12 Best Countries to Visit for Beginner

So you want to start traveling, maybe spend your holidays overseas, but have zero experience, and don’t have any idea of what places to visit as a beginner?

Well, if you are new to all this, you better pick an easy place to travel to, but don’t worry, I’ve got a list to help you decide.

In this list, I included the most popular countries to visit, that receive a lot of tourists and have a developed travel scene, so that you can start your travel life slowly, without too much cultural shock or tough experiences, until you get the confidence and experience to go further!

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Best Countries to Visit for Beginners

1. Australia

The first country on the list of those who love to surf.

If you are a beach lover, Australia is a great option. But not only that!

Australia has so many things to see across the country, you would need to spend a good time in the country if you wished to see it all.

It is a well-developed country, and it is really easy to navigate the cities. Guess what? Everybody speaks English here!

If you are looking for an easy country to travel to, that is also an exotic place, nothing better than choosing an Island as your first country to visit.

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2. Canada

The global capital of politeness. It is a super safe country and its people are very helpful.

Besides English, French is also well spread in some areas, like in Quebec.

Canada also has amazing natural places to visit like the Banff National Park.

It is definitely one of the easiest countries to travel to especially if you speak English.

It is important to note though that warmer months are better, as Canada can get pretty cold during the Winter with some places even remaining closed during this season.

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3. England

Guess what, everybody speaks English here! In the UK you have many options for countries to visit, England, which is definitely one of the most chosen first destinations for most beginner travelers, and especially for English speakers, is the easiest European country to visit.

London for example is a must-go with important items to mark on your Bucket list, such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, one of the official residences of the Royal Family.

It is also famous for its museums, among them, I suggest visiting the British Museum and the Natural History Museum.

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4. France

Paris was my very first destination too, and in my opinion, I couldn’t have chosen better.

France is a famous destination especially if you like history and culture.

Paris is full of Bucket List spots and the country has a variety of beautiful cities to be visited.

The city counts important landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame, and among the many museums in Paris, you will find the biggest museum in the world, the Louvre Museum.

Perhaps not the easiest place to find English speakers but with the well-developed tourism sector, you won’t find big difficulties.

Public transport is also really easy to use.

Paris made me completely fall in love with the city and with traveling in general, and if you are into history, culture, and art, this is the perfect city to visit on your first trip.

5. Greece

Greece is a very popular travel destination known for its ancient Greek ruins, paradise-like islands, and stunning landscapes.

Athens, the capital, is a must-visit for history lovers, home to iconic landmarks like the Acropolis, Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

The islands of Santorini and Mykonos attract visitors with their white-washed buildings, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife.

For a mix of culture and nature, Crete offers beautiful beaches alongside archaeological treasures like Knossos Palace.

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is famous for its rich Byzantine history, while Meteora amazes with its towering rock formations topped with centuries-old monasteries.

6. Italy

One of the most visited countries in the world and with a good reason! Italy has so many important cities to visit, the country has a heavy historical weight and stunning natural places to see.

Rome was once home to one of the strongest Empires and there are plenty of Roman ruins across the city to prove that.

Among them, I suggest visiting the Palatine Hills, The Roman Forum, and of course, the star of the show, the Colosseum.

Once in Rome you also won’t want to miss the chance to visit the Vatican and perhaps the Papa.

The Vatican City is located in one of the best museums in Rome, the Vatican Museums, which the highlights include the painted rooms, Borgias’ Apartment, and of course, the Sistine Chapel.

But if you prefer natural beauty, the Amalfi Coast is the right option for you.

For those not traveling alone, and looking for something more romantic, Venice or the Tuscany region are the places you should look for, if you are an art and architecture lover just like me, head to Florence.

Just like pretty much all of West Europe, Italy has a well-established tourism scene, and many tour operators, and guides.

7. Netherlands

Super a small country and easy to navigate.

Amsterdam is a great city to start your travels with, beautiful architecture, romantic canals, full of nice cities nearby in case you want to take Day Trips and if you wish, you can go to countries nearby as the prices of tickets are well affordable.

Amsterdam, the capital, is a top tourist spot with famous museums like the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House, as well as the stunning Rijksmuseum.

Rotterdam draws visitors with its cutting-edge architecture and lively arts scene, while Utrecht boasts medieval charm and scenic canals.

Check out this self-guided Amsterdam city walking tour.

8. Scotland

Scotland, is such a lovely country, especially for those looking for contact with nature, visiting the Highlands, is a truly amazing experience, there you will find beautiful landscapes as well as romantic cities such as Inverness.

It is also a good opportunity for you to try your luck looking for the Loch Ness Monster.

Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is a must for those looking for a more medieval British experience, the city does give good obscure medieval vibes and has a history in every corner, so don’t miss the chance to visit Edinburgh Castle, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.

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9. Singapore

In case you want to start your travels in Asia, Singapore is a nice choice.

Singapore is a city-state located in South-East Asia, its culture mixes the Chinese culture with different local cultures.

Singapore is famous for its modern skyline, and iconic landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, with its stunning infinity pool and panoramic views, and the futuristic Gardens by the Bay, famous for its towering Supertrees and biodomes.

Singapore has 4 official languages being the first of them is English!

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10. South Africa

South Africa is sometimes an even cheaper option if you want to travel to a country that speaks English.

Of course, if you want to enjoy your trip fully, and take a safari tour, which you definitely should do since you are in Africa, you must prepare your wallet, as it is very expensive.

But the experience is totally worth it, you will be able to see a variety of animals in their natural habitat, and who knows, maybe you manage to see all of the Big Five animals if you are lucky enough!

South Africa is a nice country in Africa to start your travels, it is easy to get around as everybody speaks English, so you won’t feel lost, but at the same time, it is a completely different country with a unique culture.

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11. Thailand

Besides being super cheap, Thailand is a backpacker hub! It is hard to feel lost knowing there are so many other backpackers around, plus many people speak English there due to the huge amount of tourists the country receives every year.

For those who just started and love exotic destinations, this is the one!

I suggest checking these travel tips to visit Thailand.

Now, if you are planning to travel as a couple and have the best experiences, don’t forget to check this travel bucket list for couples.

12. United States

The United States has so many different places and landscapes to see.

You have from big cities like New York to beautiful natural parks, such as the famous Yellowstone, as well as beaches in California, or Florida.

Needless to say, the tourism scene is well developed in the USA, it is a famous destination and you will have many options from tour operators to accommodation and guides.

This is also one of the easiest countries to visit in the world if you have a VISA.

The USA is very strict about who is entering their territory and many countries need a VISA to be able to visit it.

However, once you are in, the tourism options are almost infinite. It is probably the best country to visit for beginners.

How to Decide the Best Countries to Travel to as a First-Time Traveler

To better understand how to pick a destination, especially if you are looking for the best places for first-time travelers, I cover this topic deeply in my post about choosing your destination.

But in general, a nice way to start looking for your first international travel destination is to look for countries that fit the requirements below

Language

Look for a country that speaks your native language or at least one where English is well spread, so you won’t have major issues with the language barrier.

It is important to make sure that you will have support in case you need, it and that you will be able to solve any problem in an easy way.

Of course, everybody prefers to believe there will not be any problem during their trip, but the truth is that it is inevitable, it is normal to have an issue with your phone, or your luggage.

So in this case, you will want to make sure you will be able to solve it in the easiest way possible.

Tourism scenario

Another point to highlight is if the country is a famous tourist destination and has a well-developed tourist scene and infrastructure.

Everything is better when you have no problem moving around and when it is simple to understand where you are going and how to get there.

Some countries though are easier than others. Most cities in Europe, for example, give total support to tourists, with maps all over the streets, easy public transport, easy ticket offices, etc.

However, countries in South America or some places in Asia don’t offer good tourist support and their public transport can be complicated for new travelers.

Needless to say, you better don’t risk yourself on your very first travel and go for the easy-to-travel countries first, right?

Safety

It is always important to make sure you are traveling to a safe place. This is definitely not a tip for beginners only, but for everybody, please guys, don’t go around jumping on the back of vans.

It is always important to check if the country you want to visit is a safe place.

The countries listed below are all super safe for first-time travelers, but to make sure if a country is safe or not, you can check the US Bureau Consular affair, which also gives tips on the risks and most common dangers of each city around the world.

Even making sure the belongings you’re leaving at home will be safe, and using a storage company like Radical Storage could help with this.