Where will you be heading next year?

Lonely Planet, one of the most trusted names in travel, just released its highly anticipated list of best places to travel in 2026. From pristine beaches to mountain getaways, we guarantee there's a destination that will speak to you—even one of Canada's provinces got a spot!

If you're planning a vacation for the coming months, take note of these hot spots, plus when to visit and why.

Lonely Planet's Top 25 Travel Destinations for 2026

Beach & Island Destinations

Réunion, Africa

• For learning about a multicultural heritage
• Best time to visit: May-November

Solomon Islands, Oceania

• For island hopping
• Best time to visit: April-November

Barbados, Caribbean

• For beaches and celebrations
• Best time to visit: December-April

Sardinia, Italy

• For a wild island escape
• Best time to visit: May-June or September-October

Phuket, Thailand

• For a tropical paradise
• Best time to visit: November-February

Jeju-Do, South Korea

• For peace and sanity
• Best time to visit: April-May or September-October

Adventure & Nature Destinations

British Columbia, Canada

• For embracing nature
• Best time to visit: June-September for outdoor adventure

Peru, South America

• For Inca history and some of the best food
• Best time to visit: May-September

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA

• For open sky and otherworldly views
• Best time to visit: May-September

Botswana, Africa

• For getting up close with wildlife
• Best time to visit: May-October

Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback, South Australia 

• For amazing sunsets and outback adventure
• Best time to visit: April-October

North Island, New Zealand

• For cultural tourism that sings
• Best time to visit: December-February

Maine, USA

• For dreamy, movie-like summers
• Best time to visit: June-October

Tipperary, Ireland

• For hiking and history
• Best time to visit: May-September

Finland

• For exploring the wild
• Best time to visit: December-March for snowy adventures and June-August for midnight sun

Cultural & Urban Destinations

Jaffna, Sri Lanka

• For food and adventure
• Best time to visit: December-March

Cádiz, Spain

• For Carnaval and Flamenco
• Best time to visit: May-June or September-October

Cartagena, Colombia

• For unmatched nightlife
• Best time to visit: December-April

Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala

• For all of the culture with none of the crowds
• Best time to visit: November-April

Liberdade, São Paulo, Brazil

• For culture and cuisine
• Best time to visit: April-May or September-November

Mexico City, Mexico

• For creative energy
• Best time to visit: May-March

Utrecht, Netherlands

• For European vibes without the crowds
• Best time to visit: April-September

Quy Nhon, Vietnam

• For coastal adventures
• Best time to visit: February-August

Siem Reap, Cambodia

• For spiritual experiences
• Best time to visit: November-February

Tunisia, Africa

• For the best of both worlds: the desert and the coast
• Best time to visit: March-May or September-November

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