World's 50 best places to visit from Devon to the Galápagos Islands
Watch: 2022 world's greatest places
If you're in search of travel inspiration, then look no further. The world's greatest places of 2022 have been revealed by TIME magazine.
Following two years of restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the top spots were decided on with help from TIME's international network of correspondents and contributors, "with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences".
With a mix of destinations from across the other side of the world, unexpected spots and more familiar marvels, the magazine adds that "many of the destinations are charting a path to economic recovery" while others are "thriving, growing and changing".
From València to Seoul, and Devon to the Galápagos Islands, in no particular order, here's a list of the world's 50 best places of the year.
Read more: This UK destination has been named the top city in the world to visit
Short haul
1) Dolni Morava, Czech Republic
Enjoy views from the 'sky walk' in Dolni Morava, Czech Republic, to kick off your tour of the world's best locations.
2) València, Spain
Spain's not just for the beaches, check out the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
3) Marseille
Stroll the quaint streets of Vieux-Port (Old Port) before checking out the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde and architect Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse complex.
Read more: Avoid the summer holiday rush and get some September sun in these destinations
4) Devon, England
Even the humble English location of Devon made it as one of the world's greatest places. Fancy a trip to Woolacombe beach?
5) Copenhagen
Often thought to be one of the happiest cities in the world, enjoy cycles down canals, sit outside one of the many colourful cafes and watch the world go by, before exploring its museums and architecture.
6) Portree, Scotland
Snap pictures of colour-splashed houses in Portree in the Scottish Highlands.
7) Kaunas, Lithuania
Kaunas is a city found in south-central Lithuania, famous for its interwar architecture, with the style of its buildings still true to history.
Mid haul
8) Madeira, Portugal
Sip on Madeira wine and fresh espresso coffee and tuck into traditional Portuguese honey and nut dessert bolo de mel in a cafe overlooking Funchal town.
9) The Alentejo, Portugal
For more views, overlook the village of Marvao from the castle in Alentejo, just a snippet of what the region has to offer.
10) Calabria, Italy
Mix sun, sea and sand with authentic villages and mountainous backdrops.
11) Skelleftea, Sweden
The wooden bridge Lejonströmsbron is a must-see in Skelleftea.
12) Thessaloniki, Greece
This Greek port city boasts Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history waiting to be explored.
13) Istanbul
The capital of Turkey needs no introduction, popular for its both old and new influences, and (while you can eat anything there) its kebaps, mezes and fresh fish.
14) Ilulissat, Greenland
Visit the UNESCO listed Ilulissat Icefjord, to catch a glimpse of whales or hear the sounds of dogs and sledges, in this coastal town in western Greenland, with scattered colourful houses among the snow.
Read more: Go west: The great American travel bucket list
Long haul
15) Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
The world's longest zip line is just one of the activities Ras Al Khaimah has to offer.
16) Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Live the adventures of Nemo and Dory in the world's largest coral reef.
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17) Galápagos Islands
It's worth a visit to the other side of the world for the blue-footed booby, native to the islands.
18) Detroit
The largest city in the midwestern state of Michigan is home to attractions like the Institute of Art, Motown museum and its own deep dish pizza (to be differentiated from Chicago's).
19) Seoul
Enjoy both new and old architecture in the skylines of Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
20) Park City, Utah
East of the more known Salt Lake City, Park City is home to some of the best ski slopes with Utah Olympic Park where the 2002 Winter Olympics were hosted.
21) Kerala, India
Watch houseboats go by on the backwaters of Kerala in Alappuzha.
22) Doha, Qatar
Check out the architecture at Katara Amphitheatre, relax on a catamaran on your way to Banana Island, or visit one of the spectacular mosques.
23) Ahmedabad, India
Watch the busy old streets in the town of Ahmedabad through the window of the old Teen Darwaza, found in the heart of the city.
24) Nairobi
Take pictures of the skyline of Nairobi taken from Nairobi National Park in Kenya, hopefully featuring a few giraffes.
Read more: Sex and coffee included in what Brits would give up for a holiday abroad this year
25) Queenstown, New Zealand
If you're into adventure sports pack your bags for some (depending on the time of year) sky-diving, skiing, snowboarding, walking, hiking, white water rafting, surfing, the list could go on.
26) Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Tour Hwange National Park for the best wildlife has to offer, from lions and wild dogs to elephants and buffalo. Don't forget your camera.
27) Historic Silk Road Sites, Uzbekistan
The Kalon mosque Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage, is one of the sights you have to tick off your list in Uzbekistan.
28) São Paulo
When in Brazil, make sure to go to the country's financial quarter, not for its banks, but for its culture, architecture and food. Make sure you order that Caipirinha.
29) Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan
This Buddhist kingdom in Bhutan is opened a sacred trail to hikers this year for the first time in 60 years.
30) Kyushu Island, Japan
Kyushu has a mostly tropical climate, with volcanoes, beaches and natural hot springs, as well as city life.
31) Bali, Indonesia
If you haven't already heard, Bali is pretty popular. For some more off the beaten track attractions, check out Angel's Billabong, the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site of the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Suluban Beach Cave.
32) Rapa Nui, Chile
Marvel at the 'Moais' statues in Rapa Nui National Park on the slopes of Rano Raruku volcano on Easter Island.
33) Boracay, Philippines
Think everything you could want for a dreamlike getaway – white sand beaches, clear waters, and lush green palm trees.
34) Franschhoek, South Africa
Explore old vineyards, try your hand at trout fishing and walk trails through nature reserves.
35) Tofino, British Columbia
Tofino is thought to be one of the best spots of Vancouver Island. Endless beautiful beaches, perfect for surfing in summer and storm watching in winter.
36) Miami
Head to Florida's Miami for a bit of everything, beach, city, culture, nightlife. Stone crabs, a Cuban sandwich, key lime pie ceviche and are some of its best known delicacies.
37) Salta, Argentina
Salta is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and Andean heritage. In between exploring, watch the world go by in the Plaza 9 de Julio Square.
38) El Chaltén, Argentina
A bit more off the beaten track, this village is found in Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina’s Santa Cruz province, perfect for hiking.
39) Bogotá
The popular area of La Candalaria, Bogota's colonial barrio, is where backpackers and younger tourists flock to.
40) Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Another perfect place for all the wildlife you can imagine. When you're not on look out on land, beware of hippos and crocodiles in the river.
41) Setouchi Islands, Japan
A collection of endless different sized islands of different sizes on the Seto Inland Sea, they really are picture-perfect, while being filled with modern art.
42) San Francisco
The most European feeling place in America, must-dos are of course the Golden Gate bridges and Alcatraz Island. Or hop on the cable car system to fisherman's wharf to giggle at the sea lions.
43) Jamaica
When is a Caribbean island not the best place to visit?
44) Fremantle, Australia
Known as 'Freo' to the locals, now well connected to Perth, unearth both convict and maritime history and art and culture, while enjoying the coastal atmosphere of the port city.
45) Toronto
Toronto, the most populous city in Canada, is a metropolis with high rise buildings and all the best parts of city life, while still having that famous waterfront sky line (with the CN Tower). Lake Ontario is perfect for a boat trip.
46) Kigali, Rwanda
This capital of Rwanda has both scenery and nightlife to enjoy, as well as historical monuments, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
47) Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Riviera Nayarit is a postcard-esque 200-mile stretch of beach, for you to enjoy surfing, fresh food, wildlife and wellness along.
48) Portland, Ore.
This is Oregon's largest city, extremely cycle-friendly, and boasting parks, bridges, mountainous scenery, and cafes and galore to enjoy. It's also environmentally friendly.
49) The Arctic
A cruise of the North Pole anyone? According to TIME, Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, a new icebreaker cruise ship, is due to set off on its Arctic maiden voyage this month.
50) International Space Station (250 miles up)
This one's more 250 miles up than away, and a trip on this will most definitely cost you, as the magazine says it has hosted tourists paying more than $20 million per seat to fly on a Russian spacecraft.
