BBC travel writers and sustainable tourism specialists have put together a 2026 wish list that goes beyond the usual headline cities. The idea is simple, pick places where your trip can feel exciting while also supporting communities, culture, and nature. The roundup moves from faraway islands with lagoon-blue water to under-the-radar cities and regions that are quietly reinventing themselves. It is a reminder that the most memorable journeys are not always the ones everyone is already taking.
The full set of picks stretches across Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Chile’s Colchagua Valley, the Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Scotland’s Hebrides, Japan’s Ishikawa, Indonesia’s Komodo Islands, Loreto in Mexico, Montenegro, the Oregon Coast, Oulu in Finland, Philadelphia, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Guimarães in Portugal, Samburu in Kenya, Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Canada’s Slocan Valley, Uluru in Australia, and Uruguay. What links them is a sense of momentum, whether that means new openings, anniversaries worth marking, or tourism models designed to leave a lighter footprint.
Abu Dhabi stands out for its cultural push, with Saadiyat’s long-planned district coming into clearer focus and TeamLab Phenomena adding a digital-art jolt to the scene. Algeria is framed as a place to swap crowds for space, with Roman-era sites like Timgad and Djémila and the sweeping Sahara beyond. In Chile, Colchagua offers a different kind of indulgence, pairing vineyards with gaucho culture, stargazing, and the flame-forward cooking of chef Francis Mallmann at Fuegos de Apalta.
On the nature-forward side, the Cook Islands are described as a Pacific escape that still feels intimate, especially once you venture beyond Rarotonga. Costa Rica gets a nod from Ethical Traveler’s Jeff Greenwald, who highlights how the country pairs famous wildlife experiences with ambitious climate goals. Komodo’s pink sands and legendary dragons come with tighter protections and a focus on managing visitors, while Loreto’s marine life, including whales, is tied to conservation projects that invite travelers to participate rather than just observe.
Several picks lean into big moments. Oulu steps into the spotlight as a European Capital of Culture, while Philadelphia gears up for America’s 250th anniversary with arts, history, and major sporting events. Phnom Penh is portrayed as a city in transition, and Sustainable Travel International’s Kaitlyn Brajcich points travelers toward Mondulkiri for ethical wildlife experiences, including Elephant Valley.
Elsewhere, the Hebrides promise whisky, ancient stones, and new distilleries, and Montenegro balances the beauty of the Bay of Kotor with wild interior trails. Guimarães celebrates its heritage alongside a greener future, Samburu pairs rare wildlife with astrotourism, and Santo Domingo readies itself for a festival-like year of sport and music. In Canada’s Slocan Valley, a Japanese-Canadian heritage trail adds meaning to the landscape, while Uluru introduces a new multi-day walk shaped by Anangu storytelling and stewardship.
Uruguay closes the loop with coastal calm, steakhouse culture, and Montevideo’s tango spirit, plus a reputation for inclusivity praised by organizations like IGLTA. If you could pick just one place from this list for 2026, tell me which one and why in the comments.
