Best destinations for first-time travellers
Best destinations for first-time travellers
Walkable capital city grids and English-friendly public transit tracks
A first trip abroad works best somewhere that eases you in, rather than throwing every possible culture shock and logistical headache at you at once.
Some first-time travellers want a destination where English is widely understood and signage is easy to follow, taking one layer of stress out of the trip. Others prefer a guided tour that handles the logistics entirely, leaving them free to focus on the experience rather than the planning. Direct flights and simple transport once you land also make a real difference on a first trip, cutting down on the number of things that can go wrong. A gentler culture shock helps too, easing travellers into independent travel before a bigger leap later on. Sorting out travel insurance ahead of time is worth doing too.
The destinations on our list reflect that same idea, favouring places that are easy to navigate without feeling watered down.
Lists by region
City in Japan
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
Dotonbori canal glows with neon signs and giant food displays after dark. A Glico Running Man sign has looked over the canal since 1935. Street stalls sell takoyaki, crisp octopus balls topped with sauce. Osaka Castle, rebuilt in 1931 with a golden trimmed roof, is a short subway ride away.
City in Germany
Munich
Bavarian Tradition Meets Modern Flair
The Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall in Marienplatz performs every day at 11 am and noon. Life sized figures reenact a royal wedding tournament from 1568. Crowds gather in the square below to watch the show. The Viktualienmarkt food market is a short walk away.
Country
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
Eighteen metal Supertrees between 25 and 50 metres tall rise at Gardens by the Bay. A free light and sound show plays among them every evening. Hawker centres nearby serve cheap plates of chicken rice and satay. English is an official language across the city state.
City in Australia
Melbourne
The heart of culture and coffee
Hosier Lane is a cobbled laneway covered in constantly changing street art. Painters regularly cover older murals with new ones. Visitors can wander between nearby laneways and stop for espresso at tiny corner cafes. Federation Square and the Yarra River sit just across busy Flinders Street.
City in Sweden
Stockholm
Where islands, history and modernity meet
The Vasa Museum holds a 17th century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. Salvage crews raised the ship from the harbour floor in 1961. Visitors can walk around it on several viewing levels. The museum sits on Djurgården island, a short tram ride from the centre.
Country
Malta
History, beaches and Mediterranean charm
Valletta was built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565. English is an official language across the Maltese islands alongside Maltese. Ordering food and asking directions is easy for most visitors. A short boat trip reaches the pale turquoise Blue Lagoon on Comino.
City in Croatia
Split
Roman Ruins, Adriatic Vibes, Beaches
The Roman emperor Diocletian built his retirement palace here around AD 305. Shops, cafes and homes now fill the former palace rooms. A palm lined promenade called the Riva runs along the harbour beside it. Ferries from the harbour reach islands such as Brač and Hvar.
City in Netherlands
Amsterdam
Canals, culture and a vibrant spirit
The 17th century canal ring was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010. Narrow gabled houses lean over water that boats cruise past all day. Visitors should book Anne Frank House tickets online well ahead of time. Trams and bikes make the compact centre simple to cross.
City in Germany
Hamburg
A Port City with Endless Charm
The Elbphilharmonie opened in 2017 on top of an old brick warehouse. A free public plaza 37 metres up has views across the harbour. Visitors ride a long curved escalator to reach it. The nearby Speicherstadt, a red brick warehouse district, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Up to 3,000 people cross the famous Shibuya Crossing each time the lights change. Sensoji Temple in Asakusa traces its origins to the year 645. Visitors enter through the huge red Kaminarimon gate with its giant paper lantern. A Suica card pays for trains, subways and vending machines.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
The Stanley Park seawall follows the water for about nine kilometres. Separate paths for walkers and cyclists run between the ocean and tall evergreens. Bike hire shops sit near the park entrance on Denman Street. The North Shore mountains rise across Burrard Inlet in the distance.
City in South Korea
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Guards in traditional dress perform a changing ceremony at the main gate. Visitors wearing a hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, enter the palace for free. A T-money card pays for subway and bus rides across the city.
City in Canada
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
The Château Frontenac hotel opened in 1893 above the St. Lawrence River. Its green copper roofs and turrets can be seen across the old town. Visitors stroll the wide boardwalk of Dufferin Terrace beside the hotel. UNESCO added the walled Old Quebec district to its World Heritage list in 1985.
Town in New Zealand
Queenstown
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
A bungy jump from Kawarau Bridge outside Queenstown drops 43 metres towards the river. Jumps have run from the old bridge since 1988. Operators in town also run jet boats, skydives and canyon swings. Coaches and small planes reach Milford Sound on day trips from town.
City in Netherlands
Utrecht
Medieval Canals, Modern Dutch Cool
The Dom Tower rises 112 metres above the old city centre. Guided climbs go up 465 steps to a view across the Dutch countryside. Cafes and restaurants fill the old wharf cellars along the Oudegracht canal. Trains from Amsterdam reach Utrecht in about half an hour.
City in United Kingdom
London
A Tapestry of History and Modernity
The Tower of London was begun by William the Conqueror in the late 1070s. The Crown Jewels are on display in the Waterloo Barracks. Guides known as Beefeaters lead tours around the grounds several times a day. Tower Bridge and Tower Hill Underground station are a short walk away.
City in Portugal
Lisbon
Sun-soaked streets and rich history
The Pastéis de Belém bakery has served custard tarts in Lisbon since 1837. Visitors eat the warm tarts with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Yellow Tram 28 climbs through the steep streets of Alfama. The Belém Tower, a stone fortress from the early 1500s, stands a short walk away.
City in Portugal
Porto
Wine, Coast and Old-World Charm
The Dom Luís I Bridge opened in 1886 with two levels of iron arches. Walkers can cross the upper level for wide views over the Douro river. Port wine cellars line the far bank in Vila Nova de Gaia. Many cellars offer short tours that end with a tasting of aged ports.
Country
Oman
Ancient heritage meets natural wonders
Wadi Shab is a narrow canyon on the coast southeast of Muscat. A quick boat crossing and an easy hike lead to turquoise pools. Swimmers pass through a gap in the rock into a cave with a waterfall. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat welcomes non Muslim visitors on most mornings.
City in Belgium
Bruges
Medieval Charm and Chocolate Bliss
The medieval belfry on the Markt square rises 83 metres above the old town. Climbers reach the top by way of 366 narrow steps. The historic centre is small enough to explore on foot in a day. Canal boat tours glide under stone bridges past old merchant houses.
Region in United Kingdom
Scotland
Mystic Highlands and Historic Castles
Edinburgh Castle sits high on Castle Rock, the plug of an extinct volcano. The Royal Mile runs downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace. Visitors can walk the whole cobbled route in an afternoon with time for tea. Fast trains link Edinburgh and Glasgow in under an hour.
City in Spain
Seville
Andalusia's Heartbeat of History
Plaza de España was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in María Luisa Park. Tiled alcoves line its curved building with one for each Spanish province. Visitors can rent small rowboats to glide along the canal that circles the plaza. The Real Alcázar palace is a short walk away.
City in Ireland
Dublin
Where History, Pubs and Culture Collide
The Book of Kells is a hand painted gospel manuscript from around the year 800. It is displayed in the Old Library at Trinity College. Visitors can also walk through the Long Room, lined with about 200,000 old books. The Guinness Storehouse is a short Luas tram ride away.
City in Austria
Vienna
A Symphony of Culture and Elegance
Schönbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors for centuries. The palace has 1,441 rooms set behind a long yellow baroque facade. Visitors can tour up to 40 of the state rooms on the Grand Tour. A hilltop colonnade called the Gloriette has wide views over the city and gardens.
City in Netherlands
The Hague
Royal Palaces, Art and North Sea
The Mauritshuis museum holds Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. It sits in a small 17th century palace next to the Dutch parliament buildings. Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp hangs there too. Scheveningen beach and its long pier are a short tram ride from the centre.
City in Mexico
Cancún
Sun, sea and ancient wonders
The Hotel Zone is a thin strip of land about 22 kilometres long shaped like a seven. Calm Caribbean beaches line the ocean side with a quiet lagoon behind. Public buses run the length of the strip for a small fare. Ferries to Isla Mujeres take about 20 minutes.
Island in Thailand
Phuket
Beaches, Culture and Nightlife
The Big Buddha stands 45 metres tall on Nakkerd Hill above the island's southern coast. Its seated figure is covered in pieces of white marble. Visitors climb the winding hilltop road for views over Chalong Bay. Old Phuket Town, a short drive away, has colourful Sino Portuguese shophouses along quiet streets.
City in Denmark
Copenhagen
Scandi-cool vibes and world-class food
Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 next to Copenhagen's central train station. A wooden roller coaster from 1914 still runs beside the flower beds. Travellers can walk there straight from the station or their hotel. Nyhavn harbour, with its colourful 17th century houses, is a short stroll away.
City in Czech Republic
Prague
A fairy-tale city with rich history
The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square has kept time since 1410. Painted figures of the twelve apostles parade past two small windows. Crowds gather in the square every hour from 9 am to 11 pm. Charles Bridge, begun in 1357 and lined with statues, is a short walk away.
City in Spain
Barcelona
Vibrant City of Art and Beaches
Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882 under a different architect. Antoni Gaudí took over the design a year later. Inside, tall stone columns branch like trees towards a ceiling of soft light. A metro station of the same name sits right beside the basilica entrance.
Island in United Kingdom
Isle of Skye
Dramatic Landscapes and Ancient Legends
Pastel painted houses line the small harbour in Portree, the island's main town. Seafood restaurants along the waterfront serve fresh langoustines and scallops. Day tours run from Portree to the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools. Buses from Inverness cross the Skye Bridge to reach the town.
City in Taiwan
Taipei
A vibrant blend of old and new
A 508 metre tower called Taipei 101 rises above the Xinyi district. Its lifts reach the 89th floor observation deck in under a minute. Oyster omelets and other cheap snacks fill Shilin Night Market after dark. An EasyCard pays for MRT rides and even convenience store snacks.
City in Italy
Rome
The Eternal City of history and charm
The Colosseum opened in AD 80 with room for about 50,000 spectators. Underground passages beneath the arena floor once held animals and fighters. Visitors should book timed tickets online to skip the longest lines. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill sit right beside it on the same ticket.
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