The Five Best Places Our Readers Want to Go in 2024
Wonderful people, an active volcano, beautiful ocean waters, and marine life.
Gobi Desert, Mongolia ❘ SinghaphanAllB/Getty Images
If you 've felt it, then you know.
Last month we announced our first-ever Wanderlist, a collection of destinations we’re eager to explore right now. And because we know that our readers have lists of their own, we asked about your wanderlust, too: the mountains you want to climb, cities you want to amble through, and shorelines you’re eager to explore. After receiving more than 1,700 submissions, we’ve selected the recommendations that most inspire us and best speak to our Wanderlist criteria: places that are low on crowds and high on wonder, and where tourism is most likely to benefit local communities.
Just one of these lucky readers, chosen at random, has won our grand prize, an Atlas Obscura Japan adventure—congratulations, Elizabeth Calora!—though all are going to receive some swag, as well as the knowledge that they are shaping the travel dreams for thousands of people in 2024 and beyond. Here are those top remarkable places.
Mongolia
Explore sprawling landscapes and nomadic cultures.
"For a destination without big crowds, look no further than the world’s most sparsely populated country."
For those looking to escape crowded tourist hubs, says David Koppers, “look no further than the world’s most sparsely populated country.” With just 2.17 residents per square kilometer, Mongolia offers sweeping desert landscapes, soaring mountain ranges, and vast steppes. “Once you reach the countryside,” David says, “you may notice that animals outnumber humans.”
Any trip to Mongolia should begin in its capital, Ulaanbaatar: Home to a puzzle museum, communist-era murals, a monastery-turned-museum, and an enormous statue of national hero Genghis Khan, it’s an excellent way to familiarize yourself with Mongolia’s epic history. Then, “to get a taste of the traditional nomadic lifestyle, head in any direction outside of the capital,” David says.
Hovsgol Lake ❘ mauritius images GmbH/Alamy
Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) in the Gobi desert ❘ Anton Petrus/Getty Images
The nomadic lifestyle is still alive and well in Mongolia’s countryside. About a quarter of the country’s 3.2 million residents live this way, traveling with their herds of cattle, sheep, goats, camels, or horses. The traditional nomadic home is the ger, a sort of yurt made from felt, and many camps of them are available for visits. While tour companies abound (and are multiplying as interest in Mongolia grows), many visitors choose self-guided tours and drive rental cars across the country. A trip might take you up to Khuvsgul Lake, a popular spot for nomads to bring their animals in summer, or Khustain Nuruu National Park, home to a rare population of wild horses. In Mongolia, wide open spaces are easy to come by.
Bisbee, Arizona
Small-town charm in mile-high mountains.
Bisbee stairs ❘ Danita Delimont/Alamy
"A 1,000-stair challenge takes you through the myriad outdoor staircases that cover the town."
In the Mule Mountains of southeast Arizona, 11 miles north of the Mexican border, lies the town of Bisbee. Founded as a mining town in the late 19th century, it’s now a “hidden gem,” according to Rachel Reeher’s recommendation. “Bisbee is a charming town nestled into the mountains,” she explains, “with charming architecture built into the hills, and a 1,000-stair challenge that takes you through the town’s myriad outdoor staircases.” Once a year, the town hosts a race along the route, known as The Great Stair Climb, but visitors can walk the 4.6-mile loop any time to admire the old steps built into Bisbee’s hills.
When you’re not getting your steps in, the town itself offers “a slow pace of life and gorgeous weather year-round,” Rachel says. Since it is a mile above sea level, it’s much cooler than many other parts of the state. And its downtown has maintained its historic charm, with colorful storefronts and a high density of vintage cars. Room 4 claims to be the smallest bar in Arizona, with just four stools, and Rachel claims that “Patisserie Jacquie has the best pastries outside of Paris.” On the weekends, St. Elmo Bar offers live music and dancing. And while there’s plenty to learn at Bisbee Mining Museum, those looking for some hauntings in their history can book an after-hours historic ghost tour.
Bisbee, Arizona ❘ DenisTangneyJr/iStock
Bisbee also offers an ideal jumping off point to explore the landscapes of southeastern Arizona. Visit the rock pinnacles at Chiricahua National monument, or hike through the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, which is a migratory corridor and crucial nesting habitat for many species of birds, including hummingbirds. Then you can head back to Bisbee for bacon-wrapped dates and short ribs at Café Roka.
Greenland
In Greenland, empty landscapes and wild nature are the main attraction.
Humpback whales at Ilulissat Icefjord ❘ Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images
There are few destinations more far-off than Greenland. The island in the North Atlantic—technically part of Denmark, though it has autonomy over most domestic issues—reaches well into the Arctic Circle. Getting there requires long flights for most people, but the rewards are endless: northern lights, white mountains, and whales breaching among icebergs. As with Mongolia, part of Greenland’s appeal are quiet, sprawling landscapes: fjords full of ice, southern hills that come alive with greenery come summer, and an ice sheet larger than some countries. “It is sparsely inhabited, and human presence and activities are very limited,” says recommender Luca Costa.
Summer and winter on the island offer vastly different opportunities. Summer visitors can scuba dive among icebergs, hike or bike through the rolling hills of southern Greenland, or paddleboard; in the winter, visitors can go ice fishing or dog sledding during the day and watch the aurora borealis at night. Natural hot springs are open throughout the year, as is the Sarfaq Ittuk ferry, one of the best ways to see the diverse landscapes of Greenland’s coast. The Greenlandic Inuit people have inhabited the island since 1200, when their ancestors, the Thule people, arrived from northern Canada. You can explore Inuit history in the small capital city of Nuuk, at the Greenland National Museum & Archives and the Nuutoqaq/Nuuk Lokalmuseum, which doubles as a gallery for Greenlandic art and craft.
Tourist crowds are minimal here, though that may shift in years to come, as the country invests in tourism as a more sustainable industry than mining or fossil fuels. Given the unpredictable future of climate change, Luca says, “this is a place to see before it changes significantly.”
Sassuma Arnaa sculpture in Nuuk ❘ REDA&CO/Getty Images
"In Greenland, empty landscapes and wild nature are the main attraction."
Vanuatu
Snorkel through pristine reefs—and down to an underwater post office.
"Wonderful people, an active volcano, beautiful ocean waters, and marine life."
On top of its beautiful waters and volcanoes, says Sandie Hill, Vanuatu is home to “wonderful people,” who are consistently kind and welcoming. Various cultural villages across the isles can introduce visitors to the traditional ways of life on the islands. The cuisine is fresh and vibrant, with plenty of fresh-caught fish and tropical fruit. In the evenings, you might pair your fish curry with a cup of kava, the nonalcoholic psychoactive drink popular on the islands.
Pentecost Island ❘ Andrew Peacock/Getty Images
Mount Yasur Volcano on Tanna Island ❘ Mlenny/Getty Images
Vanuatu, a nation of 83 islands in the southwestern Pacific, hides just as much wonder under the sea as it does on dry land. Thanks to its crystal clear waters and diverse marine life, it is an excellent destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Its islands and the waters offshore are home to plenty of underwater caves, grottoes, tunnels, coral reefs, and less natural occurrences: the wreck of SS President Coolidge, a popular dive site near Million Dollar Point, a mostly underwater mountain of military equipment dumped by the United States after World War II. Off the island of Mele, you can even find one of the world’s only underwater post offices. (Don’t worry: Stores on land sell waterproof postcards.)
While Vanuatu isn’t particularly easy to get to—it’s a nine-plus hour flight from New Zealand—this means uncrowded white sand beaches and quiet towns across the islands. When you’re not diving, kayaking, or touring smaller islands on glass-bottomed boats, the land offers plenty of adventure, from hiking through the jungle to summiting Mount Yasur, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes. An hour-long hike (or a quick drive) will take you to the summit, where you can stare into a cauldron of bubbling lava.
La Paz, Bolivia
A mountain city unlike any other.
Valle de la Luna ❘ jjspring/Shutterstock
"The majority of La Paz’s population is Indigenous, either Quechua or Aymara, and their cultures are a dominant force in the city."
Erie Street in Historic Lowell ❘ D.J. Wednesday/Shutterstock
Cholitas at a festival ❘ agefotostock/Alamy
Genghis Khan statue ❘ Streluk/iStock
Coral reef in Vanuatu ❘ Nicky Dowling/Getty Images
Icebergs near Ilulissat Icefjord ❘ Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images
Cholitas at a festival ❘ agefotostock/Alamy
Genghis Khan statue ❘ Streluk/iStock
Coral reef in Vanuatu ❘ Nicky Dowling/Getty Images
Icebergs near Ilulissat Icefjord ❘ Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images
La Paz is a city of drama: dramatic altitude, dramatic views, and dramatic performances (in wrestling rings, in particular). High in the Andes, the bustling city offers views through narrow streets of the snow-capped Illimani, Bolivia’s second-tallest mountain. One of the city’s defining structures is its cable car system, Mi Teleférico, built to allow residents of the city’s outskirts to commute easily into the center. But it also offers “stunning views of the city” and its surrounding landscapes, according to recommender Elizabeth Calora.
If you take the teleférico up to the El Alto suburb, you’ll find a rare and thrilling form of entertainment: Cholita Wrestling. In these theatrical matches, women dressed in traditional Indigenous clothing faux-fight each other, with all the pomp and drama of a WWE match. Elizabeth recommends it in part for the “colorful outfits.” The majority of La Paz’s population is Indigenous, of either Quechua or Aymara ancestry, and their cultures are a dominant force in the city. At the Mercado de las Brujas, or the Witch Market, vendors sell dried llama fetuses (a symbol of good luck), herbs used for traditional medicine, and other dried animals and feathers used for Aymara rituals.
La Paz, Bolivia ❘ FEBRUARY/Getty Images
In the historic center of La Paz you’ll find the city’s remaining colonial architecture, as well as the majority of its cultural institutions. There, says Elizabeth, you’ll also find “unending corners covered with street art.” Plaza San Francisco is home to the city’s enormous cathedral. Calle Jaen, the last remaining intact colonial street, hosts four small museums, which can all be visited in one go, and the Mamani Mamani Gallery, home to one of the city’s most famous contemporary artists. Other museums throughout the city celebrate Andean textiles, folklore, Bolivian art, and even the coca plant.
The city also offers access to plenty of natural wonder. Easy day trips can be made from La Paz to the salt flats of Uyuni, the otherworldly landscapes of the Valley of the Moon, and the pre-Columbian ruins of Tiwanaku.
Erie Street in Historic Lowell ❘ D.J. Wednesday/Shutterstock
Icebergs near Ilulissat Icefjord ❘ Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images
Cholitas at a festival ❘ agefotostock/Alamy
Genghis Khan statue ❘ Streluk/iStock
Coral reef in Vanuatu ❘ Nicky Dowling/Getty Images
Icebergs near Ilulissat Icefjord ❘ Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images
Cholitas at a festival ❘ agefotostock/Alamy
Genghis Khan statue ❘ Streluk/iStock
Coral reef in Vanuatu ❘ Nicky Dowling/Getty Images
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Get ready for an adventure! Delta Airlines and Atlas Obscura will soon unveil the top 24 destinations for 2024. Stay tuned!
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Sabah
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Kigali
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Boardman Scenic Corridor
Los Ríos
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Taipei
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Oklahoma City
Tsingy de Bemaraha
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Tallinn
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North Island
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Pune
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Namibia
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Aguascalientes
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Iquitos
Sado Island
Mesabi Iron Range
Constanța
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Castlemaine
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North Coast
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Tozeur
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Newfoundland
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Khujand
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Saint-Malo
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Asturias
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Chapada Diamantina
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WHERE TO
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