By Sukriti Wahi Entertainment 22.01.2026

The 10 Must-Visit Travel Destinations of 2026

New year, new you, new vacations to plan.

Whether we will stick to our resolutions or not (no guilt) remains to be seen, but one thing is certain at the start of a New Year: a vacation will be planned.

And if you, like us, are in need of some travel ideas to get the ball rolling (flying?), consider this list your ultimate inspo companion.

From hidden Euro summer spots to remote gems and cultural capitals on the rise, read on for our roundup of 10 incredible places to visit in 2026.

Passports at the ready.

1. Madeira, Portugal

A verdant isle atop a volcanic peak, there’s a reason Madeira is known as the “Hawaii of Europe”. Just two hours by air from Lisbon, allow at least four days to explore the subtropical island’s 200 levadas – almost 600-year-old aqueducts that crisscross the island and double as hiking trails – and its mountain paths. The Pico do Areeiro trail is a must for its otherworldly views and the isle’s famous “cloud waterfalls”.

Prefer the water? Volcanic natural pools and beaches are aplenty (don’t miss Seixal’s black sand beach). Refuel with Madeira’s signature drink, poncha (a concoction of sugarcane rum, honey, and fresh citrus juice), over petiscos (small plates) like bolo do caco, a sweet-potato flatbread served hot and slathered in garlic butter.

2. Brussels, Belgium

Easily one of Europe’s most underrated capital cities, Brussels brims with Art Nouveau architecture, world-class live music and dining scenes – there are 31 Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance – and more than 100 galleries and museums. An art lover’s dream, no first-time itinerary is complete without the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, home to the Old Masters Museum with works by Rubens and Bruegel, and the Magritte Museum, which holds over 200 pieces by renowned surrealist René Magritte. Between galleries, get your frites fix (Belgium is widely believed to be the true originator of the “French” fry) with a crawl among the city’s top fry shops.

3. Uluṟu, Australia

A red wonder rising in the heart of Aṉangu land, Northern Territory, Uluṟu is a place to visit at least once in your lifetime. Deeply sacred to the Aṉangu people, the majestic sandstone monolith began forming approximately 550 million years ago and today stands as one of Australia’s most recognizable icons. Situated in the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, visit between April and September to take advantage of the cooler weather (between 68 and 86 degrees Farenheit). In April 2026, the new Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk is also set to launch, offering visitors a guided five-day walk from the soaring domes of Kata Tjuṯa to Uluṟu, with evenings spent feasting and unwinding in eco-friendly lodgings.

4. Phú Quốc, Vietnam

With its pristine white sand beaches, blissful spas and a buzzing food scene (it’s renowned for its fish sauce), Phú Quốc might be the tropical escape you’ve been craving. About 28 miles off Vietnam’s southern coast, it’s the country’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore, with more than half of it comprising tropical jungle within a protected national park perfect for hiking, camping, and bird-watching.

A perfect day? Start with a slow morning on the powder-soft Rạch Vẹm Beach and savour a freshly-caught seafood lunch by the water, then head to HARNN Heritage Spa at the InterContinental Phú Quốc to melt away in its famous Bamboo Body Massage.

5. Salvador, Brazil

Richly steeped in Afro-Brazilian soul, Salvador has a hypnotic rhythm all of its own. Perched on Brazil’s northeast coast, the former colonial capital is defined by the sorbet-hued facades in the historic Pelourinho, baroque churches gilded in gold, and the beckoning drumbeats of samba and capoeira that echo in the streets. Outside the old town, the city is fringed with lively beaches, while delicious food can be found at every turn – think moqueca rich with coconut milk and dendê oil, acarajé fried fresh by Baianas in traditional dress, and ice-cold cerveja at sunset. For beach-friendly weather, visit between September and March. Feeling festive? Go in February, when the blocos (street parties) in the lead-up to Salvador Carnival make the city unmissably electric.

6. Fez, Morocco

Ancient, intoxicating and layered, Fez is Morocco’s – arguably unsung – cultural capital. Home to the world’s largest surviving medieval medina, the UNESCO-listed Fez el-Bali is a maze of narrow alleys where artisans hammer brass, dye leather in open-air tanneries, and centuries-old madrasas (historic Islamic schools) glow with intricate zellige tilework. History unfurls in every corner, from the ninth-century University of Al Quaraouiyine to the carved cedar and stucco of Bou Inania Madrasa. Between wanderings, settle into a riad courtyard or linger over tagines fragrant with saffron and preserved lemon. Spring and fall are widely considered the best seasons to visit, when mild temperatures make wandering the medina’s winding lanes most rewarding.

7. Oulu, Finland

If the Northern Lights are on your bucket list, consider Oulu, just south of the Arctic Circle, a worthy vantage point. Named one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture for 2026, this walkable city has plenty going for it: the purest air in Europe, striking landscapes primed for year-round outdoor pursuits from skiing and trekking to family-friendly husky rides in Syöte National Park (where you can also meet reindeer) – and let’s not forget the Air Guitar World Championships (yes, really). One must-do? A floating Finnish sauna on one of Oulu’s famous sauna rafts: drift along the river, then plunge straight in for an invigorating blast.

8. Favignana, Sicily, Italy

Affectionately called farfalla (Italian for "butterfly") for its shape, you’ll find quiet Favignana surrounded by azure waters just off the west coast of Sicily. Reachable in 30 minutes by ferry from Trapani, don’t expect the resorts or crowds of Taormina: Favignana is all limestone coves, bikeable paths, and rustic charm that calls for you to slow right down. Spend your days choosing from its 14 beaches – Cala Rossa is a must – sailing or biking around, and eating the island’s famous red tuna and humble pane cunzatu: an open-faced sandwich layered with tomatoes, primosale or pecorino cheese, and anchovies.

9. Ladakh, India

High up in the Indian Himalayas – 10,000 to 23,000 feet high, to be specific – Ladakh is a gem for adventurers and spirituality seekers craving seclusion. Spanning moonlike mountains, emerald lakes, and rocky deserts, there’s no shortage of unreal landscapes to point your cameras at. And there’s just as much to capture on safari, where you’ll spy snow leopards, Tibetan antelope, and Himalayan marmots, among a wealth of other wildlife. When you’ve had your fill of nature, head to the hilltop Buddhist monasteries in the Indus Valley to experience the serenity of the daily prayers. Peak season here runs from June to September, but no matter when you visit, start with at least two days acclimatizing in the capital, Leh, before ascending to the higher altitudes of Ladakh.

10. Kanazawa, Japan

With its serene teahouse lanes, lush gardens and geisha districts, it’s unsurprising that Kanazawa is touted as “Little Kyoto” without the crowds. It’s also the historic port capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, home to some of Japan’s best-preserved Edo districts, and takes two-and-a-half hours to reach from Tokyo via Shinkansen – Japan’s famous high-speed bullet train. Kyoto comparisons aside, the city is also fast gaining a reputation for its food and coffee scene. Head to the Kiguramachi neighbourhood, the historic heart of the Katamachi nightlife district, for a slew of tiny old izakayas (traditional Japanese taverns) that typically specialise in only one or two dishes, and hop around to your taste buds’ delight.