Greece has been named the best country in the world for travel in 2026 by the readers of the prestigious international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, claiming the top spot with an impressive score of 98.14 out of 100. The country left behind traditional tourism powerhouses such as Italy, Spain, and France — as well as Turkey — cementing its dominance in the world’s most competitive travel markets. The recognition carries particular weight as it comes at a time when tourist arrivals are breaking consecutive records, yet the surge in visitor numbers has done nothing to diminish Greece’s appeal. On the contrary, Condé Nast Traveller readers continue to rank it as their top choice, with the Greek islands and Athens’ remarkable reinvention leading the way.
Greece: A near-perfect score and a global first place
Greece’s performance in the Condé Nast Traveller reader vote was nothing short of extraordinary, achieving a score of 98.14 out of a possible 100. This distinction comes from the readership of one of the world’s most influential travel publications — a magazine that caters to discerning travellers from the most affluent tourism markets globally. Greece managed to surpass destinations with long-established tourism traditions, confirming that it continues to hold a uniquely special place in the hearts and preferences of international visitors.
“Our love affair with Greece has reached a fever pitch, and you, the readers of Condé Nast Traveller, have voted it the best country in the world for 2026,” the magazine states. The same feature notes that the country “attracts record-breaking numbers of tourists” — a fact that did nothing to stop readers from awarding it the highest ranking on the list.
From Santorini and Mykonos to Paros and Hydra
The Greek islands take centre stage in the feature, with the Aegean Sea presented as a destination that keeps travellers coming back time and again. “The crystal-clear waters of the Aegean beckon us back to some of your favourite islands in the world: postcard-perfect Santorini, mythology-soaked Mykonos, and vast Crete, with its re-emerging wine scene,” Condé Nast Traveller notes.
Yet the interest doesn’t stop at the most well-known destinations. The magazine also shines a spotlight on islands that are attracting a growing number of visitors, expanding the map of Greek travel possibilities. “The dream island list keeps growing, as more visitors explore the under-the-radar Paros, car-free Hydra, mysterious Ios, and wind-swept Tinos,” the publication highlights.
Athens’ impressive comeback
Athens deserves a chapter of its own, with the magazine recommending the Greek capital as a destination well worth discovering. The city is portrayed as one that has firmly left behind its years of economic hardship and forged a bold new identity — one defined by creativity and a vibrant contemporary cultural scene.
Condé Nast Traveller describes a “scrappy, creative energy” that has given rise to “pioneering restaurants, avant-garde gallery spaces, and fashionable hotels.” This transformation, according to the magazine, has turned Athens into one of “Europe’s unexpectedly coolest capitals.” Greece’s tourism identity, it seems, is no longer built on beaches and islands alone — the modern face of its capital is earning the country an ever-greater international following.
