Best Destinations to Visit in 2026 — Where Everyone's Going (and Where to Go Instead)

TRENDS

5/14/20263 min read

Every year the same shortlist does the rounds. Japan. Bali. Tuscany. The Algarve. And every year a wave of disappointed travellers finds that the content they saved from Instagram was shot three years ago, before the crowds and the price hikes.

Here's what's genuinely trending in 2026 — and an honest take on whether it's worth it, plus an alternative when the answer is "maybe not."

Japan

Still at the top of wish lists, and still dealing with the consequences. Kyoto in cherry blossom season is lovely — it's also extremely full. Over-tourism restrictions have expanded: certain streets are now ticketed, entry fees have gone up at multiple temples, and some neighbourhoods have photography rules. The infrastructure is extraordinary. The patience required in peak season is equally so.

Worth going? Yes — but time it ruthlessly. Late autumn (November) or the shoulder weeks around cherry blossom give you most of the experience without the worst of the crowds.

Alternative: Taiwan. It's cultural capital Tainan delivers a lot of what draws people to Japan — exceptional food, considered design, rail travel that works — with far fewer tourists and noticeably lower costs. Traveling from Taipei to Tainan (approx. 320 km) is best done via the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), taking roughly 1h 46m. Trains depart frequently from Taipei Main Station, offering a comfortable, direct journey to Tainan HSR Station, often costing between $35 - $50.

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Bali

Bali hasn't stopped being beautiful. What's changed is the experience in the areas most people visit first — Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta. The roads have been difficult for years and haven't improved. For people who know where to go — Ubud properly researched, the quieter parts of Nusa Penida — it still delivers. First-timers booking on old content sometimes feel misled.

Worth going? Yes, with current research. Look for visitor write-ups from the last six months, not the last few years. Go to the places that will enable you to discover the real Bali.

Alternative: Sri Lanka. Beaches, lush landscapes, extraordinary temples, good food, and a warmth that reminds you of what drew people to Bali in the first place. The south coast (Galle, Mirissa) and the hill country around Ella offer two very different trips in one island. We visited in November 2025 and highly recommend this swap for your 2026 trip.

Check out our travel guides and routes.

a body of water with a small island in the middle of it

Spain

Barcelona and Madrid remain excellent but increasingly expensive and busy in summer. What's trending in 2026 is the rest of Spain — Seville, Cádiz, the coast of Andalucía — as travellers look beyond the obvious cities. Barcelona is also phasing out short term rentals between now and 2028 which will impact Airbnb and self-catering vacation rental availability.

Alternative: The Basque Country. Bilbao and San Sebastián offer world-class food, better hotel value, and a pace that feels entirely different from the main circuit.

A beautiful coastal view with beach and hills.

Morocco

Marrakech keeps delivering for people who come prepared. The medina, the riads, the food — all still worth it. What's shifted is the cost: prices have gone up noticeably since 2022, and a lot of "budget trip" content online doesn't reflect that. We have a full Marrakech planning guide covering current prices, where to stay, and the perfect short break itinerary.

Second trip? Morocco works well for multi‑stop routes, with many travellers starting in Marrakech before adding on Essaouira or Fès. The latter has a larger, more traditional medina, less tourist infrastructure, and a slower pace — and the tanneries alone make it worth the detour.

The pattern worth noticing

Popular destinations trend partly because content about them keeps getting made — not because conditions have improved. Before booking anywhere on a wish list, search for visitor write-ups from the last three to six months. The picture is often quite different from what's ranking at the top of search.

And the move that consistently works: book adjacent. The town an hour outside the famous destination is usually better value, noticeably quieter, and rarely hard to reach.

Next week I'm writing about how I actually research a destination — the process, the tools, how to spot outdated content. Sign up to the Thursday newsletter below to get it, or browse all the destination guides here.