10 Stunning National Parks to Visit Outside the U.S., According to Top Travel Advisors

If you’ve checked a few of America’s favorite national parks off your list and are looking for an adventure further afield (and some great photos for Instagram), set your sights on the stunning protected lands outside the U.S. We asked our trusted A-List of top travel advisors for their picks of the best national parks in the world, including lush lakes in Croatia, wildlife-rich African landscapes, and biodiverse islands off the coast of South America.

Read on to discover the rest of our experts’ recommendations and why they can’t get enough of these special places.

Galápagos National Park, Galápagos Islands

“This park is absolutely beyond compare and is a must for national park enthusiasts. As one of the most protected national parks in the world, the Galápagos Islands are full of incredible wildlife that are not afraid of humans and will come in closer contact with you than is possible in most other natural places in the world.

“You can experience a variety of landscapes in a small space, from lush highlands full of tortoises to moon-like volcanic rock covered in piles of iguanas. And the marine life is sure to excite even the most well-traveled guests when they have the opportunity to snorkel with penguins, sharks, and playful sea lions, all while blue-footed boobies dive for food in the distance.”—Erin Correia, Adventure Life

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

“A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe is one of the most remote and least developed safari parks in Southern Africa. Given its location along the magnificent Zambezi River, the park is home to an amazing array of animal and bird species and, as a result, offers a plethora of exciting adventure activities, including open-vehicle game drives, exceptional guided walking safaris, and exciting canoeing excursions among huge numbers of hippos and crocodiles.”—Julian Harrison, Premier Tours

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

“Croatia’s largest national park is one of the most unique gems in Europe, with a mix of forests and a chain of 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls. Hiking, horseback riding, and ATV and bike tours make this one of the most fun and picturesque national parks to explore. Perfect pairing to mix an itinerary with city exploring in Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, and Zagreb, and enjoy the great outdoors with the best of both worlds.”—Harlan deBell & Kara Bebell, The Travel Siblings

Killarney National Park, Ireland

“Ireland’s version of Grand Teton National Park: [Killarney National Park] has such great hiking and benefits from a buzzing town nearby, yet also has hotels and residences that are in quieter locations too. Another lesser-known option is Wicklow Mountains National Park just south of Dublin, with beautiful mountains and valleys that house Ireland’s greatest ruined monastic city, Glendalough, which predates Ireland’s cities.”—Jonathan Epstein, Celebrated Experiences

Kaz Dağları, Turkey

“Designated as a national park in 1994, Kaz Dağları (Mount Ida in antiquity) in Turkey is surrounded by the Aegean Sea on the south and Çanakkale Straits on the north, enjoying fresh mountain and sea breezes all at once, which makes the flora truly exceptional.

“The beautiful villages on Kaz Dağları are some of its most charming features. Camlibel Village is a popular one because of its gorgeous Aegean Sea vistas. Another favorite is Adatepe. Apart from its beautiful historic stone houses (some of which serve as boutique hotels), the village is also known for its excellent olive oil; it even has an Olive Oil Museum. Yeşilyurt Village, located just a few kilometers from the sea, is also worth making a stop for its stone houses, narrow cobblestone streets, historic mosques, cafés, shops, and friendly locals. Mount Ida owes much of its fame to the work of Homer and his epic poem, ‘The Iliad,’ where the mountain is the setting for several mythical events.”—Engin Kadaster, Turkey At Its Best

Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park, Japan

“Some of the best national parks in Japan are in Hokkaido, the sparsely populated northernmost island of Japan, known for its mild summers and winters of powder. If you’re a hiker, summer and fall are excellent options. If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, I’d recommend Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park off the northwest coast.

“There are two unique islands you can reach in under two hours by ferry from the mainland, which offer some incredible hiking experiences—including ascending a dormant volcano on Rishiri and enjoying the alpine flowers, fishing villages, and various temperate zones of Rebun. If winter is your game and you’re looking for memorable experiences on their own or to add to a ski trip, you need to see the intricate dances of the red-crowned cranes in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in eastern Hokkaido. In the winter, their marsh habitats are covered in snow, and it’s a magical experience to see them at sunrise as the steam drifts up from the river.”—Amy Tadehara, InsideJapan

Altyn-Emel National Park, Kazakhstan

“Altyn-Emel National Park is located in the Ili River Valley of Kazakhstan. The beautiful isolation of this area invites visitors to explore its archaeological, historical, and cultural monuments and rich biodiversity. The Bes-Shatyr burial mounds are the remains of a sixth-century B.C.E. necropolis. Here, you can find rare and endangered species like Przewalski’s horse and the elusive snow leopard, while Lake Kapchagai and the Sholak Mountains are prime bird-watching areas.

“Right on the Ili river is the Singing Dune, providing a grand panorama of the area from the top. In dry weather, when the sand moves, it can sound like an organ rumble or low jet engine. It’s triggered by shifting sand avalanches.”—Zulya Rajabova, Silk Road Treasure Tours

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, India

“Located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this is a less-touristed national park and one which often grants its visitors incredible sightings of the Bengal tiger. One can also be lucky enough to spot white tigers and leopards.”—Rebecca Mazzaro, ATJ

The Azores, Portugal

“The Azores are made up of several islands, and there are several national parks with 26 volcanoes, some of which are underground. For your first visit we recommend exploring Mount Pico and its volcano. Yes, it’s active! Also try the hot springs at Furnas.”—Steven Vigor, Revigorate

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

“The breadth and depth of Africa’s national parks are tremendous, from the magnificent big cats and rewardingly abundant wildlife of the fertile Maasai Mara and Serengeti in East Africa. One I always recommend is the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia (the area more commonly referred to as Sossusvlei). The mesmerizing rust-hued dunes are a sight to behold.”—Liz Wheeler, Micato Safaris