The paradox of traveling is the most striking thing about a list like this: our planet feels both intimately large and enormously vast. More wonders in one place than you could ever fit lifetime—yet increasingly connected—the places to travel to in the world are endless. This is why curating the list was not only an incredible joy, but a real challenge.
This sense of scale is the foundation for our Best Places to Visit in 2026. Some places are already familiar but have a fresh feel. Hong KongThere are also hidden gems that are stepping into the spotlight, like Canada’s Prince Edward County, where an indie winery, new restaurants, and boutique hotels is redefining coastal escape. And Fes, Marrakech’s understated sibling, which will shine with its historic reopening of its medina following a 15-year restoration. There are also under-the-radar gems that are stepping into the spotlight, like Canada’s Prince Edward County, where a wave of indie wineries, new restaurants, and boutique hotels is redefining the coastal escape, and Fès, Marrakech’s understated sibling, which is set to shine with the historic reopening of its medina following a remarkable 15-year restoration.
Even after 12 years of narrowing down our favorite destinations for this list, we are still as surprised as you are when we discover something completely unexpected. 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. Gabon is a great place to visit if you’re interested in primates. There are new eco-lodges that allow access to the forests of Gabon where western lowland chimpanzees live and there are sweeping savannas. Uluru, a huge sandstone monolith in the Australian Outback, is one of the few places that evokes the vastness of life. A new chapter in purpose-driven tourism has begun as the region celebrates the 40th anniversary a hand-back program. 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.
This list will help travelers and those who dream of traveling. Use it—along with the companion lists for six continents—to jump-start your travel plans or simply indulge your sense of wonder. Our global team will be exploring these places in the coming year. We can’t wait for you to hear the stories that we uncover on the ground. —Arati Menon
