Mount Koya, Japan. Travel Pulse Canada
UN Tourism has unveiled its list of the 52 Best Tourism Villages for 2025, recognizing communities that combine natural beauty, cultural heritage, and sustainable growth. The announcement took place during a special ceremony in Huzhou City, China, where global representatives gathered to celebrate rural tourism excellence.
This year’s winners were selected from 270 entries across 65 countries. Another 20 villages joined the Upgrade Programme, designed to help developing destinations improve and reach the same high standards as the winners. Together, these new additions bring the Best Tourism Villages Network to 319 members worldwide.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said the award highlights the growing importance of rural destinations. “Tourism can be a powerful tool to progress shared prosperity, inclusive growth, and territorial cohesion in rural areas,” he said. “Our Best Tourism Villages 2025 highlight communities that are working to safeguard their cultural heritage, preserve their natural resources, and create economic opportunities through tourism.”
Recognizing Global Excellence
The Best Tourism Villages initiative, launched in 2021, celebrates rural areas that use tourism to drive positive change. Each entry undergoes evaluation in nine categories, including cultural and natural resources, sustainability, tourism management, and community involvement.
This year’s selections showcase destinations that balance tradition and innovation, offering authentic travel experiences while protecting their environments and local identities.
Among the standout winners are Asuka in Japan, Ezcaray in Spain, Pacto in Ecuador, and Soheili in Iran. Each village tells a unique story — from Japan’s ancient temples to Spain’s scenic mountain views and Ecuador’s rich rainforest culture.
Full List of the 52 Best Tourism Villages 2025
- Agaete, Spain
- Akyaka, Türkiye
- Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto, Guatemala
- Anıtlı, Türkiye
- Antônio Prado, Brazil
- Arquà Petrarca, Italy
- Asolo, Italy
- Asuka, Japan
- Barbaros, Türkiye
- Bellano, Italy
- Bled, Slovenia
- Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina
- Chamarel, Mauritius
- Digang, China
- Dongluo, China
- Ezcaray, Spain
- Flößerstadt Schiltach, Germany
- Grand River South East, Mauritius
- Hosszúhetény, Hungary
- Huanggang, China
- Jikayi, China
- Kale Üçağız, Türkiye
- Kandelous, Iran
- Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
- Khinalig, Azerbaijan
- Kolochava, Ukraine
- Koyasan, Japan
- Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Loriga, Portugal
- Lô Lô Chải, Viet Nam
- Maimará, Argentina
- Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang, Germany
- Masfout, United Arab Emirates
- Mértola, Portugal
- Mórahalom, Hungary
- Muju Village, Republic of Korea
- Murillo, Colombia
- Neot Semadar, Israel
- North Azraq, Jordan
- Pacto, Ecuador
- Pemuteran, Indonesia
- Plateliai, Lithuania
- Pont-Croix, France
- Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village, Viet Nam
- Shafiabad, Iran
- Shodoshima, Japan
- Soheili, Iran
- Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine
- Tonosho, Japan
- Valendas, Switzerland
- Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal
- Yangsuri, Republic of Korea
A Growing Global Network
The initiative continues to expand each year, shining a light on small communities that use tourism to sustain their way of life. These villages offer visitors an authentic look at local culture while promoting environmental care and economic development.
For travellers, this list is a guide to some of the most charming and meaningful destinations around the world — places where culture, nature, and hospitality come together beautifully.
