The best travel destinations for 2026 according to “National Geographic” – 6 destinations in Europe included
What are your travel plans for the coming year? Have you already booked everything? Or are you still completely confused about where to go for your next vacation? Then perhaps the current trends recently published by National Geographic will help you. According to the editors, a total of 25 destinations are considered absolute must-sees for the coming year. Here's an overview of the destinations included in the so-called Best of the World list, with a special focus on destinations in Europe.
In February, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are in the spotlight, as the Winter Olympics are taking place there. What's special about this is that never before have the individual disciplines been so spread out. The competitions are taking place over an area of 23,000 square kilometers, with the majority of them in the Dolomites.
If you want to see the sites for yourself after the Winter Games, a trip to Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy is worthwhile. There, you can also get active yourself, namely in the world's largest ski area, the Dolomiti Superski. But the Dolomites are also a wonderful place for long hikes and climbing tours in summer.
There's also a truly bizarre highlight in the Sassolungo Group: the Sarglift (coffin lift). The Forcella Sassolungo stand-up gondola takes travelers from the Sella Pass to the Sassolungo Forcella. But the ride is not for the faint of heart: The cable car doesn't stop, so you have to jump on it; the gondola itself only seats two people, and there's no room to sit down. We've compiled more information about this thrilling experience here .
At first glance, the port city of Hull in Yorkshire, England , doesn't seem particularly unusual, but it's not without reason that it landed on National Geographic's must-see list: Next year, a multi-million-euro project will be completed here, highlighting 800 years of maritime history. This includes the Hull Maritime Museum and the North End Shipyard visitor center with two docked museum ships.
All of the highlights are scheduled to open by summer 2026, making a visit to the English city definitely worthwhile. Hull is located on the North Sea and was an important whaling port in the 19th century. It was also a center for fishing and shipping well into the 20th century. But then times became tough for Hull, and in 2003, the city ranked first in the book "Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK." High unemployment, crime, and drug use contributed to the city's poor reputation.
In recent years, however, Hull has flourished, even being named the United Kingdom's Capital of Culture in 2017. Council leader Mike Ross told the BBC that it was delighted to be included in the Best of the World list: "It's a testament to the passion and commitment of our communities, cultural partners, and everyone working to make Hull a place people want to visit, explore, and return to."
Turkey's Black Sea coast is considered a quieter alternative to the Aegean and Mediterranean . It's also one of the few regions in the world where you can surf and ski in one day. Charming towns like Amasra in the Bartın province are located right along the coast. There, you can explore a historic old town, visit the medieval fortress, and relax in the picturesque bays.
The Pontic Mountains border the coast and offer destinations for exciting day trips, including the Byzantine Sümela Monastery, built directly into a cliff face. Or the Ayder Yaylası plateau with its vibrant green grassy slopes, rustic wooden huts, and mighty waterfalls. And, as mentioned, there are also several ski resorts in the mountains.
Another highlight of the Black Sea coast are the tea plantations where Turkish black tea is cultivated. The climate here is humid, mild, and rainy, making it ideal for tea cultivation. The steep slopes sometimes reach the sea, and the tea is still harvested predominantly by hand. Rize is considered the tea capital, and the tea leaf symbol and giant teacup sculptures are part of the cityscape.
Finland isn't exactly known for its picturesque cities, but Oulu is somewhat unusual in this regard: Located 96 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, the city is considered a stronghold of Finnish cultural heritage. Approximately 800 locals are indigenous Sami, and their language and culture are promoted, among other things, by the city's Giellagas Institute.
From Oulu, it's not far to Finnish nature. The city lies directly on the Gulf of Bothnia, and the forest begins to the east. You can explore it on foot and by bike, or grab a kayak and explore the offshore islands. A public art trail will also open next year, showcasing climate-related works by artists working with science.
The art trail is scheduled to open in June 2026 and is one of many projects in Oulu this year, when the city will be the European Capital of Culture. Even before then, the city will be more easily accessible, with a journey time of just five and a half hours from the capital, Helsinki, thanks to the new Pendolino Plus train line. The new service will start on December 15, 2025.
Guimarães is considered the cradle of Portugal , as the first king, Afonso Henriques, was born here. Furthermore, the independence movement against León and Castile began here in the 12th century. Its rich history led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. The old town boasts numerous medieval squares, quaint cobblestone streets, and cozy cafés.
After its medieval past comes a green future: Guimarães is expanding bike paths, creating new green spaces, and reducing pollution. The European Commission has already named the Portuguese city European Green Capital 2026.
The Castelo de Guimarães is also one of the oldest castles in Portugal, and is also considered a symbol of Portuguese history. Afonso Henriques is said to have been born here. Right next door is the 15th-century Paço dos Duques de Bragança Palace, which now houses a museum. For a more comprehensive overview, a cable car ride up Monte da Penha is worthwhile. From here, you'll have a fantastic view of Guimarães.
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A solar eclipse is putting a less tourist-friendly region of Spain in the spotlight: the autonomous community and region of the Basque Country in northern Spain. A total solar eclipse is expected to be particularly well-observed here on August 12, 2026, and will draw many people to the region's rugged coastline. The port city of Bilbao and the capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, are considered other highlights of the region.
Bilbao is best known for its Guggenheim Museum and its extraordinary architecture. Bilbao is also a gastronomic hotspot with unique restaurants and bars, especially cozy pintxo bars in the old town.
Equally impressive and difficult to pronounce is the island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. It is located between the towns of Bermeo and Baskio, about 35 kilometers northeast of Bilbao. We've written down what awaits you there and how the island got its unusual name.
If Europe isn't enough for you, here's an overview of all 25 travel destinations recommended by National Geographic for 2026:
- Banff, Canada
- Medellín, Colombia
- Fiji
- Oaxaca, Mexico
- Pittsburgh, USA
- Maui, Hawaii
- South Korea
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
- Route 66 in Oklahoma, USA
- Yamagata, Japan
- Vancouver, Canada
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda
- Khiva, Uzbekistan
- Manila, Philippines
- North Dakota Badlands, USA
- Rabat, Morocco
- Dominica
- Beijing, China
- Quebec, Canada
- Dolomites, Italy
- Hull in Yorkshire, England
- Black Sea coast, Türkiye
- Oulu, Finland
- Guimarães, Portugal
- Basque Country, Spain
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