Planning your next big adventure for 2026? National Geographic has unveiled its list of the world’s top destinations for the coming year – a curated selection drawn from the outlet’s leading editors, photographers and travel journalists. From of Europe gorgeous alpine landscapes and from china Newly acclaimed cultural corridors from the Caribbean’s first sperm whale reserve, this year’s picks celebrate the places where nature, heritage and innovation intersect. Food lovers will find their paradise here from manila thriving culinary scene, while history lovers can journey through the royal layers of Morocco or the rugged badlands of North Dakota. Below, take a peek at the top ten destinations you absolutely cannot miss in 2026.
1. Dolomites, Milan, Italy
The Dolomites are a renowned alpine range known for its sculptural landscapes – towering walls, jagged ridges and piercing spiers – set against breathtaking views of purple snowdrops and yellow poppies blooming at sunset. What makes the alpine retreat – particularly the northeastern ski resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is also the world’s largest ski area, spanning 29,652 acres of terrain connected via 12 resorts and a pass – particularly attractive is its role as host of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March in 2026. what’s more? You can also take time between Olympic events to explore Ladin culture at the Museum Ladin Síastel de Tor, located in the village of San Martino.
2. Quebec, Canada
Quebec is home to one of the newest and most amazingly wild protected areas – Nibischi National Park – which spans more than 4,000 square miles of peaceful lake country in the Eyau Ischi-James Bay region and is the first in the province to be managed by a First Nation, the Cree Nation of Mistissini. Centered around the vast Albanel-Mistasini-Wakonichi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary – accessible from Montreal via a 90-minute Air Creebeque flight – this remote retreat offers waterfront cabins, floating bungalows, and sweeping boreal-forest vistas from cliff-edge walkways and suspension bridges. Its appeal includes newly launched year-round Indigenous-led experiences ranging from fireside storytelling to winter survival classes, as well as new First Nations and Inuit cultural initiatives in Montreal.
3. Beijing, China
Opening up its culture-rich heritage to travelers, Beijing has unveiled the Beijing Central Axis – a nearly five-mile stretch of imperial and ceremonial buildings and gardens – which has recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Making exploration even easier, a new sightseeing bus has been launched that connects all of the city’s main attractions – allowing passengers to marvel at ancient Chinese city plans along the way, including views of the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Drum and Bell Towers. More cultural history awaits at the Ming Tombs, Emperor Chongzhen’s tomb and the majestic Great Wall – now brilliantly illuminated to showcase the city’s vibrant night-time economy – as well as a new adventure-ready hiking trail at Zhoukoudian, the site where the bones of Peking Man were discovered.
4. Dominica
Home to around 200 sperm whales year-round, Dominica in the Caribbean is set to launch the world’s first sperm whale reserve – the Dominica Sperm Whale Reserve – protecting approximately 800 square kilometers of waters off the island’s west coast, a free-roaming zone for the majestic marine mammals. Visitors will have the chance to swim with these magnificent creatures or view them from a boat under the careful supervision of reserve staff. Back on land, travelers can explore Dominica’s wild, undeveloped mountainous region covered in dense rainforest, and filled with hot springs and gushing waterfalls, via the world’s longest cable car system.
5. Rabat, Morocco
Rabat, Morocco’s cozy Atlantic-coast capital, blends ancient royal heritage with contemporary metropolitan development, inviting travelers to wander from the narrow streets of the 12th-century Casbah of Ouidah to the wide boulevards of the French-built Ville Nouvelle. Two notable new landmarks are adding to its evolving skyline: Zaha Hadid’s neo-futurist Royal Theater of Rabat, inspired by the bends of the Bou Regreg River, and the rocket-shaped Mohammed VI Tower, now the tallest building in the country. The recently restored hilltop cemetery of Chellah – a 14th-century Islamic site built over Roman ruins – further demonstrates the city’s richly layered history. Culture-seekers shouldn’t miss the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, home to more than 500 works celebrating Moroccan and African creativity – nor the city’s vibrant literary scene, which has been recognized by UNESCO as the 2026 World Book Capital.
6. Hull, Yorkshire, England
Hull, a quaint port city in northern England, was one of the world’s busiest whaling ports in the 19th century and a center of fishing and shipping until the 20th century. It is set for a big reveal in 2026 as a $53 million project showcasing its 800 years of maritime heritage is completed. The transformation introduces a network of new attractions – including the renovated Hull Maritime Museum, the North End Shipyard’s two-storey visitor centre, and two permanently docked museum ships, Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship – that offer an in-depth look at the city’s maritime past. Complementing these openings are the renovated Humber Street Fruit Market, the spectacular Waterside Stage@TheDock Amphitheater and The Deep, one of the UK’s leading aquariums. A new Maritime Heritage Trail winds through the Georgian Old Town, connecting green spaces, maritime-inspired public art and the Museum Quarter, where visitors can step inside the birthplace of abolitionist William Wilberforce.
7. North Dakota, Badlands, USA
North Dakota’s fascinating Badlands – the place that shaped Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation vision – will debut a major new landmark on July 4, 2026: the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Perched on a butte above Medora and designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, the building blends into the landscape with compressed wood beams and a movable roof covered in native vegetation. Inside, interactive exhibits trace Roosevelt’s journey from his New York upbringing to his time in the White House and his far-flung campaigns, seeking to “humanize, not lionize” a deeply flawed visionary. The 1.3-mile trail above the library overlooks Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where bison still roam the grounds they once fought to protect.
8. Manila, Philippines
Cooking enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The Philippines’ age-old blend of indigenous traditions and global influences makes it one of Asia’s most delightful dining destinations – and the 2026 Michelin Guide puts Metro Manila firmly in the spotlight. Across the capital, Spanish, Chinese and Malay flavors collide in lively markets, including the bustling night-time markets of Tutuban and Salcedo. Attractive eateries serving comforting classic dishes include Manam, New Po Heng Lumpia House, while Toyo Eatery and Kondwi elevate Filipino cuisine with inventive tasting menus and playful cocktails. For a taste of the archipelago’s layered past, Spanish restaurant Alba’s paella lineup and beloved Binondo bakeries Ho-Land and Ang Bee Tin are delicious reminders of the country’s richly woven culinary heritage.
9. Black Sea Coast, Turkey
Türkiye’s Black Sea coast offers one of the world’s rarest double pleasures – the chance to surf and ski in the same day – all set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains and sparkling blue bays. Seaside towns like Samsun and Bartın promise tranquility, while Trabzon’s old town and architectural remains echo its Greco-Turkish past. In Rize, terraced hills produce the region’s famous black tea, overlooking the bustling coast. The local cuisine is also exceptional, including freshly caught seafood, silky kuymak and garlicky akkabat koftesi. Winter travelers will find excellent skiing in Cambasi, while adventurers can head to Ayder for zip-lining, 4×4 safaris and alpine treks in the lofty Cacar Daglari National Park.
10. Khiva, Uzbekistan
Khiva, Uzbekistan’s open-air Silk Road Museum, is set for a revival in 2026 as new high-speed trains reduce travel times from Tashkent, and the luxurious Samarkand Express sleeper and the city’s first international five-star hotel, the Mercure Khiva, debut. Within the ancient walls of the UNESCO-listed Itchan art, travelers can spend days wandering the tiled madrasas, wood-pillared mosques and restored palaces – but Khiva’s appeal extends far beyond architecture. The new Arda Khiva Resort offers family-friendly entertainment with a water park and amphitheater, while a vibrant calendar of events – from the Lazgi International Dance Festival and Pahlavan Mahmud Strongman Games to the spectacular Qovun Sayli Melon Festival – showcases the vibrant cultural heart of the region.
