In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 countries with the most beautiful nature in Europe. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global tourism industry, the largest travel company in the world, and the need for sustainable tourism, and go directly to the 5 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in Europe.
There’s simply no better place to take a break and let go of everyday stress than out in nature. Being surrounded by this planet’s raw, enchanting beauty can help us relax and rejuvenate our soul, reminding us to pay attention and be in the moment. The sights, sounds, and smells of Mother Earth are sometimes far too alluring for us biophiles, and so when the vast outdoors call, we make sure to answer.
The Global Tourism Industry:
Tourism has evolved into a massive industry with time, encompassing several other sectors, such as hospitality, transport, entertainment etc. In 1950, at the dawn of the jet age, just 25 million people took foreign trips, and by 2019, that number had reached a mammoth 1.5 billion. As we mentioned in our article – 15 Countries with the Most Beautiful Culture in the World – the global Travel & Tourism (T&T) industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% between 2021 and 2026, to be worth an estimated $8.9 trillion by the end of the forecast period.
The World Tourism and Travel Council has reported that the T&T sector contributed 7.6% to the global GDP in 2022, an increase of 22% from 2021 and only 23% below the pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Largest Travel Company in the World:
With a market cap of over $119 billion as of the writing of this piece, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) holds the title of being the largest travel company in the world. Operating in over 220 countries and 40 different languages, there are more than 28 million global listings available between hotels, homes, and apartments under the Booking travel sites.
The Connecticut-based travel technology company also strongly felt the shocks of the pandemic when its revenue fell by almost 55%, from $15.06 billion in 2019, to $6.8 billion in 2020. However, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) bounced back strongly and boasted a revenue of $17.09 billion in 2022 after the revival of international tourism, even higher than its pre-pandemic levels. The platform has also recently started conversational trip planning with ChatGPT.
Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is ranked among the 13 Best Major Stocks to Buy Right Now.
The Need for Sustainable Tourism:
Sustainable tourism can be defined as a kind of tourism that has more positive than negative impacts, especially relating to the environment, the economy, and communities. The popularity of beaches/forests/mountains etc as ideal getaways leads to overflowing masses of tourists every year, putting these unique yet fragile environments at risk.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) is among the most recognizable names in the hospitality industry. The Virginia-based company manages and franchises a broad portfolio of the best beach resorts and eco-hotels, steps away from some of the most picturesque natural environments in the world. Hilton’s global Travel with Purpose strategy aims to reduce the operational environmental footprint of the group’s hotels worldwide, enabling guests to travel more sustainably and paving the way towards a net-zero future for the hospitality industry. From preserving mangroves in Curaçao to restoring the United Kingdom’s woodland areas through exceptional conservation, ecotourism is already the way of the future for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT).
Hilton Worldwide plans to open 24 new hotels globally in 2024, including company debuts in Asia-Pacific and Europe, and brand debuts in the United States, the company announced in November 2023. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) ranks among the Most Valuable Hotel Companies in the World.
WIth that said, here are the European Countries with the Best Nature.
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Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to sources such as Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, Reddit etc., looking for the European Countries with the Most Beautiful Nature. To make sure we give you the best of the best, we only shortlisted countries that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two or more countries had the same score, we ranked them by the number of foreign tourists they received in 2022 instead.
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15. Montenegro
Insider Monkey Score: 7
This small Balkan country is a must-see destination to visit an incredible combination of wild nature, rich culture, and magnificent beaches. With the Bay of Kotor on one side and mountains on the other, the tiny picturesque town of Kotor is truly a sight to behold. Brimming with breathtaking mountain sceneries, gleaming lakes, and magical towns, Montenegro proves that good things do indeed come in small packages.
14. Ireland
Insider Monkey Score: 8
A land of unparalleled natural beauty, it is impossible to visit Ireland and not helplessly and hopelessly fall in love with it. A lush green land of rolling hills, dramatic coastline, windswept isles, and incredible, natural scenery, Ireland is a paradise for a lover of the outdoors.
Home to more than 30,000 castles and ruins, most dating from the 12th to 16th centuries, The Emerald Isle is also included among the Countries with the Most Beautiful Castles in the World.
13. Slovenia
Insider Monkey Score: 9
The small yet mighty country of Slovenia is a land of plenty, offering travelers the perfect combination of natural wonders and cultural attractions. This Scenic European Country really does have an almost absurd number of astonishingly beautiful places to visit; from the towering peaks of the Julian Alps in the north to the immense cave systems in the south, Slovenia is a fairy tale come to life.
12. Sweden
Insider Monkey Score: 9
Home to 29 national parks and over 100,000 lakes, this Scandinavian beauty makes for a fine escape to anyone looking for a natural wonderland. The sense of well-being that one feels, the peace and the calm, the exquisite nature, and the quiet, unassuming people, undoubtedly make Sweden one of the Most Beautiful Countries in Europe.
11. Portugal
Insider Monkey Score: 11
Portugal is raw, real, and natural. Its awe-inspiring mix of terrains, panoramic vistas, and Mediterranean climate can accommodate a myriad of activities and excursions. Famed novelist and Nobel laureate José Saramago even went so far as to declare the hypnotic terraces of the country’s northern Douro Valley, with their winding waterways and green landscapes, as the eighth wonder of the world.
Tourism is a key driver of the Portuguese economy, accounting for almost 15% of the national GDP before the pandemic.
10. Scotland
Insider Monkey Score: 13
Scotland is an amazing destination that tourists always find enthralling. You can find idyllic sites all over the country, from the southeast coast of East Lothian to the far reaches of the Outer Hebrides.
Tourism is one of the seven growth industries in Scotland, contributing more than $4.9 billion to the economy each year. The country received around 3.2 million foreign visitors in the year 2022.
9. Croatia
Insider Monkey Score: 13
Croatia is among the best ecologically preserved countries in Europe; offering around 1,100 miles of coastline along the Adriatic, over 1,200 islands, 26 rivers, 7 protected marine areas, and 8 national parks. Simply put, Croatia is undoubtedly one of the Most Magical Places in the World.
8. Greece
Insider Monkey Score: 14
The Greek islands have long been a sun worshiper’s paradise. Besides the heavenly sands and turquoise waters, the country offers a wealth of mountains, forests, gorges, rivers, lakes, caves, volcanoes, and lagoons,
The Greek tourism sector stands to gain from the total $54 billion in funding from the country’s national recovery and resilience plan. Investments in tourism with particular focus on health and wellness as well as spa tourism, gastronomy and diving tourism, port upgrades, beach accessibility, and special training and upskilling programs for tourism sector employees are areas expected to receive funding under the national recovery plan.
Greece is included among the Top 10 Beautiful Countries in Europe.
7. Austria
Insider Monkey Score: 15
Austria certainly has no shortage of stunning natural attractions, providing excellent scenery and a serene environment where you and your family can relax. With its majestic Alpine ranges and crystal clear lakes, you’re never far away from beautiful scenery in Austria.
6. Switzerland
Insider Monkey Score: 16
Switzerland is truly the epitome of idyllic. With the statuesque Swiss Alps covering more than 60% of the country, Switzerland seduces visitors all year round with some of the best and most astonishing natural scenery not only in Europe, but the whole world. Boasting glacial waterfalls, hiking trails, ski slopes, dramatic cliffs and quaint villages, Lauterbrunnen is easily ranked among the Most Beautiful Places in Europe.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in Europe is originally published on Insider Monkey.