The 25 Destinations Defining Travel in 2026

Working at Matador Network means always thinking about the next flight, the next adventure, and the next reservation — even mid-trip. Some trips, however, make us slow down. They’re the places we can’t stop recommending or dreaming about, and the ones we debate over including on our annual list of the best places to go next year.

This year’s edition, “25 Unforgettable Places to Visit in 2026,” is one of my favorites after nearly a decade of working at Matador. Big cities, remote islands, and small towns made the cut. So did specific neighborhoods and national parks. Some provide a new way to look at a traveler-favorite destination, others are likely off your radar entirely.

All have a clear case for why 2026 is a great time to go: a once-in-a-lifetime event, a long-awaited opening (or re-opening), a hard-to-reach place that’s become more accessible. Inside, you’ll find the case for why you should start planning now, plus practical notes to make a trip happen.

As your 2026 travel calendar starts to fill up, I hope you take a look, save some places for later, and tell us the destinations you want to see us cover more.

Thank you for reading our stories, following our guides, and watching our videos this year. I hope we helped you travel more and travel better, and we look forward to bringing you even more inspiration in 2026.

See you out there,

Nickolaus Hines, editorial content director