As travel fanatics and digital nomads, we’ve been roaming around the globe for years and have visited 92 countries so far. After much debate and consideration, we’re excited to share our list of the top 10 countries we think you should visit in 2025. Whether you’re a full-time traveler, part-time adventurer, working remotely, or retired, these countries should DEFINITELY be on your travel list.
Our Criteria for Selection
Before diving into our list, let’s discuss how we decided on these top 10 countries. Believe me, it was tough! While there are many amazing places to visit in the world, we focused on the following criteria:
- Suitability for short-term and long-term stays
- Availability of efficient and diverse transportation options
- Cost of living, compared with Austin, Texas (our home town)
- Variety of activities and things to do
- Quality and diversity of food (critical!)
- Options for accommodations such as hotels, Airbnbs, and short-term rentals
- Friendliness for remote work with good infrastructure
- Overall culture, lifestyle, and friendliness of the people
Feel free to share your own top 10 countries in the comments below. We’d love to hear your opinions!
Countries to Visit in 2025: How We Ranked Them
Monica and I independently created our lists and did our rankings. We’ll reveal the top three in order, but we’ll list the rest in no particular order because it’s so tough to rank them.
The bottom 7 are actually 10 since we disagreed on a few countries. Incredibly, we actually agreed on our Top 3… but did we agree on the order? Find out below!
Watch the video on our YouTube channel here where we hash out our differences:
Ten Great Ones… but NOT the Top Three
The Netherlands
The Netherlands makes it to our top 10 for several reasons. While the cost of living isn’t the cheapest, it’s still manageable, especially if you stay outside Amsterdam or on its periphery. The public transportation is superb, the food scene is vibrant and multicultural, there are great museums and other fun attractions, and the overall quality of life is excellent. Plus, spending time outdoors – walking or biking – is a delightful experience.
Australia
Australia is an enormous country with so much to offer, from the bustling cities of Melbourne and Sydney to the natural beauty of Darwin and Cairns. Admittedly, we’ve barely scratched the surface. While it’s not the cheapest country on our list, you can save money by avoiding the major cities. The diversity and sheer number of attractions make it a must-visit.
Italy
Italy is a no-brainer. It’s an incredible country with varying lifestyles depending on the region you visit. The food, culture, and arts are unparalleled, from Rome’s ancient history to the art and architecture of Florence to Tuscany’s rolling hills and vineyards. Venice, built on water, is like no other place. Italy is relatively easy to navigate and offers something new every time you visit.
Singapore
Singapore always amazes us with its cleanliness, fantastic attractions, and harmonious blend of cultures. The cost of living can be high, but eating at the local hawker centers is quite reasonable. The downside is the expensive accommodations and hot, humid weather but it’s well worth a visit.
France
With its rich history, delicious food, and varied landscapes, France is another gem. Paris is always a delight, but cities like Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and its myriad smaller villages offer unique experiences. The entire south of France and glamorous Côte d’Azur is in a class all its own, then you have the Loire Valley and its chateaux, plus the towering Alps. So much to explore, but the cost of living is still relatively lower compared to Austin, Texas.
Iceland
Iceland is a land of geothermal wonders and dramatic otherworldly landscapes. While it’s not the cheapest place, it offers a unique experience unlike any other. From its volcanoes, waterfalls and thermal baths to Icelandic horses and dazzling northern lights, it’s a magical destination we highly recommend.
Croatia
Croatia offers significant savings and a lifestyle similar to Italy. The seafood is fresh and delicious, the water is amongst the clearest and bluest we’ve ever seen, the history is fascinating, and the people are incredibly friendly. The natural beauty of places like Dubrovnik and national parks like Plitvice and Krka are also a huge draw.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is like an island paradise on the mainland, with its volcanoes, coffee farms, and diverse landscapes. There is no shortage of places to explore or outdoor activities to enjoy, like beach time, water sports, zip lining, kayaking and hiking. Spotting wildlife is a fun part of every trip. Plus, whenever we visit, we always notice how friendly, welcoming and happy everyone seems to be. The cost of living is about 35% lower than in the U.S., making it an attractive destination for long-term stays.
Hungary
Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is one of the most beautiful cities along the Danube River. The cost of living is significantly lower, and the city offers excellent food, spectacular architecture, and a rich history.
Thailand
Thailand is the ultimate budget-friendly destination on our list. With its stunning islands, friendly locals, and delicious Thai food, you can live comfortably at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. Cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok offer a mix of cultural experiences and modern amenities.
The Final Countdown: The Top Three
In our opinion, these are the top three countries you should visit in 2025:
3. Japan
Japan might surprise you with its affordability, but it is – especially with the dollar’s current strength. It’s a country that offers a pleasing blend of tradition and modernity. While some parts of Asia are loud and chaotic, Japan offers peace and serenity. From Tokyo’s bustling streets to Kyoto’s serene temples, it’s an all-time favorite of ours. Having been three times to 17 cities, we can say with authority that Japan is awesome. Plus, their cuisine is varied and delicious, from fresh seafood, to rich ramen, wagyu steak, and savory izakaya fare.
2. Portugal
Portugal has been a long-time favorite of ours, and we’ve visited around fifteen times and invested in properties there as well. Overall the country offers about 40% savings compared to Austin, Texas. The food, culture, natural beauty and history are incredible, and places we’ve visited – from the stunning Algarve coast, to Lisbon and Porto, to Évora, Coimbra, and Óbidos, have been amazing. We’ve taken numerous friends and family there who have all fallen in love with it.
1. Spain
Spain takes the top spot. From the vibrant streets of Barcelona and Madrid to the culinary offerings of San Sebastián, from the the historic charm of Sevilla and Cartagena to the majesty of the Alhambra, Spain continually impresses us. We really love Andalucía but are ready to revisit Basque country. The varying landscapes, incredible food, rich culture, and affordability make it our number one destination.
Did you watch our video? We actually disagreed on the order of Spain and Portugal. Both were in our Top Two, but we had a different opinion on who was #1!
Your Thoughts?
We hope you enjoyed our top 10 list. Traveling to different countries offers invaluable experiences, new perspectives, and opportunities for personal growth, and we encourage you to explore our world as much as possible. Do you agree with our list? Did we miss any countries? Which are your favorites? Comment below and let us know!
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