52 Villages Worldwide Recognised By The UN As "Best Tourism Villages" For 2025

Rural destinations often hold the richest layers of culture, tradition and natural beauty. Yet, they remain under-the-radar for many travellers. The newly announced list of the world's best tourism villages for 2025 shines a spotlight on exactly those kinds of places: small communities where local residents are working to balance tourism with heritage preservation, environmentally friendly practices and inclusive development. For travellers seeking experiences beyond the usual urban or resort settings, these villages invite you to slow down, connect with places, and support tourism that benefits local people.

What Is The "Best Tourism Villages" Initiative?

Arqua Petrarca, Italy (One of the villages on this year's list). Photo Credit: arquapetrarca.com

The initiative by UN Tourism (formerly the UN World Tourism Organisation) was launched in 2021 under its "Tourism for Rural Development" programme. The idea is to recognise rural communities across the globe that are combining cultural and natural heritage, sustainable tourism practices and economic opportunity for locals. Villages are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• Cultural and Natural Resources
• Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
• Economic Sustainability
• Social Sustainability
• Environmental Sustainability
• Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
• Governance and Prioritisation of Tourism
• Infrastructure and Connectivity
• Health, Safety, and Security

Alongside the recognition of top villages, the initiative also includes an "Upgrade Programme" for promising destinations, and an overall network of recognised villages, which allows sharing of best practices.

For 2025, 52 villages from around the world have been officially recognised as "Best Tourism Villages". These come from a wide range of geographies: Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East. The villages were selected from more than 270 applications submitted by 65 member states of the UN Tourism. With this edition, the Best Tourism Villages Network now comprises 319 destinations globally, making it a significant platform for rural tourism.

Also Read: Dutch Village, Famous For Windmills, Is Set To Implement Entry Fee For Tourists

Why This Selection Matters For Travellers Worldwide

Choosing to visit a recognised "Best Tourism Village" means you are likely entering a destination where:

• There is genuine community involvement in tourism and local livelihoods.
• The cultural heritage (local crafts, traditions, unique architecture or landscapes) is being preserved and celebrated.
• The natural environment is treated with respect, and development is mindful of long-term sustainability rather than just mass tourism growth.
• For the conscientious traveller, this means your visit has the potential to support local economies and to encounter authentic rural life rather than packaged resort experiences.

What Travellers Should Keep In Mind While Visiting Rural Destinations

Shodoshima, Japan (One of the villages on this year's list). Photo Credit: Unsplash

• Plan early: Many of these villages are less frequented, so accommodation may be limited and require advance booking.
• Engage respectfully: You are going to be a guest in someone's home environment. Learning a few local phrases, respecting traditions and being open-minded go a long way.
• Support locals: Choose homestays or community-run guesthouses, eat locally, buy crafts directly from artisans, etc. Doing so helps ensure tourism benefits the community.
• Adopt a sustainable approach: Many of the selected villages are committed to eco-friendly practices. Minimise waste, be sensitive towards the environment, and follow the local guidelines.
• Explore seasonally: Sometimes the best experience is off-peak or aligned with local festivals rather than the high-tourist season.

Also Read: Anand Mahindra Finds A Stunning Indian Village "Above The Clouds". How To Get There

No Indian Village Made It To The List This Year

In the 2025 list, no villages from India were included. In the past, Pochampalli in Telangana and Dhordo in Gujarat were recognised by the UN. India doesn't lack rural tourism potential. But it suggests that more work may be needed in terms of documentation, meeting the specific criteria of the initiative (infrastructure, connectivity, governance, sustainability), or due to other reasons. For Indian travellers and rural destinations, this is a reminder of the opportunity: the next call for submissions opens in early 2026, so whichever village is aiming for recognition has time to prepare.

Full List Of UN's Best Tourism Villages 2025

1. Agaete, Spain
2. Akyaka, Turkiye
3. Aldea San Cristobal El Alto, Guatemala
4. Anitli, Turkiye
5. Antonio Prado, Brazil
6. Arqua Petrarca, Italy
7. Asolo, Italy
8. Asuka, Japan
9. Barbaros, Turkiye
10. Bellano, Italy
11. Bled, Slovenia
12. Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina
13. Chamarel, Mauritius
14. Digang, China
15. Dongluo, China
16. Ezcaray, Spain
17. Floberstadt Schiltach, Germany
18. Grand River South East, Mauritius
19. Hosszuheteny, Hungary
20. Huanggang, China
21. Jikayi, China
22. Kale Ucagiz, Turkiye
23. Kandelous, Iran
24. Kastelir Labinci, Croatia
25. Khinalig, Azerbaijan
26. Kolochava, Ukraine
27. Koyasan, Japan
28. Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia and Herzegovina
29. Loriga, Portugal
30. Lo Lo Chai, Vietnam
31. Maimara, Argentina
32. Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang, Germany
33. Masfout, United Arab Emirates
34. Mertola, Portugal
35. Morahalom, 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, Vietnam
45. Shafiabad, Iran
46. Shodoshima, Japan
47. Soheili, Iran
48. Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine
49. Tonosho, Japan
50. Valendas, Switzerland
51. Vila Nogueira de Azeitao, Portugal
52. Yangsuri, Republic of Korea

The 2025 edition of the "Best Tourism Villages" shines a light on rural destinations where tourism is about offering visitors something uniquely deep and meaningful. For travellers who want more than just a beach or city stay, exploring one of these villages offers a chance to connect with slower rhythms, local stories and the human side of global travel.