, piranhas, giant water lilies, and mangroves — along with many other millions of species.

Canada

The world’s second-largest country has so much amazing natural beauty that it’s hard to pick just a few favorites. If we had to choose, we’d begin with the remote Torngat Mountains National Park, a place home to polar bears and caribou, glaciers and fjords, and a stretch of mountains so breathtaking you’re probably not going to forget them anytime soon. All of the country’s 48 national parks are definitely worth visiting, whether you’re exploring the peaceful areas of Banff in Alberta or the challenging terrain of Kluane in Yukon.

Nepal

In Nepal, amazing scenery and once-in-a-lifetime experiences go hand in hand. The nation is well-known among hikers and adventurers because it is home to eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. The Gokyo Lakes are the highest freshwater lake system in the world, with snow-capped hills around colourful, glacier-fed waters. Red pandas and snow leopards may be found in Sagarmatha National Park, while rare populations of rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers can be found in Chitwan National Park.

India

India has both towering Himalayan mountains and beautiful Indian Ocean beaches, making its landscape truly amazing to see. Kerala is definitely one of the most beautiful states in the country, home to elephants and tigers, along with its lush lagoon networks and tea plantations. There are amazing sections of sand that you can find even beyond Kerala, such as Marina Beach in the lesser-known Tamil Nadu or Chandipur Beach in Orissa, where the tides pull back almost three miles into the ocean. The Valley of Flowers National Park is amazing, as hundreds of types of alpine flowers cover the western Himalayas in bright and colorful beauty.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of our favorite places to visit.It has lots of old temple ruins, green tea fields, and big, sandy beaches that shine in the sun. Animal lovers should pay special attention because the country offers a lot of opportunities to see wildlife. Both Udawalawe National Park and Gal Oya National Park have hundreds of elephants, and Yala National Park has the most leopards in the world. Tea lovers, here’s a tip for you: Stay at Thotalagala, a seven-suite hotel close to Dambatenne, which is home to the world’s most famous tea plantation.This estate was started in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton, the same Lipton you might know from the tea brand.

Greece

Greece is often recognized for the architecture in Athens and the beautiful coastal views of Santorini (if we had a dollar for every photo from Oia on our Instagram…), but there’s much more to the country than just those well-known spots. Each of the 6,000 plus islands and small islets has amazing views, like the beaches with cliffs in Zakynthos and the beautiful sunrises in Mykonos. Not a beach bum? Take a trip to Epirus, a mountainous area covered with forests in the northwest part of Greece.

Switzerland

Nestled deep in the Alps, Switzerland is definitely one of the most stunning countries in the world, whether you come to visit in summer or winter. When winter comes, it turns into a real wonderland with soft, snowy ski slopes and lots of frozen lakes. For the best view of the country’s natural beauty, stay in the village of Zermatt.It’s a ski town that’s very clean and fresh, and people actually buy bottles of air from the mountains around it, including Switzerland’s famous Matterhorn mountain. Not a fan of skiing? A trip to Switzerland in the summer is always a great choice, as you can enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Geneva’s shoreline and the natural swimming pools called badi in Zurich, which are perfect for your next family vacation.

Croatia

Croatia is a country that sits between the Balkans and central Europe, and it has limestone caves, rolling fields, and beaches made of white pebbles. The country’s most famous water spots are in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which has waterfalls, caves, and 16 layered lakes.These lakes show every shade of blue and green. The coast of the Adriatic Sea is one of a kind, with over 1,000 islands scattered along it, all surrounded by water so clear it seems impossible. The Dinaric Alps offer even more breathtaking views and play a big role in shaping Croatia’s landscape.The rugged mountains and caves close to the coast give way to gently rolling farmland in the northeast Hrvatsko Zagorje area.

Iceland

Iceland, located just outside the Arctic Circle, has become one of the world’s most popular places for tourists to visit. Millions of travelers come to the island country to see amazing sights, like tall volcanoes, rushing waterfalls, and huge underground ice caves. Jökulsárlón is the deepest glacial lake in the country and is known for its floating blue icebergs and groups of seals. In Vik, the black sands and basalt columns of Reynisfjara Beach are really worth taking pictures of.

Portugal

After enjoying everything Lisbon has to offer, head out of the capital city to truly see how beautiful Portugal is. The Algarve is a great place for road trips, and you can stop along the way to enjoy some amazing beaches that are surrounded by tall cliffs.We especially like Praia da Marinha. The Douro River is a place you shouldn’t miss because of the amazing views from the steep, stepped vineyards along the river—like the ones you can see in the Moselle in Germany or the La Vaux vineyards in Switzerland. Don’t forget the Azores, a chain of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, where you’ll find lots of blue hydrangeas growing in thick hedges.

Vietnam

Cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City attract a lot of tourists each year, but Vietnam also offers a great place for people who love being outdoors or just enjoy beautiful scenery. Ha Long Bay is in the northeast part of Vietnam and is loved for its clear blue waters and many limestone islands.These islands are covered with tropical trees and are home to various kinds of wildlife. In the northeast, Hà Giang has amazing mountain views with steep rice terraces and lots of hiking paths. On the southern coastline, Ninh Van Bay offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. You can always take a short flight and spend a few days on Phú Quốc, an island covered in jungle located off the southwest coast of Vietnam.

Kenya

There are many reasons to visit Kenya, and it’s not just because of the nice hotels and safari lodges. The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley is a top spot for seeing wild animals, where you can spot cheetahs, giraffes, black rhinos, and also find some of the most diverse bird populations in the world. Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa, right after Kilimanjaro, and it has some of the most stunning views with icy lakes and trees growing on its slopes.

Whether you’re looking for excitement, learning about the past, or just wanting to see amazing sights, these 15 countries are top choices for their stunning beauty. So, start your own adventure and let the beauty of these magical places take your heart and make you want to travel.

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