Best Places to Travel in 2024

What are the best places to travel in 2024?

Have you thought about traveling this year?

Are you still hesitant about where you want to travel to?

There are many compelling reasons to travel far and wide this year and next. Emerging boutique hotels, spas and cruises are competing for travelers’ bookings with new offerings. It’s making you think carefully about where you want to go.

To help you find the trip that’s worth your vacation days, we’ve researched, discussed and vetted a wide range of amazing cities, regions and countries that have new reasons to visit. The result: our definitive guide to the best places to travel in 2024. The guide includes extraordinary, stunning flowers in a new national park in Chile. Up-close encounters with wildlife alongside Inuit guides in Canada. And a heartwarming food party in Rwanda.

This list, while a huge challenge to narrow down, reflects how vast, beautiful, diverse and ever-changing our world is.

Best Places to Travel in 2024

Budapest - Hungary

Famous for Hungarian capital With its architecture. It is home to everything from Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism to Gothic and Baroque. The blue Danube River connects it all like a ribbon.

The city is also full of creativity, which extends to its vibrant nightlife. Then there are the mineral-rich thermal baths, which feature ornate design.

The Chain Bridge – the city’s oldest bridge and a “symbol of teamwork” – has fully reopened after a two-year restoration, offering stunning views of Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament Building.

Budapest and the Chain Bridge

Is there any place more popular than the Greek islands right now? Last summer, the Cyclades—an island group that includes Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos, and Ios—dominated social media with their beautiful blue-and-white backdrops, exciting beach clubs and nightclubs, and unparalleled shopping.

With more smart stays to be revealed in 2024, plus new flights, next summer is the perfect time to take a trip to the Cyclades.

Etihad, British Airways and Saudia have added new routes to several Greek islands in 2023. In addition to launching Cycladic In 2022, it is the first inter-island airline. Which means getting there is easier than ever.

Yorkshire, UK – One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024

Nature in Yorkshire

Yorkshire has some of the most alluring nature around: sweeping landscapes like living oil paintings; rolling valleys and peaks; deep woodland moors with big skies; intoxicating lavender fields; lofty woodlands filled with chirping birds; and golden sandy expanses bordering mint-blue seas.

Enjoy stargazing in Yorkshire National Parks at Dark Sky Festival The Wizard. The Yorkshire Balloon Festival will return to its new home at Castle Howard in 2024. With early morning rainbow-colored group balloon rides and nighttime glows.

Yorkshire night sky glowing

Mauritius – One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024

Mauritius beaches

This Indian Ocean island has a lot to put on your travel list: a dynamic cultural scene and a new wave of hospitality unfolding on its shores.

In the capital, Port Louis, it was opened. Transcontinental Slavery Museum. which is located inside a restored 18th-century military hospital. In September 2023. Representing the country's first major step in correcting its long colonial history.

Culture buffs will also be drawn to the recently opened House of Digital Art (HODA) nearby: old meets new in this historic Port Louis building, which houses a cutting-edge collection of contemporary art installations.

The Indian Ocean island has long been known for its dreamy beach resorts. But encouraging visitors to venture beyond the shores is Socio Tribeca’s upcoming (late 2024)

And away from the crowded coast of Mauritius. This could be the year that its little-known little sister, Rodrigues, a tiny speck of the island an hour and a half by plane east, gets its due. It has long been a well-kept secret even among the most discerning travellers, but now all eyes are on it.

Rodrigues Island

South and Central Sri Lanka – One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024

Nature in Sri Lanka

Amid economic uncertainty, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is in the midst of a luxury and wellness boom – from its tea-filled highlands to its palm-fringed beaches. And in the south of the country, new luxury resorts continue to beckon. Among them, Kayaam House and Ahu Bay  The Hilton Resort is located next to Yala National Park, overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is one of the best places to see the elusive leopards in Sri Lanka; and the Museum Charleston Inspired by Art Deco, it will open in December in the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort.

Hotel views of the Indian Ocean in Sri Lanka

that Kalocanda House Already established – a villa in the surf town of Weligama designed by British-Sri Lankan interior designer Dee Gibson – it makes its mark with retreats focused on women’s empowerment, including yoga, breathing exercises, Reiki and Ayurveda.

Kalocanda House

Red Sea, Saudi Arabia – A New Eco-Travel Experience in 2024

Creating an entirely new tourist destination in an area of pristine natural beauty – including coral reefs that are home to endangered species, pristine desert, and dormant volcanoes – is a fine tightrope to walk.

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea aims to overcome these challenges with an ambitious effort to become a hub for sustainable tourism, powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Only 22 of the region’s more than 90 islands will be developed, nine of which have been designated as protected areas. While many of the sustainability efforts will be behind the scenes, some are visible – and visitable. 

The new mangrove gardens will be filled with trees currently being grown in the mangrove nursery (the project aims to plant 50 million by 2030). The first phase of the destination, which includes 16 luxury hotels, is powered by 760,000 solar panels, and the world’s first carbon-neutral 5G network has already been installed.

There are several luxury resorts set to open in the coming months, each with its own rigorous programme of sustainability measures, from lightweight modular structures to smart landscaping, smart waste management and local sourcing.

Transportation within the destination will also be via electric vehicles, and hydrogen-powered seaplanes will eventually shuttle visitors between islands. It remains to be seen whether a luxury tourism destination can truly be sustainable, but the Red Sea effort is certainly testing the waters. For all that, this destination is considered one of the best places to travel in 2024.

Grenada – One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024

Grenada is an island nation in the West Indies located in the Caribbean Sea. While it may have traditionally been overlooked in favor of, say, St. Barths or Turks and Caicos, Grenada has proven itself to be a worthy contender – especially for travelers based on the East Coast.

There are many oceanfront hotels and resorts that offer a range of adventures, from wreck diving to waterfall trails.

Tiny Kosovo lacks the stunning beaches of Albania and the luxury resorts of Montenegro, but Europe's newest country boasts towering peaks, pastoral countryside and heartwarming hospitality, a perfect combination for multi-day hiking and cycling trips.

2024 will mark the 25th anniversary of the end of the Kosovo War, and there is much to discover in the region now.

Following in the footsteps of cross-border adventure trails such as the Balkan Peaks and High Scardos, the opening of Trans Dinarica Bike Route In 2024, it makes its way past the minarets that flank the eponymous Prizren River, through the Ottoman market town of Gjakova, and on to Peja.

Scardos Heights

Peja, located on the edge of the Rugova Gorge, serves as a base camp for many of the country’s outdoor adventures, including via ferratas and caving. A new paved path will soon connect the Lombardy River Walk to the popular Health Trail – the start of the south-west route through the ill-named Cursed Mountains. Two additional trails are coming, connecting the trails in the Rugova Mountains to the gushing White Drin waterfall and the Radac Cave.

Peja - Kosovo

Hikers can also rest weary bones and fill hungry bellies away from the city at rustic guesthouses like Ario, where traditional Kosovar dishes include vlija made from dairy products produced on site.

Ario - Kosovo

French Polynesia

All eyes may be on Tahiti this year, as the southern coast village of Teahupo'o, home to one of the “deadliest waves in the world,” prepares to host Surfing competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Viewers can watch the event on giant screens at celebration sites across the island.

Tahiti Hotels

And the rest continues French Polynesia , an upscale blue zone of 118 islands, is committed to sustainability rather than mass tourism. Keen to position itself as a regenerative destination, the Coral Gardeners, an ocean conservation group, is working to plant a million heat-resistant corals worldwide by 2025. It’s also recycling abandoned pearl farms to restore coral on Ahe Island, an atoll northeast of Tahiti. Hotels are also being developed across the island group, with a wave of renovations, starting with Bora Bora.

Kimberley, Australia

Western Australia's remote Kimberley region is one of the world's last wild frontiers, known for its pristine wilderness of towering cliffs, cornflower-blue waters and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites.

But that has always been difficult to explore. That’s about to change, because in 2024, the region is set to welcome an influx of cruise lines, eager to make the most of the region’s hard-to-reach waterways.

In Broome, the coastal town and gateway to the Kimberley, tourism is also booming. Salty Plum Social With the region’s pearl diving history, it is making a lot of noise with its new Pearling Master’s Trek, which will start after its inaugural journey in 2023 with regular tours from April 2024.

Broom - Kimberly

In addition, leading tour operators have joined forces to launch Indigenous Culture Journey , a four-night itinerary that includes First Nations experiences in and around iconic Cable Beach and Roebuck Bay – the first of its 2024 tours, which debuts in May.

Kobe, Japan

The coastal city of Kobe lies between steep mountains and sparkling seas in southwestern Japan. Japan , and is working hard to enhance its design qualifications. The area occupies Vague Kobe Centre Stage, a new creative space. Spread across the upper floors of an elegant former bank dating back to the 1930s, this building houses a gallery, library, café, flower shop and design studio.

In a thoughtful display of contemporary Japanese design – and a reflection of Kobe’s seafaring heritage – the renovated interiors combine traditional Japanese plaster walls and clean, simple lines with large windows, stone floors and ornate tilework.

Further evidence of Kobe's design excellence is the arrival of French perfume and skincare brand Official Universe Buly In mid-2023, the interiors of its stores and cafes feature layers of sparkling style—from red-veined marble-inspired Kobe beef spaces to chocolate-like lacquer and “dripping” lamps.

Officine Universal Poly Store in Kobe

The latest plans I have made Trunk , which can be said to be a set Most popular hotels in Tokyo Making Kobe the site of its first hotel outside the capital is further evidence of the city's popularity.

Moreover, it will be reopened. Kobe Port Tower – A panoramic observation deck on the shores of Osaka Bay – in early 2024 with a series of new facilities, including a new museum displaying light-themed artworks and a luxurious 360-degree revolving café-bar.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Okavango Delta

If you have always dreamed of discovering the Okavango Delta in Botswana As seasonal floodwaters turn dry sand into a series of sparkling channels, now is the time to take your pick.

The surge in demand, coupled with a proactive approach to developing community-owned franchises, has resulted in new hotels emerging across the world's largest inland delta.

Let's take for example Sitatunga Private Island , or Northern Okavango Island A Natural Selection property, just three suites are set on an island beneath wild ebony trees. In partnership with the local Batawana tribal chief in the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, eight thatched suites will be set amidst the grasslands lining the perennial Gomoti River. Each residence is at least 1,000 square feet and includes a private plunge pool and terrace.

Sitatunga Private Island

If you're feeling adventurous, look east to the untapped swamps of Mababe and take the opportunity to camp at Mokiti for a fresh take on wildlife exploration and accommodation in contemporary décor, plush campaign-style furnishings, geometric lines and shapes.

Madagascar – The Jewel Waiting to be Discovered in 2024

An otherworldly land filled with undiscovered species and exotic biological riches, the rugged and remote Indian Ocean island of Madagascar has always promised to thrill visitors' senses and logistical prowess.

Make sure to stay at the Namoroka Tsingy Exploration Camp inside Namoroka National Park which will be your gateway to a landscape of baobab trees protruding from the limestone knife formations known as Tsingy and inhabited by lemurs who have not learned to fear people.

Namoroka National Park

Additionally, you can join a paddle in Antongel Bay, filled with rainforest and mangroves, where kayakers will share the crystal clear waters with migrating humpback whales and their schools of reef fish on their way to the magical island campsite.

Antongel Bay

Finally, 2024 will see an expansion of access to more isolated areas of Madagascar such as the Red Island, Andasibe, Namoroka and Masoala parks.

She was Mongolia It has long been a destination for travelers seeking adventure and excitement. Participants in the Mongol Rally  The wonderfully chaotic. But the country is expanding beyond that, with the tourism board aiming to attract a million tourists a year. In 2023, the country is launching visa-free travel for 34 more nationalities, bringing the total to 61 – in a campaign set to run until 2025.

Mongol Rally

The launch of new luxury lodges, cultural tours, and many events also indicate Mongolia's tourism ambitions.

After the success of the Three Camel Lodge Rugged and elegant. Luxury accommodation options in Mongolia are expanding to include places like Yeruu Lodge , which is set to open in 2023.

Three Camel Lodge Hotel

Unconventional cultural experiences are one of the most compelling reasons to visit the country’s vast, rugged expanses. The local operator offers Breanna Wilson Some of the best. After a successful season of horseback riding and the Naadam Festival – a colorful display of strength, horsemanship and archery – in 2023, Wilson is expanding her 2024 tours to include a Digital Nomad Week, a women-only retreat in the Orkhon Valley, and a three-day archery training course.

Naadam Festival in Mongolia

Quito, Ecuador – One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024

Quito - Ecuador

This city is finally getting its due. Its mile-high skyline just got a whole lot taller thanks to the work of architects like Bjarke Ingels Group. The 32-story IQON Tower (completed in 2022) is now the tallest in the city. It’s just one of several upcoming projects from the Ecuadorian developer Oribe Schwarzkopf. As part of its ongoing efforts to develop the ancient Andean city and transform it into an unexpected new center for contemporary architecture.

IQON Tower - Quito

This is no small feat considering that Quito stands on the ruins of a pre-Columbian settlement, a high plateau prone to earthquakes and rests on an untouchable colonial center that has been classified as a UNESCO .

But a new generation of Ecuadorian and international creatives is pushing the city into the future—and not just for visitors.

To move things in that direction, a brand new metro system is set to open in late 2023. With 15 stations stretching from Quitumbi in the southern part of the city to El Labrador in the north. New hotels have been slower to arrive, but one of the highlights is Go Quito Hotel The affordable, 151-room property, set to open in June 2023, features a rooftop restaurant, spa, sauna, pool and airy rooms with unbeatable city views.

Moreover, Quito’s dining scene is finally starting to catch up with its neighbor Lima in terms of culinary prowess, with several new restaurants opening up offering popular dishes.

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile – A Strange and Fun Travel Experience in 2024

San Pedro de Atacama Village

With its dusty bronze roads and handcrafted mud-brick dwellings, the oldest village in Chile Adventurers have been drawn to the city for decades. But now, the vibrant oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is taking the spotlight as Chile’s North Star. With a diverse group of travelers eager to experience its rugged, elegant atmosphere. After all, this heavenly city is a haven of geographical wonders. With snow-capped volcanic mountains in the world’s driest non-polar region. High-altitude lagoons dotting the Andean desert, and dazzling salt flats.

Under the clearest skies on the planet, backyard astronomers can explore the universe in Stargazing Tours Ethereal. Observatory ALMA , located at an altitude of 16,000 feet, offers expert-led interstellar experiences. But perhaps the most unusual journey will be through the harsh and serene environment of the moon. In the Valley of the Moon .

ALMA Observatory

Santa Fe, USA – An Exciting Travel Experience in 2024

Santa Fe - United States

This new Mexican capital has held its own for centuries. One of the oldest cities in the country, it is famous for its adobe architecture and renowned art institutions (including the Museo Georgia O'Keeffe ), and the vibrant mix of Native American, Mexican and Spanish cultures.

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

In addition, many new arts and cultural programs with a focus on indigenous efforts make 2024 a great year to visit this city.

South Island, New Zealand – One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024

South Island - New Zealand

With its lush rainforests and aquamarine lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the South Island is New Zealand Drowning in superlatives.

Also in October 2024, it will become Tuatapere Hump Ridge Trail which At 38 miles long, it is New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk. Offering panoramic views of Fiordland, it features mountaintop accommodations, such as Okaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge, which offer amenities not always found on other Great Walks, including hot showers, king-size beds and even a helicopter transfer of luggage.

Additionally, in Queenstown, the nine-mile Wharehuanui Trail – due to open in late 2024 – will connect the 19th-century gold mining town of Arrowtown to the suburb of Arthur’s Point. All of this makes this island one of the best places to travel in 2024.

Wharehuanui Trail