In the latest US News Best Countries rankings, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa have earned spots among the 40 most fun countries in the world, highlighting Africa’s growing appeal as a vibrant travel destination.
The global survey, which polled over 17,000 people across 36 nations, placed Spain at the top for its dynamic culture, festive atmosphere, and coastal charm.
A Handy List of the Most Fun Countries in the World
Spain ranks as the most fun country in the world, buoyed by its rich traditions, party atmosphere, and beach destinations.
Its annual La Tomatina tomato-throwing festival symbolizes the country’s vibrant and playful culture. Its good food and warm weather add to a generally pleasant atmosphere.
Spain also scores highly in the broader categories of adventure (#4) and cultural influence (#4), making it a well-rounded travel hotspot. Cities like Barcelona and Ibiza further boost its reputation for fun with legendary nightlife scenes.
As it happens, Spain is also one of the cheaper European countries to travel in, which may add to its popularity.
In fact it’s such a popular destination that anti-tourism movements start every summer, protesting the rising cost of living due to the influx of tourists.
Brazil, Thailand, and Italy Round Out the Top Four
Brazil, known for the colorful Rio Carnival, lands in second place. Respondents in the same survey also voted it the sexiest country in the world.
Thailand is the only Asian country in the top 10, attracting backpackers and digital nomads alike.
Italy takes the fourth spot, offering everything from the historic Venice Carnival to culinary adventures.
These countries combine cultural depth with dynamic events, appealing to a wide range of travelers.
North America is Present But Europe Dominates Fun
The U.S. and Canada are the only North American countries in the top 20.
Las Vegas remains North America’s iconic party city through Montreal is known for its raves.
Zooming out, Europe dominates the list overall, with 17 European countries in the top 40 spots.
Countries like Greece, Portugal, and the Netherlands each offer unique party cultures, festivals, and nightlife that attract global visitors.
Notably, the UK ranks 23rd, thanks in part to iconic events like the Glastonbury Festival.
How is Fun Measured?
U.S. News designs its “Best Countries” ranking around 73 attributes grouped into 10 thematic subrankings, such as Heritage, Quality of Life, Power, and Entrepreneurship.
“Fun” was one attribute within its broader “Adventure” ranking.
The attributes reflect public perceptions, not hard data.
To gather this, the survey is distributed globally to about 17,000 respondents, including business leaders, informed elites, and general citizens.
Each participant is shown a random subset of countries (that must meet GDP, tourism, and FDI thresholds) and asked to rate how strongly they associate those countries with “fun.”
These individual attributes are pre-assigned to categories by researchers, and scores are normalized on a 0–100 scale, yielding the final ranks.
