The 21 Best Places to Travel in 2020

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I can hardly believe that 2019 is over! It barely seems like yesterday that we were welcoming in the year! It’s gone so fast! So, how much have you crossed off your 2019 bucket list? For me, it’s been a truly great year with some wonderful adventures. Recently I’ve been looking at the best places to travel in 2020.

Have you been thinking the same thing? Well, if you’re curious about the prettiest cities to explore, the tallest mountains to climb or the bluest oceans to swim in, then look no further! Here’s a list of the most exciting countries to visit and the best places to travel in 2020. 

21 best places to travel in 2020

Laos 

Distinctly underrated compared to other places in Asia, Laos is definitely worth a visit in 2020. The landlocked country between Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia does lack the stunning beaches of these other Asian countries. However, what it lacks in ocean views, it makes up for in beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Luang Prabang is a gorgeous city that will celebrate 25 years as a UNESCO site in 2020.

The city sits in a valley near the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and is known for its many beautiful Buddhist temples including the ornate 16^th century Wat Xieng Thong and the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang.

You can also find some amazing hiking opportunities, such as the peaks of Mount Phousi and watch incredible sunsets over the city. 

Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka is another country that’s grown dramatically in popularity over the recent years and it’s easy to see why! The Asian island is located just off the southern tip of India and is just packed full of beautiful sights and incredibly rich culture.

Visit the Royal Palace of Kandy and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Explore the tea and hill country, and the stunning national parks; see leopards, elephants, or visit a turtle hatchery! You can also take the traditional Sri Lankan train ride through the rainforest! All of this makes this island a perfectly balanced trip and one of the best places to travel in 2020. 

Giza, Egypt 

With the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza is well worth a visit in 2020. It will be the second-largest museum on the planet and dedicated to what has to be one of the most fascinating cultures and histories of all time.

Egypt is home to some of the greatest monuments and structures in the world including the only remaining Ancient Wonder of the World, the Pyramids of Giza.

Whilst in Egypt, be sure to visit captivating Cairo, Alexandria, the splendid Temples of Luxor and also take a trip to Abu Simbel for a more secluded visit to one of the glorious Egyptian masterpieces.  

Pula, Croatia 

Since the Games of Thrones series, Croatia has exploded onto the map as a top tourist destination. However, the vast majority of people head to Dubrovnik where the series was filmed or the neighbouring Split for its beautiful palaces, cathedrals and harbours.

The more northern region of Pula gets a lot less attention which results in less tourism and much more natural beauty.

Pula is home to the 6^th largest amphitheatre in the world; it could almost rival Rome’s Colosseum itself! As well as fascinating Roman ruins, Pula also has a protected harbour and some stunning beaches. It’s just perfect for a European escape in 2020. 

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Most definitely another of the underrated places to visit in Europe, Mostar is located in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostly known for its famous 16^th century Stari Most bridge, the city is exactly what you’d expect for a European old town.

However, Mostar was partially destroyed during the Bosnian War which ended in 1995. The city still shows scars from the past with newly renovated apartments standing proud next to fallen comrades.

Wander around the old city and you’ll find shops, market stalls and the Old Bridge Museum which digs into the country’s interesting history. 

Tokyo, Japan 

This gorgeous city has been increasingly popular for a while now. With cherry blossom season in April, incredible temples and shrines and Tokyo’s every popular street scene, Japan is a wonderful destination to travel.

Whilst in Japan, you also absolutely must visit Kyoto, Osaka and the lesser-known Tohoku, Japans hidden gem. Less than 3 hours by train from the capital, this region has beautiful forests, gorgeous wintery ski resorts, crater lakes and local festivals.

This should definitely be on your Japan bucket list and one of the best places to travel in 2020. 

Galway, Ireland 

Ireland is another destination that’s been steadily growing in popularity over the recent years. The total opposite side of the island to Dublin, Galway is a harbour city that sits where the River Corrib merges into the Atlantic Ocean.

Wander down Quay Street lined with colourful buildings and explore traditional shops, boutiques and pubs selling Guinness and featuring live Irish folk music. Visit the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter for art galleries and cute cafés.

Whilst in Galway, be sure to visit the Galway Cathedral, Dunguaire Castle, the most photogenic castle in Ireland and the famous Eyre Square. 

Tasmania, Australia 

Australia is a country that’s been on my bucket list for years! Tasmania is a little island off the country’s southern coast and boasts some absolutely gorgeous landscapes.

Perfect for explorers there are some stunning national parks like Tasman and Freycinet National Park. There’s also great hiking opportunities like Cradle Mountain and Mount Wellington.

Begin your adventures in Hobart, the island’s capital where you can also explore museums and the antiques and boutiques at the historic sandstone warehouses at Salamanca Palace. 

Izmir, Turkey 

After the issues Turkey had a few years back, it’s rise back to popularity has been a slow one. Nevertheless, this very underrated European country is certainly one of the best places to travel in 2020. Turkey is one of the most diverse and interesting countries in the world.

Home to Istanbul, the only city to straddle two continents and the biggest city in Europe, it’s sure to blow you away. I recommend spending a few days in Istanbul and then heading south to Izmir.

Founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great, Izmir lies on Turkey’s Aegean coast and is a magnitude of archaeological sites.

It’s also just a short trip to Ephesus, one of Turkeys most incredible sites and best-preserved ancient Greek monuments. Also be sure to visit Izmir clocktower, the Agora Open Air Museum, and Konak Square. 

Guatemala 

This Central American country is just under Mexico and bordering Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Full of history and even more stunning natural sights, the country is perfect for explorers. You can visit Mayan temples, volcanoes and lakes formed by ancient volcanic craters.

You can also watch a volcano erupting! Volcan Fuego usually erupts every hour and a popular trip from Antigua is to hike up the neighbouring volcano to watch it erupt!

Furthermore, the capital, Guatemala City is home to the National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. 

Paros, Greece 

All of Greece is beautiful. That goes without saying but there are definitely some islands that are more explored and touristy than others. Paros is one of those less explored islands.

Located in the Aegean Sea, it is best known for its traditional whitewashed buildings and sublime white sand beaches.

Visit the ‘Church of 100 Doors’ in Parikia, the gorgeous village of Lefkes with its bright blue doors and explore pretty harbours and ports. You can also take a boat trip from Paros to some of the other Greek islands, like Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos.

I like to use GetYourGuide to arrange tours like this as they usually have great prices. You can also try Ferryhopper and plan your own routes. 

Malta 

Malta is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. A tiny island between Sicily and Africa, Malta is a gorgeous sunny European country. It’s packed full of culture despite its tiny size.

It’s one of the best places in Europe to scuba dive, so if you’re a fan of underwater adventures, Malta is definitely for you! It’s also had a super interesting history and has been ruled by the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British!

This has also led to a vast number of churches (313 to be exact!) and wonderful historic sites. For example, the gorgeous Mosta Dome which miraculously survived WW11 and is older than the Pyramids of Giza!

If you decide to visit Malta, be sure to visit the Blue Lagoon, the beautiful Fort St. Elmo, St John’s Cathedral and the stunning Ggantija Temples. 

Arizona, USA 

Stunning as always, the Grand Canyon in Arizona is a natural wonder that should be on everybody’s bucket list.

But as well as America’s most popular natural attraction, Arizona is also home to Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, Monument Valley, the stunning red mountains of Sedona, Hoover Dam, the incredible Antelope Canyon and the ghost town of Jerome.

It’s safe to say that Arizona’s list of natural wonders is pretty astounding and is definitely worth adding to the best places to travel in 2020. 

Parma, Italy 

Italy is another country that’s fast becoming one of the most popular tourist spots in the world. With their delicious and world popular cuisine, incredible history, Wonder or the World and sublime beaches, Italy should easily make it onto any travellers list!

However, in 2020, why not try somewhere a little less touristy?

A University city in Northern Italy, Parma has a great collection of beautiful buildings. This includes the Parma Cathedral, the Parma Baptistery, and the Church of St John the Evangelist. You can also find the most beautiful wooden theatre that still stands today!

Perfect for a weekend break, Parma will be loved by anyone who enjoys country walks, museums and galleries and Italy’s incredible architecture! 

Kerala, India 

India is such a fascinating country and home to some of the most incredible sights. It is also everything you’d expect it to be: dusty, chaotic and loud! But the country does have a certain charm and you can easily fall in love with it, despite the madness!

Kerala is a southern state on India’s tropical Malabar Coast and encompasses nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline.

Names one of the 10 paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveller, it’s known for its palm-lined beaches, tea, coffee and spice plantations, canal networks, and beautiful National Parks home to elephants, langur, monkeys and tigers. 

Israel 

Israel is blossoming into a traveller hotspot and it’s easy to see why!

With Tel Aviv’s gorgeous beaches and seaside resorts, it’s bound to be popular with holiday-makers. However, with Old Arab Ports like Jaffa, Roman amphitheatres, the ancient religious cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem and the stunning Dead Sea to explore, it’s certainly not a country to be overlooked.

Packed with everything for the perfect Middle-Eastern escape, Israel is definitely one of the best places to travel in 2020.

Morocco 

Morocco is also blooming and its capital, Marrakesh has been named the cultural capital of Africa.

It’s not hard to see why! Buzzing with activity, fragrant spice markets and raids, the country is a colourful heaven for city lovers and desert explorers alike.

From the mosques of Casablanca to the gorgeous Ouzoud Waterfall; the Gorge of Dades and the Blue Village of Chefchaouen, Morocco is a fascinating country to visit. Be sure to try some of their tasty tagine while you’re there! 

Copenhagen 

Copenhagen is a great destination in Northern Europe and hardly needs to persuade people to come and visit!

With the cute pastel-coloured buildings that line the New Harbour, the Christiansborg Palace, famous Tivoli Gardens, long summer days and scrumptious Danish cuisine, there’s a lot to love in Copenhagen.

Plus, they’ve recently extended their railway to make it much more tourist-friendly. Now some of the lesser accessible areas like the Frederiksberg neighbourhood and industrial Nordhavn waterfront are much easier to reach. So, even more reason to come and visit the Scandinavian city!

Dubai 

The glistening city is going all out in 2020 with the opening of the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, an event that’s sure to go down in history.

Dubai has put out all the stops and is virtually building an entirely new city! This is to welcome the 25 million guests expected when the 6-month long event opens in October.

The site they’ve built for the Expo has cost billions and will be double the size of Hong Kong!

If that’s not enough, Dubai is also evolving its desert scene with Aladdin’s City, a trio of towers that will resemble a magic lamp when completed. The Museum of the Future is also taking shape and will contain 8.7 miles of LED lights when completed!  

Brazil 

Brazil is another country that’s really opened itself up to tourism in 2019.

It’s scrapped its Visa entry for U.S. citizens and improved flights routes mean easier connections between major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

If you’re thinking of heading to Brazil, be sure to take a trip up Sugarloaf Mountain, see the breath-taking Iguaçu Falls and visit Copacabana beach. Also hike to Christ the Redeemer, one of the Wonders of the World, and even visit the Amazon rainforest! 

Armenia 

Becoming one of the world’s most talked-about destinations, Armenia is also really beginning to let people in.

Ryanair will be releasing flights to Armenia in 2020 and will be the first budget airline to serve the country. This on its own will make it a lot more accessible for people around the world. The mountainous Caucasus region is tucked between Europe and Asia and has some incredible places to explore.

Yerevan is a great place for anyone looking to explore Armenia to begin; the ‘pink city’ is tinged with salmon coloured stone buildings. Also visit Lake Sevan, the beautiful Noravank Monastery, the 7th-century Amberd Fortress, the World Heritage site of Upper Azat Valley and the gorgeous Dilijan national park.  

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