Lonely Planet has unveiled its top destinations to visit in 2024, with Kenya’s Nairobi taking the top spot for a city break.
Fifty destinations made the annual “Best in Travel” list of trending destinations for the coming year across five categories – sustainable, value, cities, countries and regions – to mark the travel publisher’s 50th anniversary.
Topping the list’s “sustainable” category, Spain’s efforts in renewable energy, as well as Patagonia’s rewilding projects, could inspire an eco-friendly holiday.
Meanwhile, The Midwest of the US led the best “value” list with its “old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco-design hotels and many Michelin-starred restaurants”, followed by one of Europe’s most affordable countries, Poland, and Central America’s Nicaragua.
The night trains of Europe were also showcased for their carbon-conscious travel networks.
In the “cities” list, the spotlight is on the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, along with Paris as it gears up to host the 2024 Olympics, plus Jakarta in Indonesia.
The Best in Travel country was named as Mongolia, along with Chile with its salt flats and Croatia’, thanks to its “sun-kissed coastline”.
As for the best “regions”, Lonely Planet recommends the Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route, set to open in 2024, and South Australia’s “otherworldly” Kangaroo Island.
UK destinations to make the list include the sustainable trails of Wales and far north Scotland as it “aims to achieve Unesco World Heritage status” next year.
“Our picks for this year seek to both inspire and follow the instincts of 2024’s traveller,” said executive editor Nitya Chambers. “Best in Travel is Lonely Planet’s heart and soul of travel inspiration, responding to the enthusiasm of travellers who want to explore the world in a way that is authentic, led by local guidance and has sustainable values at its core.
“With new takes on iconic destinations and 50 fresh ideas across five categories, we’re confident Best in Travel opens up a year of incredible adventures.”
Nairobi made the cut for its ‘sizzling’ culture— Nairobi made the cut for its ‘sizzling’ culture
Lonely Planet’s best in travel 2024
Sustainable
- Spain
- Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
- Greenland
- Wales Trails
- The Portuguese Way, Caminho Portgues de Santiago
- Palau
- Hokkaido, Japan
- Ecuador
- Baltic Trails of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
- South Africa’s Eco Lodges
Value
- The Midwest, USA
- Poland
- Nicaragua
- Danube Limes, Bulgaria and Romania
- Normandy, France
- Egypt
- Ikaria, Greece
- Algeria
- Southern Lakes and Central Otago, New Zealand
- Night trains of Europe
Cities
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Paris, France
- Montreal, Canada
- Mostar, Bosnia
- Philadelphia, USA
- Manaus, Brazil
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Prague, The Czech Republic
- Izmir, Turkey
- Kansas City, Missouri
Country
- Mongolia
- India
- Morocco
- Chile
- Benin
- Mexico
- Uzbekistan
- Pakistan
- Croatia
- St Lucia
Region
- Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route
- Kangaroo Island, South Australia
- Tuscany, Italy
- Donegal, Ireland
- Pais Vasco, Spain
- Southern Thailand
- Swahili Coast, Tanzania
- Montana, USA
- Saafelden Leogang, Austria
- Far North Scotland
