There are numerous beautiful places on our planet that take our breath away with their natural landscapes, architecture or weather. But where in the world is the most beautiful? “Time Out” clarifies this question every year.

Ten most beautiful places in the world, there isn’t a German one among them

This year, the travel editors chose a surprising winner: the most beautiful place in the world is Picos de Europa in northern Spain.

One place from Germany didn’t make it onto the list. After all, many destinations are not far away. Five of the ten most beautiful places are in Europe.

The ten most beautiful places in the world at a glance

1. Picosde Europe, Spain
2. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
3. Library of the Morgan Library and Museum, USA
4. Douro Valley, Portugal
5. Big Sur, USA
6. Ullswater, England
7. Bologna old town, Italy
8. Capo Testa, Italy
9. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
10. Punakha Valley, Bhutan

Neither a dream beach, nor a waterfall in the rainforest nor a mountain lake in the Rocky Mountains made it to the most beautiful place in the world; instead, the choice fell on Picos de Europa (in German: Peaks of Europe).

Dream beaches in Komodo National Park in Indonesia

The limestone massif in the Cantabrian Mountains is located around 20 kilometers from the Atlantic coast and rises up to 2,560 meters above the coast. According to a British “Time Out” editor, what makes the national park so special is the breathtaking views of magnificent mountain peaks on the one hand and shiny sandy beaches and the stormy Atlantic on the other. In the national park of the same name, the Ruta del Cares hiking trail, famous in Spain, leads 23 kilometers along a canyon past peaks and waterfalls.

A dream beach made it to second place in the ranking, or rather, several dream beaches in the Komodo National Park in Indonesia. There you can enjoy a view of three large beaches with white, black and pink sand that is unique in the world. The vibrant coral reefs and colorful underwater world make the island a perfect destination for diving and snorkeling.

A place that doesn’t have a breathtaking view or protected nature made it to third place: the library at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Thousands of books, rare works and manuscripts are housed in the main library on three levels.

In the style of the Italian Renaissance, visitors have an aura like a cathedral with lots of dark wood and numerous ornaments. Among Big Apple’s many attractions, the library is a real insider tip.