This Country Was Just Named the Most Beautiful in the World

If you’re looking for your next vacation to be a full Zoolander experience — you know, one where everything is really, really… really ridiculously good looking — Rough Guides has a few places for you to see. 

In May, the website that helps travelers create bespoke vacation experiences unveiled its list of the most beautiful countries on Earth. However, it wasn’t just their own opinions, as the list was voted on by its travelers and readers just like you.

After all the votes were tallied, New Zealand was named the top-ranking spot, a destination famous for having more sheep than people and a nation where you’re never more than 90 miles from a beach.

“New Zealand’s ‘amazing scenery’ had a big impact on you,” the team shared in the findings. “The same goes for the ‘diversity of landscapes’ in New Zealand, especially the ‘contrast in scenery between the mountains and beaches.'”

The findings also noted the nation’s plentiful outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to kayaking with whales, road-tripping through the mountains, lounging on its beaches, and exploring its fantastic protected spaces like the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Of course, there are plenty of cultural experiences to be had as well, particularly in its cities, where travelers can visit spots like the Auckland Museum or the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. (If you need more advice on how to experience the best of the best that New Zealand has to offer, read Travel + Leisure‘s guide to the nation here.) 

Joining New Zealand in the top spots are Italy, which came in second this year, dropping from the top spot in 2023, followed by Canada, Switzerland, and France rounding out the top five. The United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, Greece, and South Africa rounded out the top 10, showcasing just how geographically diverse the world’s beauty can really be. 

Not to be outdone, the United States came in at the No. 11 spot, thanks to the boundless beauty of the nation’s fantastic national parks.

“Getting into the wilderness is one way of seeing a range of landscapes (and incredible wildlife). Don’t miss out on highlights like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone national parks,” the website noted in the results. However, it added that America’s beautiful beaches are not to be missed either, including the sandy beaches up and down the Pacific Coast, the azure waters off Florida, and the craggy shores around New England.

Want to see more of the world’s most beautiful places? Find the full list at roughguides.com.