Travel in 2026 is defined by a clear trend: travellers want depth over breadth. The era of ticking off countries is giving way to longer stays, local neighbourhood exploration, and experiences you can't replicate at home. Here are the 15 destinations our editors and booking data agree you should have on your radar.
1. Tbilisi, Georgia — The most underrated capital city in the world. Ancient cave monasteries, excellent wine (Georgian natural wine is having a global moment), and one of the friendliest cultures you'll find. Almost all passport holders can visit visa-free. Budget-friendly.
2. Osaka, Japan — Tokyo gets the Instagram attention but Osaka gets the food. Dotonbori at night, the castle by day, Kuromon Market in the morning. The JR Pass makes day trips to Kyoto and Nara easy. Apply for a Japan tourist visa at least 2 weeks in advance.
3. Medellín, Colombia — Transformed from the world's most dangerous city to one of Latin America's most creative. Pablo Escobar tourism is a controversial draw; the real story is the cable-car urban renewal, the design scene, and the spring-like eternal climate.
4. Split, Croatia — Dubrovnik is overrun. Split, two hours north, has a Roman emperor's palace at its core, real locals living alongside the tourists, and ferry access to the islands. Visit in May or September when the Adriatic is swimmable and the crowds are thin.
5. Muscat, Oman — The Gulf's most underappreciated destination. Wadi Shab for a day of swimming through emerald gorges, Wahiba Sands for a desert camp, and the Grand Mosque for one of Islam's great architectural achievements. Visa on arrival for most nationalities.
6. Kyoto, Japan — Yes, it's busy. Yes, it's expensive. And yes, you still have to go. The key is timing: Arashiyama bamboo grove at 6am, temple gardens on weekdays, Fushimi Inari in the rain.
7. Lisbon, Portugal — Europe's best-value major capital. Seven hills, trams that date back to 1901, and a food scene that punches well above its weight. Access from the UK and US is easy and cheap.
8. Cape Town, South Africa — Table Mountain, the Winelands, Boulders Beach penguins, and the best seafood you'll eat anywhere. The currency makes it exceptional value for UK and US travellers. Visa-free for most Western passport holders.
9. Hanoi, Vietnam — The north of Vietnam is quieter and more authentic than Ho Chi Minh City. The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn, egg coffee, and weekend train street. Use Hanoi as a base for Halong Bay or Sapa.
10. Marrakech, Morocco — Two hours from London, genuinely different. The medina is genuinely disorienting in the best way. Stay in a riad, eat at Djemaa el-Fna at night, book a day trip to the Atlas Mountains. Visa-free for most EU and UK passport holders.