World's 50 best places to visit from Devon to the Galápagos Islands

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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

World's best places. (Getty Images)
Some of the world's best places are just a stone's throw away. (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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

World's best places. (Getty Images)
Go just a little further to enjoy a mix of more familiar spots and lesser known destinations. (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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

World's best places. (Getty Images)
These destinations really are worth the extra mile. (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

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.

Read more: Heatwave advice: Should we keep our windows open or closed in hot weather?

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.

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