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Our list of the Best Places to Go in 2026 is a reminder of the paradox that our world is at once very big, and very small. Every year, we manage to unearth intel on places that many readers have yet to consider visiting; and yet, at the same time, rebirth and reinvention are recurring themes from well-known destinations that always seem to have something new to offer.
So, in crafting this annual list, which we hope will be a handy guide for choosing where you travel over the next 12 months, you’ll notice that we were excited by places that already feel familiar and yet are being imbued with fresh life, like Hong Kong, which has an exciting new cultural center of gravity; we also shine the spotlight on the 16th-century lake city of Udaipur, where a flurry of luxury-hotel openings is ushering in a new era. There are also under-the-radar gems gaining footing on the global stage, like Canada’s Prince Edward County, where a wave of indie wineries, new restaurants, and boutique hotels is redefining the weekend escape; or Fès, Marrakech’s understated sibling, which is set to shine in 2026 with the historic reopening of its medina following a remarkable 15-year restoration.
As for surprises? There are plenty, even after over a decade of compiling this list. In Bolivia, great expanses of shimmering salt pans have long been a draw, but zoom out on the region of Potosí and you’ll find a geological bonanza of lagoons, hot springs, and snowcapped volcanoes that are finally home to some of South America’s buzziest hotel openings. And if Rwanda’s primates have captured your imagination, then, like us, you’ll be excited to read about Gabon, where new eco-lodges open up access to untouched forests that are home to western lowland gorillas and sweeping savannas. If you’ve been waiting for that once-in-a-lifetime safari trip, this is it. But perhaps few places on earth evoke life’s vastness quite like Uluru, the massive sandstone monolith that rises from the heart of the Australian Outback. As the region marks the 40th anniversary of a historic hand-back program, a new chapter of purpose-driven tourism is evolving. In 2026, visitors, guided by Aṉangu storytellers, can journey along a 33-mile trail, then spend the night in luxurious glamping camps, where the desert sky unfurls like an ancient manuscript—perfect for reflecting on our place in the ever-unfolding story of the universe. These are just some of the places we celebrate below.
This list is for travelers and dreamers alike. So please, use it—along with the companion lists we created for six continents—to jump-start your travel plans or simply indulge your sense of wonder. In the year ahead, our global team of editors will be exploring many of these places, and we can’t wait to share the stories we discover on the ground and, perhaps, even cross paths with some of you along the way. Here’s a fantastic year of eye-opening travel. —Arati Menon & Megan Spurrell
