Asia and Europe have provided even bigger opportunities than the S&P this year

The best ETF investments in 2013 include a bunch of domestic opportunities, but country-based ETFs have also had a good year.

At least, if you know where to look.

While emerging markets largely took it on the chin in 2013, the best ETF plays this year do include a number of country-based funds. And all of them handily outperformed even the roaring 25% gains put up by the S&P 500 .

So what are the best ETF buys in the world? Take a look:

#5: iShares MSCI Finland Capped ETF (EFNL ), up 29% YTD

Europe officially emerged from recession midyear, and while the continent as a whole has bounced back, the Nordic countries have been the best off. Finland was insulated from the crippling debt crisis that gripped its neighbors to the south, but has managed to make the most of the recovery. Nokia (NOK ) is this funds top component at nearly 19% of the fund.

#4: iShares MSCI Denmark Capped ETF (EDEN ), up 34% YTD

Like EFNL, EDEN is is also soaring on the eurozone recovery as the worst recession in more than a decade comes to a close. Healthcare stock Novo Nordisk (NVO ) is the top holding of this fund.

#3: The iShares MSCI Ireland Capped ETF (EIRL ), up 40% YTD

The Celtic tiger was one of the first eurozone economies to rush into austerity. But this year, the tide started to turn against these policies, and broader recovery in the EU has caused a big rally for EIRL. Its top holdings include building materials company CRH (CRH ) and biotech leader Elan (ELN ), though the latter eventually will drop out following its merger with Perrigo (PRGO ).

#2: db X-trackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF (DBJP ), up 40% YTD

This fund is quite interesting because its a dual play both on the upside in Japanese equity and the downside on the Japanese yen. Thanks to currency moves and action by the Bank of Japan, this trade has done quite well in 2013 as cash has flowed into the region. Top holdings include auto giant Toyota (TM ) and telecom giant Softbank (SFTBF ).

#1: PowerShares Golden Dragon China (PGJ ), up 55% YTD

This China ETF has blown away other funds in the region thanks more to the booming tech sector in the nation rather than a broad-based recovery. That’s because PGJ is very focused on technology players, with top holdings including Internet giant Baidu (BIDU ) and travel website Ctrip (CTRP ).

More on these ETFs

Jeff Reeves  is the editor of InvestorPlace.com and the author of  The Frugal Investor’s Guide to Finding Great Stocks.  As of this writing, he did not own a position in any of the stocks named here. Write him at  editor@investorplace.com  or follow him on Twitter via  @JeffReevesIP .