Tripadvisor has opened the curtain on its first Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations list for 2026, and the results read like a global roll call of traveler obsession. This ranking is built from millions of verified reviews, ratings, and traveler experiences collected over a full year. The outcome reflects where people actually went, what they loved, and where they are already planning to return.
The new 2026 destination awards span multiple categories, from headline-grabbing global favorites to food capitals, culture hubs, honeymoon hideaways, and cities that reward solo explorers. The list reads less like a marketing brochure and more like a travel diary written by the internet.
Bali Takes the Crown as the World’s Favorite Destination
Bali, Indonesia lands at No. 1 worldwide for 2026, and the reaction from frequent travelers is closer to a nod than a gasp. Bali continues to earn loyalty through scenery that feels unreal, hospitality that feels personal, and activities that swing from calm to adrenaline without friction.
Travelers praise sunrise jeep trips across Mount Batur, reef-level encounters with manta rays near Nusa Penida, and the simple pleasure of a quiet beach after a long flight. Bali’s appeal rests on contrast. Dense jungle meets open coastline. Spiritual retreats sit minutes from nightlife. Visitors feel free to write their own version of the trip.
Following Bali at the global level are cities that need no introduction. London, Dubai, Paris, Rome, Bangkok, and New York City remain magnets for travelers who want history, food, art, and movement packed into a single stay.
New York City Holds the Line at Home
In the United States, New York City secures the top destination slot again. Its draw comes from volume and variety. Visitors can cross neighborhoods like countries, eat across continents in one afternoon, and find live performance on nearly every block.
Other U.S. standouts include Las Vegas for spectacle, Nashville for live music credibility, New Orleans for heritage and flavor, and Chicago for architecture paired with serious dining. Coastal escapes such as O?ahu, Key West, and Charleston balance the list with slower pacing and familiar charm.
Top Destinations – World
Bali, London, Dubai, Hanoi, Paris, Rome, Marrakech, Bangkok, Crete, New York City
Top Destinations – United States
New York City, Las Vegas, O?ahu, Nashville, New Orleans, Chicago, Charleston, Key West, Washington DC, Boston
Trending Destinations Signal Where Curiosity Is Shifting
Madeira, Portugal claims the No. 1 trending destination slot for 2026. Travelers describe it as calm without boredom and scenic without pretense. The island appeals to families, hikers, and travelers who want space without isolation. Natural pools, volcanic trails, and canyoning tours through Funchal’s ecological areas anchor its rise.
Tbilisi, Georgia follows closely. Its ascent reflects a growing appetite for cities that feel discovered rather than marketed. Visitors cite textured streets, expressive architecture, and a creative pulse that feels local rather than packaged.
The remaining trending destinations show geographic breadth, with entries from Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, and the Middle East. This list reads like a forecast rather than a summary.
Trending Destinations – World
Madeira, Tbilisi, Chicago, Quy Nhon, Puerto Escondido, Milan, Glasgow, Abu Dhabi, Recife, San Carlos de Bariloche
Solo Travel Moves From Niche to Norm
Solo travel continues its steady rise, and Dublin takes the top global position for travelers going it alone. Walkability plays a role. So does approachability. Travelers cite pub culture, historical density, and ease of movement as reasons Dublin works well without a companion itinerary.
Berlin, London, Santiago, and Edinburgh follow. Each offers clear transit, cultural density, and enough variety to keep a single traveler engaged without friction.
Solo Travel Destinations – World
Dublin, Berlin, London, Santiago, Edinburgh, New York City, Hanoi, Madrid, Bali, Cape Town Central
Food, Culture, and Romance Shape the Rest of the List
London rises to the top of the global food category for 2026. Travelers praise range rather than novelty. Fine dining coexists with street stalls, historic pubs, and immigrant-driven cuisine that continues to redefine the city’s palate.
Dubai debuts near the top of the food rankings, reflecting its blend of regional tradition and global technique. Rome, Paris, Bangkok, and Marrakech round out a list shaped by depth rather than trend.
On the culture side, Singapore claims the top position. Reviewers point to preservation alongside innovation, where neighborhoods, museums, and street life coexist without dilution. Krakow’s rise reflects interest in history that feels lived-in rather than staged.
For romance, Bali returns to the top, joined by destinations built around privacy, scenery, and slow pacing. These are places travelers choose to pause time.
How the Rankings Are Built
The 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Destinations rankings rely on review quality and volume across accommodations, restaurants, and activities. Tripadvisor analyzed global traveler feedback submitted between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. No surveys. No panels. Just traveler behavior at scale.
This approach favors consistency over hype. Destinations earn placement through sustained approval rather than seasonal buzz.
The 2026 list tells a clear story. Travelers reward places that offer contrast, clarity, and authenticity. Big cities stay powerful. Smaller destinations gain ground. Solo travel matures. Food and culture remain emotional anchors. The signal is simple. People go where other people felt something worth sharing.