The 20 Best Places to Travel in 2026 – Part I
Travel in 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most inspiring years in global tourism. Across continents, destinations are unveiling landmark museums, opening long-protected landscapes, reviving ancient cultures, and redefining how travellers engage with the world. Instead of rushing from sight to sight, today’s journeys are about timing — visiting places at moments of transformation, renewal, and celebration.
From the cultural renaissance of the Middle East to the silent Roman ruins of North Africa, from vineyard valleys in South America to remote Pacific islands, a new generation of destinations is calling. These are places where innovation meets tradition, where sustainability guides development, and where travellers become part of a story larger than themselves.
In Part I of our list of the 20 best places to travel in 2026, we explore ten destinations that perfectly capture the spirit of modern travel. Each offers compelling reasons to visit, unforgettable attractions, and experiences that promise to linger long after the journey ends.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Why go: A blockbuster year of cultural openings combined with thrilling new theme park experiences
Abu Dhabi is entering one of the most exciting periods in its modern history, positioning itself as a global cultural capital while continuing to lead the Middle East in luxury and entertainment. The long-awaited Saadiyat Cultural District is finally reaching maturity, transforming the city into a destination where art, history, science, and architecture come together on a monumental scale.
In 2026, visitors can immerse themselves in the world’s largest digital art museum, TeamLab Phenomena, where interactive installations blur the line between technology and creativity.
Nearby, the Zayed National Museum offers an emotional journey through the story of the Emirates, from pearl diving and desert trade to the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The striking Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi rises like sculpted sugar cubes above the Gulf, exploring the origins of life and the region’s geological heritage.
Beyond museums, Abu Dhabi continues to build its reputation as a family entertainment capital. Yas Island is expanding with new Harry Potter zones at Warner Bros. World, major additions to Yas Waterworld, and long-term plans for the Middle East’s first Disneyland. With world-class beaches, desert safaris, grand mosques, luxury shopping, and Michelin-star dining, Abu Dhabi in 2026 offers one of the richest urban travel experiences anywhere.
Algeria
Why go: Roman ruins, rolling dunes, and a long-closed cultural giant reopening to the world
Algeria is one of Africa’s most intriguing rediscoveries, finally stepping into the global tourism spotlight after decades of limited access. With new visa-on-arrival policies, expanded airline networks, and major investments in heritage preservation, the country is inviting travellers to explore landscapes and cities that feel wonderfully untouched by mass tourism.
The capital, Algiers, reveals layers of history through its Ottoman Casbah, French boulevards, and Mediterranean promenades. Further inland, Constantine stuns with its gravity-defying bridges and Unesco-listed old town suspended above deep gorges.
Algeria’s Roman heritage is among the finest in the world, with the vast ruins of Timgad and Djémila offering hauntingly beautiful streets, theatres, and temples almost entirely free of crowds.
Beyond the cities, the Sahara stretches endlessly into rolling dunes, rock arches, and prehistoric art galleries. The oasis town of Djanet serves as a gateway to desert adventures, camel caravans, and nights beneath impossibly clear stars. In 2026, Algeria offers travellers a rare chance to explore one of North Africa’s richest cultural landscapes at the very moment it reopens to the world.
Colchagua Valley, Chile
Why go: A celebration of world-class wine, cowboy traditions, and pristine stargazing skies
Chile’s Colchagua Valley has quietly become one of South America’s most exciting wine regions, and in 2026 it stands at the peak of its international acclaim. Stretching from the Andes toward the Pacific, this fertile valley blends vineyard elegance with rural authenticity, inviting travellers to slow down and savour every moment.
Visitors wander between legendary estates such as Viu Manent, Casa Silva, Los Vascos, and MontGras, enjoying tastings that unfold against snow-dusted mountains. Culinary highlights shine at Fuegos de Apalta, where open-fire cooking celebrates bold flavours in the heart of the vineyards.
Luxury lodges like Clos Apalta offer the rare experience of sleeping among the vines, with villas floating above rolling slopes of Carménère and Cabernet.
Yet Colchagua is more than wine. Rodeos, folk music, and village markets preserve the region’s cowboy heritage in towns like Santa Cruz and Lolol. At night, the valley transforms into a natural observatory, with stargazing sessions revealing galaxies above silent vineyards. In 2026, Colchagua invites travellers to combine indulgence with simplicity in one of Chile’s most soulful landscapes.
Cook Islands
Why go: Barefoot luxury, Polynesian warmth, and newly protected marine sanctuaries
The Cook Islands remain one of the South Pacific’s most enchanting secrets, offering paradise without crowds and hospitality that feels genuinely heartfelt. Rarotonga, the main island, gathers everything travellers love about Polynesia into one compact paradise of jungle peaks, coral lagoons, and vibrant cultural life.
Beyond Rarotonga lie thirteen lesser-visited islands, where travellers experience beaches almost entirely to themselves and communities where tradition still shapes daily life. Aitutaki’s luminous lagoon, scattered with tiny motu islets, remains one of the most beautiful seascapes on Earth.
In 2026, strengthened protections in the Marae Moana marine park safeguard coral reefs, turtles, and fish populations, ensuring the islands remain pristine for generations.
Improved air connections from Hawaii and Australia now make this remote paradise easier to reach. Whether hiking rainforest trails, drifting through coral gardens, or sharing stories at an island feast, the Cook Islands in 2026 offer one of the purest expressions of island travel anywhere in the world.
Costa Rica
Why go: One of the planet’s richest biodiversity hotspots embracing a greener future
Costa Rica continues to set the global standard for sustainable travel, blending adventure, wildlife, and wellness in a way few countries can match. With nearly a quarter of its land protected and ambitious plans for carbon neutrality, the nation offers travellers the chance to explore nature while actively supporting its preservation.
The Osa Peninsula remains the heart of Costa Rica’s wild beauty. Here, rainforest spills onto empty beaches, macaws wheel over turquoise coves, and jaguars still roam deep jungle corridors. Travellers hike through Corcovado National Park, paddle glowing mangrove estuaries, surf pristine breaks, and unwind at eco-lodges powered by solar energy.
In 2026, new conservation initiatives strengthen marine reserves and wildlife corridors, while community-run retreats blend yoga, meditation, and conservation work. Costa Rica proves that luxury and sustainability can coexist, offering journeys that nourish both traveller and planet.
Hebrides, Scotland
Why go: Ancient stone circles, booming whisky trails, and Atlantic island hospitality
Scotland’s Hebridean islands are stepping into a golden moment in 2026, combining ancient heritage with a thriving modern whisky culture. On the Isle of Lewis, the long-awaited visitor centre at the Calanais Standing Stones finally opens, offering new insight into monuments older than Stonehenge.
Far south, Barra continues to delight travellers with its tidal beach runway and medieval Kisimul Castle. On Islay, two new distilleries join an already legendary whisky lineup, while luxury whisky hotels and festivals celebrate the island’s smoky spirit.
Between white-sand beaches, windswept cliffs, and warm island communities, the Hebrides offer a timeless escape infused with fresh energy.
Ishikawa, Japan
Why go: Traditional crafts, celebrated sake, and meaningful post-disaster renewal
Two years after a devastating earthquake, Ishikawa invites travellers to be part of its remarkable recovery. Kanazawa remains a cultural treasure with Kenrokuen Garden, samurai districts, and gold-leaf workshops preserving centuries-old craftsmanship.
Further north, the Noto Peninsula welcomes visitors into farmhouse inns where guests help plant rice, share family meals, and support communities rebuilding their lives. Award-winning sake breweries reopen their doors, while artisans revive lacquerware traditions passed down through generations. In 2026, Ishikawa offers not just beauty, but the rare privilege of travel with purpose.
Komodo Islands, Indonesia
Why go: Prehistoric wildlife, thriving coral reefs, and conservation-led adventure
The Komodo Islands remain one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles, where dragons roam freely and marine life flourishes beneath crystal waters. In 2026, Indonesia marks the park’s 45th anniversary with new conservation measures that protect fragile reefs and regulate visitor numbers.
Travellers trek with rangers to observe Komodo dragons, dive with manta rays, snorkel pink-sand beaches, and sail between remote bays on traditional phinisi boats. Komodo offers the rare thrill of close wildlife encounters combined with responsible tourism that safeguards one of Earth’s most extraordinary ecosystems.
Loreto, Mexico
Why go: Whale-rich waters, desert islands, and a community-led conservation story
On the shores of the Gulf of California, Loreto blends wild seascapes with a deeply inspiring conservation legacy. As Loreto Bay National Park approaches its 30th anniversary, new protected areas open mangroves, canyons, and wildlife corridors to careful exploration.
Former fishermen now guide whale-watching tours, kayak desert islands, and lead citizen-science projects tracking blue whales and sea turtles. Whitewashed streets, historic missions, and communal suppers complete an experience where travellers become part of a hopeful story of ecological recovery.
Montenegro
Why go: The dazzling Bay of Kotor and Europe’s last great mountain wilderness
Celebrating twenty years of independence in 2026, Montenegro shines as one of Europe’s most diverse and beautiful small nations. The Bay of Kotor enchants with medieval towns, Venetian walls, and fjord-like scenery that rivals Scandinavia.
Beyond the coast, Cetinje reveals royal heritage, Lake Skadar hosts hundreds of bird species, and the Prokletije Mountains offer some of the continent’s wildest hiking routes. In Montenegro, Adriatic glamour meets alpine wilderness, creating a destination that feels both refined and untamed.
Experience 2026 with Unimoni Travel & Holidays
As the world unveils its most exciting destinations for 2026, choosing the right travel partner transforms a holiday into a lifelong memory. At Unimoni Travel & Holidays, we bring over 24 years of experience, a trusted presence across 10 IATA-certified locations, and the confidence of millions of happy customers who have explored the world with us.
From cultural capitals and island escapes to wildlife adventures and wine trails, our expert team designs personalised itineraries, seamless bookings, and worry-free journeys — all guided by decades of expertise and care.
In 2026, don’t just travel the world. Discover it with Unimoni Travel & Holidays!