Skip to main content

This is the number one bucket list experience in the world right now

Bali, Indonesia is at the top of everyone's list.

Bali
Bali Sushuti / Pixabay

Go2Africa has just unveiled a global study revealing the world’s top bucket list experiences, based on search volume data. While iconic destinations like New York City, Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, and the Eiffel Tower dominate individual country preferences, one tropical paradise has captured the imagination of travelers everywhere.

The study found that visiting Bali, Indonesia, is the number one bucket list experience in the world right now. Famous for its jungles, rice terraces, beaches, and culture, Bali’s allure goes beyond its picture-perfect scenery. With spiritual retreats, thrilling adventures, and top-rated accommodations, Bali truly offers something for everyone.

Recommended Videos

New York City, however, claimed the top spot for most countries individually, ranking as the ultimate bucket list city in 27 nations, including Argentina, Finland, and Taiwan. The Big Apple’s draw is especially strong in Europe, where 22 countries put it at the top of their travel wish lists. 

The top 15 bucket list experiences for Americans

Northern Lights Canada
brigachtal / Pixabay

These are the bucket list experiences that came out on top for Americans

  1. Northern Lights, various locations
  2. Grand Canyon, United States
  3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
  4. Eiffel Tower, France
  5. Zion National Park, United States
  6. Machu Picchu, Peru
  7. Taj Mahal, India
  8. Hot air balloon, various locations
  9. Road trip, various locations
  10. Great Wall of China, China
  11. Scuba diving, various locations
  12. Horseback riding, various locations
  13. Whale sharks, various locations
  14. Cappadocia, Turkey
  15. Petra, Jordan

The top 20 overall bucket list experiences

People in a pool watch the sunset in Bali
Ern Gan / Unsplash

These are the top 20 overall bucket list experiences in the world.

  1. Bali, Indonesia
  2. Safari, Africa
  3. Santorini, Greece
  4. Disney World, United States
  5. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
  6. Northern Lights, various locations
  7. Machu Picchu, Peru
  8. Taj Mahal, India
  9. Eiffel Tower, France
  10. Grand Canyon, United States
  11. Hike Patagonia, Chile
  12. The Statue of Liberty, United States
  13. Mount Everest, Nepal
  14. Stonehenge, England
  15. Antarctica, Antarctica
  16. Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  17. Big Ben, England
  18. Niagara Falls, United States
  19. The Empire State Building, United States
  20. Colosseum, Italy
Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
These are the top 100 hotel restaurants in the U.S., says new list
OpenTable and KAYAK reveal the best hotel restaurants in America
Ema

Dining is driving travel decisions more than ever, and OpenTable and KAYAK have taken note. With nearly half of Americans booking trips around restaurant visits, the two platforms have teamed up to release their first-ever list of the Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in the U.S., spotlighting the places where exceptional stays meet unforgettable meals.

“Travelers aren’t just asking ‘Where should I go?’ – they’re asking ‘What’s on the menu when I get there?’” said Kate Williams, Chief Communications Officer at KAYAK. “Great dining experiences are an essential part of today’s travel itineraries and hotels are rising to the occasion.”

Read more
This new visa lets you visit 6 Gulf countries with one permit
Explore Bahrain to UAE with one visa under new GCC plan
passport book on table open with stamps

Traveling between Gulf countries is about to get much easier. A new Schengen-style visa, called the GCC Grand Tours Visa, will soon allow tourists to explore Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates with a single permit.

Approved in 2023, the Unified Tourist Visa, also referred to as the Unified GCC Visa and the GCC Grand Tours Visa, aims to streamline travel across the region and promote multi-country tourism. Rather than applying for separate visas for each destination, eligible travelers will be able to access all six countries through a single online portal.

Read more
This residential cruise ship now has its own floating beach club
Villa Vie’s new floating hub takes ocean living to the next level
Villa Vie Residences

Life at sea just got a serious upgrade. Villa Vie Residences, the trailblazing brand behind the world’s first affordable residential cruise experience, has announced a groundbreaking new amenity: a floating beach club. In partnership with AquaBanas, global leaders in luxury inflatable platforms, Villa Vie will debut the Customized Floating Oasis, a first-of-its-kind recreation hub designed exclusively for its flagship ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey.

Launching in September 2025 to coincide with the Odyssey’s three-month journey through the South Pacific, the Floating Oasis will serve as a marina-meets-beach-club at sea. This state-of-the-art inflatable platform can be deployed from both sides of the ship and will be used during anchor days in tropical locales like the Maldives, Seychelles, and French Polynesia.

Read more