Top ecotourism destinations and sustainable travel hubs

Þingvellir National Park

Where History Meets Nature’s Power

7.9

Thingvellir National Park sits on the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Visitors can walk through a canyon where these plates pull apart a few centimetres yearly. Divers can snorkel the Silfra fissure, where glacial water offers visibility exceeding 100 metres. Iceland's original parliament met at Thingvellir starting in the year 930.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel or dive in the crystal-clear Silfra fissure
• 💧 Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall in the Almannagjá gorge
• 🌍 Walk through the rift valley between tectonic plates

Vatnajökull National Park

Glaciers, Volcanoes and Ice Caves

8.3

From November to March guides lead small groups into blue ice caves beneath the glacier. Summer melt closes the caves to visitors. The ice cap is the largest glacier in Europe by volume. Skaftafell has walking trails to waterfalls such as Svartifoss, which is framed by dark basalt columns.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Explore blue ice caves sculpted within the glacier
• 🥾 Join a guided glacier walk on Vatnajökull ice cap
• 🌊 Hike to the stunning Svartifoss waterfall framed by basalt columns

Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

Mist, Wildlife and Cloudy Magic

8.4

Mist from the trade winds keeps this Costa Rican cloud forest wet all year. Hanging bridges cross the canopy above orchids, ferns and many bromeliads. Visitors can spot resplendent quetzals, birds with long green tail feathers. The nearby Santa Elena reserve is managed by a local high school.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot rare resplendent quetzals among misty trees
• 🌉 Walk the hanging bridges for canopy views
• 🥾 Hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest's biodiversity-rich trails

Jotunheimen

Home of giants and glaciers

8.5

Jotunheimen holds Norway's tallest peaks, including Galdhopiggen, the highest point in Northern Europe. Hikers can traverse Besseggen, a narrow ridge between two lakes of strikingly different colours. Visitors can complete that hike in a single long day without technical climbing gear. The park's name translates roughly to home of the giants, drawn from folklore.

Highlights:

• ⛺ Camp under the stars beside Gjende Lake
• 🏔️ Summit Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, for sweeping views
• 🥾 Hike the majestic Besseggen Ridge between turquoise lakes

Yellowstone National Park

Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness

8.8

In 1995 wildlife managers released grey wolves here, decades after they were wiped out. The wolves changed where elk graze across the northern range. Visitors watch the packs at dawn in Lamar Valley with spotting scopes. Old Faithful geyser erupts about every 90 minutes and draws crowds daily.

Highlights:

• 🐃 Spot bison, elk, and bears roaming in Lamar Valley
• 🌈 Walk the boardwalks of the Grand Prismatic Spring and admire its vivid colors
• 🌋 Watch Old Faithful erupt and feel the geothermal power of Yellowstone

Yosemite National Park

Nature's Grand Cathedral

8.5

Ice carved this deep granite valley in California's Sierra Nevada over millions of years. Half Dome rises about 1,400 metres above the valley floor. Yosemite Falls drops about 740 metres in three stages, most loudly in May. Free shuttle buses and bike paths make it easy to skip the car in the valley.

Highlights:

• 💦 Marvel at Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America
• 🏞️ Hike to Glacier Point for one of Yosemite’s best views
• 🧗‍♂️ Stand before the towering granite face of El Capitan

Kruger National Park

Where Africa's Big Five Roam Free

7.6

All of the Big Five roam this South African park. The Sabie and Olifants rivers draw herds of elephants and buffalo to drink. Visitors can join guided bush walks at dawn led by armed rangers. Rest camps such as Skukuza and Letaba offer thatched huts with river views.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Experience a sunset safari and watch wildlife at dusk
• 🌿 Take a guided bush walk and learn about the ecosystem
• 🦁 Spot Africa’s Big Five on classic game drives

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Cascading Waterfalls and Turquoise Lakes

8.2

Sixteen terraced lakes step down through beech forest in Croatia, linked by waterfalls. Travertine barriers built by moss and algae form the natural dams. Wooden boardwalks let visitors walk directly over the turquoise water in every season. Veliki Slap, the tallest fall, drops about 78 metres.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Take a boat ride across pristine Lake Kozjak
• 💦 See the breathtaking Veliki Slap, Croatia’s tallest waterfall
• 🌊 Walk the wooden footbridges among turquoise lakes and falls

Galapagos Islands

The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador

8.5

The Galapagos Islands require every visitor to travel with a licensed guide at protected sites. Wildlife here shows little fear of humans, having evolved without major land predators. Visitors can walk within a few feet of iguanas, sea lions and blue-footed boobies. Strict rules limit visitor numbers per site to reduce impact on nesting areas.

Highlights:

• 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
• 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
• 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos

Zion National Park

Red rocks, epic hikes and nature's beauty

8.2

Since 2000 visitors ride a shuttle bus up Zion Canyon instead of driving their own cars. Buses stop at trailheads for Angels Landing and the Narrows. In the Narrows hikers wade through a cold river between walls hundreds of feet high. Canyon wrens sing from the red cliffs in spring.

Highlights:

• 🚌 Drive or shuttle along the scenic Zion Canyon Road
• 🌊 Wade through the Virgin River Narrows slot canyon
• 🧗‍♂️ Hike Angel’s Landing for breathtaking canyon views

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park

Sacred Red Rock and Majestic Domes

8.4

Red sandstone glows orange at sunrise and deep purple at dusk. The climb has been closed since October 2019 out of respect for Anangu owners. You can walk the 10 kilometre base track or join a local guide. The domes of Kata Tjuta, a short drive west, make another good walk.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Experience Uluru’s mesmerizing sunset color changes
• 🥾 Hike the Valley of the Winds trail at Kata Tjuta
• 🪨 Walk the base trail around the sacred Uluru rock

Mount Rainier National Park

A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty

8.2

Twenty five named glaciers flow down the slopes of this Washington volcano. Bright wildflower meadows at Paradise bloom from July to August. Hikers can follow the Wonderland Trail, a 93 mile loop around the mountain. Marmots whistle from the rocks beside the trails near Paradise.

Highlights:

• 🌼 Explore Spray Park’s wildflower meadows and Spray Falls
• 🌊 Visit scenic Reflection Lakes and admire Rainier’s reflection
• 🌄 Hike the Skyline Trail for iconic Mount Rainier views

Grand Teton National Park

Stunning Peaks and Wildlife Wonders

8.6

Grand Teton National Park rises sharply from the valley with no foothills before the peaks. Moose, elk and grizzly bears roam the flats below the range. Visitors can paddle Jenny Lake for close views of the peaks reflected in the water. The Teton Range formed along a fault line still active today, slowly rising higher.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Trek through Cascade Canyon for breathtaking views
• 💧 Explore Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point nearby
• 🚶‍♂️ Hike the scenic Jenny Lake Loop Trail

El Chalten

Hiking Capital of Argentina

7.7

El Chalten was founded in 1985 to support Argentina's claim over a border region. The town has grown since into the country's trekking capital, built around hiking. Visitors can access trails to Mount Fitz Roy from the town centre. No paved roads connected the town to the rest of Argentina until decades after its founding.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Climb steep trail sections for breathtaking mountain panoramas
• 🌊 Explore Laguna Capri’s peaceful turquoise waters
• 🏞️ Hike to Laguna de Los Tres for Mount Fitz Roy views

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Home of the Giant Sequoias

8.0

General Sherman, a giant sequoia, is the largest tree on Earth by volume. It stands about 275 feet tall with a base over 36 feet wide. Visitors can walk a paved trail down to the tree from the parking area. Nearby Moro Rock offers granite stairs and sweeping views of the Great Western Divide.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Explore Crystal Cave on a guided tour
• 🧗‍♂️ Climb Moro Rock for breathtaking panoramic views
• 🌲 Visit the General Sherman Tree, largest on Earth

Canyonlands National Park

Epic Canyons and Untamed Wilderness

8.3

Canyonlands National Park splits into districts divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The Island in the Sky district offers panoramic overlooks reachable by a short walk. Visitors can drive to several viewpoints before descending into the remote Needles district. Fewer visitors reach the park's rugged sections, which require high-clearance vehicles or long hikes.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the easy trail to Grand View Point overlook
• 🚗 Drive scenic Grand View Point Road and stops
• 🌅 Watch sunrise at Mesa Arch for breathtaking views

Bryce Canyon National Park

Hoodoo Wonderland and Starry Nights

8.2

Bryce Canyon protects the largest concentration of hoodoos, tall rock spires, found anywhere on Earth. Erosion from freezing and thawing water carved these formations out of a pink limestone plateau. Visitors can hike into the amphitheatre of hoodoos on trails below the rim. The park's high elevation keeps its night skies unusually dark for stargazing.

Highlights:

• 🧱 Explore Bryce Amphitheater for stunning rock formations
• 🌅 Watch sunrise from inspiring viewpoints at Inspiration Point
• 🥾 Hike the iconic Navajo Loop Trail among hoodoos

Rocky Mountain National Park

Majestic Peaks and Untamed Wilderness

8.7

Trail Ridge Road climbs to 12,183 feet, one of the highest paved roads in the country. Elk gather in Moraine Park meadows during the autumn rut. Visitors can hike to Bear Lake and Emerald Lake from a single trailhead. Pikas whistle from the rock slides above the tree line.

Highlights:

• 💧 Explore Alberta Falls, a short and beautiful hiking route
• 🏞️ Climb to Sky Pond for dramatic mountain and waterfall views
• 🥾 Hike to Emerald Lake via scenic Bear Lake Trail

Olympic National Park

Untamed Wilderness, All in One

8.5

Hoh Rain Forest receives roughly 12 feet of rain a year. Moss hangs from bigleaf maples along the Hall of Mosses trail. Hikers can walk a short loop through it in under an hour. Ruby Beach on the Pacific coast has sea stacks and tide pools.

Highlights:

• 💧 Visit Sol Duc Falls and enjoy the tranquil waterfall
• 🌲 Explore the lush trails of the Hoh Rainforest
• 🏞️ Hike to Hurricane Hill for breathtaking panoramic views

Etosha National Park

Namibia's Wildlife Sanctuary

7.7

Etosha National Park centres on a vast salt pan visible from space in the dry season. Wildlife concentrates around remaining waterholes as the pan dries each year. Visitors can park at floodlit waterholes after dark to watch animals come to drink. The pan occasionally floods during rare heavy rains, drawing flamingos to its shallow water.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Drive the Etosha Pan’s vast salt flats at sunrise
• 🦁 Join a guided safari to spot lions and rhinos
• 🐘 Watch elephants gathering at the Okaukuejo waterhole

Arches National Park

A Desert Wonderland of Stone Arches

8.2

Arches National Park protects over 2,000 documented natural stone arches within a compact desert landscape. Delicate Arch, the park's best-known formation, appears on Utah number plates. Visitors can hike a moderate trail to view the arch up close near sunset. The park's arches continue slowly forming and collapsing as erosion reshapes the sandstone.

Highlights:

• 🌉 Visit Double Arch and climb beneath its massive spans
• 🥾 Explore Devils Garden Trail with multiple arches
• 🧗‍♂️ Hike to Delicate Arch, the park’s iconic symbol

Torres del Paine National Park

Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness

8.1

Grey Glacier drops into a lake dotted with blue icebergs along the W Trek. Guanacos graze on the steppe below granite towers. Open fires are banned after tourists sparked huge blazes in 2005 and 2011. Hikers must camp only in marked sites and carry out their rubbish.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
• 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
• 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint

Jasper

Raw Wilderness and Starry Skies

8.5

Jasper townsite sits inside Jasper National Park, one of few Canadian towns fully ringed by wilderness. Wildlife regularly wanders through town, including elk grazing on lawns. Visitors can join a dark sky festival held each autumn, since Jasper holds Dark Sky status. The town rebuilt several structures after a major wildfire swept through in 2024.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the scenic Valley of Five Lakes trail
• 🛶 Explore Maligne Lake and cruise to Spirit Island
• 🚠 Ride the Jasper SkyTram for panoramic mountain views

Krka National Park

Waterfalls and Pristine Nature

7.6

Like Plitvice Lakes farther north, Krka has waterfalls stepping down in travertine terraces. Skradinski Buk has 17 of them in a row. Wooden boardwalks wind through the reeds and past old watermills. Swimming has been banned below the falls since 2021 to protect the water.

Highlights:

• 🌿 Walk the wooden boardwalk trail through scenic river canyons
• 🏊‍♀️ Swim in crystal-clear pools surrounded by lush forest
• 💦 Marvel at Skradinski Buk’s cascading turquoise waterfalls

Jasper National Park

Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies

8.8

Jasper National Park protects the largest area of any park in the Canadian Rockies. Icefields along the parkway feed glaciers visible directly from the roadside. Visitors can walk onto the Athabasca Glacier on a guided ice walk departing from a nearby centre. The park's size gives it far more backcountry trail mileage than neighbouring Banff.

Highlights:

• 🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
• 🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
• 🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island

Blue Mountains National Park

Majestic Views and Untamed Nature

7.7

Blue Mountains National Park takes its name from a blue haze created by eucalyptus oil evaporating into the air. The Three Sisters rock formation draws visitors to lookouts above the valley. Visitors can hike down on trails built from historic mining infrastructure. UNESCO listed the mountains as a World Heritage Site for eucalyptus diversity.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the Wentworth Falls track for breathtaking views
• 🚞 Ride the Scenic Railway through the stunning Jamison Valley
• ⛰️ Admire the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point

Teide National Park

Mars-Like Landscapes and Epic Views

8.0

Spain's highest mountain rises 3,715 metres from the middle of Tenerife. A cable car climbs most of the way in about eight minutes. Skies here are so clear that observatories and stargazers gather nightly. Red flowering Teide viper's bugloss covers the slopes in late spring.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Explore lunar-like landscapes and volcanic craters on hiking trails
• 🌅 Watch the sunrise above the clouds from Spain’s highest peak
• 🚠 Take the cable car to Mount Teide’s summit for breathtaking views

Manuel Antonio National Park

Jungle, Wildlife and Stunning Beaches

7.2

The endangered Central American squirrel monkey lives in the forests behind the beaches here. Sloths hang in the trees above the wide trails. Visitors can walk to Playa Manuel Antonio and swim in calm shallow water. The park closes on Mondays to give wildlife a rest.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot toucans, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds
• 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Playa Manuel Antonio
• 🐒 Hike jungle trails filled with monkeys and sloths

Vancouver Island

Untamed Beauty and Coastal Charm

8.0

On the island's wet west coast, Clayoquot Sound is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Old growth cedars and spruce cover the hills above quiet inlets. Boat tours from Tofino look for grey whales and black bears. Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park has long sands and tide pools.

Highlights:

• 🐋 Whale watch from Victoria’s Inner Harbour
• 🌲 Explore ancient rainforests in Cathedral Grove
• 🌸 Stroll through the breathtaking Butchart Gardens

Lofoten

Dramatic Peaks and Northern Lights

8.4

Red fishing cabins called rorbuer stand on stilts above the water in these Norwegian islands. Fishermen have caught Arctic cod here for more than a thousand years. Visitors can sleep in converted rorbuer in villages such as Reine. Midnight sun lights the peaks from late May to mid July.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Relax on white sands of Kvalvika Beach
• ⚔️ Explore the Viking history at Lofotr Viking Museum
• 🥾 Hike the steep trail up Reinebringen for views

Triglav National Park

Slovenia’s Natural Beauty

7.9

Mount Triglav is so important to Slovenians that it appears on their flag. Its summit is 2,864 metres high. Tradition says every Slovenian should climb it once. Lake Bohinj in the park has clear water for swimming and kayaking. The Soca River, with its emerald green water, starts in the park's valleys.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore the emerald waters of Lake Bohinj
• 💧 Discover the stunning Peričnik Waterfall
• 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Vintgar Gorge

Chobe National Park

Elephant Haven in Botswana

7.9

Chobe National Park holds one of Africa's largest elephant concentrations along its riverfront. Herds gather at the river each dry season to drink and bathe. Visitors can take a boat safari along the river for close views of elephants entering the water. The park's elephant population has grown large enough to strain its woodland habitat.

Highlights:

• 🐘 Watch massive elephant herds at Chobe Riverfront
• 🚤 Take a boat cruise on the scenic Chobe River
• 🦁 Join thrilling game drives for wildlife spotting

Tortuguero National Park

Wildlife and Waterways Adventure

7.8

Like Venice, this jungle village has no roads and everyone travels by boat. Green turtles come ashore to nest on the beach from July to October. Guides with red lights lead night walks to watch them lay eggs. Kayak tours along the canals often spot caimans and howler monkeys.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot monkeys and toucans in the dense jungle canopy
• 🛶 Glide through rainforest canals on a guided canoe tour
• 🐢 Watch green sea turtles nest on the beach at night

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wild Irish Peaks and Ancient Valleys

7.8

Each September sika deer stags call across the hills during their rutting season. Glendalough has a round tower and ruined church from a monastery founded in the 6th century. Hikers can follow the Wicklow Way, a 130 kilometre trail, from Dublin's edge. Two lakes at Glendalough have calm water and walking paths.

Highlights:

• 🚶🏻 Walk peaceful Miners' Road alongside Upper Lake
• ⛪ Explore historic monastic ruins at Glendalough
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Glendalough Spinc trail

Inishmore

Stone Forts, Cliffs and Celtic Spirit

7.9

Islanders still speak Irish every day and knit thick Aran jumpers. Stone walls divide tiny fields made from bare limestone and seaweed. Visitors rent bicycles to ride out to Dun Aonghasa, a cliff fort over 100 metres above the sea. The fort is thousands of years old.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Discover ancient ruins of the Seven Churches
• 🌊 Explore the natural pool at Poll na bPeist (Wormhole)
• 🏰 Visit Dun Aonghasa, dramatic cliffside prehistoric fort

Tasmania

Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts

8.7

Long warm days from December to March suit the Overland Track, a six day trail through alpine country. Wild areas cover nearly a fifth of Tasmania and are listed by UNESCO. Bennett's wallabies and wombats graze near the Cradle Mountain trailheads. Bruny Island sells oysters straight from the sea.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Tour the convict ruins at Port Arthur Historic Site
• ⛰️ Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park trails
• 🏖️ Hike to Wineglass Bay and marvel at its white sand

Franz Josef

Gateway to the Majestic Glaciers

8.2

Franz Josef Glacier descends unusually close to sea level compared to glaciers at similar latitudes. Guided ice hikes let visitors walk on the glacier with crampons and trained guides. Visitors can also view the glacier from a valley trail without a guide. The glacier has retreated significantly in recent decades, changing the route guides use.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Soak in the relaxing Glacier Hot Pools
• 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter flight over the glacier
• 🥾 Hike the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk

Kakadu National Park

Ancient Rock Art and Wild Wetlands

8.3

Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie records more than 20,000 years of history. Traditional owners still co-manage the park with Parks Australia. Visitors can walk the Ubirr rock shelters and climb to a lookout over the floodplains. Yellow Water Billabong nearby offers dawn boat cruises past saltwater crocodiles.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Take a challenging hike to Jim Jim Falls gorge
• 🦅 Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong for crocs and birdlife
• 🌄 Watch the sunset over Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr

Snowdonia National Park

Mythic Peaks and Wild Welsh Beauty

8.1

Cold air and the smell of wet moss fill the trails up Yr Wyddfa, the Welsh name for Snowdon. The summit is 1,085 metres high, the tallest in Wales. Six main hiking routes lead to the top. A small train from Llanberis also climbs to the summit station.

Highlights:

• 💧 Discover stunning Aber Falls waterfall on gentle hike
• 🚂 Experience scenic ride on Snowdon Mountain Railway
• ⛰️ Climb Snowdon, highest peak in Wales

Mesa Verde National Park

Ancient Cliff Dwellings and Rich History

7.5

Cliff Palace holds about 150 rooms built into a sandstone alcove. Ancestral Puebloans built it in the 1200s and lived here for generations. Rangers lead small tours that climb wooden ladders into the dwelling. Mesa Verde became a national park in 1906 to protect these ruins.

Highlights:

• 🧗 Tour Balcony House with its ladders and narrow passages
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Soda Canyon Overlook Trail
• 🏛️ Explore the ancient cliff dwellings of Cliff Palace

Geiranger

Majestic Fjords and Dramatic Waterfalls

8.3

Geiranger sits at the end of a fjord recognised by UNESCO for its scenery. Waterfalls with names like the Seven Sisters cascade down cliffs into the fjord below. Visitors can cruise the fjord to view these falls up close from the water. Cruise ship traffic here has prompted new rules limiting emissions within the fjord.

Highlights:

• 🦅 Drive the Eagle Road for breathtaking fjord views
• 🥾 Hike the Fosseråsa Trail to Storsæter waterfall's base
• 🚤 Take a scenic boat tour of UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord

Isle of Skye

Dramatic Landscapes and Ancient Legends

7.9

The Old Man of Storr is a tall rock pinnacle on the Trotternish ridge. A huge ancient landslide created it and the cliffs around it. You can hike up on a marked path for wide views over the sea. Sea eagles and golden eagles often soar over the island's quiet moors.

Highlights:

• 💧 Visit the enchanting Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle
• ⛰️ Marvel at the Old Man of Storr rock pinnacle
• 🥾 Hike the dramatic landscapes of the Quiraing

Glacier National Park

Crown of the Continent

8.9

Going to the Sun Road climbs to Logan Pass, which sits on the Continental Divide. The road usually opens fully in late June after crews plough the snow. Lake McDonald has clear water over red and green pebbles. Grinnell Glacier trail passes turquoise lakes and mountain goats.

Highlights:

• 🌲 Explore Avalanche Lake’s serene hiking trails
• 🚗 Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road for views
• 🥾 Hike to Grinnell Glacier and stunning turquoise lakes

Harz National Park

Legendary mountain wilderness in transition

7.8

A steam train puffs up to Brocken, the Harz's highest peak at 1,141 metres. Fog often wraps the bare summit, which is tied to old witch legends. Each April 30 people dress as witches for Walpurgis Night festivals in Harz towns. Lynx roam the forests after a return programme that began in 2000.

Highlights:

• 🪨 Explore mystical rock formations in the Bode Gorge
• 🚂 Ride the scenic Brocken Railway through mountain forests
• 🥾 Hike to the Brocken summit, the park’s highest peak

Mount Cook National Park

New Zealand’s alpine wonderland

8.8

Mount Cook National Park protects New Zealand's tallest peak alongside the Tasman Glacier, the country's longest. Stargazing draws visitors after dark, since the park sits within a certified Dark Sky Reserve. Visitors can hike glacier-fed valleys by day before joining a night tour. The glacier has retreated over the past century, exposing a growing lake.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Kayak on Tasman Lake near the majestic Tasman Glacier
• 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride above Mount Cook
• 🥾 Hike the stunning Hooker Valley Track for glacier views

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Nature's Untamed Sanctuary

7.1

A collapsed volcano forms a huge crater about 260 square kilometres wide in northern Tanzania. Maasai herders still graze cattle in the wider conservation area. Safari vehicles descend steep roads to search the floor for black rhinos. Olduvai Gorge nearby holds fossils that reveal early human history.

Highlights:

• 🛖 Visit a Maasai village and learn their traditions
• 🐘 Spot the Big Five in one morning safari
• 🦁 Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive

Komodo National Park

Dragons, Pristine Reefs and Wild Beauty

7.3

Giant lizards up to three metres long roam Rinca and Komodo islands. Rangers guide small groups along marked trails to see them safely. Divers can drift past manta rays at Manta Point in the park's channels. Pink Beach gets its colour from crushed red coral mixed into the sand.

Highlights:

• 🤿 Snorkel with graceful manta rays at Manta Point
• ⛰️ Hike to Padar Island’s summit for breathtaking views
• 🦎 See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island

Tongariro National Park

Volcanic landscapes and epic hikes

8.1

Few day hikes match the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 19.4 kilometre walk past craters and bright Emerald Lakes. The park is a dual World Heritage Site for both nature and Maori culture. Mount Ngauruhoe played Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. Steam and sulphur drift over the trail near Red Crater.

Highlights:

• 💧 Relax by the vibrant Emerald Lakes along the trail
• ⛰️ Climb to Red Crater for stunning panoramic views
• 🥾 Hike the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing and witness volcanic craters

Acadia National Park

Rugged Shores, Sunrise Peaks, Wild Beauty

8.4

Acadia's Cadillac Mountain ranks among the earliest US spots to see sunrise for part of the year. The park protects granite peaks and rocky Atlantic shoreline in Maine. Visitors can hike to the summit before exploring carriage roads built without motor vehicles allowed. Acadia remains one of the smallest national parks by total area.

Highlights:

• 🚗 Drive the Park Loop Road for coastal and forest views
• 🥾 Hike the scenic Jordan Pond Path surrounded by nature
• 🌅 Watch sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain

Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica’s Wildest Rainforest Frontier

8.2

Corcovado National Park sits on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula, reachable by boat or plane. National Geographic once called the area one of the most biologically intense places on Earth. Visitors can hike with a required guide, spotting tapirs and macaws. Jaguars still roam the rainforest, one of the species' last strongholds in Central America.

Highlights:

• 🐢 Watch endangered sea turtles nesting on remote beaches
• 🌌 Camp under the stars at La Sirena Ranger Station
• 🥾 Hike Corcovado’s diverse trails through rainforest and coastline

Serra da Estrela Natural Park

Portugal’s High Peaks and Wild Beauty

7.9

Torre, at 1,993 metres, is the highest point in mainland Portugal. Ice age glaciers carved the wide U shaped valleys around it long ago. Shepherds still make soft Serra cheese from sheep milk in nearby villages. Large Estrela mountain dogs guard the flocks against wolves.

Highlights:

• 💧 Explore the mysterious waterfall hole at Covão dos Conchos
• 🏞️ Climb to Torre, the highest point in mainland Portugal
• ⛷️ Ski on Portugal's only ski slopes in Serra da Estrela

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest

8.3

Bwindi's dense canopy blocks sunlight, keeping undergrowth thick and giving the park its name. Trackers lead small groups to locate habituated gorilla families through this terrain. Visitors can spend a permitted hour observing a family once trackers find them. Permits stay limited to a set number of daily visitors to reduce stress on the gorillas.

Highlights:

• 🐦 Birdwatch over 350 species including rare Albertine endemics
• 🥾 Join guided nature walks on scenic forest hiking trails
• 🦍 Trek with endangered mountain gorillas in their habitat

Lake Tekapo

The Glacial Gem of the South Island

8.6

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, named in 2012, surrounds this South Island lake. Mount John Observatory sits on a hill above the turquoise water. Stargazers can join night tours and see the Milky Way overhead. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd stands on the lakeshore.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Relax and soak in the Tekapo Springs hot pools
• 🌌 Stargaze in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
• ⛪ Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd

Table Mountain National Park

Epic views and wild landscapes

7.7

The scent of fynbos, the local shrubs and flowers, drifts across the trails above Cape Town. More than 2,000 plant species grow on the mountain itself. African penguins waddle and swim at Boulders Beach in the park's southern section. Hikers can climb Platteklip Gorge in about two hours or ride the cable car.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Visit the Cape of Good Hope for rugged scenery
• 🥾 Hike Lion’s Head for breathtaking city views
• 🚠 Take the cable car to Table Mountain’s summit

Fiordland National Park

New Zealand’s Wildest Water World

8.7

Fiordland National Park protects Milford Sound, a fjord carved by glaciers over thousands of years. Rainfall here ranks among the highest of any inhabited region on Earth, feeding many falls. Visitors can cruise the fjord to see waterfalls cascade into the sea. Its isolation has kept the forest free from introduced predators in fenced sanctuaries.

Highlights:

• 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
• 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
• 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Portugal's Only National Park Paradise

7.5

Garranos, small semi-wild horses, graze the granite hills of this northern Portuguese park. Shepherds in the villages of Soajo and Lindoso store grain in stone granaries called espigueiros. Hikers can swim in clear river pools below waterfalls such as Fecha de Barjas. Wolves and roe deer live in the higher forests.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture breathtaking vistas from Miradouro da Pedra Bela
• 💦 Experience the thrill of canyoning through waterfalls and ravines
• 🥾 Hike the lush trails of Peneda-Gerês and explore hidden lagoons

Redwood National Park

Home of the World’s Tallest Trees

8.3

Coast redwoods in this California park can grow taller than 350 feet. Fog from the Pacific gives the trees much of their water in summer. Visitors can walk the Lady Bird Johnson Grove loop in about an hour. Roosevelt elk graze in the open prairie near Elk Meadow.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Walk the scenic Karl Knapp Trail near Big Tree Wayside
• 🍃 Explore Fern Canyon’s prehistoric fern-covered walls
• 🌲 Hike the Tall Trees Grove, home to towering redwoods

Durmitor National Park

Montenegro’s Wild Peaks and Deep Canyons

7.6

White water roars through the Tara River Canyon, which is about 1,300 metres deep. It is one of the deepest canyons in Europe. Rafters float past cliffs and waterfalls from spring to early autumn. Black Lake near the town of Zabljak has calm water ringed by pine forest.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore glacial Black Lake and its serene mountain surroundings
• 🌄 Walk the edge of Tara River Canyon, Europe’s deepest gorge
• ⛰️ Hike to Bobotov Kuk, Durmitor's highest peak

Namib-Naukluft National Park

Endless Dunes and Desert Drama

8.2

Red dunes at Sossusvlei rise more than 300 metres above white clay pans. Dead camel thorn trees in Deadvlei have stood for hundreds of years. Visitors can climb Dune 45 at sunrise for wide views across the desert. Fog from the Atlantic gives desert beetles and lizards their drinking water.

Highlights:

• 🧗 Hike Sesriem Canyon’s narrow rock walls and riverbed
• 🌵 Explore the eerie Dead Vlei clay pan and ancient trees
• 🌅 Climb Big Daddy dune for sunrise and desert views

Addo Elephant National Park

Big Five Safari in Malaria-Free Wilds

7.1

Addo Elephant National Park protects one of Africa's densest elephant populations within a fenced reserve. Rangers rebuilt the herd from just eleven surviving elephants in the 1930s. Visitors can spot elephants gathering at waterholes alongside buffalo, rhino and other wildlife. The park has since expanded to include a stretch of protected coastline and marine habitat.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Explore hiking trails with panoramic views of the park
• 🐘 Observe the famous large elephant herds roaming freely
• 🦁 Go on guided game drives to see the Big Five

Formentera

Turquoise Waters and Bohemian Calm

7.4

Formentera's Ses Salines nature park protects salt flats that still supply the island's traditional salt harvest. Posidonia seagrass meadows offshore help keep the surrounding water exceptionally clear. Visitors can snorkel over these meadows, a UNESCO-recognised ecosystem rare in the Mediterranean. The island limits car hire during peak season to reduce traffic on its narrow roads.

Highlights:

• 🍤 Enjoy fresh seafood at a seaside chiringuito
• 🌅 Take a sunset walk along Playa de Migjorn
• 🏖️ Swim in the turquoise waters of Ses Illetes Beach

Tarangire National Park

Elephant Paradise with Baobab Backdrops

8.0

This park in northern Tanzania gets very dry for much of the year. The Tarangire River draws elephants, zebras and wildebeest from August to October. Giant baobab trees, some very old, dot the ridges. Guided night drives run just outside the park boundary in nearby areas.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Watch baobab trees glow under golden evening light
• 🦁 Take a guided safari to witness the Big Five
• 🐘 Spot herds of majestic elephants near the Tarangire River

El Yunque National Forest

Tropical rainforest paradise in Caribbean

7.7

El Yunque ranks as a rare tropical rainforest within the US National Forest System. Rainfall here can exceed 200 inches annually in the forest's higher elevations. Visitors can hike to waterfalls like La Mina, a short walk from the main trailhead. The forest's coqui frogs produce a distinctive nightly chorus heard throughout Puerto Rico.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Explore El Yunque Peak trail, a challenging rainforest hike
• 🌄 Climb Mt. Britton Tower for panoramic rainforest views
• 🌊 Hike to the stunning La Mina Falls and swim

Isle of Man

Temperate island with varied landscapes

7.7

The Isle of Man became an early entire nation to earn UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. The designation covers the whole island rather than a single protected site within it. Visitors can hike coastal paths circling the island's full perimeter over multiple days. Manx wildlife includes a native breed of tailless cat found nowhere else originally.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore Peel Castle ruins overlooking the Irish Sea
• 🚋 Ride the Snaefell Mountain Railway for sweeping views
• 🏍️ Watch the world-famous Isle of Man TT motorcycle race

La Palma

Volcanic beauty under starry skies

8.5

The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory sits above the clouds at about 2,400 metres. Local laws limit light pollution across the island to protect the night sky. Stargazers can join guided night tours at official astronomical viewpoints. The whole island has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2002.

Highlights:

• 🔭 Visit Roque de los Muchachos Observatory for starry nights
• 🏞️ Explore Caldera de Taburiente National Park’s rugged beauty
• 🌋 Hike the Volcano Route with breathtaking lava landscapes

Chitwan National Park

Wild Rhinos and Jungle Adventures

7.5

Greater one-horned rhinos wade through the tall grasslands of this southern Nepali park. Guides lead visitors on foot or by canoe along the Rapti River. Gharial crocodiles, with long thin snouts, bask on the sandy riverbanks. Local Tharu villages offer homestays with traditional stick dance shows.

Highlights:

• 🐘 Watch elephants bathe and play in the river
• 🚣‍♂️ Ride a canoe along the Rapti River at dawn
• 🦏 Take a jungle safari to spot rare one-horned rhinos

Hwange National Park

Elephant Herds and Wild Horizons

7.6

Each dry season rangers pump groundwater into pans across the park. Elephants gather at these pans by the hundreds in the late afternoon. Visitors can watch from shaded hides and platforms built close to the water. African wild dogs also hunt on the open plains nearby.

Highlights:

• 🐘 Watch elephants gather at the popular waterholes
• 🚶‍♂️ Join guided walking safaris for close wildlife encounters
• 🚙 Go on thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five

Socotra

Alien Landscapes, Untouched Adventure

7.9

This island sits in the Arabian Sea about 240 kilometres off the coast of Somalia. Dragon's blood trees grow here with wide crowns shaped like upside down umbrellas. Their red sap was once traded as medicine and dye. More than a third of the island's plants grow nowhere else on Earth.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Hike to the ancient Hoq Cave’s stunning stalactites
• 🏞️ Swim in the pristine natural infinity pool at Homhil
• 🌳 Explore the surreal Dragon Blood Tree forest

Canaima National Park

Tepui Peaks and Angel Falls Wonder

7.7

Canaima National Park protects Angel Falls, the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall at over 900 metres. Flat-topped mountains called tepuis rise sharply from the surrounding rainforest. Visitors can reach the falls by canoe and a forest hike, since no roads lead there. The tepuis' isolation has produced plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth.

Highlights:

• 🗻 Explore the unique tabletop mountains called tepuis
• ⛰️ Hike the summit of Auyantepuy tepui for breathtaking views
• 🌊 See Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall

Pirin National Park

Alpine Peaks, Glacial Lakes, Wild Beauty

7.8

Baikushev's pine, a tree estimated at 1,300 years old, grows in this Bulgarian range. Dozens of glacial lakes fill hollows below the marble peaks. Hikers can walk from Bansko to Vihren Hut and the Banderitsa lakes. UNESCO added the park to its World Heritage list in 1983.

Highlights:

• 💧 Relax beside crystal-clear glacial lakes like Bezbog
• 🥾 Hike the thrilling Koncheto Ridge with spectacular views
• ⛰️ Conquer Vihren Peak, Bulgaria’s second-highest mountain

Amboseli National Park

Elephants Against Kilimanjaro's Backdrop

7.9

Amboseli National Park offers clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro rising across the border in Tanzania. Large elephant herds gather at swamps fed by underground runoff from the mountain's glaciers. Visitors can photograph elephants against the snow-capped peak, a classic safari image. Maasai communities near the park co-manage some of its surrounding conservation areas.

Highlights:

• 📸 Photograph flamingos and pelicans at Amboseli’s shimmering lakes
• 🌅 Take a sunrise safari and spot lions, zebras, and giraffes
• 🐘 Watch herds of elephants roam with Mount Kilimanjaro as backdrop

Okavango Delta

Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness

8.0

Seasonal floods from the Angolan highlands spread across the Kalahari sands each year. The water peaks in July and August and creates a maze of channels. Local guides pole traditional mokoro canoes quietly through papyrus channels. Elephants, hippos and lions live on the many dry islands.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Spot diverse bird species during dedicated birding tours
• 🛶 Glide silently through waterways in a traditional mokoro
• 🦁 Explore the wildlife on guided 4x4 safari drives

Andros

Lush Trails, Hidden Beaches, Real Greece

7.9

Andros holds more natural springs than any other Greek island, feeding valleys unusual for the Aegean. Trails once used to move goods between mountain villages now serve as marked hiking routes. Visitors can follow these paths past waterfalls fed by the island's water sources. The island's greenery looks strikingly different from its drier Cycladic neighbours.

Highlights:

• 🖼️ Visit the Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art
• 🏖️ Swim and relax on the sandy beaches of Batsi
• 🏰 Explore the historic Venetian Castle ruins at Chora

Neusiedl am See

Lakeside Charm and Panonnian Wines

8.2

Shallow Neusiedler See, a steppe lake, straddles the Austrian and Hungarian border. White storks nest on the chimneys of Rust each spring. Cyclists can ride a flat 125 kilometre path all the way around the lake. Birdwatchers visit the Seewinkel salt pans to see avocets.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Visit the historic Ruine Tabor ruins site
• ♨️ Relax at St. Martins Therme & Lodge spa
• 🚴‍♂️ Cycle around Lake Neusiedl on scenic bike paths

Cairngorms National Park

Scotland’s Wild Heart of Adventure

8.1

Cairngorms National Park protects the largest area of arctic-alpine habitat anywhere in the UK. Reindeer, reintroduced to Scotland in the 1950s, still roam a managed herd here. Visitors can join guided walks to see the reindeer grazing on the plateau. The park's ancient Caledonian pine forests rank among the last remnants of that woodland.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore historic Balmoral Castle and royal estate
• 🐾 Visit Highland Wildlife Park for rare Scottish animals
• 🏞️ Hike to Loch an Eilein with its 13th-century castle

Shiretoko National Park

Brown bears and drift ice in Hokkaido

8.3

Sea ice from the Sea of Okhotsk reaches this Hokkaido peninsula each winter. The ice feeds plankton that supports one of the richest marine food chains. Boat tours from Rausu offer a view of brown bears along the coast. UNESCO listed the peninsula as a World Heritage Site in 2005.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Hike to Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and soak feet
• 🛥️ Take a wildlife boat cruise to see bears
• 🌲 Walk the scenic Shiretoko Five Lakes boardwalk

Huanglong National Park

China's Colorful Terraced Wonderland

7.0

Huanglong National Park protects terraced mineral pools whose colours shift with mineral content and season. Calcium carbonate built the pools over thousands of years into a shape like a dragon. Visitors can walk boardwalks above the pools without stepping on the fragile formations. The park sits at high elevation, requiring visitors to acclimatise before hiking.

Highlights:

• 🏯 Admire Huanglong Temple set amid alpine landscapes
• 🥾 Walk the scenic boardwalk to Wucai Pond viewpoint
• 🏞️ Marvel at the colorful travertine pools terrace formations

Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida's wild swamp wilderness experience

7.5

Big Cypress National Preserve protects a swamp ecosystem bordering Everglades National Park in Florida. Boardwalks and swamp buggy tours let visitors explore cypress domes without disturbing the wetland. Visitors can spot alligators, wading birds and orchids along marked trails. The preserve allows limited off-road vehicle use in designated zones, a rule unique among park units.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle through mangrove tunnels on a guided kayak trip
• 🐊 Spot alligators and wading birds along the Loop Road
• 🛻 Take a swamp buggy tour through the cypress landscape

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Pristine lakes, untouched wilderness paradise

8.4

The Boundary Waters spans over a million acres of interconnected lakes reached only by canoe or foot. Motorised boats are banned across most of the wilderness to preserve its quiet character. Visitors can portage between lakes on trails carrying canoes and gear overhead. Permits limit how many groups can enter through each access point daily.

Highlights:

• 💧 Discover waterfalls like Devil’s Cascade and Johnson Falls
• 🥾 Hike to Eagle Mountain, Minnesota’s highest point
• 🛶 Go on an overnight canoe camping trip through lakes

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Amazon wilderness teeming with life

8.1

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve protects a flooded Amazon forest reachable only by canoe from the nearest road. Black water lagoons throughout the reserve host pink river dolphins and caimans. Visitors can paddle silently through the flooded forest at night to spot nocturnal wildlife. Indigenous Siona communities co-manage parts of the reserve alongside Ecuador's environment ministry.

Highlights:

• 🐬 Spot pink dolphins swimming in the lagoons
• 🛶 Take a canoe ride on serene waterways
• 🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with expert guides

Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve

Colorful lakes in Tibetan mountains

7.8

Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve protects a valley of turquoise lakes coloured by dissolved minerals and algae. Waterfalls connect these lakes in tiered cascades visible from boardwalks throughout the reserve. Visitors can ride a shuttle bus between viewpoints, since private cars stay banned. A 2017 earthquake closed the reserve; restoration work reshaped parts of the trail network.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture perfect reflections at Mirror Lake early morning
• 💧 Walk the boardwalk above Pearl Shoal Waterfall
• 🌈 Admire the vibrant hues at Five Flower Lake

Wadden Sea

World's largest tidal flats ecosystem

8.1

Guided walks called wadlopen cross the mudflats at low tide out to islands. Guides lead you through wet sand where the sea returns within hours. Millions of migrating birds and thousands of seals feed on the tidal flats. UNESCO lists the shared mudflats of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

Highlights:

• 🦭 Visit the Wadden Sea Seal Sanctuary to see rescued seals
• 🦅 Observe millions of migratory birds resting and feeding
• 🚶‍♂️ Walk on mudflats during low tide with a guide

Monteverde

Verdant cloud forests whisper ancient secrets

9.0

In 1951 Quaker families from Alabama settled here and set aside forest to protect their water. That land grew into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which now spans over 10,000 hectares. Visitors can walk misty trails to a lookout on the Continental Divide. The golden toad once lived here and was last seen in 1989.

Highlights:

• 🪢 Walk the hanging bridges over lush canopy
• ☕ Tour a local coffee plantation and taste espresso
• 🌲 Explore cloud forest trails in Monteverde Reserve

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Otherworldly volcanic landscape on Earth

7.7

Craters of the Moon National Monument protects a field of lava flows and cinder cones in Idaho. NASA sent Apollo astronauts here in 1969 to study geology before moon missions. Visitors can walk lava tubes and climb cinder cones on marked trails. The dark landscape has also earned recognition as an International Dark Sky Park.

Highlights:

• 🚗 Drive and stop along the 7-mile scenic Loop Road
• 🦇 Explore lava tube caves with a free permit
• ⛰️ Hike to the top of Inferno Cone for panoramic views

Kamikochi

Clear river valley beneath the Hotaka Range

8.5

Private cars are banned from this Japanese Alps valley. The Azusa River runs clear past Taisho Pond, which an eruption of Mount Yakedake created in 1915. Hikers can cross Kappa Bridge and follow flat trails towards the Hotaka peaks. Wild Japanese macaques often wander along the paths.

Highlights:

• 🍂 Admire autumn foliage along Kamikochi’s forest trails
• 🗻 Hike to Myojin Pond surrounded by sacred mountains
• 🌉 Walk the scenic Kappa Bridge overlooking the Azusa River

Kanha National Park

Tiger paradise in magical wilderness

7.6

The rare hard-ground barasingha, a swamp deer, was saved from near extinction in this Indian park. Conservation work began after its numbers fell below one hundred in the 1970s. Visitors ride open jeeps at dawn across the misty meadows of Kanha. Bengal tigers also hunt across these grasslands.

Highlights:

• 🦜 Join a guided birdwatching tour through the sal forest
• 🦌 Observe barasingha deer grazing in open meadows
• 🐅 Spot Bengal tigers on an early morning jungle safari

Katmai National Park

Bears, salmon and volcanic wonders

7.2

Brown bears gather at Brooks Falls each July to catch leaping sockeye salmon. They stand at the lip of the falls and snatch fish from the air. Wooden viewing platforms keep visitors at a safe distance. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes lies inland, created by a huge 1912 eruption.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Explore volcanic landscapes shaped by past eruptions
• 🚁 Fly over the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
• 🐻 Watch brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Where predators rule the Kalahari

6.9

Black-maned Kalahari lions rest in the dry Auob and Nossob riverbeds of this cross-border park. Rangers manage the park as one ecosystem shared by South Africa and Botswana. Visitors can sleep in remote wilderness camps beside waterholes at night. Cheetahs and gemsbok often cross the red dunes at dawn.

Highlights:

• 📸 Capture dramatic desert landscapes bursting with life after rain
• 🦌 Spot springboks and gemsboks on sunset game drives
• 🦁 Watch black-maned lions roam the red dunes at sunrise

Los Glaciares National Park

Where glaciers meet towering peaks

8.4

The Perito Moreno Glacier towers roughly 70 metres above Lake Argentino in this Patagonian park. Its ice front regularly calves house-sized blocks into the water. Visitors can watch from boardwalks that face the wall of ice. Hikers near El Chalten can reach the base of Mount Fitz Roy.

Highlights:

• 🛥️ Take a boat tour on Lago Argentino to glaciers
• 🥾 Trek Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre trails
• 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Perito Moreno Glacier boardwalks

Manú National Park

Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland

7.3

Scarlet macaws gather at clay licks along the Manu River to eat mineral-rich soil. The soil helps them neutralise toxins in the seeds they eat. Visitors can watch the colourful flocks from a blind at dawn. Only licensed operators can bring visitors into the core zone.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Cruise down the Madre de Dios River at sunrise
• 🦜 Spot macaws and toucans at a clay lick hide
• 🌿 Take a guided jungle trek through the Amazon rainforest

Pantanal Matogrossense National Park

World's largest tropical wetland paradise

7.6

Jaguars hunt caimans along the riverbanks of this vast wetland in western Brazil. Boat trips near Porto Jofre often find jaguars resting on the shore. Giant otters and capybaras share the same quiet waterways with herons. Hyacinth macaws, the largest flying parrots, nest in tall palm trees.

Highlights:

• 🐎 Experience horseback riding across flooded plains and trails
• 🛶 Take a boat tour through the Pantanal’s winding waterways
• 🐆 Join a guided wildlife safari to spot elusive jaguars

Voyageurs National Park

Watery wilderness of northern Minnesota

8.0

Most visitors get around Voyageurs by boat, like the French Canadian fur traders it is named for. Houseboat rentals and canoe campsites dot the four big lakes. It is an International Dark Sky Park where northern lights sometimes glow overhead. Bald eagles and loons nest on the lakeshores.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle a canoe through the peaceful waterways and explore wildlife
• 🌌 Witness the breathtaking northern lights over pristine lakes
• 🚣‍♂️ Explore hidden islands by boat and camp overnight

Waterton Glacier International Peace Park

Where two nations preserve wilderness

8.9

Like neighbours sharing a backyard, two national parks work together across the Canada and U.S. border. Together they were named an International Peace Park in 1932. Boat cruises on Upper Waterton Lake cross the border between the two countries. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep often stand near the trails.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Canoe or kayak on serene Waterton Lake
• 🚗 Drive the scenic Red Rock Canyon Road
• 🥾 Hike the challenging Crypt Lake Trail with stunning views

North York Moors

Heather moorlands meet rugged coastline

8.1

Purple heather covers the high moors in late summer and hums with bees. The park became an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2020. Winter stargazers can see the Milky Way from places such as Sutton Bank. Steam trains run through Newtondale gorge from Pickering to Whitby.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♂️ Walk the scenic Cleveland Way coastal trail
• 🏰 Explore the ancient ruins of Rievaulx Abbey
• 🚂 Ride the historic steam train from Pickering to Whitby

Tanjung Puting National Park

Orangutan paradise in Borneo jungle

7.3

Researcher Birute Galdikas set up Camp Leakey here in 1971 to study orangutans. Rescued orangutans still get fed at platforms near the camp. Visitors sleep on klotoks, small wooden houseboats that drift down the Sekonyer River. Proboscis monkeys in trees along the banks are easy to spot.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore the lush rainforest on guided jungle treks
• 🛶 Take a traditional klotok boat tour along Sekonyer River
• 🦧 Observe wild orangutans at Camp Leakey feeding stations

Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Volcanic wonders in pristine rainforest

8.0

A volcanic ridge in central Dominica has steam vents, hot springs and warm streams. The Boiling Lake is a flooded fumarole with grey bubbling water. Most hikers need a guide and about six hours for the round trip. Emerald Pool nearby is an easy walk with a small waterfall.

Highlights:

• 💦 Explore the twin Trafalgar Falls and natural hot springs
• 🏞️ Swim beneath the 50-foot cascading Emerald Pool waterfall
• 🌋 Hike the challenging trail to the Boiling Lake

Wae Rebo

Ancient village in the clouds

6.9

Seven tall conical houses stand in a ring like giant beehives above the clouds. Each house is called a Mbaru Niang and holds several families. The village sits a three hour uphill trek from Denge. Guests sleep in a house and share coffee grown by the villagers.

Highlights:

• 🤝 Participate in welcoming rituals with the Manggarai people
• 🏠 Stay overnight in a traditional Mbaru Niang house
• 🌳 Trek through tropical rainforest to reach the village

Esperance

Australia's Whitest Beaches and Turquoise Waters

8.6

Esperance's Lucky Bay regularly ranks among Australia's whitest-sand beaches, fine enough to squeak underfoot. Kangaroos frequently rest on the beach here, an unusual sight for visitors. Visitors can drive the scenic Great Ocean Drive loop past additional bays and lookout points. The turquoise water along this coast rivals tropical destinations despite the region's temperate climate.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Explore Cape Le Grand National Park’s rugged trails and beaches
• ⛰️ Hike to Frenchman Peak for panoramic coastal views
• 🏖️ Visit the stunning pink sands and turquoise waters of Lucky Bay

Lakshadweep

Pristine coral paradise off India

8.3

Coral atolls scatter across the Arabian Sea far off India's Malabar coast. Visitors need an entry permit, which helps keep tourist numbers low. Snorkellers can float over coral in the shallow lagoon at Agatti Island. Kadmat Island offers sea kayaking, scuba diving and quiet white beaches.

Highlights:

• 🛥️ Enjoy a lagoon cruise through the Lakshadweep atolls
• 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Agatti Beach
• 🤿 Dive into the coral reefs around Kadmat Island

Bay of Fundy

Home to world's highest tides

7.6

The Bay of Fundy records the highest tides on Earth, with water levels shifting over 15 metres. Boats sitting in deep water at high tide rest on exposed mud flats hours later. Visitors can walk the ocean floor at low tide before watching the bay refill. Whale watching tours time departures around this tidal shift.

Highlights:

• 🦴 Discover fossils and cliffs along Fundy National Park trails
• 🛶 Kayak among towering sea stacks during low tide
• 🌊 Watch the world’s highest tides at Hopewell Rocks

Landmannalaugar

Colorful mountains and natural pools

8.6

Rhyolite mountains in shades of pink, green and yellow surround this Icelandic highland area. A warm stream runs beside the start of the Laugavegur trail. Hikers can soak in a natural pool after crossing the Laugahraun lava field. Most hikers finish the Laugavegur trek at Thorsmork after four days.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Photograph the striking lava fields and steaming vents
• ♨️ Soak in the natural geothermal hot springs after a trek
• 🥾 Hike the colorful rhyolite mountains on the Laugavegur Trail

Salzkammergut

Alpine lakes meet imperial heritage

8.3

Salt has been mined above Hallstatt for thousands of years. The village and its lake are part of a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. Visitors can ride a funicular up to the Salzwelten mine and a viewing platform. Trains and ferries link many lakeside villages in the region.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Explore the Dachstein Ice Caves and Five Fingers viewpoint
• 🚂 Ride the historic Schafbergbahn steam cog railway
• 🏘️ Visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hallstatt

Stockholm Archipelago

30,000 islands of Swedish idyll

8.5

Few coasts are as spread out as this one, with about 30,000 islands and rocky islets. Sweden's right of public access means you can camp or kayak on most open shores. Ferries reach islands such as Sandhamn and Uto from Stockholm. Visitors walk or cycle between beaches and pine forests on quiet islands.

Highlights:

• 🏡 Visit Vaxholm’s colorful wooden houses and harbor cafés
• 🏖️ Swim and sunbathe on quiet island beaches
• 🛥️ Sail through the thousands of islands of the archipelago

Bhutan

Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails

8.5

Bhutan runs on a constitutional mandate to keep at least 60 percent of its land forested. The country charges a daily sustainable development fee that funds conservation and healthcare. Visitors can trek through protected valleys closed to unrestricted mass tourism. Bhutan measures national progress through a Gross National Happiness index rather than GDP.

Highlights:

• 🌄 Admire Himalayan panoramas from Dochula Pass’ 108 chortens
• 🎉 Join a colorful Buddhist festival at Punakha Dzong
• 🏔️ Hike to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro

Lake Baikal

World's deepest lake, Siberia's jewel

7.9

About one fifth of the world's fresh surface water sits in this Siberian lake. Its ice grows thick enough in winter to drive across. Volunteers from many countries have built the Great Baikal Trail along its shore. Nerpa seals, a freshwater species, swim beneath the winter ice.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Swim in the icy, crystal-clear waters of Baikal
• 🚂 Ride the Circum-Baikal Railway for breathtaking views
• 🥾 Take a winter trek across the frozen lake surface

Slovenia

Alpine beauty meets Adriatic charm

8.1

Painted hive panels with folk scenes date to the 1700s in Slovenian bee houses. Beekeeping is still a proud national tradition here. A programme called Slovenia Green rates towns, hotels and parks on sustainability. You can stay at a family farm and taste local honey at breakfast.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike the trails of [translate:Triglav National Park]
• 🕳️ Explore the underground wonders of Postojna Cave
• 🏞️ Visit the iconic [translate:Lake Bled] and castle

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Remote polar wilderness with wildlife

8.4

Ships visit from about October to March when fur seals and penguins crowd the beaches. St Andrews Bay has a huge colony of king penguins with brown fluffy chicks. A large rat removal programme ended in 2018 and helped ground nesting birds return. Visitors clean their boots before landing to keep pests out.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike scenic trails to Mount Paget summit
• 🏚️ Visit historic Grytviken whaling station and church
• 🐧 Observe king penguins at stunning St. Andrews Bay

Ljubljana

A charming green city with soul

7.7

Cars are banned from the historic centre of this Slovenian capital. The European Commission named it a European Green Capital for 2016. Visitors can walk or cycle along the Ljubljanica River past many riverside cafes. Tap water comes from clean local groundwater and is safe to drink.

Highlights:

• 🥖 Visit the Central Market and taste local Slovenian specialties
• 🚶‍♀️ Stroll along the charming Ljubljanica riverbanks and bridges
• 🏰 Climb up to Ljubljana Castle for city views

Dunedin

Wildlife, castles and quirky charm

7.5

Dunedin sits near the Otago Peninsula, home to a rare mainland breeding colony of royal albatross. A visitor centre on the peninsula lets guests observe nesting albatross without disturbing them. Visitors can also spot yellow-eyed penguins, among the world's rarest, along nearby beaches. The city's Scottish heritage still shows in its architecture and street names.

Highlights:

• 🚂 Ride the scenic Taieri Gorge Railway through dramatic landscapes
• 🐧 Spot rare yellow-eyed penguins at Otago Peninsula
• 🏰 Tour the historic Larnach Castle and its lush gardens

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Witness the Great Migration

7.0

Over a million wildebeest cross the Mara River each year during the great migration. Crocodiles wait below the steep banks at the main crossing points. Maasai landowners run conservancies beside the reserve that limit vehicle numbers. Visitors can take dawn game drives or float over the plains in a hot air balloon.

Highlights:

• 🎈 Take a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the savannah
• 🐃 Witness the Great Migration crossing at Mara River
• 🦁 Embark on twice-daily game drives to spot the Big Five

Rotorua

Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture

8.2

Residents of Whakarewarewa village still cook family meals in natural steam boxes. The living Maori village sits among geysers and bubbling mud pools. Local guides from the community lead walking tours and share family history. The Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest nearby has treetop walkways and mountain bike trails.

Highlights:

• 🛷 Experience thrilling rides at Skyline Luge tracks
• 🚡 Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views
• 🌋 Explore the colorful thermal pools at Wai-O-Tapu

Åland

Nordic Sun, Archipelago Calm, Maritime Charm

7.7

Aland's roughly 6,500 islands sit between Finland and Sweden, governed as an autonomous, demilitarized region. Cycling paths connect many larger islands via small bridges and short ferry hops. Visitors can hire a bike to island-hop across the archipelago over several days. The islands' Swedish-speaking population keeps its own flag and stamps despite belonging to Finland.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♂️ Stroll the charming streets of Mariehamn town center
• ⛵ Visit the award-winning Maritime Museum and sailing ship Pommern
• 🏰 Explore the historic Kastelholm Castle and open-air museum

Curonian Spit National Park

Dunes, Forests and Baltic Magic

6.9

Parnidis Dune near Nida rises about 52 metres above the Baltic lagoon. This narrow sand strip has some of the tallest shifting dunes in Europe. A wooden path leads walkers up to a sundial at the top. UNESCO listed the spit, shared with Russia, in 2000.

Highlights:

• 🌾 Wander Nagliai Nature Reserve’s haunting Dead Dunes
• 🪓 Explore the mystical Hill of Witches sculpture park
• 🏖️ Climb Parnidis Dune for panoramic Baltic Sea views

Khao Sok National Park

Ancient Jungle and Emerald Lake Paradise

7.8

Limestone cliffs rise straight out of Cheow Lan Lake, a reservoir made by a dam in 1982. Floating bungalows moored beneath them sit deep inside the rainforest. Kayakers paddle at dawn while gibbons call from the treetops. The park also grows Rafflesia, one of the largest flowers on Earth.

Highlights:

• 🐘 Trek into the jungle to spot wild elephants and gibbons
• 🛶 Kayak through emerald waters surrounded by limestone cliffs
• 🏞️ Stay overnight in floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake

Helsingborg

Swedish Seaside Charm Meets History

7.4

Helsingborg sits along the narrowest point of the Oresund Strait, facing Denmark a few kilometres away. Ferries cross the strait constantly, making it one of Europe's busiest crossings. Visitors can walk the city's Terrasstrappan staircase for a view over to Denmark. The city has invested heavily in waterfront parks built on former industrial land.

Highlights:

• 🏯 Visit the royal Sofiero Castle and its beautiful gardens
• 🌿 Explore Fredriksdal Open-Air Museum & Botanical Garden
• 🏰 Climb Kärnan tower for panoramic Helsingborg views

Gozo

Hidden Mediterranean Gem

7.9

Gozo moves at a slower pace than Malta, with fewer resorts and quieter villages. Dwejra's Inland Sea connects to open water through a narrow tunnel carved into the cliffs. Visitors can take a small boat through this tunnel out to the Mediterranean. Terraced fields and dry stone walls still shape much of the island's landscape.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Discover the medieval Cittadella fortress in Victoria
• 🏖️ Hike to stunning Ramla Bay’s red sandy beach
• 🏛️ Explore the ancient Ġgantija Temples, UNESCO site

Connemara National Park

Wild Bogs, Peaks and Ponies

7.6

Like a soft green blanket, peat bog covers much of this western Irish park. Diamond Hill has wide views over Kylemore Abbey, the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic. Loop trails climb it in two to three hours. Small sturdy Connemara ponies graze on the hills nearby.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore the native woodland and bogs on the Tree Trail
• 📚 Visit the Connemara Visitor Centre to learn about landscape history
• 🌄 Hike up Diamond Hill for breathtaking panoramic views

Dolomites National Park

Towering peaks and pristine wilderness

8.4

UNESCO added the Dolomites to its World Heritage list in 2009 for their pale rock towers. The rock began as coral reef in a warm sea long ago. At sunset the peaks can glow pink in a light called enrosadira. Hikers in Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park near Belluno find quiet trails and mountain huts.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Climb Seceda mountain for panoramic Dolomites views
• 🌊 Visit the stunning turquoise Lago di Braies lake
• 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail

Ein Gedi

Oasis by the Dead Sea

6.5

Ein Gedi's freshwater springs create a green oasis in the arid landscape around the Dead Sea. Waterfalls in the reserve feed pools where ibex and hyrax gather to drink. Visitors can hike marked trails past these falls before floating in the sea. The reserve sits at one of the lowest elevations on Earth's land surface.

Highlights:

• ⛰️ Ascend Mount Ishay for panoramic Dead Sea views
• 🌿 Explore the rich flora and fauna at Ein Gedi Botanical Garden
• 💦 Hike to the stunning Ein Gedi Waterfall and swim

Tórshavn

Nordic Charm on Stormy Shores

7.8

Faroese builders still top wooden houses with living grass roofs to keep them warm. Tinganes, the old red harbour quarter, has some of the oldest ones. The islands invited volunteers to fix trails in a campaign called Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism. Ferries and buses link the capital with quiet villages and hiking trails.

Highlights:

• 🌈 Wander colorful streets in Old Town Tórshavn
• 🏰 Visit Skansin Fortress for panoramic harbor views
• 🏠 Explore historic Tinganes with grass-roofed buildings

Mikulov

Wine, Castles and Borderland Charm

7.4

Local winemakers open cellar doors to cyclists on marked trails through the Palava hills. The hills are part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Nearby Lednice and Valtice have parks and castles on the UNESCO list. Flat lanes between vineyards make the ride easy for beginners.

Highlights:

• ⛪ Climb the Church of St. Václav tower for panoramic views
• 🌺 Stroll through the beautiful Chateau Gardens with views
• 🏰 Explore Mikulov Castle and its extensive wine cellar

Khao Yai National Park

Wild Elephants, Waterfalls and Jungle Trails

7.1

Haew Suwat Waterfall, seen in the film The Beach, drops through the forest here. Wild Asian elephants often cross park roads in the early evening. Night safaris with rangers search the forest for sambar deer and civets. Great hornbills call from the tall treetops at dawn.

Highlights:

• 🦅 Climb Nong Phak Chi observation tower for wildlife views
• 🐘 Spot wild elephants and gibbons in the dense forest
• 🌊 Hike to the stunning Haew Narok Waterfall viewpoint

Yakushima

Ancient cedars, mossy forest and waterfalls

8.8

Jomon Sugi is a giant cedar tree that may be thousands of years old. Cedars here older than 1,000 years are called yakusugi. A moss covered forest called Shiratani Unsuikyo helped inspire the film Princess Mononoke. The trail to Jomon Sugi follows old logging rail tracks through the forest.

Highlights:

• 🐒 Spot Yakushima macaques and deer along forest trails
• 🌳 See Jomon Sugi, Japan’s legendary 7,000-year-old cedar tree
• 🌲 Hike through the ancient cedar forests of Shiratani Unsuikyo

Phillip Island

Penguins, Surf and Coastal Wonders

8.1

Little penguins waddle ashore at Summerland Beach every evening at dusk. Ticket income helps pay for penguin conservation and research on the island. Visitors watch from tiered stands and boardwalks above the beach. Seal Rocks lies offshore with a large colony of Australian fur seals.

Highlights:

• 🦭 Explore Seal Rocks, home to fur seal colonies
• 🦘 Visit Koala Conservation Centre and see cuddly koalas
• 🐧 Watch the adorable Penguin Parade at sunset

Franschhoek

Wine, Mountains and Gourmet Living

7.4

Franschhoek's valley was settled by French Huguenot refugees who brought winemaking traditions to the region. Many wine estates here now practice organic or biodynamic farming. Visitors can tour these estates by bike or on a heritage train that loops through the valley. The surrounding mountains shelter the vineyards from harsher coastal winds.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum and monument
• 🌿 Explore beautiful gardens at Babylonstoren Farm
• 🍷 Taste exquisite wines on the Franschhoek Wine Tram

Loire Valley

Châteaux, vineyards and riverside charm

8.3

The Loire à Vélo cycle route runs about 900 kilometres along the river through France. Cyclists can pedal past castles such as Chambord and Amboise. Flat riverside paths make the ride easy for families and beginners. Many farms near the route sell local goat cheese and wine.

Highlights:

• 🍷 Taste world-class wines at a family-run vineyard
• 🚴‍♀️ Cycle along the scenic Loire à Vélo bike trail
• 🏰 Tour the grand Château de Chambord and its iconic towers

Arouca

Adventure and Serenity Combined

6.8

Wooden boardwalks creak along the Paiva River for about eight kilometres. The Paiva Walkways pass waterfalls and quiet swimming pools. A footbridge called 516 Arouca hangs high above the river and is 516 metres long. The area is a UNESCO Global Geopark with ancient trilobite fossils.

Highlights:

• 🏛️ Visit the historic Arouca Monastery and museum
• 🥾 Hike scenic trails in the Arouca Geopark
• 🌉 Cross the thrilling 516 Arouca suspension bridge

Chapada Diamantina National Park

Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History

7.7

Chapada Diamantina takes its name from diamonds once mined across the region's highlands. Waterfalls here include Cachoeira da Fumaca, one of Brazil's tallest at over 300 metres. Visitors can hike through canyons and swim in pools fed by these cascades. Former mining trails now serve as marked routes for multi-day treks across the plateau.

Highlights:

• 🕳️ Explore the vast Lapa Doce Cave with guided tours
• 💧 Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Poço Azul
• ⛰️ Hike to the top of Morro do Pai Inácio for panoramic views

Daisetsuzan National Park

Japan's largest national park, in Hokkaido

8.3

Daisetsuzan National Park protects Hokkaido's tallest peaks, ranking as Japan's largest national park. Autumn colour arrives here earlier than almost anywhere else in the country, drawing hikers each September. Visitors can soak in remote hot springs reached only after a multi-day trek. Brown bears roam the backcountry, requiring hikers to carry bear bells on trails.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs at Asahidake Onsen
• ⛰️ Hike to Mt. Asahi summit, Hokkaido's highest peak
• 🚠 Ride Asahidake Ropeway to scenic Sugatami Plateau

Sundarbans National Park

Whispers of mangrove giants and elusive tigers

6.9

Sajnekhali has a watchtower above a tidal creek where visitors scan for crocodiles and deer. Bengal tigers here swim between islands to hunt. Visitors cruise narrow channels on small boats with local guides through the mangroves. UNESCO listed these mangroves as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Highlights:

• 🌅 Hike through saltwater forests at sunrise
• 🐅 Spot Bengal tigers nesting near the riverbanks
• 🚤 Explore mangrove labyrinths aboard a guided boat tour

Doñana National Park

Wildlife sanctuary where rivers meet wetlands

9.0

Every spring pilgrims travel by horse cart to the village of El Rocio for a festival. The wetlands nearby fill with thousands of flamingos in winter and spring. Iberian lynx, among the rarest cats, live in the scrub. Guided 4x4 tours cross dunes and marshes to spot imperial eagles.

Highlights:

• 🚤 Take a guided boat tour through wetlands
• 🦩 Spot flamingos nesting in the marshes
• 🌅 Explore the salt flats at sunrise

Fernando de Noronha

World's Best Beaches and Dolphins

8.5

Fernando de Noronha caps daily visitors and charges a fee that rises the longer guests stay. Clear waters and a marine park protect one of Earth's largest spinner dolphin populations. Visitors can snorkel from several beaches without a boat to reach reefs. Most of the chain remains undeveloped, a marine park closed to settlement.

Highlights:

• 🛥️ Take a boat tour to spot dolphins and sea turtles
• ⛰️ Hike to the Morro Dois Irmãos viewpoint for stunning vistas
• 🤿 Snorkel vibrant reefs at Baía do Sancho, world’s top beach

Raja Ampat

Vibrant coral reefs and lush tropical islands

8.9

From October to April the seas are calm and clear for snorkelling. Families run homestays on islands such as Gam and Arborek. Manta rays glide past a site called Manta Sandy near Arborek village. More than 1,500 kinds of reef fish have been counted in these waters.

Highlights:

• 🌋 Explore Tofua volcano crater for panoramic sea views
• 🚤 Kayak through crystal lagoons surrounding the hidden islands
• 🐠 Snorkel at Manta Point, witness majestic manta rays

Algarve

Golden cliffs and azure waters

8.5

The Algarve's Ria Formosa lagoon system protects wetlands that filter water and shelter migratory birds. Boat tours through the lagoon avoid motorised engines in sensitive channels to limit disturbance. Visitors can paddle a kayak through the marshes before exploring nearby dune-backed beaches. The lagoon separates several barrier islands from the mainland coast.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Visit Lagos Old Town and its historic fortifications
• 🌊 Relax on Praia da Marinha, one of Europe’s best beaches
• ⛱️ Explore the stunning sea caves and cliffs of Benagil

County Mayo

Wild Atlantic beauty and sacred peaks

7.5

County Mayo's Wild Atlantic Way stretches along sea cliffs and quiet coastal villages in western Ireland. Achill Island, connected to the mainland by bridge, holds some of the county's tallest cliffs. Visitors can hike the Achill Head trail for views over the coastline. Croagh Patrick, a pilgrimage mountain, also rises above the county's rural landscape.

Highlights:

• 🍺 Visit Westport’s quaint streets and colorful pubs
• 🌊 Explore Achill Island’s dramatic cliffs and beaches
• ⛰️ Climb Croagh Patrick for stunning Atlantic views

Svalbard

Arctic wilderness at Earth's edge

8.3

Longyearbyen began in 1906 as a coal mining camp run by an American named John Longyear. Today most visitors come for nature trips led by trained guides. About two thirds of Svalbard's land is protected as parks and nature reserves. You can join a dog sled ride or a boat trip past walrus.

Highlights:

• 🥾 Hike across the dramatic tundra and rugged landscapes
• 🛥️ Explore glaciers and fjords on guided boat tours
• 🐻‍❄️ Observe Arctic wildlife including elusive polar bears safely

Ghent

Medieval Canals, Art and Hip Vibes

7.2

Ghent bans most car traffic from its centre, favouring bicycles, trams and pedestrians. Cyclists make up a large share of commuters, aided by an extensive bike lane network. Visitors can hire a bike to explore canals and guild houses without a car. The city has expanded its car-free zone several times since the policy began.

Highlights:

• 🚶‍♀️ Admire the picturesque Graslei and Korenlei quays
• ⛪ Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral and view Ghent Altarpiece
• 🏰 Explore the medieval Gravensteen Castle and museum

Zermatt

Alpine Magic and the Matterhorn

9.3

From July to September the high trails below the Matterhorn are clear of snow. Gas powered cars are banned in the village. Small electric taxis and horse drawn sleighs carry visitors from the train station. The Gornergrat cog railway climbs to 3,089 metres for views of the Matterhorn.

Highlights:

• ❄️ Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car
• 🏞️ Hike to Riffelsee Lake and see the Matterhorn’s reflection
• 🚞 Ride the Gornergrat Railway for stunning Matterhorn views

Chūbu-Sangaku National Park

Northern Alps peaks, snow walls and onsen

8.5

The Yuki no Otani Snow Corridor has walls of snow up to 20 metres high. Buses drive on the road between the walls from mid April to June. Electric trolley buses carry passengers through a tunnel under the mountains. Kurobe Dam nearby has a large arch and wide water spray in summer.

Highlights:

• ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by mountain scenery
• 🏔️ Climb Mount Hotaka or Mount Yari for panoramic views
• 🥾 Hike through the dramatic alpine landscapes of Kamikōchi Valley

Azores

Volcanic Isles of Atlantic Wonders

8.5

The Azores generate most of their electricity from geothermal and hydroelectric sources drawn from volcanic terrain. Crater lakes fill several extinct volcanoes across the archipelago, some split into twin blue and green pools. Visitors can hike rim trails overlooking these lakes on islands like Sao Miguel. Whale watching tours nearby follow guidelines limiting boat numbers.

Highlights:

• 🍵 Visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation at Gorreana
• ♨️ Relax in the thermal waters of Caldeira Velha
• 🥾 Hike through the volcanic landscapes of Sete Cidades

Lapland

Northern lights and midnight sun

8.9

Finnish Lapland's Urho Kekkonen National Park protects one of Europe's largest roadless wilderness areas. Reindeer herding remains an active Sami tradition across much of the region. Visitors can join a guided trek to learn about traditional herding practices still used today. The park's remote trails see far fewer visitors than accessible parks farther south.

Highlights:

• 🦌 Experience a traditional reindeer sleigh ride safari
• 🐕 Go on a husky sledding adventure through snowy forests
• 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights on clear Arctic nights

South Tyrol

Alpine culture where worlds collide

9.4

Each autumn farmers deck their cows with flowers and lead them down from summer pastures. The parade is a festival called Almabtrieb. Buildings here follow KlimaHaus, an energy saving standard that began in Bolzano. Hikers can sleep in mountain huts and cross high meadows beneath the Dolomites.

Highlights:

• 🏰 Explore the charming old town and castles of Bolzano
• 🍷 Savor local wines along the South Tyrol Wine Road
• 🥾 Hike through the Dolomites and admire the alpine peaks

Danum Valley

Untamed rainforest, rare wildlife sanctuary

8.0

Scientists have studied this Bornean rainforest since a field centre opened in 1986. A canopy walkway lifts visitors high above the forest floor near the lodge. Guided night walks find slow lorises and flying squirrels. Orangutans and Borneo pygmy elephants roam the forest around the river.

Highlights:

• 🐵 Spot orangutans lounging in their natural habitat
• 🥾 Hike to the top of the rainforest ridge
• 🌲 Explore Danum Valley's ancient cloud forest canopy

Ningaloo Coast

Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland

9.1

From March to July whale sharks gather along this stretch of Western Australia's coast. You can swim beside them on licensed boat tours out of Exmouth. The reef begins a few steps from the beach at Turquoise Bay. Humpback whales pass by on their migration from June to November.

Highlights:

• 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
• 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
• 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast

New Caledonia

Tropical Paradise with French Flair

8.0

UNESCO lists the lagoons around this Pacific archipelago as a World Heritage Site. The barrier reef encircling the main island is one of the longest double reefs on Earth. Snorkellers can float through the calm natural pool at Oro Bay on Ile des Pins. Kanak villages host visitors for guided cultural tours.

Highlights:

• 🏝️ Swim in the turquoise waters of the Natural Pool at Île des Pins
• 🏛️ Explore Kanak culture at Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
• 🌅 Climb to the top of Amédée Lighthouse for stunning views

Oman

Ancient heritage meets natural wonders

7.5

Green turtles nest year round at Ras al Jinz, on the eastern tip of Oman. Rangers guide small groups onto the beach after dark to protect the nests. Visitors can watch females lay eggs under dim red light. Hatchlings usually head for the sea in the early morning hours.

Highlights:

• 🏜️ Camp under the stars in Wahiba Sands desert
• 🏞️ Marvel at the turquoise waters of Wadi Shab
• 🏰 Explore the ancient Nizwa Fort and its bustling souq

Palau

Pristine paradise with underwater wonders

8.3

Visitors sign the Palau Pledge, an eco promise stamped into every passport on arrival. The pledge asks travellers to act in ways that protect the islands and ocean. Divers and snorkellers explore the Rock Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage lagoon of limestone islets. Palau protects about 80 percent of its waters as a marine sanctuary.

Highlights:

• 🛶 Paddle a kayak through Palau’s turquoise Rock Islands
• 🤿 Dive into the stunning Blue Corner reef
• 🌊 Swim among harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake

Rwanda

Land of a thousand hills

7.7

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts from the town of Musanze. Permit fees fund conservation work and local community projects such as schools. Each year the Kwita Izina ceremony gives names to newborn mountain gorillas. Trekkers may spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family.

Highlights:

• 🏖️ Relax on the beaches of scenic Lake Kivu
• 🌳 Explore Nyungwe Forest and walk the canopy trail
• 🦍 Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Banff National Park

Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes

9.2

Banff National Park became Canada's first national park in 1885, established around natural hot springs. Those springs still feed a historic bathhouse now open as a museum. The park requires a pass for entry, with proceeds funding conservation across the Canadian Rockies. Visitors can soak in a separate, still-operating hot spring elsewhere in the park.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
• 🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
• 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views

Nikko

Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs

8.6

Kegon Falls plunges about 97 metres from Lake Chuzenji. The falls sit inside Nikko National Park in the mountains north of Tokyo. Visitors can walk the boardwalk across the Senjogahara marsh in early autumn. Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO site, is covered in gold leaf and detailed carvings.

Highlights:

• 💦 Admire the majestic Kegon Falls viewpoint
• 🌉 Cross the striking vermilion Shinkyo Bridge
• ⛩️ Visit the ornate Nikko Toshogu Shrine complex

Serengeti National Park

The Ultimate Safari Adventure

7.9

About 1.5 million wildebeest follow the rains through this Tanzanian plain each year. They travel in a huge loop between the Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara. Visitors can watch river crossings at the Grumeti and Mara rivers. Lions rest on granite outcrops called kopjes across the plains.

Highlights:

• 🎈 Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon safari over plains
• 🚙 Take a thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five
• 🦓 Witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration spectacle

Faroe Islands

Dramatic cliffs meet misty landscapes

8.9

The Faroe Islands close designated hiking sites annually for volunteer trail maintenance. Visitors can register to trade a day of trail work for free lodging. Grass-roofed homes and sheer sea cliffs define much of the landscape across the eighteen islands. Puffins nest along several cliffside colonies open to visitors each summer breeding season.

Highlights:

• 🏡 Walk through the colorful turf-roofed village of Saksun
• ⛵ Sail between the towering sea cliffs of Vestmanna
• 💦 Hike to the breathtaking Múlafossur Waterfall in Gásadalur

Hainan

China’s Tropical Escape-Beaches & Beyond

7.6

Hainan has positioned itself as a pilot zone for China's national parks and tourism policy. Tropical rainforest covers much of the interior, home to the rare Hainan gibbon. Visitors can trek through Yanoda Rainforest Park on boardwalks designed to limit disturbance. The Hainan gibbon ranks among the rarest primates on Earth, with a tiny population.

Highlights:

• 🌳 Explore Yanoda Tropical Rainforest Park trails
• ⛩️ Visit the serene Nanshan Temple and gardens
• 🏖️ Relax on the pristine Yalong Bay beach

Daintree Rainforest

Lush canopy whispers ancient rainforest secrets

The Daintree Rainforest ranks among the oldest continuously surviving rainforests on Earth, predating the Amazon. Boardwalks let visitors explore the canopy without disturbing the forest floor. Visitors can also join a night walk to spot nocturnal species like tree kangaroos. The rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef along a short stretch of coastline nearby.

Highlights:

• 🌲 Visit Cape Tribulation, hike to ancient rainforest trails
• 🚤 Sail a glass-bottom boat over crystal reefs
• 🌿 Trek through Daintree canopy walk, spot cassowaries

Phong Nha cave

Majestic Underground Wonder

Phong Nha sits near Son Doong, the world's largest cave passage, found by a farmer in 1991. Researchers only fully explored the cave decades after that discovery. Visitors can tour smaller, accessible caves before booking a trek to Son Doong itself. Permits for the deepest cave stay limited to a few hundred visitors each year.

Highlights:

• 🧗‍♂️ Try adventurous ziplining and mud bathing nearby
• 🪨 Explore stunning stalactites and underground lakes
• 🛶 Cruise the Son River to enter Phong Nha Cave

Great Barrier Reef

World's largest living coral wonder

The Great Barrier Reef stretches roughly 2,300 kilometres, visible from space along Australia's coast. Reef operators follow permits limiting how many boats can visit sensitive sites daily. Visitors can snorkel or dive with operators trained in low-impact reef practices. Rising ocean temperatures have triggered repeated bleaching events across sections of the reef.

Highlights:

• 🚁 Fly over the reef to spot the Heart Reef
• 🤿 Take a scuba dive at the outer reef
• 🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral gardens and tropical fish

Białowieża Forest

Ancient woodland echoing centuries of wildlife

Polish kings protected this forest as a royal hunting ground for centuries. The last wild bison died here in 1919 and captive bison were later reintroduced. Guides lead walks among giant oaks and spruce trees in the strict reserve. Free roaming bison now graze in meadows near the village.

Highlights:

• 🐦 Join a guided night walk to hear nocturnal wildlife
• 🦬 Hike the forest trails, spot European bison
• 🌳 Explore ancient primeval trees in Białowieża's canopy

Sundarbans

Whispers of mangrove giants and hidden wildlife

Mangrove roots poke up from the salty mud like thousands of pencils. Honey collectors enter the forest each spring in small teams. Fishing cats and spotted deer move along the muddy creek banks at low tide. Small boats ride the rising tide up narrow creeks with quiet local guides.

Highlights:

• 🍤 Visit local fishing village to taste fresh seafood
• 🐅 Spot Bengal tigers during dawn patrols
• 🌿 Explore mangrove labyrinth on guided boat tour

Mount Kinabalu

Majestic peaks echo ancient jungle whispers

Malaysia's highest peak rises 4,095 metres above the rainforests of Borneo. UNESCO listed the park as a World Heritage Site in 2000. Climbers must book a permit early and hike with a licensed mountain guide. Giant Nepenthes rajah pitcher plants grow on the lower slopes of the mountain.

Highlights:

• 🌊 Witness orchid display at Poring Hot Springs waterfall
• 🌺 Explore Kinabalu Park botanical gardens on guided tour
• ⛰️ Climb Mount Kinabalu summit before sunrise