So you want to start traveling, maybe spend your holidays overseas, but have no experience, and don’t have any idea of where to travel as a beginner traveler?
If that’s your case, this list of the best countries to visit for beginner travelers is for you. It includes the easiest countries to travel to and the best international destination for first-time travelers 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!

Best Countries to Visit for Beginner Travelers
Indeed with such a big world to see, we feel a bit overwhelmed, especially when planning our first trip. There is so much to see, that you don’t know where to start. Before anything else, if you are completely new to the traveling world, I suggest you read and check these tips on building confidence to travel, to help you overcome any fear you might have.
Most of the time, your first trip is also the first time in your life that you will find yourself completely alone, having to deal with strangers people, and having to fix your problems all by yourself, without the help of your family. Or maybe you are planning a trip with your partner but you guys are clueless about where to go first, and what would be the first country to go to.
Whatever the case, traveling is very important, not only for leisure but for our development as humans, so don’t miss the chance and make the most of your trip!
Just check the list below and choose your first destination, no matter which one you choose, it will definitely be the best first country to visit for you!
Best countries to visit for first-time travelers

United Kingdom
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 museum, among them, I suggest visiting the British Museum and the Natural History Museum.
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, don’t miss the chance to visit Edinburgh Castle, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.
Then you also have Wales and Nothern Ireland.
All these countries are very easy to move around, so you don’t need to reduce your travel to England only.
RELATED: HOW TO SAVE MONEY IN LONDON.

United States
This is a cheaper solution than in the UK. 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 that 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.

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.

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 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.

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 really easy to navigate the cities.

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

France
Paris was my very first destination too, and in my opinion, I couldn’t have chosen better. Just like Italy, 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 with 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. The 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.

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.
The Netherlands also has one of the cheapest airports in Europe.
Check out this self guided Amsterdam city walking tour.

Singapore
In case you want to start your travels in Asia, Singapore is a nice choice. It is actually a city-state located in South-East Asia, its culture mix the Chinese culture with different local cultures.
Singapore has 4 official languages being the first of them is English!

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.
How to decide the best countries to travel to
To have a better idea of how to pick a destination, especially if you are looking for the best places for first-time travelers to visit, 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 Barrier
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, that 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.
58 Comments
Taylor Nicole
9 de August de 2017 at 22:13Italy and South Africa are at the top my my bucket list!!! Thanks so much for the insight!!! 💕💕💕
Isadora
10 de August de 2017 at 00:33Thank you Taylor! 😀
Ashfina
11 de August de 2017 at 13:25Beautiful list! Cant wait to visit them all soon 🙂
The Juander Woman
12 de August de 2017 at 13:59Singapore definitely deserves this list! such a safe country to visit.
Renada
12 de August de 2017 at 14:16I love this! It can be overwhelming to know where to start. I have wanted to go to Singapore for a few years now.
Rachel
12 de August de 2017 at 16:59So many great countries, I’m going to be travelling around the US for ten weeks later this year and I’d love to go to Singapore next year.
C-Ludik
12 de August de 2017 at 17:07Wow, I’ve just realised that I visited 8 out of the 10 countries of your list 🙂 I’ve never been to Thailand or Netherlands but I would love to. I’m a truly nature lover so I really enjoyed Western US, Canada & Western Australia for the fabulous breathtaking landscapes. South Africa is really your best chance of seeing wildlife from the big five to the smallest antelope 🙂
Isadora
12 de August de 2017 at 17:54Niice!! All of these are amazing countries!! I’m a big fan of landscapes too!
Lien
12 de August de 2017 at 17:37I love your selection. Many countries in Europe as expected. Slightly suprised to see South Africa in the list. I would think it is easy if you do an organized trip, but it is really so easy to travel independently?
Isadora
12 de August de 2017 at 17:59I would say it is pretty visit the major cities, the most “complicated” part would be taking the safari tours or something focused on the landscapes, then yeah I think you would need to organize before and contract tours perhaps
Claudi
12 de August de 2017 at 18:18My favourite country is South Africa. I love the people, the landscape and variety of cultures.
Sandy
12 de August de 2017 at 22:11Yay I love how you included Australia! 😀
Christina
13 de August de 2017 at 04:19I’ve been to quite a few of these, but definitely not all! (Australia, South Africa, Singapore are still on my hit list). I agree that all these are perfect for newbie travellers, especially since tourism is so widespread in most of them. awesome list <3
Penelopi
13 de August de 2017 at 08:37I agree! Thailand is super cheap and a great Country for a fresh start Traveller 🙂
On the other hand, France as you said you need to speak French, I have been in France for 9 months and it was veryy difficult.
Isadora
13 de August de 2017 at 15:41I have faced some difficulties in France too!
Brianna
13 de August de 2017 at 10:45I’ve found most places in Europe to be fairly beginner friendly. Belgium was way easy, without a huge language barrier and some lovely places to see!
Carrie
13 de August de 2017 at 12:40Great list! Italy was one of my first big independent travel destinations and you’re right, it’s super easy to navigate. I’m a little surprised to see the US on here though…as an American who has backpacked extensively in over 30 countries, I still find travel here to be among the most challenging (esp. on a budget). Obviously much easier if you rent/own a car, but if you don’t have the budget for that, it can be hard to get to some of the best places.
hal
13 de August de 2017 at 13:45I’m a total rookie to international travel so this post is right up my alley. I’ve only been to Spain when I was in college a million years ago – I need to start seeing more outside of the US!!!!!
Isadora
13 de August de 2017 at 15:43hahahaha you really should!! Travelling is one of the best ways to invest your money and time, trust me! 😀
Apolline
13 de August de 2017 at 13:57I love you selection and have been to most of the coutries you named above. I am still to try Australia and Singapore.
Aireona- Nightborn Travel
13 de August de 2017 at 17:14Great suggestions! I don’t consider myself a beginner traveler anymore, but it is still nice to consider countries that will be easier to navigate sometimes.
Krysti
14 de August de 2017 at 08:03Definitely agree with these! Especially Thailand. I would also add in New Zealand and Indonesia (Bali) 🙂
Andrea
14 de August de 2017 at 13:00This is great! I agree Canada and the UK are great first-time traveler destinations. I still need to make it to Thailand and Italy. Thanks for sharing
Wiola
1 de January de 2018 at 19:00Great countries – I so agree with UK, it can be even a quick getaway and you get to explore some amazing locations in an English-speaking country. We’ve been on the road since 2011 and haven’t made it to Africa yet… Hopefully, we will change it soon!
Kristy
1 de January de 2018 at 19:42Great advice for new travelers and I definitely agree with UK, US and Canada as great first time options. I hadn’t thought about Singapore as far as Asia goes- thanks for the idea!
Erin
1 de January de 2018 at 19:49Such a helpful post! I need to go travelling!
Sella-themomslifecycle
1 de January de 2018 at 20:21I start my 1st travel with Singapore as it’s really near with the place i was lived before 😁
Liz Bumstead
1 de January de 2018 at 23:51I’m always looking for new places to go and all of these look amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Samantha Miller
2 de January de 2018 at 02:33Great list! I love seeing Thailand on a list for beginners. So many think it’s harder to access
poorna banerjee
2 de January de 2018 at 04:45Been to Singapore and Thailand, and I admit, both are great places for first-time travellers.
Chloe
2 de January de 2018 at 08:34This is a fab post! Australia, Singapore and the Netherlands are all on my travel bucket lists already but I think I’ll be adding from this post!
Jaimi
2 de February de 2018 at 17:03Great ideas! And I have to say, even as a seasoned traveler, Italy and France hold a special place in my 💓
Abi
3 de February de 2018 at 00:39I feel like Greece would be good one too! And I will say, that everywhere I’ve traveled, you can get by with a little knowledge of the local language and English.
Isadora
4 de February de 2018 at 11:15Thank you for the tip Abi! 😀
Hannah
3 de February de 2018 at 15:52This is a super useful list! For the most part, Europe is great because almost everyone speaks at least some English (if you’re worried about the language barrier) and you can get almost everywhere on trains / buses – usually easier than you can in the United States.
Kayla
12 de March de 2018 at 12:19LOVE this list! I definitely have the travel bug. I’ve been really interested in Thailand for a while, so it was nice to see it on here too! 🙂 Great post.
Anna
12 de March de 2018 at 12:19Sweden could definitely be on that list too. More hipster than the others, everyone speaks very good English, and it’s very safe to travel around. 🙂
Isadora
15 de March de 2018 at 12:04Hey Anna, that’s good to hear!! Thank you for the tip! 😀
kim
12 de March de 2018 at 13:47Great list – there are some favourites on my to visit list up there, like Canada and South Africa. Thank you for the inspiration!
Waller
12 de March de 2018 at 14:00I particularly like France and Italy – beautiful towns and countryside. I’m into languages and so prefer to go somewhere where English isn’t the main language – although that does have advantages 🙂
Cassie
12 de March de 2018 at 14:45I love this list! As someone who considers herself a novice traveler, it’s so reassuring to know countries (like Italy) are so easy to navigate as an English speaker. One of my biggest fears of traveling is not being able to communicate well, so this was amazing! Thanks!
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Isadora
15 de February de 2021 at 12:27Thank you too for your comment 🙂
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Genni
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Isadora
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Isadora
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not so nice. The photo is for sale and you are frustrating my job as a photographer. You don’t LINK to Flickr, you use the actual photo which is infringing my copyright.
Isadora
16 de March de 2023 at 18:26Hello Francis, thanks for contacting me. “Stole” is actually a strong word, since I gave you credit, your name was there as well as the source, as you could see. I understand that you are now selling your photo, however, when I first downloaded it from your page, it didn’t ask me for any payment, which makes me believe it was indeed free. Anyways, I have already changed the photo, sorry if I caused you any stress. Have a good day.
Gerald Eseru
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