UN Tourism names 52 villages as the ‘Best Tourism Villages of 2025’ — See the full list

Explore the UN’s 2025 list of the world’s best tourism villages.

UN Tourism has unveiled its much-anticipated ‘Best Tourism Villages 2025’ list — spotlighting 52 destinations across 29 countries that redefine what it means to travel meaningfully. These are not your typical tourist hotspots but vibrant rural communities where travellers can discover unspoiled nature, age-old traditions, and authentic cultural experiences.

Now in its fifth edition, the initiative recognises villages that excel in sustainability, innovation, and community-based tourism, selected from over 270 applications submitted by 65 UN member states. The programme also includes an Upgrade Programme to support 20 additional villages in reaching the same standards, bringing the Best Tourism Villages Network to 319 destinations worldwide.

Why These Villages Stand Out

Each of the 52 chosen villages was evaluated by an independent advisory board on nine parameters — from cultural and natural resources to sustainability, governance, and safety. What sets them apart is their commitment to preserving local identity while embracing responsible tourism as a driver of economic growth.

UN Tourism’s Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili praised the initiative, calling it “a powerful tool to progress shared prosperity, inclusive growth and territorial cohesion in rural areas.”

From Italy’s storybook towns and Japan’s sacred villages to Mauritius’s coastal charms and Portugal’s serene countryside, these destinations offer travellers a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, and support local communities.

A Missed Opportunity for India

While India’s Pochampalli (2021) and Dhordo (2023) were previously recognised, no Indian village made it to the 2025 list. This highlights the potential for India’s rural destinations to improve their infrastructure, governance, and sustainability standards to qualify for future recognition. With the next call for submissions opening in early 2026, there’s time for aspiring Indian villages to prepare for inclusion in this global network.

About the Best Tourism Villages Initiative

Launched in 2021, the UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages initiative is part of its broader Rural Development Programme, built on three main pillars:

• Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Recognising villages that preserve culture, foster sustainability, and promote innovation.
• Upgrade Programme: Supporting promising villages in meeting recognition criteria through development plans.
• BTV Network: A collaborative global platform where member villages share experiences, exchange best practices, and promote tourism as a means of rural empowerment.

1. Agaete, Spain

2. Akyaka, Türkiye

3. Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto, Guatemala

4. Anıtlı, Türkiye

5. Antônio Prado, Brazil

6. Arquà Petrarca, Italy

7. Asolo, Italy

8. Asuka, Japan

9. Barbaros, Türkiye

10. Bellano, Italy

11. Bled, Slovenia

12. Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina

13. Chamarel, Mauritius

14. Digang, China

15. Dongluo, China

16. Ezcaray, Spain

17. Flößerstadt Schiltach, Germany

18. Grand River South East, Mauritius

19. Hos1szúhetény, Hungary

20. Huanggang, China

21. Jikayi, China

22. Kale Üçağız, Türkiye

23. Kandelous, Iran

24. Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia

25. Khinalig, Azerbaijan

26. Kolochava, Ukraine

27. Koyasan, Japan

28. Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia and Herzegovina

29. Loriga, Portugal

30. Lô Lô Chải, Viet Nam

31. Maimará, Argentina

32. Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang, Germany

33. Masfout, United Arab Emirates

34. Mértola, Portugal

35. Mórahalom, Hungary

36. Muju Village, Republic of Korea

37. Murillo, Colombia

38. Neot Semadar, Israel

39. North Azraq, Jordan

40. Pacto, Ecuador

41. Pemuteran, Indonesia

42. Plateliai, Lithuania

43. Pont-Croix, France

44. Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village, Viet Nam

45. Shafiabad, Iran

46. Shodoshima, Japan

47. Soheili, Iran

48. Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine

49. Tonosho, Japan

50. Valendas, Switzerland

51. Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal

52. Yangsuri, Republic of Korea

These destinations exemplify how rural tourism can preserve culture, protect ecosystems, and empower local economies.

The Future of Sustainable Travel

As global travellers increasingly seek meaningful, responsible, and slower forms of tourism, the UN’s Best Tourism Villages list provides a blueprint for the future of travel. Whether it’s hiking through forest trails, savouring farm-to-table cuisine, or learning traditional crafts from locals, these 52 villages invite travellers to explore the world beyond the cities — one authentic experience at a time.