Top 10 must-visit destinations for 2026

Contents

1. Big Sky (Montana, USA)
2. Okinawa (Japan)
3. Sardinia (Italy)
4. Phu Quoc (Vietnam)
5. Savoie (France)
6. Fort Walton Beach (Florida, USA)
7. Ucluelet (Canada)
8. The Cotswolds (United Kingdom)
9. San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
10. Hobart (Australia)

(Yes, these really are the standout spots tipped as the most promising for your 2026 travels.)

Big Sky (Montana, USA)

When it comes to must-visit destinations for 2026, Big Sky stands out for its sheer scale, its epic scenery and its call of the wild. Interest in the area is rising fast, which is another way of saying: book before everyone else does.

Why go: breathtaking mountains, ski runs, still lakes and plenty of wildlife.

What to savour: sunrise over the Rockies, a hike in absolute silence, a campfire with no clock to watch.

Bonus bragging rights: you get to say « I breathed the clean air of Montana » and it will sound genuinely authentic (and just a little adventurous).

Travel tip: for the scenery without the crowds, go for late spring or golden autumn.

 

Okinawa (Japan)

Beautiful Okinawa is one of the world's fastest-rising spots. It perfectly captures the blend of island culture, open sea and warm hospitality: a serious contender among the must-visit destinations for 2026.

What to experience: subtropical beaches, diving, historic sites (castles, memorials) and a food scene like nowhere else in Japan.

Handy tip: pair Okinawa with a few days in Tokyo for the full city-and-island contrast.

Sardinia (Italy)

Ah, Sardinia: beautiful, authentic and still blissfully quiet in places. In short, a genuine gem among the must-visit destinations for 2026.

What wins you over: lagoon-coloured water, stone villages and Sardinian cooking worth crossing a continent for (and that is saying something).

Worth knowing: come in spring or early summer to dodge the peak crowds and enjoy a gentler pace.

Phu Quoc (Vietnam)

When beach, downtime and adventure all meet in one place, you get Phu Quoc. This tropical corner is firmly one to watch for 2026.

What to explore: soft sand, buzzing night markets, lush landscapes and freshly reimagined resorts.

Insider tip: aim for the dry season for a perfect sea, and do not leave without trying the local speciality.

Savoie (France)

Yes, France joins the party too. Savoie, with its mountains, winter sports and Alpine cooking, well and truly earns its place among the must-visit destinations for 2026.

On the menu: skiing or hiking, raclette under the stars and impossibly clear skies.

Tip: travel outside the school holidays, unless you enjoy lift queues that look like rush hour.

Fort Walton Beach (Florida, USA)

For a beach break, whether with the family or solo, Fort Walton Beach is climbing the search rankings. It is becoming one of the places not to miss in 2026.

What to enjoy: white sand, turquoise sea and activities that swing from restful to properly fun.

Handy tip: mix beach days with a nature escape in the nearby parks to keep things varied.

Ucluelet (Canada)

Craving raw nature, a wild coastline, real silence and a chance to breathe above the ordinary? Ucluelet is your answer. It is the perfect illustration of the nature trip among the must-visit destinations for 2026.

What to experience: ancient forests, coastal walks, wave watching and that unmistakable far-from-everything feeling.

Tip: expect changeable weather. That is entirely normal: this is Canada.

The Cotswolds (United Kingdom)

For a trip deep into the English countryside, all cosiness and calm, the Cotswolds are a thoroughly charming escape: a real alternative among the must-visit destinations for 2026.

What to discover: flower-covered cottages, honey-stone villages, tea at precisely the right hour and a fire lit by mid-afternoon.

Tip: combine it with London for a city-and-countryside mix, especially if you are travelling from elsewhere in Europe.

San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)

This colourful, artistic, culturally buzzing city is now firmly on the radar. It has earned its spot among the must-visit destinations for 2026.

What to experience: cobbled streets, art galleries, colonial architecture and a bohemian atmosphere.

Travel tip: visit outside peak season and enjoy the hidden cafés.

Hobart (Australia)

Finally, head south: Hobart, in Tasmania, appeals to anyone keen to get off the beaten track. A standout 2026 destination for the quietly adventurous.

What to try: untouched nature, a brilliant food market, coastal landscapes and Indigenous culture.

Tip: add a Tasmanian road trip to get the most out of the journey.

General tips for making the most of the must-visit destinations for 2026

• Book early: every place on this list is already seeing a marked surge in interest.
• Travel sustainably: choose responsible accommodation (a point the Expedia report highlights).
• Mix up the moods: beach, mountain, city, wilderness. Your Instagram loves variety.
• Sharpen your keywords: if you are sharing your trip, use « must-visit destinations 2026 », « travel trends 2026 » and « best destinations 2026 ».
• Stay flexible: weather, crowds, budgets. Leaving yourself a little slack is simply smart travelling.