Best Places to Travel in 2026

Trends · 8 min read · Published 2026-04-01

Ten destinations rising in 2026 — better value, fewer crowds, and the right balance of culture, scenery and accessibility from the UK.

2026 is shaping up to be the year travellers finally trade overcrowded headliners for the cities and coastlines just behind them. After several years of price spikes and "revenge travel" chaos in the obvious capitals, the smart money in 2026 is on second cities, shoulder-season trips and emerging regions where your budget still buys real experiences. Below are ten places worth booking now.

1. Albania Albania remains the Mediterranean's best value-for-money destination. Flights from London hover around three hours and a beer on the Riviera is still under £3. Tirana has finally grown into its café scene, while Ksamil and Himarë offer beaches that genuinely rival Greece. Read more in our [Top 10 Beach Destinations in Europe](/travel-guides/top-europe-beach-destinations).

2. Japan (off-Tokyo) Tokyo is busy and expensive, but the rest of Japan is wide open. Kanazawa, Naoshima and the Kii Peninsula deliver a slower, more refined version of the country with very few queues. The yen remains weak against the pound, so this is one of the best-value long-haul trips of the year.

3. Colombia Cartagena, Medellín and the coffee region offer warm climates, low prices and a culture shift that hits you the second you land. UK travellers don't need a visa for short stays, and direct flights from London now run year-round.

4. Slovenia Lake Bled gets the Instagram love, but Ljubljana, the Soča Valley and Piran make the case for a full week. It's the most underrated combination of mountains, coast and city in Europe.

5. Vietnam Hanoi, Hội An and Phú Quốc remain remarkable value. The new high-speed rail expansion in 2026 makes north-south journeys faster and turns Vietnam from a backpacker route into a fully comfortable mid-range trip.

6. Morocco Marrakech, Essaouira and the Atlas Mountains continue to draw travellers looking for warmth in winter. UK visitors get visa-free entry for up to 90 days, and the new direct rail link to Agadir shortens the southern coast loop considerably.

7. Madeira A four-hour flight from the UK puts you in subtropical hiking country. Madeira's *levada* trails, lava-pool swims and slow, unfussy capital Funchal make this a year-round option that doesn't break the bank.

8. South Korea Seoul has matured into one of the most exciting food capitals in the world, and a new K-ETA process makes UK entry simple. Pair it with Busan and Jeju for a tight, varied two-week trip.

9. Mexico City The world's best taco scene, museums for days and a climate that doesn't punish you in summer. Direct flights from the UK and a strong pound make this a realistic long-weekend option for the first time.

10. The Azores Whales, hot springs, hydrangea-lined hiking trails and almost no crowds. São Miguel is the easiest island to start with — a 4-hour flight from London Stansted and immediate access to the highlights.

How to choose between them The decision usually comes down to flight time, season and budget. If you only have a long weekend, Albania, Madeira or the Azores deliver maximum value with minimum jet lag. For a fuller two-week trip, Vietnam, Colombia and Japan reward the extra time. We've written a full framework for this in [How to Choose Your Next Travel Destination](/travel-guides/how-to-choose-travel-destination).

Booking tips for 2026 - **Lock flights early.** 2026 capacity is tight on long-haul routes; prices rarely come down inside 8 weeks. - **Use shoulder seasons.** Late April–May and September–early October still hit the sweet spot for weather, prices and crowds in most of Europe. - **Insurance first.** Travel insurance has gone up 20–30% post-pandemic but remains the single best £30 you'll spend on any trip. - **Watch ETIAS.** UK travellers will need the new ETIAS authorisation for Schengen-area trips from 2026 — apply online before you fly.

If randomness is more your style, give our [spin wheel](/) a turn and let it pick one of the 250+ destinations on this site for you. The full database covers everything from weekend city breaks to long-haul beach holidays, all rated for budget, season and ideal traveller type.