Greece Named the Best Country in the World for 2026 — Beating Japan and Italy! 🇬🇷🏆

Greece has claimed the number-one spot in the world’s best countries for 2026, according to Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards. With a remarkable score of 98.14, the Mediterranean nation finished ahead of travel favorites Japan and Italy, giving Greece another reason to celebrate its extraordinary appeal to international visitors.

Published on October 6, 2026, the annual ranking highlights the destinations travelers love most. And this year, Greece is at the top of the list.

From the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea to ancient monuments, picturesque island villages, legendary cuisine, and unforgettable hospitality, Greece continues to capture the imagination of travelers around the world.

But what makes this year’s result particularly interesting is the variety of destinations represented in the top 20, from Southeast Asia’s tropical landscapes to Africa’s wildlife-rich wilderness and Europe’s historic cities.

🇬🇷 Why Did Greece Take First Place?

Condé Nast Traveller praised Greece for its remarkable combination of history, culture, island scenery, and experiences that span thousands of years.

For many visitors, Greece means the iconic blue-domed churches of Santorini, the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Mykonos, or the spectacular landscapes of Crete. Yet the country’s appeal reaches far beyond its most famous destinations.

Travelers are increasingly exploring islands such as Paros, Hydra, Ios, and Tinos, each offering a different atmosphere and character. Meanwhile, Athens continues to attract visitors with its ancient landmarks, contemporary galleries, restaurants, and evolving cultural scene.

Greece also offers a rare combination of experiences within a relatively compact country. Visitors can explore archaeological sites in the morning, enjoy fresh seafood beside the sea at lunchtime, and watch the sunset over a beautiful island harbor in the evening.

Its food is another major attraction. Fresh Mediterranean ingredients, olive oil, regional cheeses, seafood, traditional pies, and local wines give each region its own culinary identity.

Then there is the hospitality. From family-run tavernas to small guesthouses in traditional villages, personal encounters often become some of the most memorable parts of a Greek holiday.

These qualities help explain why Greece remains a destination travelers want to return to again and again.

🏆 The Top 20 Best Countries in the World for 2026

According to Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, these are the 20 countries that made the list.

Rank	Country	Score
1	🇬🇷 Greece	98.14
2	🇯🇵 Japan	97.01
3	🇮🇹 Italy	96.48
4	🇹🇷 Turkey	94.90
5	🇵🇹 Portugal	94.64
6	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	94.29
7	🇭🇷 Croatia	94.01
8	🇮🇩 Indonesia	93.75
9	🇰🇪 Kenya	93.57
10	🇹🇭 Thailand	93.26
11	🇿🇦 South Africa	93.14
12	🇪🇸 Spain	93.07
13	🇳🇴 Norway	92.95
14	🇻🇳 Vietnam	92.86
15	🇳🇿 New Zealand	92.53
16	🇰🇭 Cambodia	92.29
17	🇮🇳 India	92.11
18	🇫🇷 France	91.00
19	🇶🇦 Qatar	90.27
20	🇨🇦 Canada	88.97

Source: Condé Nast Traveller — The Best Countries in the World: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.

🌏 Japan and Italy Complete the Top Three

Japan secured second place with a score of 97.01, reaffirming its appeal to travelers seeking a blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation.

From the cherry blossoms of Kyoto to Tokyo’s energetic streets, peaceful hot springs, extraordinary cuisine, and efficient high-speed rail network, Japan offers experiences that can feel worlds apart within a single trip.

Italy came third with 96.48 points. Its timeless cities, celebrated food, historic architecture, and beautiful countryside continue to make it one of the world’s most desirable destinations.

Rome, Florence, and Venice remain international favorites, while smaller towns, regional food traditions, and coastal landscapes encourage travelers to venture beyond the familiar tourist trail.

The narrow gap between these three countries shows just how highly readers regard them. Greece, however, emerged as the clear winner in this year’s survey.

🌴 Southeast Asia Makes a Strong Impression

One of the most notable features of the 2026 ranking is the presence of several Southeast Asian destinations.

Indonesia placed eighth, followed by Thailand in tenth, Vietnam in fourteenth, and Cambodia in sixteenth.

Indonesia’s appeal extends far beyond Bali, with thousands of islands offering opportunities for diving, wildlife encounters, cultural exploration, and peaceful tropical escapes.

Thailand combines lively cities, flavorful street food, historic temples, and spectacular beaches. Vietnam attracts visitors with its landscapes, traditional cuisine, historic towns, and dramatic mountain scenery.

Cambodia, meanwhile, is home to the extraordinary Angkor Wat temple complex, alongside bustling markets, rural landscapes, and coastal destinations.

Their presence in the top 20 reflects the broad range of experiences modern travelers seek, from beach holidays and culinary adventures to cultural discovery.

🦁 Africa, Europe, and the Americas Also Shine

The list celebrates destinations far beyond the Mediterranean.

Costa Rica ranked sixth, offering rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife, and coastlines along both the Pacific and Caribbean. Kenya entered the top ten at ninth, with its renowned safari experiences, remarkable wildlife, and Indian Ocean beaches.

South Africa placed eleventh, combining dramatic natural landscapes, wildlife experiences, wine regions, and the vibrant city of Cape Town.

In Europe, Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Norway, and France all secured places in the top 20. Each offers something different, whether it is coastal scenery, historic towns, mountain landscapes, food, or art.

New Zealand reached fifteenth place with its spectacular mountains, lakes, fjords, and outdoor adventures. Canada rounded out the ranking in twentieth place, recognized for its immense landscapes, outdoor activities, and cosmopolitan cities.

Together, these destinations demonstrate that there is no single way to experience the world. Different travelers value different things, and the ranking offers inspiration for a wide variety of journeys.

✈️ What Do the Readers’ Choice Awards Actually Measure?

It is worth remembering that the ranking reflects the preferences of Condé Nast Traveller readers. It is not a scientific measurement proving that one country is universally better than every other country.

Travel experiences depend on personal interests, budgets, accessibility, the time of year, and countless other factors. A traveler searching for remote wilderness may choose a different destination from someone who prefers museums, nightlife, or island relaxation.

Nevertheless, reader-voted awards can reveal which destinations are resonating with an international travel audience and inspire people to discover places they may not have considered before.

The 2026 results are particularly encouraging for Greece, placing it ahead of some of the world’s most celebrated tourism destinations.

💙 A Proud Moment for Greece

For Greece, the number-one position is more than a score on a travel list. It is recognition of a country whose identity has been shaped by ancient civilizations, maritime traditions, regional cultures, and a way of life that continues to attract visitors.

From the Acropolis in Athens to the beaches of the Ionian Islands, from the mountain villages of Epirus to the historic streets of Rhodes, Greece offers far more than a summer holiday.

Every region has its own traditions, flavors, landscapes, and stories waiting to be discovered.

And while Santorini and Mykonos remain famous worldwide, the country’s quieter islands and mainland destinations offer plenty of reasons to return and explore further.

The 2026 award provides another opportunity to celebrate Greece’s place on the global travel map—and to encourage visitors to look beyond the postcard views and experience the country’s deeper cultural richness.

🌍 Which Country Would You Choose?

Greece may have taken first place, but the other destinations on this list each offer something extraordinary.

Would you choose the Greek islands, Japan’s cultural contrasts, Italy’s culinary heritage, Costa Rica’s rainforests, or the wild landscapes of Kenya?

There is no shortage of incredible places to explore, and the best destination is ultimately the one that creates memories you will treasure for a lifetime.

For 2026, however, the readers have made their choice: Greece is the world’s number-one country in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards. 🇬🇷💙

Have you visited Greece? Tell us your favorite Greek destination in the comments!

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About The Author

Tasos Moulios

Howdy! My name’s Tasos and I’m the face behind the blog. I’m a coffee-addicted adventurer from Greece that loves to write and show hidden places in Greece and also share tips and trick to make your journey here easier and smoother! <3

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