National Geographic has traditionally presented a list of the 25 best destinations to visit in the coming year. Best of the World 2026 brings together both well-known tourist sites and lesser-known but atmospheric locations.
The list includes Turkey’s Black Sea coast, which experts described as «a scenic and culturally rich alternative to the crowded Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.»
The only location from Central Asia recognized by National Geographic is the ancient Uzbek city of Khiva. The authors noted that the city is an open-air museum that shines brighter than its more famous neighbors along the Silk Road.
The list also features the Dolomites in Italy, Québec, Beijing, Rabat, Manila, Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, the Basque Country and other destinations around the world that, according to experts, offer travelers unique experiences and new discoveries.
Previously, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that Almaty and Astana outplaced Moscow in the 2025 Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics.
