The 10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in 2026

From the snow-capped peaks of Patagonia to the lantern-lit streets of Kyoto, these are the destinations our editors believe will define travel this year.

Travel writers are always asked the same question: where should I go next? After a year of canvassing local guides, hoteliers, and intrepid readers, we've narrowed our list to ten places that combine cultural depth, natural wonder, and a quiet kind of magic that's getting harder to find.

1. Faroe Islands, Denmark

Eighteen volcanic islands rising out of the North Atlantic, with grass-roofed villages and waterfalls that pour into the sea. New direct flights from Edinburgh and Copenhagen have made it surprisingly accessible, but the islands have managed to stay nearly empty.

2. Oaxaca, Mexico

The food scene alone is worth the trip — think mole negro, smoky mezcal, and tlayudas the size of car tires — but Oaxaca's real charm is its rhythm. Markets open at dawn, courtyards bloom with bougainvillea, and the central zocalo never quite goes to sleep.

3. The Lofoten Islands, Norway

For half the year, the sun never sets here. For the other half, the northern lights dance over fishing villages painted the color of a stop sign. Kayaking through the fjords feels like paddling through a postcard.

4. Cappadocia, Turkey

The hot-air balloons over the fairy chimneys are iconic, but spend a day or two on horseback through the volcanic valleys and you'll understand why this region has captivated travelers for centuries.

5. Hokkaido, Japan

Tokyo gets the headlines, but Japan's northernmost island is where you'll find the country's wildest landscapes — wildflower-strewn meadows in summer, thigh-deep powder in winter, and onsen towns where the only sound is the trickle of hot springs.

The remaining destinations are profiled in our companion piece, available on next week's issue. Sign up for our newsletter to get it delivered straight to your inbox.