The Hottest Places to Travel in 2026

Have you already started dreaming about where 2026 might take you? Not just anywhere, but somewhere that still feels authentic, meaningful, and memorable.

With crowds intensifying, costs rising, and overtourism changing the way destinations feel, travel is shifting. 2026 isn’t about ticking off the same hotspots everyone else is chasing. It’s about choosing places with depth, diversity, and stories that stay with you long after the trip ends.

In this episode, I’m sharing the destinations I believe are about to have a moment... including underrated gems, comeback destinations, and a few wildcards for travellers craving something truly different.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How travel trends are changing in 2026
• Why depth, space, and feeling matter more than ever
• Underrated destinations to visit before they boom
• Comeback and emerging destinations worth planning early

Episode Summary 

Travel in 2026 is being shaped by overtourism, sustainability, accessibility, and a growing desire to travel with intention. There’s a clear shift away from rushing through destinations and towards experiences that feel grounding, immersive, and memorable.

Helpful Resources & Links

• Related Tourist to Traveller blog posts: The Hottest Places to Travel in 2026 (Including Underrated Destinations To Watch) 

Until next time, go beyond the tourist track and level up your travel experiences. 

Connect & Explore

Find destination guides, travel planning resources and more at touristtotraveller.com, and follow along on Instagram @_touristtotraveller for behind-the-scenes planning and future travel inspiration. 

Transcript

Speaker 0:00

Welcome to the Tourist to Traveller Podcast, the show that helps you go beyond the guidebook and turn your bucket list dreams into real adventures. I'm Tahnee, a travel blogger, podcaster, and everyday explorer who's been kicking off epic destinations for over 20 years while balancing a 9 to 5. Each week I'll bring you inspiring stories, destination deep dives, and practical tips to help you plan smarter, travel deeper, and capture those unforgettable moments along the way. So, grab your passport, tap your curiosity, and let's get started. Today we're talking about where to travel in 2026. And not just the obvious cliche overcrowded places. I'm sharing the destinations I believe are about to have a moment, including underrated gems, comeback destinations, and a few wildcards for adventurous travelers. If you're craving bucket list experiences that feel meaningful, authentic, and unforgettable, this episode is for you. Have you started to think about where you want to travel in 2026? There are so many destinations to choose from, and to be honest, it can be quite overwhelming. So, what are some of the hottest places to travel to this year? And what is influencing this list? Well, there are a few things that are having an influence at the moment on how people are looking to travel and where they're looking to travel. For example, we've got a lot of global events going on at the moment and some instability around the world. Overtourism is becoming an increasingly large problem, especially in destinations such as Spain, who in 2025 actually held protests around their overtourism. We have a lot of new flight routes coming about, which is increasing our accessibility. And we also have more options now around sustainability and ethics, and there are more people looking to travel in a sustainable, eco-friendly way. So we're really starting to see a shift from how many places can I see this year to how do I want to feel when I travel to a particular destination. So in this list, you're going to see a lot of destinations that actually allow you the space and the breathing room to travel in a more authentic and relaxed way. You've got destinations with incredible depth of culture, with a diversity of experience, low crowds, and also opportunities to create long-term memories, not just quick wins. So let's dive in. The first destination is one of the Middle East's best kept secrets. Now there is some increasing tension going on in the Middle East at the moment. So while this is currently a very safe country to travel to, we don't know if that will continue to be the case throughout 2026. But right now, the number one destination on my list is Oman. Oman feels quite different to its neighbors. You've got the cultural richness and food that you find in a lot of other Middle Eastern countries, but it's a place that's not on many people's bucket lists and it tends to fly under the radar. Now the Oani people are quite educated, they have a very strong currency, and it is one of the safest places to travel in the Middle East. And luckily enough, it has not yet been impacted by overtourism. So what can you expect to see in Oman and why should you go there? So in Oman you've got deserts, which means desert camps where you can hang out with camels, you can watch the night sky very, very clearly, you can have access to the culture and the food that you're looking for, and of course, the desert dune experience. Amongst the historic sites are many forts. You've also got historic mud brick villages, and this country is actually quite vast because whilst you've got the desert, you've also got mountains and valleys and beautiful islands around the country that you can visit on a day trip. Now is the time to visit Oman while it is still underrated, it's culturally rich and it feels untouched, but it won't be for long. Number two is a destination that I explored in 2025, and it is very much underrated. So much so that most people I spoke to about where I was going or where I had been said, What is that? Where is that? I've never heard of it before. And that is honestly what I love the most about it. So number two on the list is Palau in Micronesia. If you're wondering where Palau is, it's in a similar location around the world to Philippines, Guam, located in Micronesia. This is a country that is full of rock islands and it's very much known for its rock islands. If you've seen any images of Raja and Pat in Indonesia, the rock islands of Palau have a very similar feel. I actually stumbled across this destination through an Instagram post. Yes, I was influenced. I saw a post about Palau and I was like, oh my god, what is this place? I've never seen this before. I need to find out where it is and how I can get there, and added it to my bucket list. Now the levels of tourism in Palau are so low. We ran into the same group of people multiple times on our trip. It was like by the end of our, I think it was seven or ten days that we spent there. By the end of our time, we kind of knew every other tourist that was on the island. Um, the main line, the main island is reasonably small, and you can drive around it in a day. So we did see the same people constantly. You don't have the same level of tourism infrastructure as you do in most places around the world, and once again, that is part of the charm. Another key feature about traveling to Palau is their eco-tourism and how they really care for their environment. Upon entering into Palau, you need to sign the Palau Pledge, and it's something that goes into your passport, and it's essentially an agreement that you will protect and not harm their environment while you're within the country. On top of that, when you're in certain destinations or doing certain things like experiencing the Rock Islands, there are other permits that you need to purchase where the money also goes back to protecting those key areas. Heavy chemical sunscreen is also banned in Palau and only reef safe sunscreen is allowed. So Palau is so well known for its reefs and its diving, which is why reef safe sunscreen is so important in their country. So, what are you actually going to experience here other than the Rock Islands? Now Palau has a huge World War II history. You can see historic World War II sites and you can also see wrecks on land, but more importantly, in the ocean, which is really cool. So you can actually dive and snorkel around shipwrecks, but also sunken planes as well. You can see um you can see weaponry and cartridges that are still around the islands, bunkers. There is a World War II Japanese lighthouse and a Japanese communications center that you can also experience. There was a very famous World War II battle that occurred in Palau, and so many history buffs travel there for that particular reason. Palau has some of the best diving in the world with incredible sites such as the German Channel and the Blue Corner. But if you are not a diver, I am not a diver, don't worry, you still have plenty that you can see through snorkeling. I spent a day snorkeling around the Rock Islands and we went to many different reefs and we saw some beautiful fish. But I think the highlight for me was swimming at a location called Shark City, and it is exactly what you think it is. It is basically hundreds of reef sharks swimming around, and they are mostly harmless to humans, usually harmless to humans, but you know they they never are 100% safe. But swimming so closely to these sharks and just having them swimming around you, touching you, uh was just so fascinating, but also um sparked some adrenaline. Uh let's just put it that way. There are also ancient monoliths on Palau, and they date back to a similar time as Stonehenge. And these monoliths back in the day probably looked somewhat like the stones on Easter Island, but these are much more worn. Over the years, people have touched them and climbed on them, so the detail on most of them has worn away, but you can see the subtle detail of faces on some of these stones. But it's really cool to walk around them and just imagine what they were there for and how old they are. Two of my top experiences in Palau, please add these to your bucket list if you visit this destination. The first one was a scenic flight over the Rock Islands. This was by far the most expensive thing that I did on the island, but it was very much worth it. This is where you're going to capture that postcard photo of the Rock Islands from above. It was absolutely worth it. And the second one, which I had heard a lot about, and everyone who had done this uh said it was the best thing that they had done in Palau, but not many people had done it. Uh, from those who had done it, I thought, well, you know, that they've been here for a few days, a few weeks, and this was the number one thing. I have to add it to my bucket list. This was a self-guided overnight kayaking and camping tour through paddling palau. So essentially, you hire the kayaking and the camping gear, you sit down with the team from Paddling Palau, you work out how long you're going to be on the water for, how many days, how many nights, what areas are you most interested in exploring, and they will help you to map out a route. They will show you along their recommended route uh where to stop for different things. They will highlight uh beautiful beaches, they'll highlight the best beaches to stay overnight. They will also point out things like uh where you can find particular uh marine life birds, where you can go through, you can kayak through caves, and where you can find World War II wrecks. It is a little bit scary going out on your own, and we uh we chose not to get a local sim. So we were completely disconnected out in our kayak for two days and one night, and uh it was honestly the most amazing experience. Because you're really out there, you're on the water, you're surrounded by the rock islands, the water's so clear that you can see the fish underneath you, you can jump out and swim or snorkel at any time, but also you get to camp overnight on a secluded beach where it's just you, the birds, the wildlife, and let's face it, a couple of rats that were uh looking for food during the night. So, with direct flights from Brisbane, great sustainability, and zero crowds, I highly recommend visiting Palau. Next is the tropical escape that is about to boom, and that is the Cook Islands. Now, the Cook Islands is a really great alternative to the Maldives, Tahiti, Bora Bora. Uh for Australians, it is much closer to home, and there is a new flight route about to open up with Jet Star directly to the Cook Islands, making it more accessible and more affordable for Australians. Now, this is your typical island tropical destination, but what I love about the Cook Islands is that it is so much less touristy than the Maldives. It's very rich in culture and the water is so incredibly blue. So heading to the Cook Islands, you get Moldives vibes with a Pacific pace and Pacific prices. The next destination is Morocco. Now you're probably thinking, well, Morocco is on almost everybody's bucket list. But I'm specifically talking about Morocco beyond Marrakesh. Typically, people will travel to this African destination to explore Marrakesh and of course the Sahara Desert, and that is highly worth exploring. However, there is so much to the country of Morocco. Something that really surprised me was the variety in the landscape. Knowing that in one day you can experience the desert and snow-capped mountains within a short drive of each other is super impressive. They have beautiful coastline, which you might not expect. They have ancient Khazbars and Medinas and uh rural mountain villages. So while Marrakesh and the Sahara are popular for good reason, there is more to explore. One of my favorite destinations was Chefshawan. Chefshawan is known as the Blue City. And while it is very touristy because so many day tours go through Chefshawan, there aren't actually that many that stop and stay there overnight. And an overnight stay is perfect because once all of the crowds go, you actually get the destination. It kind of feels like you get the place to yourself. And then again the next morning, the tour buses come a little bit later in the morning. So you have the entire morning to yourself if you get up early enough. And there are fantastic viewpoints in Chef Shawan where you can kick back with a great meal, a glass of wine, and watch the sunset over the mountains. The Atlas Mountains are stunning, and this to me felt very authentically Morocco. Having the opportunity to spend time with locals and find out about their local customs was so special. The historic city of Fez. Fez has the largest Medina that I have ever seen in my life. And it is so large that they say that if you go in without a guide, you're never coming out again because you will absolutely get lost. And after exploring the Medina with a guide, I completely understand what they are talking about. The history here is incredible, and the Medina feels untouched for centuries. And I should also point out the food. So Morocco, I could not believe that, you know, within I could not believe that other than the desert, there were green rolling hills, there were valleys, there were ancient Roman ruins, there were snow-capped mountains, all within driving distance. So honestly, your experience in Morocco is only as good as your itinerary. The next destination is making a bit of a comeback, and that is the Philippines. The Philippines has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. So you've got your typical really popular locations such as Caron Island, Il Nido, Cebu, but I recommend getting off the beaten path and going to some of the lesser known islands to have more of an authentic Philippines experience, if that is something that you're looking for. It's great for island hopping for a slower pace if you want it and you go to some of the lesser-known islands. Typically, it is very well priced. And don't forget the food. If you were heading to the Philippines, I highly recommend a multi-day boat island hopping trip. You can do this between El Nido and Caron, and one of the most popular companies is Big Dream Boatman. I will warn you, the Philippines is popular, so tourism is booming. But but experiences like a multi-day boat trip where you can experience destinations without the crowds because on the boat you've got the freedom of flexibility around the itinerary, it is definitely worth it. Next is a destination that is at the very top of my bucket list, but I have not got there yet, and that is Socotra. Socotra is an island that is off the mainland of Yemen and it is part of Yemen. Yemen is a very dangerous country to travel to right now, and it is on the do not travel list for many nationalities. Having said that, Socotra is the Galapagos of the Middle East. It has unique plants and animals that you actually can't find anywhere else in the world. And when people see photos or videos of Socotra, they feel like it's AI because they think it can't possibly be real, but it is. Very few tourists go to Socotra each year. Number one, because of the danger. Number two, the price. Number three, flights don't go there that often. And number four, you can only get a visa to travel there with a guide. Number five, there is next to none tourism infrastructure. So when you go to Socotra with your guide, you are mostly camping in tents. But I think that's honestly part of the charm and a reason to go to Socotra now before all of that changes, because this kind of feels like one of the best kept secrets, but it won't be one for much longer. So I anticipate direct flights to Socotra from other countries coming in the near future, and that is really going to change the game for Socotra. So take a look at Socotra if you're looking for extreme uniqueness with ultra-low tourism numbers. While we're sticking around the Middle East, the next destination is Saudi Arabia. Now, once again, the Middle East right now is a little bit controversial with what's going on in the world. Saudi Arabia is a very big country and it's where ancient history meets modern design. In recent years, tourism here has really been opening up, especially for females. And there are some historic sites there that have only just started to allow tourists in in the last couple of years. One of my favorite sites in Saudi Arabia that I can't wait to visit is Alula. Alula is a desert landscape where you can have unique experiences. You can see incredible historic locations that look somewhat like what you would expect in Jordan, in Petra, paired with ultra-luxurious resorts that have been incredibly well designed. And it's that design-led luxury that blends into nature that really makes Alula in Saudi Arabia stand apart. So why go there in 2026? It is newly accessible and visually it is spectacular. Next on the list is much closer to home, and that is Tasmania in Australia. I actually only visited Tasmania for the first time in 2025, and it's been on my bucket list for so long. I honestly loved Tassie, and if it wasn't so damn cold, I would probably move there. For me, Tassie is all of the best bits of Australia rolled into one. You've got really deep convict history and historic buildings. You've got rolling hills, you've got snow-capped mountains, snow fields, you've got some of the best wine regions in Australia, you have uh the Bay of Fires, you've got some of the best beaches in Australia, and these are all rolled into one. On top of that, the wildlife in Tasmania was so easily accessible. I have never seen so many wombats or so many echidnas in one place in my life. Tassie feels underrated because most people travel to Australia and never make their way down to Tasmania. And even for Aussies, I'm the perfect example of this. We often don't make it down there either because if you are a Queenslander like me, it does. Feel like a long way, but it was absolutely worth it. Everywhere in Tassie for me just kind of had big country town vibes, which I loved. So it's great for active travelers, it is the perfect road trip destination. It's great for slow exploration, but also it is a rising foodie destination with incredible world-class restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries all around the island. Some of my favorite places in Tassie that you can't miss if you're heading down that way are Cradle Mountain, the Bay of Fires, Russell Falls, Lake Dobson, the historic town of Richmond, Brunei Island, and Port Arthur. While we're in the area, let's go across the ditch to New Zealand, the next destination on our list. This is a forever favorite that is on so many people's bucket lists, but it is still an underrated destination because it's so hard for most of the world to access. For us in Australia, it's really close, but for most of the world, it feels so far. And New Zealand is quite similar to Tassie for me, where you have so many things rolled into one. You have uh you've got the mountains, you've got the snow, you've got beautiful beaches, you've got incredible food, you've got the uh the history, the culture, and it's also perfectly primed for road trips. I honestly think the best way to travel New Zealand is by RV or camper van, where you can take your time, spend the night in breathtaking destinations and completely avoid the crowds. So, my two top tips for New Zealand are first of all, do one island per trip, and second of all, stay longer than you think you need to. Next, we're going to move over to Indonesia beyond Bali. Bali is probably the most common international destination for Australian travellers to go to because it's closed and for us it is so damn cheap to get to. What's hot in 2026 are other destinations in Indonesia. Some of my favorites are Raja Empat, Komodo, Samba, Nusa Panita, and Lombok. So many of these surrounding islands that some of them feel untouched, some of them have a lot of tourists during the day and are really quiet during the evening, but they're all equally beautiful. And finally, to round out our list of the hottest destinations for 2026, we're going to head to South America and to Bolivia. Bolivia is a nature lover's dream. It feels raw, unpolished, and deeply cultural. The perfect destination for adventurous travelers as well as those who are craving something just a little bit different. Before we wrap up, let's take a look at some of the key trends that are shaping travel in 2026. We're seeing a rapid rise in slow travel. And most of the destinations on the 2026 list are prime for slow travel journeys. Scenic train journeys are on the rise, which ties into slow travel but also eco-friendly adventures. And who doesn't love a scenic train trip? People are loving off-grid stays, such as tiny houses or a cabin in the woods. And this is part of slow travel, but also the rise in wellness-focused travel. It's an opportunity to disconnect, to reconnect with nature. So ultimately in 2026, it's not about how the trip looks, it's about how it changes you. So there you go, my hottest destination list for 2026. If this episode has sparked ideas for your 2026 travels, I would love to know where you are planning a trip. Thanks for tuning in to the Tourist to Traveller Podcast. I hope today's episode has inspired you to travel more authentically and plan your next adventure with confidence. Don't forget to head to touristtotraveller.com for today's show notes, resources, and free guides to help you plan like a pro. And if you love this episode, please hit subscribe and leave a review. It helps more travellers like you discover the show. Until our next adventure.