There’s no denying that every country has some spectacular places worth a visit. But it’s also true that some countries are blessed with more of such places than other countries. So, what are the most beautiful countries in the world? You can learn about ten of them below.
List of Most Beautiful Countries in the World
1. Scotland
Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, Scotland has an area of merely 30,090 square miles, where nearly 5.5 million people reside. But there’s so much exquisiteness within its small territory that it tops the list of the most beautiful countries on the face of the planet.
The natural beauties of Scotland include its ragged hills, its wild beaches, its heathered highlands, and its deep lochs or lakes. Its cities, such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, are feasts for the eyes as well. The craggy castles you’ll find in this country are nothing short of picturesque.
2. Canada
With an area more than 125 times greater than that of Scotland, Canada claims the second most beautiful country. Forests, mountains and lakes make up more than half of the territory of the country where nearly 38 million people live.
You’ll need a lifetime of vacations to explore all the beauties of Canada. The spellbinding Niagara Falls, the exotic Tofino beach, and the idyllic Banff National Park are just a few notable places within its vast wilderness. The French influence in Quebec and the old-world charm of Montreal are there to mesmerize those who admire man-made beauties.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand ranks third among the most beautiful countries in the world. Home to nearly 5 million people, the Oceanian nation is around 37 times smaller than Canada, consisting primarily of two islands. The diversity of landscape from the country’s North Island to its South Island, as well as the diversity of its people, are truly amazing.
In New Zealand, you’ll find rolling green hills, sharp snowy mountains, and breathtaking active volcanoes and geysers. On top of that, there are mountainous fjords, turquoise lakes, and 9,000-plus miles of windswept shores.
4. Italy
Italy is cherished all around the world for its cuisine and fashion sense. Many people visit, or at least wish to visit, this country for either of those two things. But there’s a lot more to love within its territory of 116,350 square miles in south-central Europe, which is why it ranks fourth among the world’s most stunning countries.
Culture, community, and history – the cities, towns and villages of Italy have it all. And for nature lovers, the country has majestic mountains in Trentino, sparkling coast in Amalfi, serene Lake Como in Lombardy, and rolling vineyards in Chianti.
5. South Africa
The southernmost country in Africa is the fifth-most beautiful country on Earth. Home to over 58 million people, South Africa has an area of 471,445 square miles. Of course, the biggest attraction in this country is its wildlife. It is one of the 13 African countries where you can find each of the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and Cape buffalos.
However, what separates South Africa from the other countries is that it is the only country in the continent where you can penguins as well. Moreover, the country is home to long blond beaches, hike-worthy mountains, and gushing waterfalls.
6. Indonesia
Indonesia is a Southeast Asian nation with more than 17,500 islands covering 735,358 square miles. Its population is around 267 million, which includes people from more than 600 ethnic groups speaking over 700 languages.
In addition to being an ethnically and linguistically diverse nation, Indonesia boasts one of the world’s highest levels of biodiversity. Some of the animals that are endemic to its jungles are the Sumatran tigers, the Borneo and Sumatran orangutans, the Komodo dragons, and the Javan and Sumatran rhinoceroses. Plus, you’ll find a bunch of world-class beaches and thousands of volcanic islands in this country.
7. England
With an area of 50,301 square miles and a population of more than 55 million, England is the largest country in the British Isles. This country claims the seventh spot among the world’s most beautiful countries.
There’s no shortage of fascinating historic sites in the country that once built the largest empire the world has ever seen. Some of those sites are the Stonehenge, the Tower of London, the Corfe Castle, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, and the British Museum. Among England’s natural beauties, the Lake District, the Jurassic Coast, and the Seven Sisters are the most notable ones.
8. Iceland
Iceland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the world, with less than 370,000 people residing in an area of 39,682 square miles. In this Nordic island country, you’ll find some of the most iconic geysers and hot springs of the world. One of them is the Geysir, which is the oldest geyser known to humans, while another one is Strokkur, which keeps erupting in every eight to ten minutes.
Iceland is also a country where you can witness the elusive northern lights. Plus, the country is home to the mesmerizing waterfall of Gullfoss, as well as a bunch of volcanic mountains, black sand beaches and fjords. All that makes Iceland the world’s eighth-most gorgeous country.
9. United States of America
For decades, the United States of America has been one of the political and economic powerhouses of the world. It’s also home to Hollywood, the world’s most influential movie industry. But in addition to all that, this North American country has a lot for the eyes to feast on.
From snowy mountains to scorching deserts, from gorgeous beaches to historic landmarks, from vibrant cities to miles of open highways, there’s something for everyone within its massive territory of 3,796,742 square miles.
10. Wales
Wales is yet another country belonging to the United Kingdom to claim a spot among the most beautiful countries in the world. Home to over 3.1 million people, the country has an area of 8,023 square miles, making it several times smaller than both Scotland and England.
However, there’s no shortage of spectacular sceneries in this country. It has some wild beaches, vast forests, lush valleys, rolling hills, colossal mountains, and ancient castles. What more can you ask for in such a tiny territory?
I hope that this article on most beautiful countries on the planet was helpful! If you are interested, visit the Country Rankings Page!
