The world’s starting to hum again, that low, restless hum that travellers recognize before a big year of adventure. And 2026 already feels like the one. There’s a new rhythm in the air: cities reawakening, oceans whispering stories, mountains waiting to be climbed again. So when National Geographic dropped its list of 25 Best of the World must-see destinations for travel in 2026, it didn’t feel like a ranking; it felt like a heartbeat. A pulse of places ready to be loved, tasted, photographed, and maybe even lost in. The kind of list that makes you open tabs for the best flight deals online before you’ve even finished reading.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Dolomites, Italy
Image credit: Unsplash/Stefano Bazzoli
This one’s a headliner. The Dolomites are set to glow brighter in 2026 as the Winter Olympics return to the region. Imagine riding creaky ski lifts through flower-dotted meadows, inhaling that crisp alpine air that smells faintly of pine and cheese. After skiing or hiking, travellers tuck into tagliatelle in tiny lodges with foggy windows.
There’s an old-world charm that feels cinematic, as you half expect a violin to start playing somewhere. Apply for your Schengen visa online and hop on cheap flights to Rome to catch the best spot on the list!
Québec, Canada
Image credit: Unsplash/Rich Martello
Nibiischii Park, Québec’s latest wilderness reserve, feels like stepping into an untouched watercolour painting. Indigenous Cree guides lead you across still lakes where mist curls at dawn and loons cry like distant flutes. The nights? Star-spangled and utterly silent. It’s the kind of quiet that hums in your bones.
The park’s development also reflects the eco-conscious side of travel in 2026, which is about to be slow, sustainable, and deeply connected to the land. Reserve the best hotels in Toronto to experience peace.
Beijing, China
Image credit: Unsplash/Christian Lue
Beijing is dusting off its imperial grandeur in full swing for 2026. Picture wandering along the Central Axis, from the Drum Tower to the Forbidden City, all the way down to Tiananmen Square, each site steeped in centuries of rhythm and rebellion. The Great Wall at Mutianyu even lights up at night now, glowing like a dragon spine under the moon.
The scent of street noodles, soy, and spice floats through the air, mingling with incense smoke. Grab a cheap flight ticket to Beijing early, as this city’s buzz is back in fashion for sure.
Dominica, Caribbean
Image credit: Unsplash/Nario Esprit
Dominica is becoming the world’s first sperm whale reserve by 2026. A bold, heartwarming step for marine conservation. Picture this: whales breaching under sunset skies, hot springs steaming after a humid rainforest trek, and locals drumming by the sea.
This tiny island offers exactly what National Geographic must see destinations in the world are all about, offering adventure with soul. Travelers can soak in natural pools for free or splurge at eco-resorts with all-inclusive international tour packages!
Explore: Best Places to Travel in 2026 That You’ve Got to Explore Once in a Lifetime!
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
The sacred heart of Australia is evolving, with guided multi-day treks, glamping domes, and First Nations storytelling circles under an impossible galaxy of stars. The rocks shift colours through the day, beginning from ochre at dawn, fiery orange by sunset, violet at dusk. Apply for your Australia visa and hop on cheap flights to Sydney.
It’s one of those places where you feel small and timeless at once. For those watching 2026 travel trends, Uluru represents how cultural respect and nature tourism can finally coexist.
Black Sea Coast, Türkiye
Türkiye’s Black Sea coast is having its moment. Towns like Bartin, Rize, and Samsun shimmer between tea-green hills and stormy waves. Up on the cliffs, the ancient Sümela Monastery whispers stories from the 4th century, frescoes still gleaming after centuries. You can explore these and more with personalized Turkey tour packages.
You might find yourself eating cheesy kuymak or smoky fish by the shore while the locals sing folk tunes. It’s raw, real, and stunning, the best place to travel in 2026 international for explorers chasing authenticity. Apply for your Turkey Visa online to begin.
Khiva, Uzbekistan
Image credit: Unsplash/Farkhod Saydullaev
Khiva feels like a mirage of turquoise and gold, an open-air museum where every brick hums with history. Founded in the 6th century, its Ichan Kala fortress is now easier to reach thanks to a new high-speed rail link from Tashkent coming in 2026.
Here, travel in 2026 becomes a walk-through time. Apply for customizable Uzbekistan tour packages to marvel at this historical brilliance.
Explore: Travel Trends 2026 Are Getting Personal: Are You Ready?
Rabat, Morocco
Image credit: Unsplash/Anatol Rurac
The Moroccan capital, often overshadowed by Marrakech, is finally getting its due. Walk through the Kasbah of the Oudayas, where white-and-blue alleys spill into the Atlantic breeze. Then wander over to Chellah, a Roman necropolis dating back to the 2nd century BCE, where storks nest on crumbling minarets.
The call to prayer echoes, the scent of mint tea drifts, and the city feels like poetry written in stone. A perfect blend of history and chill, which is pure National Geographic India vibes, honestly. Secure exciting Morocco tour packages to enjoy the best 2026 escape.
Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Yamagata looks like a fairytale when winter comes. The trees here turn into “juhyo,” ghostly snow monsters sculpted by icy winds, glowing under lanterns during the Snow Festival. At Zao Onsen, travellers soak in hot springs that smell faintly of minerals and cedar, watching snowflakes melt on their cheeks.
This is slow, soulful travel in 2026, and paired with some ramen, it’s literally life-changing! Apply for your Japan visa online and explore by securing cheap flights to Japan.
Which of these travel in 2026 destinations recommended by the National Geographic channel will you explore first? Let us know in the comments below!
Summing Up
Imagine a bucket-list curated by adventurers, that’s what National Geographic’s 25 must-see travel in 2026 destinations feel like. From the alpine glow of the Dolomites to mystical snow forests in Yamagata, whale-filled Caribbean waters, and ancient Silk Road cities, these picks map not just beauty but change. They’re perfect for travel in 2026, inspiring unforgettable journeys with heart, history, and wow.
FAQs: Travel in 2026
What is the #1 vacation destination in the world?
As per the Best of the World list recently released by National Geographic, the Dolomites in Italy is the number one vacation destination spot in the world.
Is 2026 a good year to travel?
Yes, 2026 is an excellent year to travel.
Where should I go to holiday in 2026?
Some destinations that are trending for a holiday in 2026, as per the Best of the World list by National Geographic, are the Dolomites, Beijing, Khiva, Quebec, Black Sea Coast, Rabat, Yamagata Prefecture, etc.
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