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.
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