20 countries around the world known for great sightseeing

There are an unending number of places to see throughout Italy. From historic landmarks and ancient ruins to stunning landscapes and charming villages, the entire country is essentially one giant sight to see. 

By European standards, France is a fairly big country, and within its borders are loads and loads of beautiful sights to see. You can take an urban route and visit its most famous city, Paris, or you can go more bucolic and see the countryside. 

There’s much to see across the United States of America. It’s got lots of landmass, meaning major cities and rural areas. While its vastness is an asset, it also makes it difficult to conquer it all. A true double-edged sword. 

Singapore is a much smaller country than the United States. Much, much smaller. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to see and do. The country perfectly blends city and beach, so you can see some stunning beaches and water when you’ve had your fill of modern amenities. 

Australia is another massive country to explore. Its major cities — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc. — all boast their own unique features, and the in-between is just as beautiful. There’s wildlife, rugged terrain, coasts, grasslands, and all sorts of modern marvels, too. 

There are so many options for sightseeing in Japan. It has gorgeous natural features, thanks to its cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji, but its cityscapes and cultural and historic buildings are just as satisfying to visit. 

England has London, which is a sight to see all on its own. But if you venture outside the city, you’ll find that there’s even more to see, and some of it might be even more interesting. Beautiful countryside, major cities, old film sites, the homes of prominent authors, and more abound in England. 

Any physically big country is going to have a lot to see. China is enormous, and it’s got diverse sights to see. Among its most iconic landmarks are the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City, but that’s just barely scratching the surface. 

Mexico is full of beaches, and while they might appear to all look the same, each coastal town is unique, adding to the sightseeing possibilities. Inland Mexico is mountainous, and there are plenty of cities and ancient ruins to see, too. 

You might not want to visit northern Canada or anything too close to the country’s geographic center, but along its borders are booming cities, gorgeous landscapes, and unique landmarks. But don’t be afraid of the middle of Canada. It’s beautiful, too. But it’s just a tad harder to get to. 

Austria is the perfect place to visit if you like historic cities with a strong classical music influence. Austria is the perfect place to visit if you like charming cities with Instagram-ready vistas. Austria is the perfect place to visit if you want to live out your Sound of Music fantasy. And who doesn’t want that?

Spain is a mecca for unbelievable architecture. Anyone who wants to spend their entire trip looking at old buildings is in for a treat in this European country. That’s far from all there is to do, though, so budget some time to see its beaches and landscapes, too. 

Greece isn’t just white and blue buildings. It’s also beautiful sand beaches, picturesque islands, and ancient ruins. Whether you’re staying in Athens or venturing outside the city, there’s no shortage of things to see. 

Tourists will attest that Thailand has some of the best sightseeing in Asia, and that’s saying something. It has palaces, temples, markets, beaches, and more, and there are loads of fun ways to see all of those sights. 

Turkey is beautiful. There are mosques and bazaars, beaches and salt lakes. If you plan your trip at the right time, you can also see an abundance of hot air balloons, which is truly unique. 

Sightseeing around Germany feels like stepping back in time. The country boasts plenty of old-world towns that could be plucked right out of a storybook, and the countryside is full of hidden gem castles. The cities are exceptional, too. 

Portugal's proximity to Spain has somewhat dampened its reputation, but trust those who’ve visited that it’s just as rich with sights to see. The landscapes are beautiful, and the architecture is idyllic. Leave some sightseeing eggs for a Portugal basket.  

Switzerland’s eternal backdrop is the Swiss Alps. Of course, it’s a great place for sightseeing. There’s not a bad view in the entire country. 

New Zealand often gets lumped in with Australia, but the two countries are vastly different, and it’s reflected in their sightseeing. New Zealand is just as worthy of a stop, with major cities, stunning landscapes, and loads of historic pop culture spots. 

South Africa is somewhat of a one-stop shop for quintessential African sightseeing. No, it doesn’t encompass everything the continent has to offer, but it does have major cities, beautiful beaches, and loads of wildlife to see.