GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Country (World)

Australia

For the third time in four years, readers have voted Australia the Most Desirable Country in the World. It is perhaps no coincidence that the same period has seen a steep rise in the availability of Aboriginal- and Torres Strait Islander-run cultural tours and experiences. These have opened up new ways to see this ancient land, from exploring the Indigenous roots of iconic cities such as Sydney to venturing into the red desert of the Northern Territory and its 65,000 years of culture. Travellers are also increasingly discovering Australia’s furthest corners for themselves, heading west to seek out the whale sharks, turtles and manta rays of Ningaloo Reef, or escaping to wildlife-filled Kangaroo Island or Tasmania, where you can encounter iconic critters roaming in their natural habitats.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Country (Europe)

Italy

Italy, home to ancient treasures and renowned cuisine, has been named the Most Desirable Country in Europe by Wanderlust readers. While famed spots like Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast might draw the crowds, Italy's real charm lies in its lesser-visited UNESCO-listed sites and towns. Cities like Bologna, with its historic university and famed pasta, and Trieste, with its Austro-Hungarian flair, show a different side to the country. Meanwhile, the south, home to Puglia’s distinctive trulli (dry stone huts) and Basilicata’s cave city of Matera, beckons those seeking out authentic charm; crowd-free Umbria rivals even Tuscany's dazzling countryside and historic cities; and the north’s vineyards, lakes and mountains need little introduction. It really does have it all.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable City (World)

Tokyo

Tokyo is no stranger to the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards. After claiming Silver and Bronze over the past couple of years, the Japanese capital has struck Gold. It’s just reward for a city of rare depth, where ancient temples sit alongside futuristic skyscrapers, and world-class dining lies next to hidden ramen shops. But while the evergreen Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa or the museums of Ueno Park will always attract visitors here, this is a city that doesn’t stand still. The newly regenerated Azabudai Hills neighbourhood, for example, is currently building up an exciting roster of galleries, stays and museums that promise much. Beyond this, the quiet neighbourhoods of Shimokitazawa and Yanaka offer glimpses of old Tokyo, while Rikugien Garden provides a green escape from the neon hustle.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable City (Europe)

Madrid

Thanks to its tangible history, extravagant architecture and vibrant food scenes, Spain often sees its cities dominating this award category – and 2024 is no exception. This year, Madrid has knocked previous winner Seville down the rankings and nabbed the top spot, perhaps thanks to one recent opening in particular. The Spanish capital was already a cultural powerhouse, with the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina-Sofia museums among the finest in the world, but 2023’s opening of the Royal Collections Gallery, which had been 25 years in the making, was something truly special. For quieter spots, head to the trendy areas of Malasaña and Chueca, which showcase Madrid’s creative spirit in its local shops and tapas bars. Elsewhere, Retiro Park offers a green escape in the heart of the city, while the lively barrio of La Latina comes alive with bustling markets and cafés.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Region (World)

The Galápagos Islands

After being a top contender in recent years, the Galápagos Islands have now sealed Gold. The Ecuadorian archipelago, made up of 18 main islands and numerous smaller islets, is a must-visit  destination for adventure-seeking, wildlife-loving travellers. Showcasing an incredible variety of endemic species – not visible anywhere else in the world – it is nature in its rawest form. The chance to spy marine iguanas flitting the shallows, blue-footed boobies taking flight, rare sea turtles swimming in the wild or the world’s northernmost penguin species is, for many, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From the volcanoes of Isabela Island to the expansive white sands of Española, follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as you explore natural habitats where nature took its own course.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Region (Europe)

The Greek Islands

The unbeatable Greek Islands continue their reign as the Most Desirable Region in Europe. With more than 200 inhabited islands, there’s so much to see beyond crowded Santorini and Mykonos. And in recent years, what has been most remarkable is how many of these have adopted more sustainable practices, from banning cars (Hydra) to the good work being done to protect the Mediterranean monk seal (Alonissos). Beyond, there is so much to see and do, from exploring the volcanic cliffs and white-washed architecture of Folegandros to wandering the untouched rocky landscapes and cliff monastery of Amorgos, to exploring the mastic-producing Mastorochoria villages of Chios. The opportunities to escape the crowds and find your own Greek paradise are endless.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Island (World)

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has risen from last year’s eighth place to take Gold in one of the Awards’ most thrilling turnarounds. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, the nation’s history comes to life through spectacular monuments such as Sigiriya Rock, the cave temples of Dambulla and the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Elsewhere, its leopard-filled national parks and the jungle-fringed beaches of Tangalle and Trincomalee show off the island’s natural side. But, more recently, it’s the tea plantations and lush highlands of the centre that have caught the eye, with the fresh addition of the Pekoe Trail offering an exciting new way to explore Sri Lanka’s green heart.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Island (Europe)

Malta

Malta has come close to top spot over the last couple of years, missing out narrowly to Ireland. Now it’s bagged Gold. Indeed, 2024 was a big one for the island culturally, having hosted the first-ever Malta Biennale and seen some of its iconic sites reopen after major renovations (The Grand Master’s Palace, Malta Maritime Museum). Added to this are Malta’s time-tested gems, including megalithic temples, blue lagoons, incredible forts, and historic cities such as Mdina and the UNESCO-listed Valletta, where Baroque architecture meets wartime history. Meanwhile the beaches, hidden coves and clifftop paths of rural Gozo still represent one of Europe’s great under-the-radar escapes.

GOLD AWARD

Most Desirable Emerging Destination

Uzbekistan

Known for its Silk Road heritage, Wanderlust favourite Uzbekistan has been crowned the Most Desirable Emerging Destination for 2024. This Central Asian gem is home to ancient cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara, whose Islamic architecture and vibrant bazaars offer a remarkable time capsule of the past. Samarkand’s iconic Registan Square, in particular, is unmissable. Beyond its historical treasures, Uzbekistan also has some impressive natural landscapes for which it rarely receives the attention it deserves, from the vast Kyzylkum Desert to the shores of the Aral Sea... and this really is just the beginning of what there is to discover.