Every October, National Geographic publishes a list of the places it thinks travellers should see in the year ahead. The “Best of the World” list for 2027 came out on 20 October 2026, in its 15th year. It names 25 destinations and experiences, chosen by the magazine's editors and a global community of travel experts. Here is the full list, what the magazine said about the places it explained, and how to turn it into a real trip.
What the list is (and isn't)
This isn't a ranking of the “best” places on Earth. National Geographic says it looks beyond the obvious and highlights places where something is changing: a new opening, a landmark anniversary, a cultural celebration or better access. That makes it a useful guide to when a place is especially interesting, and a good source of ideas if the usual big-name cities feel too familiar.
We've summarised the reasons given for some of the picks below, in our own words. For the full write-ups, read the original list on National Geographic's Best of the World page.
All 25 places, by region
| Region | Destinations |
|---|---|
| North America | Baltimore (Maryland); Pacific Coast Highway (California); Halifax (Nova Scotia); Southern Ozarks (Missouri and Arkansas); Madison (Wisconsin) |
| Caribbean and Latin America | Puerto Rico; Grenada; Cape Froward (Chile); Kuélap and Chachapoyas (Peru); Maya Ka'an (Mexico); Salvador, Bahia (Brazil) |
| Europe and the Caucasus | Dumfries and Galloway (Scotland); Leipzig (Germany); Normandy (France); Santander (Spain); Transcaucasian Trail (Armenia); Tricity (Poland); Vestland (Norway) |
| Africa | Luxor (Egypt); Malawi |
| Asia and Australia | Chengdu (China); Niigata (Japan); Jaipur (India); Penang (Malaysia); Melbourne (Australia) |
Why some of them made the list
Luxor, Egypt: a solar eclipse in the ancient city
On 2 August 2027, Luxor will have the longest totality of the total solar eclipse, with more than six minutes of daytime twilight over the temples and the Nile. The historic Winter Palace hotel is due to reopen as a Mandarin Oriental, and a new luxury sleeper train is starting service. Eclipse dates are fixed, so rooms around them fill early. If this is on your list, book your stay first.
Baltimore, USA: 200 years of American railroads
America's first commercial railroad began in Baltimore, and the city marks 200 years of it. The railroad museum has had a $38 million upgrade, with a new hall opening early next year.
Pacific Coast Highway, California: Big Sur is open again
The Big Sur stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway has reopened after a closure of about three years. For a classic road trip, 2027 is a good year to finally drive it.
Puerto Rico: culture in the spotlight
National Geographic points to the attention the island's culture received from the Super Bowl LX halftime show, and to its Taíno heritage sites for travellers who want to go deeper.
Grenada: a 150-year-old carnival
Spicemas, Grenada's carnival, turns 150, which makes it a good year to time a visit around it.
Chile and Peru: new places to walk
A new national park is opening at Cape Froward, at the southern tip of South America. In Peru, a new trail opening in June will reach part of the Malcapampa ruins near Kuélap, which visitors couldn't get to before.
Leipzig, Germany: Beethoven, 200 years on
A Beethoven festival marks 200 years since the composer's death, with Leipzig as one of the places to hear him.
Santander, Spain: new art and archaeology
Faro Santander has recently opened, a Reina Sofía outpost opens next year, and a prehistory and archaeology museum is moving into a new building.
Normandy, France: 1,000 years since William the Conqueror
The region marks the millennium of William the Conqueror's birth in 1027 with a European Year of the Normans. The Bayeux Tapestry's “missing scene” goes on display, and a flotilla of Viking-style ships sails in June.
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland: dark skies and the Tour de France
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory opens in midsummer 2027, the Tour de France Grand Départ comes to southern Scotland in July, and Caerlaverock Castle turns 750.
Vestland, Norway: fjords by train and boat
Besides the fjord cruises and kayaking, the overnight train from Oslo to Bergen now has lie-flat seats, which makes the journey a pleasure in itself.
Salvador, Brazil: Carnival and the Women's World Cup
Carnival follows the Festa de Iemanjá for the first time in decades, and Salvador is a host city for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Maya Ka'an, Mexico: easier to reach
A once-remote part of the Yucatán is now linked to Cancún and Tulum by train, which makes it a realistic day trip or add-on for beach holidays.
Closer to home: the Asian picks
Five of the 25 are in Asia and Australia, and several are an easy flight from Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia.
- Penang, Malaysia. A cable car up Penang Hill is due to open in 2027, linking the Botanic Gardens to the summit in under 10 minutes, and a new hotel, Soori Penang, is opening in a restored Chinese clan estate. Add George Town's historic streets and the food, and it's an easy long weekend from Vietnam.
- Chengdu, China. 2027 is 100 years since the discovery of the Guanghan jade, which revealed the ancient Shu kingdom. The Jinsha Site Museum reopens in April after an overhaul, and the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites are nominated for UNESCO status in 2028. Check visa rules for your passport well before you book.
- Jaipur, India. The “Pink City” turns 300 in 2027, and the 20th Jaipur Literature Festival runs from 14 to 18 January.
- Niigata, Japan. The 10th Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale runs from July to November 2027, with art installations spread across about 200 villages in Japan's “Snow Country”, many of them made from reused materials.
- Melbourne, Australia. A car park at the Queen Victoria Market is becoming gardens next year, Rugby World Cup matches come to Docklands in October 2027, and the Great Victorian Bathing Trail adds new stops.
How to turn the list into a trip
- Pick by timing, not just by place. If an event is the draw (the Luxor eclipse, Grenada's carnival, Leipzig's festival), your dates are fixed. If it's the place itself, choose a quiet season and enjoy it with fewer crowds.
- Book early for dated events. Rooms and flights for a world-famous eclipse or a big festival go first. Our guide to when to book flights shows how far ahead to look.
- Choose a base, then add day trips. Staying a few nights in one homestay is cheaper and calmer than moving every day, and you'll learn the neighbourhood.
- Watch prices. Set a flight alert and a price watch on a stay so you hear about drops. You can do both from our trip planner, Trip ForMe.
- Check entry rules and weather early. Visas, vaccines and seasons differ a lot between these places, and are easier to sort out months ahead than weeks.
Want a head start? Tell the trip planner where you're going and your dates, and it will draft an itinerary with flights, stays and a budget you can change. Or browse homestays to find a comfortable base.
The short version
- National Geographic's Best of the World 2027 names 25 destinations, published on 20 October 2026.
- It favours places where something is new or special in 2027, like an eclipse, an anniversary, a new park or a reopened road.
- Penang, Chengdu, Jaipur, Niigata and Melbourne are the Asia and Australia picks, each with a 2027 event or opening.
- For dated events, book your stay and flights first.
Sources
This article summarises National Geographic's own list and coverage of it in CNN Style (via KEYT), TravelPulse and The Star, in our own words. We have no connection to National Geographic. Dates, openings and event details can change, so confirm them before you book.
Cover photo from Unsplash.
