World’s Top 50 Destinations for 2024
Lonely Planet has published its top destinations for the upcoming year with the release of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024. This is the brand’s 50th anniversary, offering an expanded list of 50 must-visit destinations from all around the globe.
Lonely Planet has ranked its top destinations of 2024 across five key categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations, and best value locations. Each category features 10 destinations chosen for their topicality, unique experiences, ‘wow’ factor and ongoing commitment to sustainability and community.
Mongolia, which has been named top country, is recognized for its wide-open spaces, adventure activities, and distinctive culinary and musical culture. The top city, Nairobi, was chosen for its unique rhythms, impressive array of locally-inspired restaurants, and steady rotation of arts and culture venues. With its efforts to boost off-season travel, expand renewable energy, and bring tourism to previously overlooked destinations, Spain is recognized as the top sustainable travel destination. The Midwest, one of the USA’s most underrated regions with bustling cities and incredible food scenes, takes first prize in the best value category.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024 delivers new takes on popular destinations such as Tuscany, Italy and Mexico, and unearths some lesser-known gems like Uzbekistan, Donegal, Ireland and Izmir. Also bouncing back strongly from the 2020 bushfires is Kangaroo Island, which remains one of South Australia’s great ecotourism destinations. Patagonia, Ecuador and the Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycle Route, an eight-country route, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are amongst those which provide more responsible ways to connect with nature. The popular sun kissed country of Croatia is highlighted as it’s now easier to explore with the opening of the Peljesac Bridge shining a spotlight on the previously overlooked Peljesac Peninsula and a new highway making it possible to travel directly between Split and Dubrovnik.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024
Here are the top ten destination for each of the five categories:
| COUNTRY | REGION | CITY | SUSTAINABLE | VALUE |
| Mongolia | Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route | Nairobi, Kenya | Spain | The Midwest, USA |
| India | Kangaroo Island, South Australia | Paris, France | Patagonia, Argentina & Chile | Poland |
| Morocco | Tuscany, Italy | Montreal, Canada | Greenland | Nicaragua |
| Chile | Donegal, Ireland | Mostar, Bosnia | Wales’ trails |
Danube Limes, Bulgaria
|
| Benin | País Vasco, Spain | Philadelphia, USA | The Portuguese Way / Caminho Português de Santiago | Normandy, France |
| Mexico | Southern Thailand | Manaus, Brazil | Palau | Egypt |
| Uzbekistan | Swahili Coast, Tanzania | Jakarta, Indonesia | Hokkaido, Japan | Ikaria, Greece |
| Pakistan | Montana, USA | Prague, The Czech Republic | Ecuador | Algeria |
| Croatia | Saalfelden Leogang, Austria | Izmir, Turkey | Baltic Trails of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania |
Southern Lakes & Central Otago, New Zealand
|
| St Lucia | Far North Scotland | Kansas City, Missouri | Eco-lodges in South Africa | Night trains, Europe |
For more information on Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2024, please visit: lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.
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