Top 10 best places to travel in 2024

Planning your 2024 itinerary and wondering where to go?

2024 is predicted to be the busiest year on record; some people going to the city, the beach, the mountains, the countryside, the list never ends. All 10 places on this list are pretty popular and places you’ve probably heard of. Here’s a list of under the radar places if that’s your thing. Turning back to this article, this is the Going Locations guide to the top 10 best places to travel updated for 2024. Let’s jump right in!

1. Paris, France

To start off the list of the best places to travel to, we have Paris. With iconic museums, spectacular food, and rich culture, it’s an obvious choice in our top 10 list. I enjoyed Paris back in 2016, and I would love to return to learn French and tour the rest of the country. According to a report obtained by CNN, Paris topped the list of the most popular destination of 2022. That title has been given to Paris 2 years in a row, and for a good reason. Other than it being located near many other cities such as London and Brussels, Paris hosts a variety of things to do that range from the city’s center to outside the city. The stunning Eiffel Tower is an icon within the city and is, not surprisingly, the most famous landmark accumulating over 7 million visitors annually! Paris is more than just the Eiffel Tower; it’s home to the Louvre Museum, the largest museum in the world, and home to some of the most famous pieces, such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. It’s also home to hundreds more landmarks you can see on your trip; this city is truly never-ending.

2. Bali, Indonesia

Bali has been famous among younger people and has grown in tourism recently. People flock to this small island in Indonesia to unwind and escape the craziness of everyday life. The small island is full of luxurious resorts, villas, and Airbnbs, some with inclusive meals and stunning amenities. The main attraction of Bali isn’t the lodging, but more the nature around. Its landscape is unique as it is disconnected from much of the world. One of its main highlights is the rice farms scattered throughout the island. They are built like terraces to avoid runoff from the rain that Bali frequently gets. The island also boasts several stunning waterfalls, mountains, and beaches where adventurers can participate in various activities. Though that soon might come to an end as Bali proposes to ban tourists from all of its mountains. Sky Jutus from the Instagram page Sky Jutus describes Bali as “The travelers’ paradise, an island full of opportunity for adventure, surf, spirituality, connection, and relaxation. There’s a little bit for everyone here, and that’s what makes Bali so special and unique.”

3. New York City, United States

New York City is a city that I know very well because it’s only a couple of hours from my native state of Virginia. I would describe the city as busy, never-ending, and unlike any other city in the world. Manhattan specifically has developed into a vibrant city with no short buildings. Other neighborhoods like Brooklyn and Queens feel like residential areas that could be considered large cities of their own. New developments around the city, such as Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, and Billionaire’s Row, are pretty impressive. While the original staples such as Central Park, Statue of Liberty, and Times Square never fail to impress. As someone who has grown up close to this city, my recommendations are from my experience. First thing, get to the top of the city. There are five observation decks scattered throughout the city. Pick one of them and get to the top; the views are spectacular up there. Second, get out of Manhattan at least once on your trip, whether you take the Staten Island Ferry, a bus tour around the NYC boroughs, a subway ride to Jersey City, or even a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s good to leave the crowded borough at least once and get fantastic photos of Manhattan from far.

4. Dubai, United Arab of Emirates

Dubai is my absolute favorite city in the world. A city of records, insane structures, and a paradise for adventure seekers. It’s unbelievable to think that all of this was nothing but a pile of sand just 20 years ago. The city has grown from under 1 million residents in 2000 to over 3.5 million today. Dubai is home to records like the world’s tallest building, the world’s largest waterpark, the world’s largest Ferris Wheel, and over 300 more! You can do countless things in this city. From my experience of Dubai, I recommend visiting the Dubai Mall, the marina, and the desert if you want some real adventure. I also don’t think going to the top of the Burj Khalifa is worth it, as the view is too high for good photos. I recommend going to the Sky Views Observatory, which sits right across from the Burj Khalifa. You can get some sick photos of the Burj Khalifa, just like I did. Most people don’t know about the world’s longest zip line and fastest rollercoaster, which sit just a couple of hours outside of Dubai. If you’re a daring person, I highly recommend those experiences.

5. Cape Town, South Africa

This is the only city from Africa on this list because even though I wanted to add Cairo, Casablanca, or even Cape Verde, there are only ten spots on our list. Cape Town sits at the southern end of Africa in South Africa and is often a base for people traveling to Antarctica. The natural beauty of Cape Town is the fact that it sits right beneath the table mountains. These mountains run through the city, and getting to the top is a must. There are cable cars that navigate up the mountain range and even hiking trails for the more adventurous kind. The views from the top are like no other, with the entire city along with the South African coast below you. Paragliding from the table mountains is also a surreal way of seeing Cape Town. As you coast over the city, you can view the surrounding area from an aerial perspective. Cape Town was home to the famous Nelson Mandela, who you can learn more about in the Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island Museum.

6. Sydney, Australia

If you plan to travel here from North America or Europe, be prepared for a long journey. But the trip will be well worth it for a place like Sydney. Sydney is home to Bondi Beach, the most popular beach in the world, according to an article released by CNBC. Enjoy the white sand beaches, the incredible surfing, or the pools that float over the ocean. Turning to downtown, the Sydney opera house is the city’s most famous icon, and watching a show in the opera house is relatively inexpensive. As Sydney is right on the water, many ships depart from here, and I recommend taking one, especially the ferries. The downtown area backs onto a beautiful harbor. The area is lively and has fantastic nightlife, so staying in the city will be an excellent experience.

7. Tokyo, Japan

The city has a fascinating cultural fusion between Buddhism and Shinto, Japan’s dominant belief system. You’ll find a lot of character in this city wherever you go, especially with the architecture. I recommend taking an architecture tour when visiting Tokyo to learn the meanings and history behind some of the most remarkable structures. Something that you can catch from any angle of the city is Mount Fuji, an active volcano that’s over 12,000 feet tall. It’s an incredible sight to see as it’s only 62 miles (100km) from downtown Tokyo. Tokyo Tower is also cool; it’s a 1,000-foot tower that looks quite similar to the Eiffel Tower in France. The views from the top are stunning, with the whole city below you and Mount Fuji standing tall in the back. Also, something that is popular in Japan is the Cherry Blossoms. They bloom once a year, generally in March, and tourists flock from all over the world to see these iconic trees. As I live only a short drive from Washington DC, Cherry Blossoms are quite normal for me but breathtaking for others. I love Tokyo’s blend of city and nature; that’s why it earned a spot on the top 10 best places to travel.

8. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a place that I have been planning to go to for ages as it’s close to other cities such as Lisbon and Madrid, and it’s well connected by train. Barcelona is a history-rich city, as it has been considered a city since the BC era. You will see that as you walk through the grid-style streets. Famous icons such as the Sagrada Familia have been in construction since 1884 and have yet to be completed. However, you can still go inside, which I recommend as the interior is as impressive as the exterior. Park Guell is another spot I recommend going to as it’s a great way to see Barcola from an elevation and get a bit out of the city without traveling too far. Park Guell has gardens and architectural pieces that highlight this beautiful park. The last thing that I recommend is just relaxing by the beaches. This wouldn’t be possible Spain’s weather, as the temperature is relatively moderate. It does goes quite hot in Barcelona’s summer months, so a dip in the Mediterranean Sea never hurts.

9. London, United Kingdom

London is another city on this list that I have been to, and it doesn’t disappoint. The sheer amount of neighborhoods and things to do is outrageous. If you’re hesitant about staying for too long in London, know that even two weeks will fly by in this beautiful city. London, just like Barcelona, has a rich history. Structures like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London show that history as they have existed for almost 1,000 years. The Thames River is also a masterpiece in London as the city has been built around this river, and extravagant bridges such as Tower Bridge and London Bridge have been built as a connection point across this river. Speaking of Tower Bridge, you can go to the top for a pretty inexpensive amount and watch the drawbridge below you lift for boats and then realign for cars. You can also look down the Thames River to see a good amount of London, including its business district and the Shard. Another cool viewpoint is the London Eye because a moving view is way more intriguing than a stagnant one. The last thing is to take a walk around the whole city! Walk past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, and all of London’s other landmarks. If you want to walk less, public transportation is widely available, and seeing these iconic landmarks are well worth it.

10. Rome, Italy

Home to the famous Roman Empire over 2,000 years ago. This city had all of the power back in the BC era and early AD periods. Famous sights such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon were built in the 1st century AD; it’s cool to see the technological advancements that this empire had back over 2,000 years ago. You can also visit Vatican City, which is surrounded by Rome and is the world’s smallest country. There, you’ll find the Sistine Chapel, which took Michelangelo over five years to paint, the Gardens of Vatican City, which take up over half of the country and is something that you absolutely can’t miss, and St. Peter’s Square, which is the main square of Vatican City. Something very cool is that there is not one restaurant, hotel, supermarket, or anything like that in Vatican City. It’s the only country like that. Returning to Rome, the Trevi Fountain is pretty cool as it’s cramped between other buildings. And the Altar of the Fatherland will make a great background to any photo.

Start Your Dream Vacation Now!

The 2024 edition of the best places to travel was a fun one to make. Only including 10 places was difficult as our planet is full of hundreds of places to explore. Earth is full of so many extravagant places ready for you to see, so what are you waiting for? These places are great popular places that I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun in. I had a lot of fun making this list as it inspired me to visit the few places on this list that I haven’t been to. Who knows, maybe I will see you there! These locations are the best places to travel in 2024, but stay tuned cause I will be doing the top 10 best places in the world for adventure, perfect for all those adventure seekers!