Canada doesn’t often show up on the big “best countries” travel lists, so its spot on this year’s Condé Nast Traveller ranking got attention. Almost 800,000 people weighed in, and Canada was named one of the 20 best countries in the world in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.[1] The publication says its rare appearance comes down to safety and a “huge backpack of outdoor activities.”[1]
Below is the full top 20, counted down from 20 to 1, with a few words on why each country earns its place. Keep in mind that this is a readers’ vote, not a scientific measurement. Scores were based on ratings submitted between April 1 and June 30, 2026.[1] That makes it a snapshot of traveller sentiment, and a fun one.
20. Canada: The Outdoors Earn A Last Seat At The Table
Canada took the 20th position with an overall score of 88.97.[2] Condé Nast Traveller pointed to the picturesque vistas of the Rockies and the landscapes of British Columbia and Newfoundland.[1] The magazine wrote that few countries can match Canada for sheer variety.[1] Last place on a list of 20 is still a win when you’re sharing it with the world’s greatest destinations.
Other studies back up the outdoor angle. A TouchNote study ranked Canada the best country in the world for hiking in 2026.[3] Kuhl’s Global Outdoor Destinations Index ranked Canada 14th globally for adventure opportunities, with more than 1,280 documented outdoor activities.[4] Not every measure is flattering, though. In U.S. News’ 2026 Best Countries ranking, Canada placed 19th overall but only 63rd for Natural Environment.[5] That category measures environmental protection efforts, not scenery.
19. Qatar: A Small Country With A Big Stage
Qatar sits just ahead of Canada, which tells you how tight the bottom of this list is. The country hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and it has spent years building up its image as a polished, modern destination. Doha’s skyline is a big part of that pitch.
Culture is the other draw. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M. Pei, opened in Doha in 2008, and Souq Waqif offers a more traditional market atmosphere. It’s a very different kind of trip from Canada’s wilderness, and readers clearly liked it.
18. France: Reliable Charm, Every Region
France is regularly counted among the most visited countries on Earth. Paris covers the big icons, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower. Beyond the capital, the country stretches from the Alps to the Riviera to Brittany’s rugged coast.
Food and wine are a huge part of the appeal. Regional cooking changes noticeably as you cross the country, so a road trip becomes a tasting tour. That depth is probably why France keeps landing on lists like this one.
17. India: Overwhelming In The Best Sense
India is a country you can’t take in on a single trip. The Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century, remains one of the most recognizable buildings anywhere. Rajasthan’s palaces, Kerala’s backwaters and the Himalayan foothills offer completely different moods.
Travellers often describe the experience as intense, and that intensity is part of the draw. Food varies sharply from state to state, which gives repeat visitors plenty to chase. Its place in the top 20 suggests readers value that scale.
16. Cambodia: Angkor And Much More
Angkor Wat is the headline act. The temple complex was built in the 12th century, and the surrounding Angkor area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Sunrise over the towers is a classic travel moment for good reason.
Cambodia offers more than temples. Tonlé Sap lake supports floating villages, and the coast and islands are growing in popularity. It’s a smaller country than many on this list, which makes its showing impressive.
15. New Zealand: Landscapes That Look Staged
New Zealand is Canada’s closest rival when it comes to wild scenery. Fiordland and Milford Sound deliver dramatic mountains and water in a compact area. In the TouchNote hiking ranking, New Zealand came seventh.[3]
On the broader outdoor measure, it did better. Kuhl’s outdoor index placed New Zealand third in the world.[4] Its position just above Canada in the readers’ poll matches that overlap between the two countries’ strengths.
14. Vietnam: Long, Lively And Easy To Love
Vietnam stretches along the coast of Southeast Asia, so a trip can run from Hanoi’s old quarter to the lanterns of Hoi An. Ha Long Bay, with its limestone islands, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Street food is a major reason people come.
The country suits slow, flexible travel, whether by train, motorbike or bus. Prices have traditionally been friendly for visitors. That mix of scenery, flavour and value helps explain a solid mid-table finish.
13. Norway: Fjords And Northern Lights
Norway’s fjords are the natural highlight. The West Norwegian Fjords, including Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, are listed by UNESCO. Hiking, kayaking and coastal ferry trips are all popular ways to see them.
The country also has a strong outdoor reputation in the wider data. Norway came fifth in the TouchNote hiking study.[3] Winter visitors often travel north in hopes of seeing the aurora, which adds another seasonal draw.
12. Spain: Culture, Beaches And Late Dinners
Spain packs a lot into one country. Barcelona has Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Granada has the Alhambra, and the Camino de Santiago draws walkers from across the globe. Beaches on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts round out the offer.
Social life is half the experience. Tapas, late dinners and lively plazas give Spain a relaxed rhythm that many visitors find addictive. It remains one of Europe’s most visited countries.
11. South Africa: Safari, Coast And Wine
South Africa offers an unusual combination. Table Mountain towers over Cape Town, and Kruger National Park provides one of Africa’s best-known safari experiences. The winelands nearby add a very different, relaxed side.
The country also has a long coastline with whale watching and surf spots. Travellers can combine city, wildlife and scenery in one trip. That versatility keeps it in the top half of the list.
10. Thailand: Beaches, Temples And Street Food
Thailand rounds out the top 10. Readers placed it tenth, alongside Kenya, Indonesia, Croatia, Costa Rica, Portugal and Turkey in the top ten.[6] Bangkok’s markets and temples sit comfortably alongside southern islands and northern mountain towns like Chiang Mai.
Food is a large part of the story. Street stalls and night markets make eating well affordable and fun. Thailand has long been a gateway destination for first-time Asia travellers, and this result shows it still delivers.
9. Kenya: Safari At Its Most Iconic
Kenya is synonymous with safari. The Maasai Mara is famous for wildlife, and the wildebeest migration, which typically peaks between July and October, is a bucket-list sight. Amboseli National Park is known for elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
Beyond the parks, Kenya has coastal beaches near Mombasa and Diani. A ninth-place finish shows that wildlife travel still inspires readers. It’s the outdoors, again, doing the heavy lifting.
8. Indonesia: An Archipelago Of Choices
Indonesia is made up of roughly 17,000 islands, so variety is built in. Bali is the best known, but Komodo National Park, Java’s volcanoes and Raja Ampat’s reefs offer very different experiences. Diving and surfing fans have plenty to choose from.
Culture varies from island to island, too. That means a repeat trip rarely feels like a repeat. Eighth place seems fair for a country with this much range.
7. Croatia: The Adriatic Done Right
Croatia’s coast is the main attraction, with more than a thousand islands scattered along the Adriatic. Dubrovnik’s city walls are a highlight, and Plitvice Lakes National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Sailing and island hopping are popular in summer.
It’s a compact country, which makes it easy to cover a lot in a week or two. Seafood, local wine and walkable old towns add to the appeal. Seventh place reflects how far Croatia has come as a travel brand.
6. Costa Rica: Nature As A National Identity
Costa Rica built its reputation on rainforests, volcanoes and wildlife. Cloud forests, sloths and beaches on two coasts make it a favourite for eco-minded travellers. The country abolished its army in 1948, which is part of its peaceful image.
Like Canada, it wins readers with the outdoors. Zip lines, surf lessons and wildlife spotting give it an active feel. Sixth place is a strong result for a country of its size.
5. Portugal: Easy To Like
Portugal scored just under 95 points, fifth overall. Portugal came in with a score of 94.64, just behind Türkiye.[7] Lisbon’s hills, Porto’s riverfront and the Douro Valley’s vineyards all contribute.
The Algarve coast gives beach lovers plenty to enjoy as well. Food is another strength, from grilled fish to custard tarts. In the food category, the Greek coverage notes Portugal sits close behind the leaders, which fits the picture.
4. Türkiye: Where Continents Meet
Türkiye took fourth place. Its score was 94.90, just ahead of Portugal.[7] Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, with the Hagia Sophia and the Bosphorus as anchors.
Cappadocia’s rock formations and hot air balloons are among the most photographed scenes in travel. The Turquoise Coast adds beaches and ancient ruins. That range explains why Türkiye finished ahead of several long-time favourites.
3. Italy: Food, Art And Everything In Between
Italy scored just under 96.5 points. It ranked third behind Greece and Japan, with a score of 96.48.[6] Rome, Florence and Venice anchor classic itineraries, and the country holds one of the world’s largest collections of UNESCO sites.
Food is Italy’s trump card. Italy topped the best countries for food category with 96.92, just ahead of Greece.[6] The Dolomites and Amalfi Coast show it has plenty of scenery to match.
2. Japan: A Perennial Favourite
Japan scored a little over 97. It held the title in 2024, before Greece overtook it.[6] Kyoto’s temples, Tokyo’s energy and Mount Fuji give first-timers plenty to see.
Cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves draw seasonal crowds. Trains, food and hospitality all rate highly with travellers. Few countries combine tradition and modernity so smoothly.
1. Greece: The Readers’ Favourite
Greece was voted the best country in the world by UK readers of Condé Nast Traveller, with a score of 98.14.[6] The magazine highlighted islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.[8] Athens also got a mention as a city worth more time.
More visitors are now venturing to lesser known islands, including Paros, Hydra, Ios and Tinos.[6] Hydra even ranked first among European islands in the magazine’s separate island rankings.[9] Food, beaches and hospitality made Greece the clear winner this year.
Canada’s place on this list is a modest one, but it says something. Reader scores reward food, history and beaches, and Canada broke in on the strength of mountains, coasts and trails. The result isn’t a verdict on the country’s overall performance, since U.S. News’ 2026 edition used a redesigned, data driven methodology[5] and tells a different story.
Still, if the outdoors is what got Canada through the door, that seems like a pretty good reason to be on the list. Sometimes a country doesn’t need to be first to be unforgettable.
