12 Best Places to Visit in 2020

The year is coming to its end, and it’s the right time to get some ideas for the next year’s travelings. Our editors handpicked the best destinations all around the world, whether you’re traveling solo, with some friends, or with your family. Keep reading, we bring you the list of 12 best places to visit in 2020.

 

Let’s plan some 2020 trips…

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a magnificent city that connects East and West, two continents and two totally different cultures. It’s the largest city that lies on two continents and the most beautiful one for sure. There is so much to see that you’ll spend days just wandering around this amazing metropolis, here we’ll mention just a few things that you mustn’t miss, such as Hagia Sophia – first the Greek Orthodox church, later the Ottoman mosque and today the museum; then there is Topkapi Palace, where sultans lived, also a museum today, and the Blue Mosque, that is still serving as a mosque.

If you like shopping visit the Grand Bazaar that is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. Also, we loved the Spice Bazaar – the most colorful bazaar in the city where you can find all the spices you can imagine, as well as other Turkish delights.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul? If you’re really into exploring Istanbul, the best time to visit is definitely May when the weather is mild and it’s not that crowdy as it gets in the summer. Istanbul’s contemporary culture grew a lot during the last years, so the right time to visit is definitely 2020.

If you want to read more about gorgeous Istanbul check out our previous blog post: “Top 7 Things to Do in Istanbul – the City Where East Meets West”

 

The View of Istanbul

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar is the most visited destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina and no wonder it is. The Old Town with plenty of traditional restaurants, market stalls, mosques, and other historic buildings is one of the most picturesque UNESCO-listed old towns in the world. The streets of the Old Town and its bazaar are magical, with an oriental vibe that gives you the feeling that you’re somewhere in the Middle East. There are a few traditional houses that you can visit and see how people here used to live in the Ottoman times – the Muslibegović House and the Biščević house.

When is the best time to visit Mostar? You can visit Mostar all year round, but we don’t recommend going there during winter since it can get quite cold and wet. It’s best to visit this gorgeous city between April and October, but we recommend you to go there in May. During the summertime, you should expect a pretty crowded Old Town.

Mostar Old Town

Telč, Czech Republic

Telč is a small, fairy-tale-like city in the southern Czech Republic, with only about 6.000 inhabitants, but with so much to see. Because of its gorgeous Italian Renaissance architecture, it is often referred to as “the Czech Florence“, and because it’s located halfway between Prague and Vienna it was often the important crossroad on the routes among Bohemia, Moravia, and Austria. All of that affected its unique and magnificent look. You must take a walk among its streets and admire all of those amazing colorful buildings, especially around the main marketplace. Also, explore the Telč Castle — a former Gothic castle, that was later turned into a Renaissance jewel, that later inspired the look of the whole city.

When is the best time to visit Telč? It is never too hot or too cold in Telč, so you can visit whenever you want. But we recommend visiting when the weather is nice and sunny, so you can fully enjoy your walks around the city — plan your trip in the period from May to September.

Colorful Telč

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is an amazing city with history so rich that it will take some time for you to grasp it. Every corner of the city has its own story to tell and every building is a great part of Viennese and Austrian history. On almost every step through the streets of this great city, you will find some art institutions or buildings of great historical importance to visit and explore. There are so many great museums that you have to visit, and there are quite a few castles that you will love. So, if you’re a culture and art lover, Vienna is the number one destination for you.

For more information about this historical city visit one of our previous blog posts: “Best Historic Things to Do in Vienna 2019”

When is the best time to visit Vienna? It might be the best time to visit Austrian capital in the periods April-May and September-October, but believe us, whenever you decide to go you won’t be wrong. Vienna is especially magical in the holiday season, so we would recommend you to spend your Christmas or New Year’s Eve in this gorgeous city.

Vienna, The View from Stephansdom

Beijing, China

Beijing, China’s capital for more than 800 years, is the perfect mixture of history and modernity, with so many remnants of China’s imperial past, and the world’s largest collection of grand tourist sights that will take your breath away. One such thing that you must see, that also might be the reason for many visits to Beijing, is the Great Wall of China — the greatest manmade structure in the world. Also, visit the Forbidden City — the largest preserved ancient sight in the world, that will open its Qianlong Garden for the first time ever in 2020.

When you arrive in Beijing you will be stunned by its airport, which is currently the largest airport in the world, and that is only one sign of Beijing development over the last years.

When is the best time to visit Beijing? Since summer can get too hot, and winter cold and snowy, it’s definitely the best idea to visit Beijing from March to May and from September to October. It’s when the climate is best, and nature is very colorful and beautiful.

Beijing, The Forbidden City

The Great Wall of China

Maldives

Maldives is undoubtedly the most beautiful archipelago in the world. These magical islands are located in the Indian Ocean and the archipelago consists of more than 1000 coral islands. The beaches, lagoons, corals reefs and marine life of Maldives are really extraordinary – this is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving.

The most attractive beach on the Maldives is a glittering beach of Vaadhoo Island. You can see the magic of naturally glittering sea waters there, which is generated by planktons. If you want to experience the Maldives in another way, you should take a seaplane flight and enjoy the view over its beaches and lagoons. Also, you must enjoy the sunset on the beach, it will leave you breathless. It is one of the most amazing sights you’ll see in your lifetime.

When is the best time to visit the Maldives? The Maldives is affected by two monsoons that bring a lot of rain from May to November, so we recommend avoiding this part of the year for your visit. The dry season starts mid-December and ends mid-April, so that’s the best time to visit for sure. We especially recommend traveling to the Maldives in March. If you’re very much into scuba diving, consider going there between November and February, when visibility is the best. However, during the wet season currents tend to weaken, and a vast amount of reef sharks and hammerhead sharks are easily found in shallower water. So consider both seasons, and choose what suits you better.

Blue Waters of the Maldives

Seville, Spain

Seville, just like the whole of Andalusia region has always been an attraction for many different cultures – Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Christians, and when you walk through this city you can really feel the mix of all these cultures.

There are a few really important and interesting landmarks in Seville, one of them is the Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world and the World Heritage Site. Right next to the Cathedral, you’ll see the Giralda bell-tower that used to be the minaret of a former mosque, it’s a bit hard to climb to its top, but the view is worth it. Another place you have to visit in Seville is the Real Alcázar – a palace complex that is still used by the Spanish royal family, built in the Mudéjar style (Moorish-inspired architecture for non-Islamic buildings). These historic places are situated in Sevilla’s oldest neighborhood Santa Cruz, that used to be the Jewish neighborhood. Besides seeing those landmarks, you have to wander through its narrow, cobbled, colorful streets – don’t be afraid to get lost, there are tons of passages and they will all lead you to a new spot that you will love.

When is the best time to visit Seville? Spring is the best time for your trip to Seville. Visit in the period from March to May and you’ll get to enjoy orange blossoms everywhere. Also, be there around Easter for the Holly week (Semana Santa in Spanish), when there is an enormous parade taking place, with nearly sixty confraternities that parade down the streets of the town and bring the Passion and Death of Christ to life.

Seville, Real Alcázar

Marrakesh, Morocco

Set in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh is one great historic city, with that special atmosphere all over its streets. While in Marrakesh, you cannot miss the main square called Jemaa el-Fnaa – you’ll see some snake charmers, henna tattoo artists and various other entertainers by day, and food stalls with lamb, orange juice and other specialties at night. If you want to relax a bit, check out the Jardin Majorelle, one of the most popular places in Morocco, it’s a tranquil garden with streams and over 300 plant species – the perfect place to get out of the city bustle.

When is the best time to visit Marrakesh? The best options for visiting Marrakesh are for sure the shoulder seasons — from March to May and between September and November. We don’t recommend visiting during the summer. Wait at least until September, when the temperatures begin to drop, especially at night and humidity is low.

Marrakesh

Puebla, Mexico

Hidden only about two hours’ drive from New Mexico, Puebla, the fourth largest city in Mexico, is a real bastion of baroque architecture, full of beautiful churches, unique pottery, culinary delicacies, and so much more. Wander through the colorful streets of this gorgeous city, and explore its UNESCO Heritage City Center. Besides beautiful baroque buildings, you’ll find many cute shops with traditional candies of Puebla and famous colorful pottery.

Puebla is known as the city of churches, there are 365 of them, or at least the legend says so. You have to see at least the gorgeous gold Capilla del Rosario (Chapel of the Rosario), attached to the Church of Santo Domingo.

When is the best time to visit Puebla? The climate in Puebla is mild throughout the whole year, but the ultimate best time to visit is April when it’s so nice and dry — just perfect for exploring a city on foot.

Puebla, Mexico

Parma, Italy

Set in the Emilia-Romagna region, in the north of Italy, Parma is a small, but incredibly charming old Italian city. If you’re all about Italian food, Parma is the perfect destination for you. It’s home to the king of all cheeses Parmigiano-Reggiano, the operas of Giuseppe Verdi, and the ”Assumption of the Virgin” masterwork by High Renaissance painter Correggio. All that might be the reason why Parma has been named Italian Capital of Culture 2020.

Parma has quite a few amazing landmarks. We recommend visiting Parma Cathedral, which is considered one of the finest examples of a Romanesque Cathedral in Italy and is particularly known for its gorgeous interior frescos. While you’re there, check out the main Baptistery of Parma, sitting right next to the Cathedral, which is another beautiful building. Be sure to get inside — the interior will leave you breathless. Keep exploring the streets of this cute little town, you will love it.

When is the best time to visit Parma? This is another location that is perfect for visiting throughout the whole year. But it’s best to go there in spring and autumn; you can even consider visiting around the Christmas holidays, as everything is perfectly decorated.

Parma, Italy

Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands are an amazing Spanish archipelago, set near the west African coast, and very much affected by its climate. The weather is always nice, and you can go swimming even in winter. It’s where you’ll find mountains, sand dunes, gorgeous beaches, bluest water in the world, and pretty little Spanish villages. This is also the perfect destination if you’re into snorkeling or surfing.

There are four main islands in this archipelago (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Tenerife), and seven smaller ones (Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Gomerra and La Palma), so there are plenty of options, and none of them is wrong.

When is the best time to visit the Canary Islands? With temperature varying from 20°C in January or February, to 30°C in July and August, it’s never the wrong season to visit this amazing place on Earth. You can go during the summertime or even celebrate the New Year’s Eve on the beach — it’s up to you.

Beaches of the Canary Islands

Chile

Chile is a true paradise among South American countries — it’s nature is perfect, it’s cities are very interesting, and its political situation is amazing. There are quite a few destinations that you must explore if you’re traveling to Chile. One of those is the mind-blowing Atacama Desert for sure. It’s one of the oldest and driest deserts on Earth, and it’s one of the most beautiful ones. Because of its beauty and all of the bird species that live there, it became the key destination for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

Another place that you must visit is the Chilean Lake District that offers some spectacular views, with many options for adventures, such as white-water rafting, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and the best stargazing ever. Nature is so amazing, you will be amazed by the blue skies and colorful wildflowers all around you.

When is the best time to visit Chile? The nature of Chile is definitely looking its best in spring, which is from September to November. It’s when you’ll see the natural surroundings in the full bloom, and that’s exactly how you want them.

The Atacama – Earth’s oldest and driest desert

The Chilean Lake District

We hope that this list inspired you to start planning your trips in 2020. Also, we hope that your 2019 was full of wonderful trips and that you made some great memories.