Guinness World Record Traveler Picks the 11 Most Beautiful Countries
After traveling to every country in the world—yes, all 195—Guinness World Record holder Lexie Alford has revealed her top picks for sheer natural beauty, vibrant culture, and jaw-dropping views. Each destination on her list offers something completely distinct, from turquoise lakes to desert skies, ancient villages to volcanic peaks.
Norway
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Waterfalls seem to pour from the sky in western Norway, where steep fjords like Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord slice dramatically through green hills. Its coastal highways, like the Atlantic Ocean Road, make even a road trip feel like a fantasy. Norway is also home to the Lofoten Islands, glowing under the Midnight Sun in summer.
New Zealand
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This country made movie history with the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but the film scenery is just a slice of the real deal. Glaciers meet rainforests on the South Island, while volcanic craters steam on the North. Locals are known for outdoor living, and Queenstown draws thrill-seekers from around the globe.
Colombia
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Colombia, with access to both the Pacific and the Caribbean, offers two coastlines, but it’s the interior that surprises. The Cocora Valley is dotted with wax palms that stretch up to 200 feet. Add in the colorful city of Cartagena, Andean peaks, and Amazon rainforest, and it’s easy to see why it stands out.
Japan
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In spring, cherry blossoms turn cities into pastel dreamscapes. In autumn, maple leaves burn red through Kyoto’s temples. Japan’s appeal comes from both scenery and contrast—Mount Fuji’s symmetry draws photographers year-round, while volcanic onsens steam beside snowdrifts in Hokkaido.
Iceland
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Geothermal pools and black-sand beaches, as well as ice-blue glaciers, lie within a few hours’ drive of each other. Iceland’s volcanic terrain constantly bubbles and shifts – you will see geysers shooting high into the sky and lava fields cooling into twisted formations. The Northern Lights dance here from September through April, glowing in vivid greens and purples.
Italy
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The Dolomites offer jagged peaks for hikers and skiers, while Venice still manages to look surreal after centuries of tourism. Cinque Terre’s painted villages cling to the Ligurian cliffs like an art project in real life.
Namibia
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The Namib Desert is home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, especially around Sossusvlei, where burnt-orange dunes tower over white salt pans. Elephants and giraffes still roam freely in Etosha National Park, and the Skeleton Coast feels untouched.
Argentina
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Patagonia’s Fitz Roy mountain range challenges climbers, but even non-hikers can witness Perito Moreno Glacier calving huge blocks of ice. In the north, colorful rock formations like Quebrada de Humahuaca stretch across dry valleys. Argentina’s mix of rainforest and high desert, not to mention coastline, keeps photographers busy and outdoor lovers hooked.
Switzerland
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Train rides in Switzerland double as sightseeing tours. The Glacier Express weaves past snow-covered peaks and alpine lakes, offering views without the need to hike. Matterhorn’s sharp edges draw visitors to Zermatt, while the Lauterbrunnen Valley has 72 waterfalls and inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell in “The Lord of the Rings.”
Slovenia
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Tiny but packed with natural beauty, Slovenia’s Lake Bled looks like a fairy tale thanks to its island church and castle on a hill. Caves like Postojna go on for miles underground, and the Julian Alps rise dramatically above alpine towns. The country even touches the Adriatic Sea in the west.
Canada
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From the Pacific rainforests of British Columbia to the icebergs drifting off Newfoundland, Canada’s scenery doesn’t let up. In the Rockies, lakes like Moraine and Peyto catch the light in shades of turquoise that seem unreal. Banff and Jasper aren’t just postcard places—they’re home to bears, moose, and, in the northern reaches, beluga whales swimming just offshore.
Morocco
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Sahara sand dunes shift with the wind in the south, while the High Atlas Mountains turn snowy in winter. Blue-painted Chefchaouen is tucked between hills like a Mediterranean daydream, and cities like Fez and Marrakech showcase tilework and gardens centuries in the making. Morocco feels both ancient and vividly alive.
Croatia
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“Game of Thrones” made Dubrovnik famous, but the country’s beauty goes way beyond its medieval walls. The Dalmatian Coast offers more than 1,000 islands with clear, warm water and limestone cliffs. Inland, Plitvice Lakes National Park connects 16 turquoise lakes by waterfalls, creating one of Europe’s most photographed nature spots.
Australia
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The Great Barrier Reef grabs headlines, but the Outback stuns in its own way with endless red earth and sunrises over Uluru. They also have skies thick with stars. Rainforests thrive in Queensland, while the Twelve Apostles stand watch over Victoria’s coast. Wildlife is everywhere, from wallabies hopping past campsites to echidnas digging in the brush.
Indonesia
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This nation spans more than 17,000 islands, offering volcanic peaks, terraced rice fields, and coral reefs. Bali’s beaches and ceremonies have attracted tourists for decades, but places like Raja Ampat and Flores offer raw, lesser-known scenery. Komodo National Park is one of the few places on Earth with living dragon lizards.