The 2026 Travel Trends and Destinations You’ll Want to Bookmark
If you are already dreaming of next year’s adventure, 2026 is shaping up to be a moment for bold curiosity, slower rhythms, and places that let you be in the story, not just standing beside it. Below are some of the biggest trends and the top destinations to experience them, so you can start planning a trip that is both meaningful and memorable.
Trend 1: Less hurry, more savor
Instead of bouncing from city to city, travelers in 2026 are choosing to stay a little longer in one place, soak in the vibe, and let the destination sink in. Many advisors describe a shift away from ticking boxes and toward staying curious. That means when we pick a destination, we are not trying to visit Venice and Rome in ten days. We are choosing to live in Tuscany for five nights, take slow drives among olive groves, pause in cafés, and linger in the golden hour.
Keep reading for ten destinations worth lingering in. Each one offers something fresh for 2026.
Trend 2: Unexpected favorites rising
The big-name places still shine, but in 2026, travelers are also drawn to lesser-known gems that look and feel different. Flight search data shows large jumps in interest for places you might not have considered before. So while Iceland or Fiji still hold sway, keep your eyes open for the destinations below. Some of these areas are already spiking in search momentum.
Greece
Greece holds a special place for many travelers. Think Aegean light, whitewashed villages, and the sea always close by. What feels new for 2026 is the slower side. Smaller islands, fewer crowds, and deeper culture. That might look like a simple guesthouse on Paros or Naxos, unplanned afternoons that turn into long conversations, and evenings when the light makes every alley glow.
Italy
Italy keeps calling because it truly has everything. Culture, cuisine, landscape, and history. A smart 2026 approach is to let go of the classic three-city shuffle and choose one region to live in for a week. Picture days wandering vineyard lanes, evenings with fresh seafood by the coast, and your camera catching olive groves at sunset. Interest in off-the-radar Italian regions is rising, including islands and countryside that reward a slower pace.
Japan
Japan blends traditional and modern in a way few places do. It is not new, but it is newly relevant for travelers who want depth, photography, and culture. Mornings in Kyoto’s temples, afternoons in Osaka’s food markets, evenings in a ryokan. The point is not to rush. The goal is to absorb, and to leave room for the moments you cannot plan.
Mexico
Mexico combines vibrant culture, easy access for many US travelers, and real variety. You could choose a city like San Miguel de Allende with colonial architecture and artisan markets, or explore the Yucatán for cenotes, Mayan history, and coastal towns. If you have only seen the inside of an all-inclusive resort before, consider this your invitation to experience Mexico’s food, design, music, and everyday street life.
Portugal
Portugal is a quiet star for 2026. Approachable for English speakers, rich in culture, and full of coastline and historic villages. Set up your base in Lisbon, ride the train to Porto, and add a day or two in the Alentejo for vineyards and open skies. The rhythm feels relaxed but layered. Your photos will reflect real-life moments. Café breaks, ocean views, and long dinners after full days of roaming.
Indonesia
Indonesia offers a true sense of escape with plenty of stories. Bali is still widely searched, but more travelers are moving past the standard loop into quieter areas and neighboring islands. Think rice terraces at sunrise, a local cooking lesson in the afternoon, and a beach that feels less discovered. Use the landscape as part of the story, not just the backdrop.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands gives you an easy blend of city and countryside. Visit Amsterdam’s canals for architecture and museums. Day trips into small, nearby towns for windmills, gardens, and slow rambles. It is culture-forward without feeling overwhelming. Rent bikes, pack a picnic, and spend a day moving at a liveable pace. The photo opportunities arrive without forcing them.
Costa Rica, Limón Province
Skyscanner’s data shows Limón on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast as a top trending pick for 2026, with a large jump in searches year over year. Expect rainforests meeting the beach, Afro Caribbean culture, wildlife, and surf towns with an easygoing pace. Mornings can be for waterfall hikes, midday for fruit stands and seaside cafés, and sunsets that feel cinematic.
Big Sky, Montana, USA
Sometimes the magic is closer to home than you realize. Big Sky is getting called out in 2026 roundups for its draw toward nature, space, and stillness. Think open skies, mountain trails, and nights that end under a pile of stars. If you want somewhere that helps you breathe a little deeper and reset without passports or long flights, this is it.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Expedia highlights Phu Quoc among the destinations gaining momentum for 2026. Warm water, palm-lined beaches, night markets, and day trips for snorkeling or kayaking. It is easy to pair a couple of slow beach days with time exploring Vietnamese food and coffee culture. If you want something that feels new but is still approachable, Phu Quoc is a smart pick.
How to use these picks
Choose one home base and explore from there to allow yourself to unpack and settle in
Build your itinerary to take advantage of early mornings and evenings when the light is soft and glowy
Aim to travel during shoulder seasons to reduce crowds and costs
Add a food or craft experience led by a local
Balance your days with one anchor activity and plenty of white space to discover things you didn’t plan for
Bring comfortable shoes, a lightweight layer, and a plan that leaves room for wonder
If you care about going where interest is heating up, keep an eye on travel trend reports that publish fresh data. Skyscanner’s 2026 list calls out Limón as the top riser. Expedia’s outlook pulls in Big Sky, Sardinia, and Phu Quoc, among others. These kinds of lists reflect recent search behavior, which can help you pick a place that feels exciting now rather than last year’s favorite.
Travel in 2026 is less about cramming everything into one trip and more about feeling it all. Whether you find yourself in a tiny Greek village, a Japanese garden, or a mountain trail in Montana, the best trips are the ones that give you room to slow down and notice the world around you.
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