Naturally, everyone has a different idea of what makes a country the most beautiful in the world. However, we’re ready to wager that most people will find the luminous tunnels, snow-capped mountaintops, rainforest waterfalls, and old architecture on this list to be more than a little enticing. Think of this as a compilation of the world’s most impressive architectural landmarks, cultural treasures, and a list of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. Read it like a trip guide and add each location to your own bucket list, or just enjoy these stunning locations for everything they have to offer.

Greece

Greece took the top spot in the US News poll of the most picturesque nations because of its breathtaking natural landscapes and alluring adventure opportunities. This is mostly because of the 6,000 islands and islets that make up the country in southeast Europe, which is situated on the Mediterranean, Ionian, and Aegean seas. Additionally, Ios provides a pleasantly calm alternative to islands like Santorini and Mykonos, where overtourism has become a problem. There, the owners of a third of the island, including the Calilo hotel, Angelos Michalopoulos and Vassiliki Petridou, have pledged to be sustainable by leaving 99% of their land unaltered.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s most well-known island is Bali, also known as the Island of the Gods. And Bali undoubtedly merits the attention with its many beautiful Hindu temples (which contributed to its moniker), as well as its long lengths of white sand beaches and eye-catching terraced rice fields. However, the more than 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia have even more natural beauty to offer. For instance, the island of Lombok boasts pink sands, volcanic trekking, and jungle waterfalls, while the island of Sumatra is home to Lake Toba, which has an island in the center the size of Singapore.

Australia

Australia is ranked number nine in the US News rating, making it a strong contender for most dazzling if one were to assess a nation’s beauty by its national parks. It boasts more national parks than any other nation in the world, which explains why. Although determining the precise number is difficult because Australia has less strict rules on what qualifies as a national park than, example, the US, the figure is still well over 500. These include Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is renowned for its red sand landscape and holy sites for Indigenous Australians, and Kakadu National Park, which has rock art galleries dating back 20,000 years.

Spain

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of our list of the most beautiful cities, demonstrates Spain’s abundant architectural attraction. With the famous red brick facades of Plaza Mayor, the nearly entirely glass Crystal Palace in Parque del Buen Retiro, and the considerably more contemporary Reina Sofía Museum addition designed by Jean Nouvel, Madrid, the nation’s capital, is likewise no slouch in the architectural world. In addition, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao are regarded by many as some of the world’s most remarkable architectural landmarks.

Peru

We would be negligent if we did not include Peru, the home of Machu Picchu, the great-grandfather (well, perhaps great-great-grandfather) of engineering and architectural achievements, if we were using iconic architecture as a criteria for this list. On a rocky slope above what is now Peru’s holy valley, a 15th-century Inca city was built using individually carved granite stones, and the 200 or so houses that remain are a breathtaking sight to see. They are also regarded as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That alone would make this South American nation eligible for the list, but it also boasts a portion of the Amazon rainforest, Lake Titicaca, a huge freshwater lake in the Andes and Vinicunca, a group of mountains with rainbow hues.

Japan

We are captivated by nations that blend ancient splendour with contemporary wonders. That is exactly the case in Japan. With an astounding 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kyoto—known as Japan’s cultural capital—earned a spot on our list of the most beautiful cities. Then there is Tokyo, a global center of modern architecture, home to well-known structures like Tadao Ando’s Shibuya subterranean terminal and Kisho Kurokawa’s Nakagin Capsule Tower Building. Additionally, Asahikawa and Kobe are two UNESCO Cities of Design in Japan, one of just a few nations to have both.

New Zealand

Not surprisingly, New Zealand ranked second on US News’ ranking of the most picturesque places. Since the Kiwis invented bungee jumping, it’s likely the nation most associated with outdoor adventure. There is no doubting that the extreme activities are motivated by the extreme beauty of the nation, regardless of whether you enjoy jumping from a great height. The first commercial bungee jump was at Queenstown, where thrill-seekers may see the scenic Kawarau River while they jump. In Waitomo, in the North Island of New Zealand, blackwater rafters savour the dazzling blue lights emanating from glowworms in historic underground tunnels, while heli-hikers, who are dropped off by helicopter atop Fox Glacier on the South Island, traverse an ice-covered wonderland.

Thailand

Thailand is another popular destination for outdoor adventure, with 147 national parks. The oldest evergreen rainforest in the world may be found in Khao Sok National Park, while 280 different species of birds can be found in Khao Yai National Park, which is a popular site for tourists with binoculars. Larger species can be seen in places like Ang Thong National Marine Park, an archipelago of 42 limestone islands where snorkelers can see reef sharks and green sea turtles, or Kui Buri National Park, where herds of elephants graze freely.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a natural choice for any beauty rating due to its stunning alpine landscape (the Alps cover roughly 70% of the country; according to the US News list, it ranks fourth). The several ways the citizens of the tiny Central European nation can reach those mountains are what make it so unique. The nation boasts more than 4,000 km of ski slopes and more than 300 ski resorts. In addition, it boasts 3,188 miles of train, including the Glacier Express, which connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, and 1,700 cable cars. Riding the Jungfrau Railway to the highest rail station in Europe, Jungfraujoch, an Alpine wonderland referred to as the top of Europe, is among the most breathtaking experiences of all.

Turkey

Turkey is referred to as the meeting point of the East and the West since it spans two continents: Europe and Asia. Religions, civilisations, and histories all blend together here, creating a sensory extravaganza. In Cappadocia, a kaleidoscope of hot air balloons float above cone-shaped rock formations known as fairy chimneys, while Byzantine domes dot the horizon of Istanbul. While the ancient remains of Ephesus provide a view of life some 9,000 years ago, Pamukkale is home to a number of naturally occurring terraced pools that gather mineral water as it pours down the hillside (rumour has it that Cleopatra bathed here.