Global travel authority Lonely Planet has unveiled its annual list of trending destinations for the upcoming year. To mark its 50th anniversary, Best in Travel 2024 has expanded from the top 10 best cities, countries, and regions to include two new categories for best value and more sustainable destinations, recognizing a total of 50 locations around the world with amazing experiences to enjoy in 2024.
“Our picks for this year aim to both inspire and follow the instincts of the traveler in 2024. With new perspectives on iconic destinations and 50 fresh ideas across five categories, we are confident that Best in Travel opens a year of incredible adventures,” commented Nitya Chambers, SVP of Content and Executive Editor.
Among the best cities to visit in 2024, Lonely Planet placed Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil, in 6th place.
Manaus, a charming and cultural city, is the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. The lush local vegetation, the dark waters of the Rio Negro, the muddy waters of the Rio Solimões, the exotic local cuisine, diverse architecture, and the very welcoming people are some of the city’s treasures.
As the capital of the state of Amazonas, Manaus is the main metropolis of the region and the natural gateway for those wanting to visit the Forest. Boats are the primary means of transport to hotels in the forest, allowing visitors to see the meeting of the waters of the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimões, observe pink river dolphins in Anavilhanas, and visit places like Praia da Lua.
Also known as the Paris of the Tropics due to intense modernization during the Rubber Boom in the Amazon (a period of significant economic and social growth in Brazil), Manaus inherited beautiful buildings constructed with fine materials imported from Europe. The Teatro Amazonas is the most prominent, featuring a colorful dome made of 36,000 glazed ceramic tiles.
Check out Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024 below
Best Sustainable:
1. Spain
2. Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
3. Greenland
4. Wales Trails
5. The Portuguese Way, Portuguese Way of Santiago
6. Palau
7. Hokkaido, Japan
8. Ecuador
9. Baltic Trails of Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
10. Eco Lodges of South Africa
Best Value:
1. The Midwest, USA
2. Poland
3. Nicaragua
4. Danube Delta, Bulgaria & Romania
5. Normandy, France
6. Egypt
7. Ikaria, Greece
8. Algeria
9. Southern & Central Otago, New Zealand
10. Night Trains of Europe
Best Cities:
1. Nairobi, Kenya
2. Paris, France
3. Montreal, Canada
4. Mostar, Bosnia
5. Philadelphia, USA
6. Manaus, Brazil
7. Jakarta, Indonesia
8. Prague, Czech Republic
9. Izmir, Turkey
10. Kansas City, Missouri
Best Country:
1. Mongolia
2. India
3. Morocco
4. Chile
5. Benin
6. Mexico
7. Uzbekistan
8. Pakistan
9. Croatia
10. Saint Lucia
Best Region:
1. Trans Dinarica Cycling Route of the Western Balkans
2. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
3. Tuscany, Italy
4. Donegal, Ireland
5. Basque Country, Spain
6. Southern Thailand
7. Swahili Coast, Tanzania
8. Montana, USA
9. Saalfelden Leogang, Austria
10. Far North of Scotland
Source: Lonely Planet and Visit Brasil