The 20 Best Places to Travel in 2026, According to the BBC, From Finland to Philadelphia
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The BBC's 20 best places to travel in 2026 run from Oulu, Finland, this year's European Capital of Culture, to Philadelphia, which is celebrating America's 250th birthday. BBC Travel published the list in December 2025, and it favors places with real momentum: new openings, big anniversaries and lighter-footprint tourism. Here are all 20 picks, why they made the cut, and how to book one before the year runs out.
TL;DR
- BBC Travel named 20 destinations for 2026, from Oulu to Philadelphia.
- Every pick has "a sense of momentum": an opening, an anniversary or lower-impact tourism.
- The list isn't ranked; it's presented alphabetically.
- Wildlife fans get Costa Rica, Samburu and Komodo; culture fans get Abu Dhabi and Guimarães.
What are the BBC's 20 best places to travel in 2026?
BBC Travel's 2026 list covers 20 destinations on six continents. It mixes big names like Abu Dhabi with quieter corners like Scotland's Hebrides and Canada's Slocan Valley.
- Europe: Oulu (Finland), the Hebrides (Scotland), Montenegro, Guimarães (Portugal)
- North America & Caribbean: Philadelphia, the Oregon Coast, the Slocan Valley (Canada), Loreto (Mexico), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Costa Rica
- South America: Colchagua Valley (Chile), Uruguay
- Africa & Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Samburu (Kenya)
- Asia-Pacific: Ishikawa (Japan), Komodo (Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), the Cook Islands, Uluru (Australia)
Why did these places make the list?
The common thread is timing. The BBC chose places with "a sense of momentum," whether that's a new opening, a milestone year, or a tourism model built to leave a lighter footprint.
| Reason | Examples |
|---|---|
| A big year | Philadelphia (US 250th), Oulu (Capital of Culture), Santo Domingo (festival year) |
| New openings | Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District, new Hebridean distilleries |
| Lighter footprint | Komodo's visitor limits, Loreto's conservation-linked whale watching, an Uluru walk shaped by Anangu storytelling |
Take Algeria. The BBC's pitch is to "swap crowds for space," with Roman ruins at Timgad and Djémila and the Sahara beyond.
How do you pick the right 2026 destination for you?
Start with the trip you want, not the list order. Match your style to two or three picks, then check dates and budget.
- Pick your vibe. Wildlife: Costa Rica, Samburu. Food and wine: Colchagua Valley, Uruguay. Culture: Abu Dhabi, Guimarães. Slow coast: Oregon, Montenegro.
- Check the calendar. Oulu's year-long program still has months to run, and most picks stay great into 2027.
- Set a budget first. A Kenyan safari and a Philly weekend cost very different money.
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FAQ
Which place is number one on the BBC's 2026 list?
None of them. BBC Travel doesn't rank its 20 best places to travel in 2026. The destinations appear alphabetically, from Abu Dhabi to Uruguay, and each earned its spot for a reason like a milestone year or a new opening.
Is it too late to visit a BBC 2026 destination this year?
No. Oulu's Capital of Culture program runs all year, and places like Costa Rica, Uruguay and the Cook Islands don't hinge on one event. Most picks stay great in 2027, so the list works for next year's plans too.
Which BBC 2026 destinations are best for wildlife?
Costa Rica, Samburu and Komodo stand out. Costa Rica pairs wildlife with climate goals, Samburu adds rare animals and stargazing, and Komodo protects its famous dragons with tighter visitor rules. Loreto, Mexico, is great for whale watching.
Conclusion
The BBC's 20 best places to travel in 2026 stretch from Finland's culture capital to Philadelphia's 250th celebrations, with safaris, wine valleys and quiet islands in between. Each one has momentum, and many reward travelers who slow down. Pick two that fit your style, set a budget, and start planning. Grab a trip planner from our shop and turn this list into a booked ticket.
Source: BBC Travel's "20 best places to travel in 2026," via Time Out.