Top 10 Trending Travel Destinations for 2026

Looking at where to travel in 2026? You’re not alone – travel is back in full swing, and savvy globetrotters are already planning their next big escape.

So starting with current surging trends for destinations this year could be a good place to start!

Forget the overhyped spots and look a little closer at the places quietly climbing the charts. From Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea renaissance to Vietnam’s sleeper train glow-up and the Baltic capitals’ surprising boom, real data shows where the momentum’s building.

We’ve scoured the numbers from Q1 2025, pulled tourism stats from official sources, and wrapped it all up in an easygoing, insight-packed roundup. Whether you’re after warm winter getaways, foodie weekends, or rugged hikes with no crowds, these rising stars should be on your radar for 2026.

Let’s dive in.

Contents:

Saudi Arabia – visitor numbers up 48 % in Q1 2025

Why Is Saudi Arabia Trending?

Riyadh’s glitzy seasons, new coastal resorts on the Red Sea and an easier e-visa have flipped the kingdom from curiosity to must-see.

Riyadh’s Glitzy Season:

Riyadh Season is a large, six-month festival in Saudi Arabia that brings together a variety of entertainment, sports, and cultural events, typically held from October through March. It features events in designated zones like Boulevard City, Boulevard World, and Roshn Front, and attracts a wide range of activities, including concerts, fashion shows, and sporting event.

New Red Sea Coastal Resorts:

The new Red Sea coastal resorts include Shebara, the ultra-luxury resort on Sheybarah Island. Other notable additions are Nammos Resort AMAALA in Triple Bay, offering a Greek-inspired luxury experience, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA, also in Triple Bay, focusing on wellness. Additionally, Desert Rock, and the St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, on Ummahat Islands, are part of the Red Sea Project.

E-Visa Improvements:

Saudi Arabia has been continuously improving its e-visa program, making it easier for tourists to enter the country for various purposes like tourism, family visits, and religious travel. These improvements include expanding eligibility to more nationalities, simplifying the application process, and offering instant visa processing options.

When should you go to Saudi Arabia?

November to March, when daytime highs sit in the mid-20s rather than oven-hot 40s.

Saudi Arabia Must-See’s:

• UNESCO-listed Hegra Archaeological Site
• Jeddah’s coral-brick Old Town.
• A Friday-night football match – the atmosphere is electric.

Epic eats: Kabsa also known as Makboos or Machboos (spiced rice piled with lamb) in a heritage restaurant in Diriyah.

Expert tip: Women can now hire cars and drive themselves – still rare among visitors but perfectly legal.

Want to read more? – See our comprehensive 2025 Saudi Arabia guide!

Japan – March 2025 arrivals up 13.5 % year on year

Data Source: Japan Tourism Database

Why Is Japan Trending?

Japan is trending for good reason, and it’s not just because everyone you know suddenly fancies a cherry blossom selfie. Factually speaking, Japan saw a surge of over 13% in international visitors in early 2025, with UK tourists making up a growing slice of the pie. The weak yen has made it more affordable, the government has simplified visa rules for many, and pop culture – from anime to J-pop, has firmly planted itself in Western imagination.

Add to that the convenience of world-class trains, spotless cities, and a sense of beautiful otherness, and you’ve got a country that’s gone from dream trip to “why haven’t I booked this yet?” Japan isn’t just back – it’s booming.

When should you go to Japan?

Late March is the sweet spot for cherry blossoms, which bloom across much of Japan in a wave that starts in the south and moves north.

Japan Must-See’s:

• Ride the futuristic Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from neon Tokyo to shrine-studded Kyoto.
• Hunt Studio Ghibli Easter eggs in Mitaka’s new park.
• Soak in an outdoor onsen with Mount Fuji peeping over the steam.

Must-try bites: A steaming bowl of Hakata tonkotsu ramen at 2 am.

Do not forget: Download your digital Japan Rail Pass to Apple/Google Wallet before flying – ticket machines can be baffling for first-timers.

Want more information? See our full Japan Tourism Guide!

Morocco – Jan–Apr 2025 arrivals up 23 %

Data Source: Morocco World News

Why Is Morocco Trending?

Morocco is trending in a big way, and it’s not just because everyone suddenly wants a camel selfie in the dunes. Visitor numbers jumped by 23% in early 2025, with British travellers leading the pack thanks to a surge in direct low-cost flights from across the UK.

It’s exotic without being too far, warm when Europe is freezing, and affordable enough that a rooftop breakfast with mint tea and honeyed msemen doesn’t feel like a splurge. It’s the kind of place where you can haggle for a rug, ride a quad bike through sandstorms and eat tagine under the stars all in the same day.

When should you go to Morocco?

The ideal months to visit Morocco are March–May and September–early November – hot enough for a rooftop pool, cool enough to enjoy the souks.

Morocco Highlights:

• Sunrise in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• Bargain hunting in Marrakech’s labyrinth medina.
• Surf lessons in laid-back Taghazout.

Flavours to chase: Slow-cooked lamb mechoui sprinkled with cumin and salt.

Pro tip: Book a riad with a courtyard plunge pool – you will thank yourself after haggling in 34 °C.

See our full Morocco Beginners Guide, for more information!

Egypt – Q1 2025 tourist surge of 25 %

Data Source: Egypt Independent

Why Is Egypt Trending?

Egypt’s tourism is on the rise for several concrete reasons, with visitor numbers up 25% in early 2025. The biggest draw is the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids of Giza. After years of delays, it finally opened its doors and immediately became one of the world’s must-see cultural sites.

On top of that, river cruising along the Nile has made a strong comeback, with new routes and refurbished boats offering everything from budget-friendly to full-on luxury. The Red Sea resorts have also seen major investment, with new flights from regional UK airports making sun-soaked getaways to places like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh more accessible than ever. Combine all that with a favourable exchange rate and a strong pound, and you’ve got a destination that feels both timeless and freshly exciting.

When should you go to Egypt?

October–April for temple touring without sunstroke.

Egypt Must-dos:

• Board a felucca at sunset in Aswan.
• Descend into the recently reopened Step Pyramid of Djoser.
• Add a day’s wreck diving in Hurghada.

Must Eats: Koshari – noodles, rice, lentils and spicy tomato sauce in one gloriously messy bowl.

Remember: Buy the multi-site pass on arrival; it often works out cheaper than paying temple by temple.

Vietnam – first five months of 2025 up 21.3 %

Data Source: Eurasia Review

Why Is Vietnam Trending?

Vietnam is riding a serious wave of popularity, with visitor numbers up over 21% in early 2025. A big part of that is the new e-visa system, which now lets tourists stay for up to 90 days with a quick online application. That’s a game-changer for digital nomads and long-haul travellers.

There’s also a buzz around the country’s new luxury coastal trains, which offer comfy beds and Instagram-friendly windows between cities like Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. Add to that the viral rise of the Ha Giang Loop among young backpackers and a deep love for bánh mì and cheap beer, and Vietnam suddenly feels like the perfect mix of adventure, food and ease.

When should you go to Vietnam?

February to April for warm, mostly dry weather north and south.

Vietnam top experiences:

• Zip between Hoi An food stalls on a guided Vespa.
• Trek Sapa’s rice terraces with a homestay.
• Kayak into Halong’s lesser-seen lagoons.

Can’t-miss dish: Bánh mì with pate, roast pork and pickled veg from a kerbside stall – costs less than your morning coffee.

Tip: Internal flights sell out around Tết (Lunar New Year). Book now, stress never.

Jordan – 13 % more visitors in Q1 2025

Data Source: Jordan Times

Why Is Jordan Trending?

Jordan is quietly becoming a favourite for UK travellers, with a 13% rise in visitors early this year. It’s partly thanks to a flurry of new flight routes and a strong tourism push from the Jordanian government.

The country’s Petra by night experience has become a social media staple, and Wadi Rum has added new eco-lux camps for stargazing in style. More travellers are discovering the Jordan Trail too, which links ancient villages and rugged mountains with surprisingly good hiking.

It’s adventurous, welcoming, and offers everything from floating in the Dead Sea to sipping sweet tea in desert tents, all without the crowds of some better-known spots.

When should you go to Jordan?

March–May or late September for hiking-friendly temperatures.

Jordan To-do list:

• Walk the Jordan Trail’s Dana to Petra section.
• Float in the Dead Sea and slather on mineral mud.
• Sip cardamom coffee in Amman’s Rainbow Street.

Local bite: Mansaf, Jordan’s yoghurt-braised lamb served on flatbread – eat with your right hand, locals insist.

Essential: Pack water shoes; Dead Sea salt crystals are ankle-shredders.

Greece – international air arrivals up 4.8 % in Q1 2025

Data Source: Greece Money Tourism

Why Is Greece Still Trending?

Greece never really goes out of style, but it’s seeing another strong rise in tourist numbers, up nearly 5% in early 2025. More travellers are waking up to the idea of off-season island hopping, helped along by new ferry apps and boutique hotel openings on lesser-known islands like Naxos and Syros.

Athens has also become more than a stopover, with its emerging art scene and wine bars giving it real weekend break energy. Meanwhile, trail projects and wellness retreats are popping up in the Peloponnese, drawing in a more active, outdoorsy crowd.

Basically, Greece is proving it’s got far more than beaches and ruins – though the beaches and ruins are still very much worth the trip.

When should you go to Greece?

May–mid June and late September – warm seas, fewer cruise ships.

Greece – Things to do:

• Island-hop by fast ferry to little-visited Koufonisia.
• Sample natural wines in Athens’ buzzy Psiri district.
• Hike the Samaria Gorge before breakfast queues form.

Feast on: Char-grilled octopus washed down with carafe house wine.

Local wisdom: Learn the word “kali orexi” – you will be applauded for wishing fellow diners a good appetite.

Spain – foreign tourist numbers up 5.7 % in early 2025

Data Source: France24

Why Is Spain Trending?

The country’s electric flight innovation, led by Iberia and supported by EU sustainability goals, is also creating a bit of eco-tourism buzz.

Spain’s cultural calendar has extended into winter, with events like Barcelona’s Llum light festival and flamenco gatherings in Seville drawing in more off-season interest.

Add reliable food, mild winters and short flight times, and it’s no wonder Spain’s having another moment.

When should you go to Spain?

Late April for feria season or October for vineyard harvests.

Unmissable Sights:

• Pintxo crawling in San Sebastián’s Old Town.
• Cycling the new Camino Natural De Guadiana in Extremadura.
• Tapping your feet at a midnight flamenco tablao in Triana.

Tastes to chase: A paper cone of jamón ibérico trimmings from a market counter – pure umami.

Need-to-know: Book top restaurants in Spanish, not English, for a speedier reply – use simple phrases like “¿Hay mesa para dos a las nueve?”

Southern Cone (Chile and Argentina) – region up roughly 13 % in Q1 2025

Data Source: Travel & Tour World

Why Is The Southern Cone Trending?

Tourism in Chile and Argentina is quietly heating up, with early 2025 numbers showing a regional rise of around 13%.

Argentina’s Mendoza wine region is also seeing a bit of a glow-up, with high-end tastings and vineyard stays drawing in a foodie crowd.

Chile’s reopening of the Santiago cable car and new investment in train routes between the Andes and coast is adding a splash of novelty too.

Together, they’re offering a compelling blend of rugged wilderness, wine-soaked weekends and big-sky adventure.

When should you go to the Southern Cone?

Late November to February for long daylight; April for golden vines.

Southern Cone Sights To Explore:

• Tackle the W trek in Torres del Paine.
• Graze a closed-door steakhouse in Buenos Aires.
• Ride the brand-new trans-Andean sleeper from Valparaíso to Mendoza.

Signature flavour: Choripán slathered with chimichurri under a football stadium floodlight.

Do not overlook: Many national parks insist on pre-booking entrance slots online – no walk-ins accepted these days.

Baltic Capitals – Riga alone recorded a 20 % Q1 2025 jump

Data Source: Riga City Council

Why Are The Baltic Capitals Trending?

The Baltic capitals are climbing the trend charts, with Riga alone seeing a 20% visitor increase in early 2025. These compact cities have found a sweet spot between affordability, culture and cool factor.

Tallinn is drawing digital nomads to its startup scene and quirky seaside saunas. Riga is all about bold architecture and jazz bars, while Vilnius surprises people with its indie coffee spots and forest trails just outside the old town.

Add a growing number of direct flights, visa-free travel for Brits and a general sense that you’re discovering something before it goes mainstream, and it’s clear why the Baltics are becoming a firm favourite for those chasing charm without the crowds.

When is the best time to go to the Baltic Capitals?

December for Christmas lights and hot black-balsam toddies, or mid-June for white-night festivals.

Sights To See:

• Sauna-hop and ice-plunge in Tallinn harbour.
• Marvel at Riga’s Art Nouveau façades on Alberta iela.
• Hire a bike for Vilnius’s river-side street-art trail.

Local treat: Cepelinai – potato dumplings the size of a zeppelin, heavy but heart-warming.

Handy hint: Bring a contactless bank card – cash machines can be scarce outside old towns.

Final Thoughts

Travel patterns rarely lie. When visitor numbers spike, savvy explorers plan early, lock in shoulder-season flights and mug up on local eats before the crowds cotton on. Pack light, stay curious and remember: the story you bring home beats any postcard.