2020 is set to be another exciting year in travel and there’s never been a better time to visit many of our favourite destinations. There are so many places that are primed to be either incredible value or the next big destination that we thought we should put together the 20 places you have to see in 2020.

20 places to visit in 2020

For unique experiences

1 - Uluru, Northern Territory in Australia

2020 is a big year for the heart of Australia for two reasons: firstly, the rock has returned to it’s sacred state as climbing has been banned. Secondly, the stunning Field of Light installation has been extended for another year.

Bruce Munro’s light installation which comes to life at night is a must-see and supplements what is already one of the great travel destinations of the world. We haven’t been lucky enough to see the Field of Light for ourselves yet but now it’s extended we think it’s time to return to the mighty Uluru.

2 - North Macedonia

Who doesn't want to visit the world's "newest country"? Well, it's more of a rebrand, as it was previously called Macedonia before reaching an agreement with Greece for the new name (Greece has it's own province called Macedonia).

As well as the name change, North Macedonia has been a hidden gem in Eastern Europe and often overlooked by travellers but it’s recently started to hit people’s radar. With a vibrant culture, great wine (seriously, we didn't expect it either and it’s so cheap!) and the beautiful Ohrid lake, this small country will offer up plenty of surprises.

3 - The newest Great Walk, New Zealand

New Zealand's 9 Great Walks are the envy of the world. These multi-day hiking trails showcase the best of the diverse landscape of New Zealand, from the volcanoes of Tongariro to the beaches of Abel Tasman, and the many incredible mountains of Fiordland. However, December saw 9 become 10 with the opening of the Paparoa Trail.

Situated on the West Coast of the South Island - an area known for its wild coastline and sheer mountains - the trail is a three day epic into wildnerness that few people explore. So head over and check out this new gem before the crowds catch on!

We tried to get bookings for Christmas and Easter and both are already sold out so get in quick before the rest of the year sells out too.

*The Kepler Track - One of the Great Walks of NZ*

4 - Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is getting the accolades it deserves as the inaugural “African Capital of Culture” in 2020. This incredible city has been attracting intrepid travellers for decades with it’s bewildering souks, exuberant street sellers and incredible food.

It truly is one of those destinations you have to see in your lifetime and if all that culture shock sounds too much, book yourself into a riad. These guesthouses are blissful havens of tranquility where you’ll feel a million miles away from the bustle of the outside world.

5 - The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

This is one of the sadder places on the list, because 2020 is a critical year for the Great Barrier Reef. Rising temperatures have meant that for many years more and more of this wonder of the world is being bleached, and at quite an alarming rate. National Geographic has proclaimed that 50% of the reef has been bleached to death since 2016, and this is primarily in the vibrant northern section. Unless something drastically changes, there is little hope for recovery.

The problem will become worse when the Adani mine opens, which will lead to further damage and pollution of a habitat that needs pristine water to survive. You'll want to visit soon, as the life expectancy of this incredible place is getting shorter and shorter.

Doom and gloom aside the Great Barrier Reef is a sight to behold, particularly if you take a scenic flight which is the only way to truly get any idea of its size. We visited from both Cairns and the Whitsundays and can recommend both, although the Whitsundays just pip Cairns if your time is limited.

6 - Dubai’s World Expo

Dubai is a city that is obsessed with the world’s biggest anything, and the city has been planning its hosting of the 2020 World Expo for years. This will be a time when the city will be showcasing what it calls “human brilliance and achievement”, inviting people from all over the world to share art, culture and technology.

It’s seen as a glimpse into the future, and if it’s in Dubai, you know this will be a grand spectacle.

7 - Kandy to Ella Train, Sri Lanka

There's a lot of people who have proclaimed the Kandy to Ella Train to be "the most beautiful train journey" in the world, and it's hard to disagree. The train goes through the heart of the hill country, through tea plantations and on the sides of mountains with views for miles. It is a journey that is never dull, and you'll see the best of the Sri Lankan countryside.

When we visited in 2018, the trains were packed and getting a seat was never guaranteed. However, with the recent attacks the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka has dropped, making it a lot quieter and more enjoyable time to go.

For great value

8 - The Lake District, UK

Whilst Brits despair at Brexit (including us), the ongoing crisis has brought the value of the pound down dramatically and is likely to continue throughout 2020. This means that visiting the UK is cheaper than it’s been in a long time at the moment and you can get some incredible bargains, particularly outside of London. The Lake District in the North-West of the country is one of these, as you can hire a three bedroom cottage for as little as $90 outside of peak season!

It also happens to be our favourite region in the whole country with something for everyone from incredible hiking trails to cosy pubs, cobbled streets and the homes of some of England’s most famous writers.

9 - Cappadocia, Turkey

There has never been a cheaper time to visit Turkey in recent years and nowhere is this truer than Cappadocia – the country’s hottest travel destination. The trade war with the US and the dubious economic policy has meant that the Turkish Lira is at its lowest in years, bringing the costs of travel on par with many countries in Southeast Asia. We were able to get beautiful hotels for as little as $30 per night in the heart of this incredible place. Food, car rental and activities are also fantastic value, sometimes it was so cheap we had to re-do calculations many times to make sure we had it right.

The people, culture and astounding scenery made Turkey one of our favourite destinations on our recent two year trip.

Here’s our perfect three day Cappadocia itinerary to take all the hard work out of planning your trip.

10 - Sydney, Australia

You weren’t expecting this one, but the cost of travelling around Australia has slowly dropped throughout 2019, making it the cheapest its been in 10 years. The Aussie dollar has dropped from nearly $1 USD = $1 AUD in 2013 to $1 USD = $1.50 AUD, meaning your money goes a lot further than it used to!

Sydney is well known for being of the most expensive cities in the world, but the exchange rate means that 2020 is a great time to visit (so long as the bushfires stop!).

11 - Vietnam

Vietnam is one of those gems which continues to offer incredible value for travellers, and is set to continue in 2020. Whist the majority of Southeast Asia travellers head to Thailand, much fewer go to Vietnam, although numbers are on the rise. Vietnam delights with incredibly cheap (and delicious) street food, bargain hotels and epic experiences that never break the bank. We were able to travel around the whole country on $50 USD a day, staying in mid-range hotels, eating out for every meal and doing plenty of activities each day!

We fell in love with Vietnam second time round and are already talking about when we can make a third trip.

12 - Qatar

Qatar has had a turbulent few years with disputes with its surrounding countries and problems with the FIFA World Cup which it won for 2022. It’s also largely overshadowed by its glitzy neighbours Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

All this means that hotel rooms and travel around Qatar generally are surprisingly cheap. You may have to contend with the aggravations around construction, but we were able to snag a room in a 5* hotel for $50 a night when we visited! If you’re happy to eat like a local you’ll also find that food is inexpensive and delicious and apps like Uber make getting around cheaply a breeze.

13 - The Rockies

This one is for our American readers as Canada hasn’t been this cheap for a long time (for other countries it’s still super expensive)! The strong US dollar has meant that heading north of the border has become the cheapest in years, so head to The Rockies for some of the countries most beautiful spots.

Many of the best things to do are the hikes, lakes and views which are free, so you’ll only have to spend money on flights, hotels and food!

Get there before it gets too popular

14 - Sri Lanka

In 2018, Sri Lanka was close to reaching its potential as one of the top tourist destinations in Asia. After the devastating Tsunami in 2004, this island had bounced back and was a place which travellers were coming to in big numbers.

However, the terrorist attack in 2019 set Sri Lanka back significantly. Visitor numbers dropped dramatically, and - whilst they are growing - haven't bounced back yet.

The isolated attack shouldn't deter travellers from seeing what truly is a highlight of Asia. Those who do go will experience many of the wonders of this country before the crowds return.

15 - Jordan

Until the Syrian War, Jordan was on course to become the next big travel destination. Now that tensions have calmed significantly, this incredible country is looking to get back on track.

2020 is set to be a huge year for Jordan, with Ryanair having launched several flight routes from Europe and an anticipated increase in visitor numbers that will likely skyrocket in the next few years.

However, there is still time to see the wonders of Petra and Wadi Rum before the huge crowds arrive. As numbers are already on the rise we’d advise visiting outside of high season.

16 - Idaho, USA

When surrounded by California, Utah, Oregon and Washington, Idaho is frequently overlooked by travellers wanting to see the big ticket items on the West Coast of the USA.

This is their loss as Idaho is home to incredible wilderness areas and experiences that haven't been damaged by the crowds. However, this won't last for long as people are beginning to twig that this state has a lot more to offer than most people know. With Instagram recently becoming full of enticing pictures of natural hot springs and picturesque lakes you’ll need to get there quick.

17 - Siquijor, Philippines

Siquijor is the up and coming destination in Southeast Asia as travellers are beginning to realise that the Thai islands are overrun and are looking for a quieter option. This incredible island has it all - stunning waterfalls, beautiful beaches and endless opportunities for adventure.

It’s also retained its friendly culture with locals who will gladly stop for a chat and rarely try to over charge tourists. it’s how we remember the Philippines from our visit in 2012 and sadly not what we found in El Nido and Coron in 2019.

It won't be long before it’s high on the list of every traveller looking to experience the ‘old Philippines’.

18 - Egypt

Egypt has obviously been incredibly popular in the past but large scale unrest and terrorist attacks have kept visitor numbers relatively low over the last few years. Whilst the situation is still tense in certain parts of the country, tourism is rebounding after an eight year slump. It is set to only get busier especially with so much publicity coming from the travel blogging world in 2019. If you’re keen to see the pyramids without the long queues then put Egypt on your list for 2020.

19 - Angels Landing, Zion National Park, USA

This one will confuse a lot of people, as Zion is currently an incredibly crowded place. The queues for the shuttle buses are insane and many of the top things to do can be difficult with the amount of people who are there.

However, there is mounting pressure to do something about Zion's numbers, especially the fragile areas and places which can be dangerous with crowds. This leads us to Angels Landing, which many are predicting will soon require permits to control the numbers and reduce the risk on what many call one of the most dangerous hikes in the US.

Whilst we don't know this for sure, 2020 may be the last time you can simply walk up and take on this walk without having to apply for a permit months in advance. Here is our post with tips on how to avoid the crowds and therefore mitigate the risks of taking on the spectacular Angels Landing hike in 2020.

20 - Panama

When we first visited Panama over a decade ago it was firmly off the main backpacker trail. It was seen as one of the less interesting destinations in Central America - spoiler alert - it isn’t! But 2019 has seen an influx of bloggers and Instagrammer’s visiting and sharing the untouched beauty of places like the San Blas Islands and Bocas Del Toro and the secret is finally out! It is the fifth fastest growing tourist destination of 2019 for US travellers. Get there before the whole world catches on to just how amazing it is.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, that we will earn a small commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase. This helps towards the costs of running our website. :-)