The 20 Best Places to Travel in 2026 – Part II
Travel in 2026 continues to evolve beyond simple sightseeing into journeys that celebrate culture, sustainability, creativity, and meaningful connections. Around the world, destinations are reinventing themselves through conservation initiatives, cultural festivals, landmark anniversaries, and innovative infrastructure, making this year especially exciting for travellers who want more than just beautiful photographs.
As travellers seek deeper experiences, 2026 offers an exceptional window into places that are either stepping into the spotlight for the first time or entering defining moments in their histories. From dramatic coastlines and Arctic cities in cultural bloom to ancient capitals undergoing revival and wilderness regions honouring heritage, these destinations invite visitors to witness transformation in real time.
In Part II of our list of the 20 best places to travel in 2026, we continue the journey across ten more remarkable destinations. Each offers compelling reasons to visit, unforgettable landscapes and stories, and a unique perspective on how travel can inspire, educate, and connect. Whether you dream of coastal road trips, cultural capitals, wildlife encounters, or sacred desert walks, these places promise experiences that will define the year.
Oregon Coast, United States
Why go: Fresh ways to explore one of the United States’ most dramatic and accessible coastlines
Stretching nearly 370 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River to the redwood forests near California, the Oregon Coast is one of America’s great scenic highways. Wave-battered cliffs, endless sandy beaches, misty headlands, and lonely lighthouses create a coastline that feels both wild and welcoming. Thanks to a landmark 1967 law, the entire Oregon shoreline remains public, meaning every traveller can wander freely along beaches, tide pools, and rocky promontories.
In 2026, new sustainable travel initiatives are making this legendary road trip easier and more inclusive.
A seasonal shuttle now links Portland to several coastal towns, while an expanding network of electric vehicle charging stations allows eco-conscious travellers to explore without worry. Cyclists can tackle the full border-to-border coastal route, stopping in fishing villages and seaside towns that offer bike rentals and scenic trails.
The region’s culinary scene is also flourishing, with new programmes keeping freshly caught seafood local and supporting fishing communities that have long depended on these waters. Accessibility improvements such as beach wheelchairs, Mobi-Mats laid across sand, and inclusive travel mapping mean more visitors can enjoy the shoreline than ever before. In 2026, the Oregon Coast offers a perfect blend of freedom, sustainability, and raw natural beauty.
Oulu, Finland
Why go: An Arctic city in full creative bloom during its Capital of Culture year
Just below the Arctic Circle, the northern Finnish city of Oulu is stepping confidently onto Europe’s cultural stage in 2026 as one of the European Capitals of Culture. Already known for hosting the World Air Guitar Championships and for being the self-proclaimed winter cycling capital of the world, Oulu now invites travellers to discover how creativity thrives in extreme northern conditions.
Throughout the year, Oulu and its surrounding villages will host an evolving festival of performances, pop-up exhibitions, installations, and community celebrations.
Highlights include the Arctic Food Lab, where chefs and producers showcase Nordic-Arctic flavours shaped by the region’s soil, snow, and seasons, and the Climate Clock public art trail, where installations reflect humanity’s relationship with time, creativity, and climate change.
Beyond the cultural calendar, Oulu offers windswept islands, lighthouse walks at sunset, frozen sea swimming, and deeply rooted sauna traditions. In 2026, the city’s blend of Arctic wilderness, innovative design, and mindful travel philosophy makes it one of Europe’s most intriguing and unexpected destinations.
Philadelphia, United States
Why go: America’s 250th birthday celebrations and one of the biggest sports years in US history
In 2026, Philadelphia becomes the heart of America’s national story once again. As the birthplace of the United States, the city will host a year-long celebration marking the country’s 250th anniversary, transforming streets, museums, and neighbourhoods into living history.
A major highlight is the “52 Weeks of Firsts” programme, where each week celebrates a Philadelphia innovation, landmark, or historic moment in the very neighbourhood where it happened.
Exhibitions, performances, and interactive events bring stories of democracy, science, religion, and social progress to life. The Franklin Institute’s major exhibition on the engineering of theme parks adds a playful dimension to the cultural calendar.
Sports lovers will also find Philadelphia irresistible in 2026. The city hosts FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, NCAA tournament games, and RockyFest celebrating the legendary film character’s anniversary. Combined with mural tours, historic districts, and world-class dining, Philadelphia offers one of the richest urban experiences of the year.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Why go: A creative and sustainable revival reshaping Cambodia’s capital
Phnom Penh is entering a bold new chapter in 2026 with the opening of Techo International Airport, dramatically improving access to Cambodia’s vibrant capital. Long overshadowed by Siem Reap, the city is now revealing its personality through sustainable tourism, creative design, and youthful energy.
The pedestrian-friendly Chaktomuk Walk Street transforms the riverfront into a lively festival zone on weekends, filled with street food, crafts, and music. Electric tuk-tuks operated by luxury hotels reduce emissions while offering stylish city tours.
The architectural legacy of Vann Molyvann, Cambodia’s modernist pioneer, is being rediscovered through restored homes, cafés, and cultural spaces that inspire young designers.
Gen Z entrepreneurs are leading a cultural renaissance with eco-boutiques, distilleries, and third-culture cafés. Nearby, conservation tourism in Mondulkiri offers ethical elephant sanctuaries and rainforest treks. In 2026, Phnom Penh combines heritage, innovation, and sustainability in a capital finally ready for the world’s attention.
Guimarães, Portugal
Why go: Portugal’s birthplace crowned Europe’s Green Capital for 2026
Often overlooked despite its historic importance, Guimarães is the birthplace of Portugal and one of the country’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities. Cobbled lanes, palace courtyards, ancient cloisters, and lively terraces create a city that feels both timeless and youthful.
In 2026, Guimarães celebrates 25 years as a Unesco World Heritage site and its new title as Europe’s Green Capital.
Decades of sustainability projects come together through green corridors, restored riverbanks, repurposed industrial spaces, and a fleet of electric buses linking cultural and ecological attractions.
Nearby, the ancient Citânia de Briteiros hill settlement reveals Portugal’s prehistoric past, while galleries, craft breweries, and creative hubs reflect the city’s vibrant student population. Guimarães offers a rare combination of medieval beauty and forward-thinking urban life, making it one of Europe’s quiet success stories.
Samburu, Kenya
Why go: Rare wildlife, community conservation, and Africa’s newest astrotourism frontier
Remote and crowd-free, Samburu County in northern Kenya is redefining safari travel through conservation, culture, and stargazing. Along the Ewaso Nyiro River, travellers encounter dramatic semi-arid landscapes, welcoming Samburu communities, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.
Samburu’s nine conservancies protect the famous “Samburu Special Five,” rare species unique to the region, as well as growing populations of rhinos and elephants. Community-owned sanctuaries such as Reteti Elephant Sanctuary allow visitors to learn about rescue, rehabilitation, and rewilding efforts led by local people.
In 2026, Samburu launches Kenya’s first major astrotourism programme, with Indigenous star lore, planetarium sessions, and open-air star beds beneath equatorial skies. Combining wildlife safaris with cosmic exploration, Samburu offers one of Africa’s most original and meaningful travel experiences.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Why go: A festive city reborn with heritage, beaches, and world-class music
In 2026, Santo Domingo prepares to host the Central American and Caribbean Games, transforming the oldest European city in the Americas into a celebration of sport, culture, and renewal. Major renovations in the historic Zona Colonial have restored cobbled streets, heritage façades, and colonial plazas, making the old city more walkable and inclusive.
Beyond history, Santo Domingo pulses with music and dance. As the birthplace of merengue and a capital of bachata, the city hosts Carnival, the Merengue Festival, and the returning Presidente Festival, filling streets with rhythm and colour.
Nearby white-sand beaches and luxury resorts add seaside relaxation to the urban buzz.
With new hotels, helicopter transfers to the lush Samaná Peninsula, and a revived cultural scene, Santo Domingo in 2026 promises a joyful blend of heritage, celebration, and Caribbean charm.
The Slocan Valley, Canada
Why go: A reflective new trail honouring resilience, memory, and mountain beauty
Nestled between lakes and forests in British Columbia, the Slocan Valley is unveiling the Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail in 2026, a powerful journey through one of Canada’s most poignant chapters. The trail traces the history of Japanese Canadians who were displaced and interned here during World War Two, linking memorial sites, museums, and community exhibits.
Travellers follow quiet roads and rail trails through mountain scenery, pausing at gardens, lakeshores, hot springs, and artisan studios along the way. The experience combines outdoor adventure with deep historical reflection, offering a rare form of travel that educates, heals, and connects.
The Slocan Valley shows how tourism can honour the past while sustaining rural communities, making it one of Canada’s most meaningful new destinations for 2026.
Uluru, Australia
Why go: A sacred anniversary and a groundbreaking Indigenous-led walking journey
Following the historic return of Uluru to its Traditional Owners, 2026 marks a new era of cultural travel in Australia’s Red Centre. The launch of the Uluru–Kata Tjuta Signature Walk allows travellers to explore sacred desert landscapes through Anangu-guided trails, eco-camps, and storytelling experiences never before open to the public.
The five-day walk links the domes of Kata Tjuta with the base of Uluru, offering sunrise hikes, stargazing decks, and Indigenous workshops that reveal the spiritual meaning of the land. Night-time experiences such as Wintjiri Wiru and the anniversary edition of the Field of Light installation add magical perspectives to the desert. Walk with respect, listen deeply, and connect with one of Earth’s oldest living cultures.
Uruguay
Why go: Sustainable travel, tango heritage, flamingo lagoons, and world-class cuisine
Small but remarkably diverse, Uruguay stands out in South America for its progressive values, renewable energy leadership, and welcoming spirit. Montevideo blends seaside promenades with historic districts, tango traditions, vibrant markets, and one of the longest carnival celebrations on the continent.
Beyond the capital, Colonia del Sacramento enchants with cobbled streets and colonial architecture, while pampas ranches produce legendary grass-fed beef. Along the coast, surf towns, fishing villages, rolling dunes, and flamingo-filled lagoons create a paradise for nature lovers.
With nearly all its electricity from renewables and a strong commitment to inclusive tourism, Uruguay in 2026 offers travellers a rare mix of culture, sustainability, safety, and soulful beauty.
Travel into 2026 with Unimoni Travel & Holidays
As the world opens its most exciting destinations for 2026, choosing the right travel partner transforms a journey into a lifelong memory. At Unimoni Travel & Holidays, we bring over 24 years of experience, a trusted network of 10 IATA-certified locations, and the confidence of millions of happy customers who have explored the world with us.
From dramatic coastlines and cultural capitals to wildlife safaris and sacred desert walks, our expert team designs personalised itineraries, seamless bookings, and worry-free travel experiences — all guided by decades of knowledge and care.
In 2026, don’t just travel far.
Travel meaningfully with Unimoni Travel & Holidays.