The villages of Kolochava and Synevyrska Polyana in Zakarpattia Oblast have been recognized as some of the world’s best tourist villages, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).
This year, 52 rural communities from 65 UN member states received the distinction, selected from over 270 applications. Other winners include Koyasan in Japan, Bled in Slovenia, Chamarel in Mauritius, Masfut in the United Arab Emirates, and Carlos Pellegrini in Argentina.
“Our best tourist villages of 2025 showcase communities working to preserve cultural heritage, protect natural resources, and create economic opportunities through tourism. These villages show that tourism can promote social integration and build a future where no one is left behind,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism.
Kolochava, often called the “village of 10 museums,” offers visitors a variety of attractions, including the open-air museum “Old Village,” the narrow-gauge railway museum, and the military-historical museum “Arpad Line.”
In nearby Synevyrska Polyana lies Synevyr, the largest high-altitude lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. About 80% of the village’s territory is part of Synevyr National Park, home to beech primeval forests included in UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage list. The village also hosts the Brown Bear Rehabilitation Center, which cares for animals previously held in captivity.
These communities are now part of a global network of villages demonstrating how tourism can preserve culture, protect nature, and support local economies.
