Unbeatable combinations of natural beauty, safety, hospitality, and culture.
Amina DialloGlobal Travel & Nature Editor
Winner
Japan
Overview
If you could only visit seven countries in a lifetime, these should be top of your list. Evaluated across diversity of landscapes, safety index, food scene, hospitality, and infrastructure.
Winner spotlight
№1Japan offers the most seamless, fascinating travel experience on Earth. From Shinkansen bullet trains to ancient mountain shrines, pristine ski slopes, and unmatched culinary standards at every price point.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 Japan Bullet Trains · 47 Prefectures | #2 Italy 59 UNESCO Sites | #3 New Zealand North & South Islands | #4 Switzerland Alpine Heartland | #5 Costa Rica 5% of Global Biodiversity | #6 Iceland Land of Fire & Ice | #7 Peru Inca Heartland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.9 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Scenery | Iconic | Stunning | Beautiful | Lovely | Charming | Nice | Nice |
| Crowd level | Manageable | Moderate | Busy | Busy | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet |
| Food scene | World-class | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Best season | Spring | Autumn | Spring | Autumn | Summer | Spring | Autumn |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1Safety, bullet train speed, ancient temples, and culinary perfection.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
2Tuscan hills, Venetian canals, Amalfi coasts, and regional regional food.
Food, art & heritageWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Fjords, glaciers, Maori culture, and Lord of the Rings landscapes.
Outdoor adventureWhy buy
Keep in mind
4Pristine mountain trains, mirror lakes, and fairytale alpine villages.
Alpine scenery & transitWhy buy
Keep in mind
5Pura Vida lifestyle, rainforest canopy ziplines, and eco-lodges.
Ecotourism & wildlifeWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Volcanoes, blue glacial lagoons, black sand beaches, and auroras.
Geothermal wildernessWhy buy
Keep in mind
7Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Amazon rainforest, and Lima gastronomy.
Ancient wonders & cuisineWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | Japan | Italy | New Zealand | Switzerland | Costa Rica | Iceland | Peru |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible by train | |||||||
| Budget friendly | |||||||
| Hidden gems | |||||||
| Photogenic | |||||||
| Family friendly | |||||||
| Local food scene | |||||||
| Guided tours | |||||||
| Quiet escape |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every destination was visited in person by our editors, in season, for a minimum of three days. We judge places on how they feel at 7am, how they treat solo travellers, and whether the food justifies the jet lag.
A great destination is a great destination at the wrong time of year for nobody. Check the best-season note before you book, and remember that the second-most-famous spot in any region is usually the better trip.
The winner of our The 7 Best Countries to Visit in Your Lifetime ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
We don't pretend to be objective — we're transparent. Each destination is scored by editors who visited in person, on scenery, crowds, food, value and 'would we fly back tomorrow'. The score is an average of those five.
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