Looking to escape the crowds but not the buzz? Tripadvisor’s 2026 awards reveal the destinations that will pop this year, from remote Atlantic islands to cities you already know and love.
The birth of a new year always brings with it a raft of awards and top tens covering every conceivable aspect of travel. Many are arbitrary, backed by limited surveys or easy-to-interpret-however-you-like data.
We can treat the results of Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards with far more credulity because they’re backed by an entire year of customer reviews and determined by the quantity and quality of ratings of real people. The awards cover several categories, from fantastic food and culture destinations to the best places for solo travel or to spend your honeymoon.
Then, of course, there’s the top rated destinations overall for 2025 (where Bali came out on top). But far more interesting are the top trending destinations for 2026—the places generating a buzz but that haven’t yet buckled under the weight of overtourism or that have something special happening this year that sets them apart.
1. Madeira, Portugal
While undoubtedly Portuguese, Madeira’s total geographic isolation has given this wild island in the Atlantic an identity all its own. Miraculously still under the radar of many travelers, it’s best known for its wild landscapes, incredible hikes, jaw-dropping, and often hard to reach beaches, and unique microclimate that sees year-round temperatures stable around the mid to high 70s°F.
Often referred to as the Hawai‘i of Europe, it is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with its precipitous volcanic trails, whale watching expeditions and giant surf. That of course all comes after the biggest adventure of all—landing on the island’s infamously challenging runway built on pillars over the ocean and reserved only for experienced pilots with special training.
Watching planes come into land from the terminal’s viewing gallery is one of the most popular pastimes on the island. Perhaps best not to watch just before you take off though.
2. Tbilisi, Georgia
It feels like 2026 is the year that Tbilisi finally makes its mark on the global tourist map. Georgia’s capital (the European one) is a city alive with possibility in 2026, reflected in the new openings that are transforming its cultural and visitor landscape.
Book a room at the city’s best new hotel, The Telegraph, which marries post-Soviet Brutalist architecture with enough style and comfort to sate the most demanding tastes. Take to the streets and you’ll be overwhelmed by landmarks worthy of your time.
On the elegant tree-lined Rustaveli Avenue you’ll find the Tbilise Opera House, Rustaveli Theater and several museums. Nearby, the expanded Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts reaches back into the history of Georgian, Russian, Oriental and European art. More recently opened, the Art Foundation Anagi celebrates the best of contemporary Georgian art.
3. Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City needs no introduction. In 2026, there’s even more than usual on the calendar of things to do. The heart of Chicago’s South Side will see the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, a multi-faceted community hub and “beacon for democracy” with a calendar of events, exhibitions and experiences covering the gamut from sports to science.
In late May, Pokémon comes to the Field Museum and with it no doubt fans from around the world. On homegrown soil, The U.S. may be turning 250 this year, but there’s another icon of Americana celebrating its own big birthday. Route 66 turns 100 in November but the centenary celebrations at its start (or end) point on Michigan Avenue and Adams Street will begin much earlier in the year.
4. Quy Nhon, Vietnam
In a country beset by an incredibly picturesque coastline teeming with postcard perfect beaches, Quy Nhon still sounds out for its own combinations of sand and sea. Set equidistantly between the better-known tourist spots of Da Nang and Nha Trang, it’s easy to get to by plane and (very scenic) train, and remains mercifully crowd free—for now.
The city itself is modern and well-catered for tourists, most of whom are domestic at the moment. Its gorgeous new three-mile-long beachfront promenade is bound to draw more visitors, ready to laze on honeyed sands and gorge on fresh seafood plucked from the waters directly out front. If the beach gets boring, up your culture game with a visit to the Cham-era temples and towers that dot not only the city but the surrounding countryside.
5. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Mexico’s port town on the southern Pacific tip of Oaxaca has long been renowned in the surfing world for its incredible—and terrifying—waves. None more so than Zicatela, known as the Mexican Pipeline after Hawai‘i’s infamous break for the power and speed of its waves.
This year, Zicatela and its neighboring breaks are getting the recognition they deserve, finally being designated as a World Surfing Reserve. Long a mainstay of traveling surfers (and with a nightlife that speaks to that fact), expect crowds to increase thanks to American Airlines’ new route launched in December 2025, connecting Puerto Escondido directly to Fort Worth.
6. Milan, Italy
Italy’s design and fashion capital will allow itself to be distracted in 2026 as the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics takes over the city. Running for most of February, the city will host events from ice skating to ice hockey while the boutiques and galleries will still be open for some between-sport browsing. A few hours north—on a stunning drive past Lake Garda and up into the mountains where the Alps and the Dolomites clash, Cortina will host the best of the snow sports.
7. Glasgow, Scotland
Often overlooked for more glamorous Edinburgh, Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city and its industrial heart. Yet its misguided grubby reputation is being peeled away to reveal the wealth of cultural and culinary treats. From spring onwards, book a room and the newly opened Arthouse Glasgow hotel and hit the nearby Mackintosh Trail to delve into the artistic legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of Scotland’s most loved artists, designers and architects.
8. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Slowly stealing some of the limelight away from its flashier sibling, Dubai, the UAE’s capital city is transforming itself into one of the world’s most vital cultural gathering points. Saadiyat Island’s cultural district is the focus, already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and, since December 2025, the Zayed National Museum. In 2026, both will be joined by the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, creating a triumvirate of world-class historic and artistic collections.
9. Recife, Brazil
Brazil’s coastal megacities are all wild and wonderful, but the buzz around Recife is only growing in 2026. Maybe it’s the dizzying mix of Afro-Brazilian culture, music and food, and the legendary Carnaval that takes over the city mid-February. Or perhaps it’s the calm amid the mayhem and the opportunity to float in crystal waters above the reefs (recifes) that gave the city its name. More likely, it’s a combination of the two that you’ll need to try for yourself to understand.
10. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
While cities have played a major role in the top ten trending destinations, we finish in the wilds on the northern fringes of Argentine Patagonia. A slice of Switzerland in South America, it’s renowned for its Swiss chalet style architecture and artisanal chocolate. On its doorstep, the glacial waters of Nahuel Hapi Lake. Beyond, the boundless adventures of Patagonia—ski, hike, climb and boat your way through its wonders.
For the full list of trending destinations and Tripadvisor’s other Travelers’ Choice Awards, check out the best of the best destinations and see how they select the winners.
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This story was originally published on forbes.com.
