The 27 Best Places to Go in 2020
A new year means many things, but one of those things for me is creating a list of the greatest hits list of where you really need to go this year. If you haven’t read this in previous years (see 2019 and 2018), here is how it works. Every year I compile the “where to go lists” from Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel and Leisure, CNN, and The New York Times into one massive list. Any place that multiple organizations mention are then placed on my greatest hits lists, including if one publication lists a subsection of an area recommended elsewhere (ex. if one publication says Colorado, and another says Denver, it counts). This process weeds out the more idiosyncratic choices and leaves only the places that the Travel Powers That Be agree you should visit for a given year. They are not my personal recommendations.
This year saw some significant changes, namely that for the first time Asia had the most locations listed, followed by Europe. In exchange, there were fewer places in Oceania, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa for 2020.
And without further ado, here are the 27 places to go in 2020!
Maine
I recommended Portland, Maine, last year as a top place to visit in 2019, so I’m excited that both Lonely Planet and Travel and Leisure have recommended Maine for 2020. 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of Maine’s statehood, and there will be celebrations across the state accordingly. both Travel and Leisure and Lonely Planet recommend Maine for its emerging food scene, with its focus on farm (or sea) to table restaurants, and creative chefs.
Guizhou Province, China
Guizhou Province, located in southern China, is a top pick for 2020 from both National Geographic and Lonely Planet. The capital city, Guiyang, has been recently connected to China’s high-speed rail network, making other cities, such as Kunming to the southwest, accessible in only a couple hours. The region is also home to a number of ethnic minority groups, and outside the main city there are small, traditional villages where the people practice traditional farming and handicraft techniques.
Tunisia
Tunisia was one of the top places to go in 2019, and it makes the list again for 2020 with both Lonely Planet and CNN recommending the North African country. The ruins of ancient Carthage are next to the modern capital city of Tunis, and important Roman ruins can be found in Dougga to the southwest, and in Bulla Regia to the west. And if you are a Star Wars fan, you can tour the sets where Tatooine was filmed in the southern part of the country.
Uruguay
Easily forgotten next to its flashy neighbor, Argentina, Uruguay has been getting more notice, and is one of Lonely Planet’s top places to visit in 2020. The laid-back country has a little bit of everything. Gaucho culture in the plains inland, colonial history and old town in Colonia del Sacramento, a growing wine region, coastal cities … the list goes on. If you need to narrow it down, Travel and Leisure suggest the Maldonado Department, in the southeast of the country, which is known for its buzzy coastal spots, such as Punta del Este.
England
Even with all the uncertainty of Brexit, England is one of this year’s top places to visit, according to Lonely Planet. England is opening up new sections of its coastal path in 2020, allowing both Brits and tourists alike to enjoy the English coastline. Travel and Leisure recommends a more urban adventure, heading to Manchester, which has a growing music scene and is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, with the accompanying upgraded design-hotels and restaurant scene. And of course, right outside of Manchester is the New York Times recommended Lake District. 2020 is also the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing to the US, and in 2020 you can see the Plymouth where that journey began, as per the New York Times suggestion.
Baja Sur’s East Coast, Mexico
Baja California was one of the top destinations of 2018, and it’s reemerged as a top location for 2020 according to the New York Times and Travel and Leisure. The town of La Paz, the New York Times’ choice in the area, has been focusing on both renovating its waterfront area while being at the forefront of banning single-use plastics and has a protected marine world heritage area.
Central Asian Silk Road
One of the most important regions in the world for centuries, the Central Asian Silk Road is on the global map for tourists as one of the top places to go in 2020. Lonely Planet suggests focusing on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as all three countries have greatly simplified their visa process. The New York Times recommends Tajikistan, particularly the Wakhan Valley and the Pamir Highway, where you can enjoy nature off the beaten track along with ancient historical sites. CNN suggests Kyrgyzstan for its rugged outdoors, with locations like the Tien Shan mountains for trekking in the summer, or Karakol for skiing in the winter.
Tasmania, Australia
One of Australia’s fastest-growing tourist regions, Tasmania is a top place to visit in 2020 according to National Geographic and Travel and Leisure. Nearly half of the island is designated national parkland, and you can see 2,000-year-old trees and Tasmanian Devils that aren’t animated Loony Toons. After trekking, enjoy the fruits of the state’s developing wine scene or check out the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart.
Costa Rica
If you’re looking for an eco-retreat in 2020, Lonely Planet and Travel and Leisure recommend Costa Rica. Costa Rica has everything from adventure travel to yoga retreats to ecologically-friendly luxury accommodations for travelers looking to enjoy the biodiverse country. The country is working to protect its biodiversity and the planet by producing 90 percent of its energy from renewable sources, and some lodges are focusing on using sustainable practices.
Galway, Ireland
Move over Dublin, the top place to visit in Ireland in 2020 is Galway. Recommended by Lonely Planet and CNN, the western county is a European Capital of Culture this year and as such will have a packed schedule of events and activity. But beyond that, Galway is known for its incredible music scene, both on the streets and in the pubs. Outside the main city, you have the Irish countryside and the Atlantic Ocean. Spending the day hiking along the coast, and the night listening to trad music at a pub? Count me in!
Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
Travel and Leisure and the New York Times both recommend Kuala Lampur, the capital of Malaysia, for 2020. Kuala Lampur is known for the Petronas Towers and its cuisine, which is a fusion of Indian, Chinese, and Malay cuisines. In 2020, the city will also see new design hotels and restaurants opening.
Dubai, UAE
In 2020 Dubai will be holding a massive World Expo, leading Lonely Planet and Travel and Leisure to recommend the Emirati city as a top place to visit. 192 countries are participating in the Expo, which will have events, technology showcases, architectural sites (remember, the Eiffel Tower was constructed for a World Expo) and hundreds of food venues/restaurants. The Expo is set to last 6-months and starts in October. Before booking tickets, however, please keep in mind that Dubai denies many human rights to women and that construction in Dubai has mostly relied on what is considered to be slave labor from migrants.
Tohoku, Japan
While Tokyo will be hosting the Summer Olympics this year, both National Geographic and Lonely Planet recommend heading north to the Tohoku region of Japan, at the northern tip of Honshu, the largest Japanese island. The region is largely uncrowded, making it a nice escape from Japan’s cities, and ideal for nature-lovers, with forests, crater lakes, and the 620-mile long Michinoku Coastal Trail which was recently opened.
California’s Central Coast
I love when my home state gets a shout out in these lists. This year if you’re heading to California, rather than hit NorCal or SoCal, check out the Central Coast. Or so says Travel and Leisure, which recommends the whole region, and the New York Times, which suggests you focus on Paso Robles. The Central Coast has so much of what makes California great – like the wineries, the restaurants, the ocean – and 2020 is the year to check it out.
Austria
If you’re interested in Austria, 2020 is the year to go. One of Travel and Leisure’s picks for 2020, the country has everything from classical music, to nature, to redevelopments and new energy in Vienna. If you aren’t sure where to go within Austria, Lonely Planet and the New York Times recommend the city of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Salzburg Festival, one of the great classical music festivals in the world. If classical music isn’t your jam, National Geographic suggests the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a scenic touring route that curves (or hairpins) through the Austrian Alps.
Chile’s Lake District
Chile’s Lake District, just north of Patagonia, is a top choice for 2020 by Travel and Leisure and CNN. One reason: the total solar eclipse which will happen in December over the town of Pucon. The Lakes Region is a good place for adventure sports or just relaxing on a boat with a pisco sour while looking at one of the region’s volcanoes. There is also the island of Chiloe, which has UNESCO-listed colorful wooden churches, and is a place you can see penguins! I went to Puerto Varas and Chiloe a few years back and happily recommend both.
Kochi, India
National Geographic and Lonely Planet recommend the city of Kochi, on the southwestern coast of India, for 2020. The Portuguese founded Kochi in 1500, and along with its colonial architecture, the city looks forward as contemporary art city, with colonial-era buildings housing art galleries. The city is hosting a massive arts festival, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, from December 2020 to April 2021. In addition to the arts, the city is actively investing in renewable energy, and its airport is 100 percent solar powered.
Asturias, Spain
If you’re interested in going to Spain in 2020, the New York Times and National Geographic suggest you head over to the Asturias region on the Bay of Biscay. It what seems like a great endorsement to me, the area is known for its cheese and cider, along with ancient Celtic hilltop settlements. The region is perfect for nature-lovers, who can visit the Picos de Europa National Park, the beaches on the Bay, and hiking and cycling routes.
Caesarea, Israel
Both the New York Times and Travel and Leisure named the town of Caesarea - named by King Herod for Augustus – in Israel as one of their top sites for 2020. The excellent ruins might be thousands of years old, but they have been recently restored, with a new visitor’s center opening last year and archeologists plan on unveiling more sites this year. And as Caesarea was founded as a port city – you’ve got the Mediterranean and all it has to offer as well.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia is a top pick by both the New York Times and Travel and Leisure for visiting in 2020. Ethiopia has a booming economy and its capital is no exception with a substantially renovated airport and a light-rail system. Once you’re in the city and moving around, visit the national museum, Ethiopian Orthodox cathedrals, and the Zoma Museum which focuses on contemporary art. The 19th century Menelik Palace was opened to the public in 2019 and a new public garden is expected to open this year.
Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan in northwest India is one of the top places for 2020, and, along with Kochi, one of two Indian destinations highlighted this year. Travel and Leisure recommends the entire state. Just outside the city of Udaipur is India’s first sculpture park, located at the Madhavendra Palace. In the city of Jaipur, the Amrapali Museum displays thousands of Indian gemstones. The New York Times suggests heading to the city of Jodhpur, which boast the UNESCO-listed Mehrangarh Palace, which not only is hosts an annual folk festival in the fall, but will host the World Sacred Spirit Festival this year.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Both the New York Times and CNN listed Copenhagen, Denmark, as a place to go in 2020. Why this year in particular? The Museum of Copenhagen is reopening this year, as is the public square Kongens Nytov. Copenhagen is also investing heavily in becoming a carbon-neutral city, with a new, electric subway loop with 17 new subway stations, connecting Copenhagen while making it more environmentally friendly.
Washington, DC
Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and CNN recommend Washington, DC as a top place to visit in 2020. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote across the nation, and many of DC’s top museums will have special exhibits for the milestone. I actually just went to the one at the National Archives and it was great. And of course, there are all the other amazing museums, great restaurants, and the annual cherry blossom festival to enjoy in DC. However, my advice, as someone who lives here, would be to skip DC in 2020. Politics and the news are ubiquitous in this city and while you might be untouched by it as a tourist, I don’t think it’s worth it to visit this year.
Dominica
The Caribbean country of Dominica is one of the top places to visit in 2020 according to CNN and Travel and Leisure. The small island has had a boom of resorts open or reopen following damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017 recently. But there is more to Dominica than resorts. The island is home to primordial rainforests, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and ten volcanoes.
North Macedonia
Every year it seems there is a new top place to visit in the Balkans, and this year it is North Macedonia. Travel and Leisure and Lonely Planet recommend the country, which was officially named North Macedonia in 2018 (due to a dispute over the name Macedonia with Greece, it was known before as the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia). The most famous site is Lake Ohrid, but the country also has a recently launched trek, the High Scardus Trail, which goes through North Macedonia’s peaks. You can also visit the ancient Greek city of Heraclea Lyncestis outside of the town of Bitola.
Egypt
One of the top places to visit in 2019, Egypt is once again a top destination in 2020. The New York Times recommends all of the ancient country, but particularly Cairo, also a top Lonely Planet pick, as the Grand Egyptian Museum, originally slated to open in 2019, is now scheduled to open this year. If you want to get deep into the desert, National Geographic recommends Abu Simbel, home of the great temple of Rameses II, watched over four towering images of the pharaoh cut into the rock cliff.
Sri Lanka
CNN and Travel and Leisure recommend Sri Lanka for 2020, albeit different sides of the island. Travel and Leisure focuses on Sri Lanka’s coastal sites and resorts, where one can enjoy everything from surfing to sea turtle hatching grounds. CNN suggests that you travel inland, and sites like the rock fortress of Sigiriya, and the ancient city Polonnaruwa which has numerous ruins of Buddhist temples. Personally, I see no reason not to do both this year.
