Bloomberg has once again compiled a list of must-visit destinations set to shape travel in 2026, blending revitalised classics with lesser-known places on the rise. The list spans creative cities, remote islands, emerging food regions and unspoilt natural havens. Here are the 25 destinations to visit in 2026, according to the prestigious American company.
The Spanish destination recommended by Bloomberg for 2026
Bloomberg’s Spanish pick for 2026 is Extremadura, a region that has been gaining international recognition for years. The spotlight falls on Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its medieval palaces and Roman remains, and home to the esteemed Atrio restaurant.
Bloomberg also notes that Extremadura offers a more authentic alternative to Spain’s overcrowded hotspots. With its striking natural landscapes, villages that retain their traditional character and a growing range of boutique accommodation, the region is described as “the Spanish destination yet to be discovered by international travellers.”
Other recommendations in Europe
Europe features five other destinations on the list alongside Extremadura. Sardinia represents Italy, tipped as the Mediterranean island set to dominate social media this summer.
Direct flights from New York and the opening of new luxury hotels are fuelling a tourism revival on the Emerald Coast. Beyond the beaches, Sardinia’s rugged interior, its celebrated Cannonau wine and thousands of archaeological sites lend the island an unexpected cultural depth.
Further north, Corsica earns its place among Europe’s top destinations for its distinctive blend of Italian and French influences. The list also points to Greece’s mountain regions as a welcome alternative to its crowded islands, highlighting the Pindus range, the town of Metsovo and the interior of the Peloponnese.
The Scottish Hebrides are tipped as the North Atlantic’s best-kept secret: an archipelago of wild landscapes, golf courses, traditional distilleries and dark skies ideal for stargazing. Rounding out the European picks, Vienna is cementing its status as a cultural capital in the midst of a full reinvention, buoyed by the opening of new luxury hotels.
Travel destinations in Asia
Asia stands out as one of the strongest regions on the list, with six destinations tipped for 2026. Almaty, in Kazakhstan, is highlighted as an emerging cultural hub in Central Asia, thanks to newly opened museums, reimagined Soviet-era architecture and alpine scenery that is drawing growing interest from travellers.
In South-East Asia, Bloomberg spotlights Penang, Malaysia, where colonial buildings are being converted into design-led hotels and contemporary restaurants while preserving the island’s multicultural character. The list also includes Rote Island in Indonesia, set to welcome a new luxury surf resort.
The Asian selection is topped off by Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, which is enjoying a boom in dining and new hotels, and India’s tiger reserves, where ecological recovery has spurred the growth of luxury lodges and safari experiences.
In the Middle East, Bloomberg turns its attention to Oman, a country that blends desert landscapes, dramatic mountains and unspoilt beaches. New resorts, wadi routes and high-end ecotourism projects are set to make it one of the Gulf’s most coveted destinations by 2026.
Trips to North America
North America features prominently among Bloomberg’s top recommendations. Texas is singled out as a key destination, set to benefit from the boost of the 2026 World Cup, while in South Carolina, the historic city of Charleston is enjoying a surge in new hotels and restaurants.
San Francisco also makes the list, described as a city in renaissance, with new parks, revitalised public spaces and the restoration of landmarks such as the Castro Theatre and the Bay Bridge. In Canada, the Rocky Mountains are named as an unmissable natural destination.
The list also highlights the Ozark Plateau in the United States, a region that surprises visitors with its expanding cultural and outdoor appeal. Rounding off the selection is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, on the border between Mexico and the US, offering a rare travel experience centred on one of the world’s most spectacular natural migrations.
Places in the Caribbean and South America
In the Caribbean, Bloomberg’s standout choice is the Turks and Caicos Islands, which has evolved from a discreet luxury hideaway into a global reference for “quiet luxury”. New resorts by international brands, high-profile restaurants and improved air links are raising its profile ahead of 2026.
In South America, the list features destinations with strong individual identities. Barreal, in Argentina, is emerging as an Andean gem, with boutique hotels, pristine skies for stargazing and the chance to try land sailing in the Pampa del Leoncito. Guyana also makes the cut, as it reshapes its economy and tourism infrastructure to showcase its jungles, rivers and protected natural areas. Completing the selection is Lima, where gastronomy – particularly Nikkei cuisine – is enjoying a historic high, driven by world-renowned restaurants.
Destinations to visit in Africa
Africa is represented by three destinations on the list. Dakar, Senegal, stands out as a rising creative capital, where an energetic fashion scene and refurbished hotels reflect the city’s rapid growth. Gabon also makes the cut as a leading ecotourism destination, backed by investment in national parks and gorilla-watching experiences.
Completing the African selection is Zanzibar. The Tanzanian archipelago blends rich Swahili heritage with exclusive resorts and a growing boutique cruise project linking the islands with the Seychelles and other Indian Ocean routes.
