Best Places to Visit in 2026

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If you’re planning your travels for the year ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a great time to explore both classic favourites and slightly under-the-radar destinations.

We’ve loved travelling to every single one of these destinations, and they all have something so unique to offer, no matter your travel style or budget.

From vibrant cities to Arctic landscapes and Mediterranean coastlines, these are some of the best places to visit in 2026, with a focus on the best time to go, top things to do, and what kind of budget you’ll need.

Let’s get into it…

Best Places to Visit in 2026

We’ve compiled this epic list based on our own travel experiences – places we’ve visited, loved, and would return to in a heartbeat. From shorter European breaks to bigger, once-in-a-lifetime trips, every destination on this list has earned its place on our “Best Places to Visit in 2026” list.

While some require a larger budget or more time, they’re all genuinely achievable for 2026 with a bit of planning. We’re living proof that these trips don’t have to stay on a wishlist forever – even with a limited budget!

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is one of the best places to visit in 2026 if you’re looking for culture, colour and warmth without travelling too far from Europe. The city offers a sensory overload in the best way, from bustling souks to peaceful riads hidden behind ancient walls.

The best time to visit Marrakech is March to May and September to November (although we found it to be quite nice in early December), when temperatures are warm but not unbearable. Summer can be extremely hot, while winter evenings can be surprisingly cool.

Things to do in Marrakech include exploring Jemaa el-Fnaa, wandering the Medina and souks, visiting the Bahia Palace and relaxing in a traditional hammam. Outside the city, you can take some epic day trips.

Some of our favourite activities included dune-buggying through the sandy desert, a combined camel ride and Agafay Desert sunset dinner package and a day trip to the Ouzoud Waterfalls.

In terms of cost, Marrakech can be very affordable. Accommodation, food and transport are reasonably priced, especially compared to European cities, although luxury riads and guided tours can quickly increase your budget.

We stayed in a beautiful riad right near the Medina that cost just £11 per night, including breakfast, and the hosts were excellent! While we can’t promise that’s a fixed price, you’re welcome to take a look here!

Iceland

Iceland remains one of the most beautiful and unforgettable destinations in Europe, making it well worth a place on our list of best places to visit this year. It’s ideal for travellers who prioritise natural landscapes, road trips and outdoor exploration over city sightseeing.

The best time to visit Iceland depends on your priorities. June to August offers long daylight hours and easier driving conditions, while September to March is best for Northern Lights, though weather can be unpredictable – not great if you’re planning a lot of driving.

We’ve visited Iceland four times – all at different times of the year, and honestly? We simply can’t pick our favourite season. The island is just SO beautiful no matter the weather. If you’re looking for a longer and more expensive trip this year then we HIGHLY recommend Iceland.

Top things to do in Iceland include driving the Ring Road (don’t attempt this in the depths of winter – you will not make it the whole way around the island due to road closures and driving in the ice and snow can get super stressful), visiting amazing waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, soaking up the relaxing vibes in hot springs, exploring volcanic landscapes and spotting whales along the coast.

Iceland is known for being expensive. Food, accommodation and car hire all add up pretty qicly, so it’s best suited to travellers who are prepared to budget carefully or prioritise experiences over luxury.

During our recent Ring Road trip, we stayed in several hostels all over Iceland – in private rooms for that extra bit of comfort – and we cannot complain about a single place we’ve stayed. Given the high costs of food in Iceland, the availability of a kitchen further helps your budget stretch further.

We’ve also stayed in several great hotels and even yurts around the country – all of which have also been beautiful, no matter the cost. Attention to detail and hospitality are clearly a priority in Iceland.

Here is a list of some of the best places we have stayed around the island:

• 100 Iceland Hotel, Reykjavík 🏨
• Hafnarstræti Hostel, Akureyi  🛌
• Ásahruan Guesthouse, Selfoss 🐕 (the most adorable dogs greet you when you arrive here)
• Arhus Cottages and Glamping, Hella 🏠
  

Lapland, Finland

Lapland is one of the most unique places to visit in 2026, particularly for those seeking a winter-focused trip. Known for its Arctic scenery and festive experiences, it offers something completely different from a typical European holiday.

The best time to visit Lapland is December for some extra Christmas magic, or January to March for better snow conditions and longer daylight. September to November are ideal for early Northern Lights without peak-season prices. We visited late October – early November and we thought this was the perfect time!

Things to do in Lapland include visiting Santa Claus Village, husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling and chasing the Northern Lights. Many visitors base themselves in Rovaniemi for easy access to activities – it’s just a quick bus ride to the Santa Claus Village and saves SO much on accommodation prices!

We stayed in a lovely (but basic) guesthouse in the city and commuted to the village for activities. It was also a great base for exploring Rovaniemi itself, putting us close to museums, shopping centres and beautiful lakes. You can check it out here.

Lapland is expensive, particularly during December. Accommodation and excursions are the biggest costs, making it better suited to shorter trips or special occasions rather than long stays.

While most travellers may assume Lapland is just for families, as a couple, we found it just as magical. The atmosphere is incredible around the Santa Claus Village and makes you feel so festive, no matter the time of year or your age.

While there are definitely lots of kids and families around, we were never bothered by their presence or felt that the activities available were solely targeted to children. With Santa definitely watching, it was nice to see so many children on their best behaviour.

London, England

London continues to be one of the best cities to visit in 2026 thanks to its mix of history, culture, food and constantly evolving neighbourhoods. It’s ideal for both first-time visitors and repeat trips.

There aren’t really any months that we wouldn’t recommend. But the best time to visit London is the spring and summer, between April and September, when the weather is a bit warmer, (hopefully less rainy!) and the city hosts lots of festivals, outdoor events and open-air markets.

But if you’re not against the rain and cold temperatures, then November to December are another two of the best months as London thrives in the festive season. The city has endless Christmas activities to discover, especially as the holiday approaches.

Things to do in London range from world-class museums and West End shows to walking through Royal palaces, exploring markets like Borough and Camden, and discovering unique, local neighbourhoods beyond the main tourist areas. It really is a city that never sleeps, and there are endless attractions to discover.

London can be pretty expensive, particularly for accommodation. However, many attractions are free, and costs can be managed by staying outside the city centre and using public transport to make your way to the main tourist areas. We’ve found Kensington, Wembley and Islington some of the best areas for cheaper hotels that are still close enough to the centre.

We love visiting London and since we’re based in Northern Ireland, we often go multiple times a year if there’s something special in the city that we’d like to see. We often travel to watch live recordings of our favourite TV shows and make a weekend of the event, visiting attractions that have been on our to-do list.

Kaunas, Lithuania

Kaunas is an underrated European city that’s well worth visiting in 2026. We visited in 2025, largely because the flights were so cheap and we were in need of a quick city break, but we were really pleasantly surprised by the city.

Kaunas is especially great if you’re looking for somewhere affordable and less crowded. As a former European Capital of Culture, it blends history with a growing creative scene. It’s also just a short train ride away from the capital, Vilnius, which is also packed with great things to do and see.

The best time to visit Kaunas is May to September, when the weather is warm enough to enjoy walking tours, outdoor cafés and riverside areas. We visited in late March though, and while there was still the odd snow shower, it wasn’t awfully cold. It’s definitely a city you can tell would have a greater appeal in the summer though.

Things to do in Kaunas include exploring the Old Town, visiting Kaunas Castle, discovering street art, learning about Lithuania’s history at its museums and enjoying the café culture. We particularly liked the 9th Fort museum which largely focuses on the impact of World War II on the city and its residents.

Kaunas is very budget-friendly compared to Western Europe. Accommodation, food and transport are all affordable, making it a great choice for travellers looking to stretch their money further in 2026!

Cagliari, Sardinia

Cagliari is one of the best places to visit in 2026 if you want Italian culture with easy access to beaches. As Sardinia’s capital, it combines history, coastal scenery and excellent food.

The best time to visit Cagliari is May to June and September, when temperatures are warm but not overwhelming. July and August are hotter and busier, particularly with Italian holidaymakers.

Things to do in Cagliari include exploring the historic Castello district, relaxing at Poetto Beach, visiting Roman ruins and enjoying Sardinian cuisine at local restaurants.

We’d highly recommend you hire a car to take off up the coast of the island and explore the incredible beaches on offer. However, city life is also great if you’re trying to cut costs and we bussed to several beaches to enjoy the sun.

Costs in Cagliari are moderate. While Sardinia can be expensive in peak summer, visiting outside July and August offers better value for accommodation and dining – trust us, the food is to DIE for.

France’s South Coast

The South of France coast remains a timeless destination, with a mix of glamour, beaches and culture. From Nice to Antibes and smaller coastal towns, there’s plenty of variety. We stayed in Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, Nice and Menton during our trip, with further visits to Antibes and Monaco (these were a bit too far out of our budget zone for accommodation).

Menton is easily one of the best places we’ve been in southern Europe – it should definitely be on your list, it’s just gorgeous!

The best time to visit the South of France is May, June and September, when the weather is warm and the crowds are more manageable. July and August are even more lively but significantly more expensive, and it can get a bit too hot for exploring – perfect for relaxing on the sand though!

Things to do along the South of France coast include beach hopping, exploring historic towns, enjoying coastal walks, visiting markets and taking day trips/boat trips between seaside villages. You’ll find that the region is one of those places that you can simply relax and pass the time easily.

Costs vary widely depending on where and when you visit. While luxury travel is common in this region, it’s possible to keep costs down by travelling outside peak season and choosing smaller towns over famous hotspots and choosing to visit them on day trips.

Our 2-week adventure along the south coast of France cost around £650 per person all-in for flights, accommodation, food and internal transport and while we definitely opted for accommodation on the cheaper end of the scale, we weren’t disappointed with any of our rooms/apartments!

One thing to be mindful of if planning to travel in May is the Cannes Film Festival. During the festival, prices shoot up sky high in many of the surrounding towns and you can barely move around Cannes itself with the amount of celebrity security and closures about!

South Africa – Our Top “Once in a Lifetime” Trip

If you’ve got some extra cash in the bank this year and are planning to splash out a bit more on a bigger, once-in-a-lifetime trip then we’d highly recommend travelling to South Africa.

We visited Cape Town and were based in the Western Cape for 2 weeks, before making the journey north to Limpopo to tick off a bucket list experience – a safari!

Cape Town is just incredible. It has so much to offer and if you discard all the negative narratives that the media relentlessly pushes about the city, you’ll see it for what it really is – a thriving hub of culture and identity, with world-class food, dramatic scenery and some of the friendliest locals we’ve ever met.

Limpopo is one of the top regions in South Africa for safari, with Kruger National Park falling within its boundaries. Our safari lodge was based in Moditlo – an area known for high animal population density and good safari practice. We managed to see the Big Five in just 3 days and our extra days were just a bonus!

Our lodge stay at Vuyani included two game drives per day, incredible service from the staff and three delicious meals every day, plus drinks and snacks on the game drives – and is honestly one of the best places we’ve ever stayed. While we opted for a more expensive package of having a private lodge with our own mini plunge pool, the onsite accommodation also looked amazing, and well worth the money.

The best time to visit South Africa depends on your itinerary. November to March is ideal for Cape Town, with warm weather perfect for beaches, hiking and exploring the Winelands. For Limpopo and safari experiences, May to September is best, as the dry season makes wildlife easier to spot.

Combining Cape Town and Limpopo in one trip can be a bit difficult due to such vast differences in the weather, but we visited in late June – early July and while there were definitely stormy days on the Western Cape, it was still warm enough for exploring. We’d highly recommend prioritising good weather for Limpopo, as you don’t want to travel all that way to not see any of the animals.

Things to do in Cape Town include riding the cable car up Table Mountain, visiting Robben Island, exploring the V&A Waterfront, and taking day trips to Cape Point and the Cape Winelands. You can also use it as a base to complete some of the Garden Route. We went as far as George.

In Limpopo, the focus shifts to safari experiences, with opportunities to see the Big Five, stay in private game reserves and experience South Africa’s wildlife up close.

In terms of cost, South Africa offers excellent value for long-haul travel. While flights are the biggest expense, accommodation, food and guided experiences are often far more affordable than similar trips in Europe or North America. Safari lodges range from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury, making it a flexible destination for different travel styles.

Final Thoughts: Best Places to Visit in 2026

Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or several shorter breaks, these destinations offer a strong mix of culture, nature and value. From the souks of Marrakech to the Arctic landscapes of Lapland and the Mediterranean charm of Sardinia, 2026 is a great year to explore both familiar favourites and emerging city breaks.

Choosing the right destination ultimately comes down to timing, budget and travel style – but each of these places earns its spot on our list of top recommendations for 2026.