The Best Places to Travel in 2027: Lonely Planet's Ranking

Lonely Planet has released its annual “Best in Travel 2027” list featuring 50 destinations the editorial team recommends visiting next year. The list includes both popular tourist regions and locations that travelers know much less about.

Which countries have the most entries, which ones made it into the top ten, and what makes these places interesting—we’ll cover all that in this article.

Planning a vacation to one of the destinations on Lonely Planet’s 2027 list?

The travel guide from Visit World will help you plan your itinerary, choose places to visit, and allocate your time between them.

What is Best in Travel 2027, and how does Lonely Planet select these destinations?

Best in Travel 2027 is Lonely Planet’s annual ranking, featuring 50 travel destinations for the coming year. The list was compiled by the publication’s authors and editors, who have personally visited each of these places. The list includes cities, regions, islands, national parks, and travel routes on every continent, including Antarctica.

On the publication’s website, destinations can be filtered by theme: culture, outdoor recreation, scenic routes, gastronomy, beaches, and islands. At the same time, Lonely Planet publishes an annual guidebook of the same name with a complete list of locations.

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The full list of the 50 best places to vacation in 2027

Lonely Planet’s 2027 ranking covers 50 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Oceania, and Antarctica. The United States has the most entries on the list—seven. Australia, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Japan, and India each have two locations. Below are all the destinations in the order presented by the publication, with a brief explanation of the type of vacation each is recommended for.

1. The Red Centre (Australia)—the art and history of the outback.
2. Veneto (Italy)—Italy beyond Venice.
3. New Mexico (U.S.)—a road trip through the Southwest.
4. Prince Edward Island (Canada)—freshly caught seafood.
5. Astana (Kazakhstan)—futuristic architecture.
6. Bariloche and the Lake District (Argentina)—hiking in Patagonia.
7. Skåne-Falsterbo (Sweden)—a peaceful summer among cottages.
8. Montserrat (Caribbean)—a vacation on a volcanic island.
9. Killary Fjord (Ireland) — fjord landscapes.
10. Grenada (Nicaragua) — colonial architecture.
11. Dunedin and Waitaki (New Zealand) — authentic New Zealand atmosphere.
12. Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks (Kenya)—herds of elephants and lava plains.
13. Guadalupe Valley (Mexico)—the wine region of Baja California.
14. León (Spain)—the history of the Camino de Santiago and nightlife.
15. Bocas del Toro (Panama) — a beach getaway.
16. Maryland (U.S.) — the history of the Underground Railroad and Chesapeake cuisine.
17. Oman — Arab hospitality.
18. Quebec (Canada) — the French-speaking culture of North America.
19. Darjeeling (India) — a ride on the “toy train.”
20. Chengdu (China) — pandas and a leisurely pace of life.
21. Okinawa (Japan) — the culture of subtropical islands.
22. Da Nang (Vietnam) — city beaches and UNESCO sites.
23. Fulidhu (Maldives) — everyday island life.
24. Miami, Florida (USA) — stylish hotels.
25. Gujarat (India) — salt flats and wild lions.
26. Dessau (Germany) — the origins of the Bauhaus.
27. New Caledonia — a blend of Pacific cultures.
28. Tweed (Australia) — routes through the outback.
29. Samoa — traditions of a Pacific island.
30. Rabat (Morocco) — riads and surfing at sunset.
31. São Tomé and Príncipe — island forests.
32. Alaska (USA) — sightseeing flights.
33. Tohoku (Japan) — the Mitino-ku hiking trail.
34. Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) — the “Big Fifteen” animals.
35. Buenos Aires (Argentina) — tango.
36. Antarctic Peninsula (Antarctica) — polar adventure.
37. Monteverde (Costa Rica) — cloud forest.
38. Napoleon’s Road (France) — a historic driving route through the Alps.
39. Rose Island, Rhode Island (USA) — a night as a lighthouse keeper.
40. Šibenik (Croatia) — the Adriatic without the crowds.
41. The St. Cuthbert’s Way (United Kingdom) — a pilgrimage route.
42. The Aegean Sea (Greece) — diving to shipwrecks and caves.
43. Redwood Parks, California (USA) — giant redwoods and a foggy coastline.
44. Gombe National Park (Tanzania) — Jane Goodall’s legacy.
45. Abu Dhabi (UAE) — architectural landmarks.
46. Northeastern Minnesota (USA) — routes along Lake Superior.
47. The Aeolian Islands (Italy) — a sailing trip around the islands.
48. Batang Ay National Park (Malaysia) — a boat trip through the rainforest.
49. Taiwan — night markets.
50. French Polynesia — snorkeling in the lagoons.

Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Travel Destinations for 2027

Australia’s Red Center tops the Best in Travel 2027 list. Next are the Italian region of Veneto, the U.S. state of New Mexico, Canada’s Prince Edward Island, Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Bariloche in Argentina’s Lake District, Skanderborg-Falsterbo in Sweden, the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Killary Fjord in Ireland, and Granada in Nicaragua.

Read more about tourist taxes in Europe in 2026 — follow the link.

Red Centre, Australia

The Outback of Australia is located far from major cities, yet the region boasts a vibrant cultural life. The Red Centre has an international reputation as a creative hub, and the local tradition of dot painting dates back several decades.

New forms of leisure are emerging here for tourists: immersive light and sound installations, drone shows, art festivals, and workshops. Travelers can watch artists at work or try their hand at painting themselves.

Veneto, Italy

This region in northeastern Italy is known primarily for Venice, though few tourists venture beyond the city. Lonely Planet calls Veneto “Italy in miniature.”

Within a single region, you can see the Dolomites and Lake Garda, the Renaissance cities of Verona and Padua, and sample the local cuisine and wines, including Prosecco and tiramisu. Another leisure option is cycling around Bassano del Grappa.

The world’s best hotels in 2026—are listed in this article.

New Mexico, USA

This state in the southwestern U.S. is recommended for a road trip that combines the atmosphere of the Wild West with a sense of the unknown. The publication wryly notes that a spaceship isn’t required for such a trip.

The itinerary includes Native American cultural sites, local cuisine with rich flavors, and unique landscapes both above and below ground. Among the underground locations, the publication mentions the Carlsbad Caverns.

Prince Edward Island, Canada

This small island is often overshadowed by neighboring regions of Atlantic Canada and is most commonly known for the novel *Anne of Green Gables*. At the same time, it boasts some of North America’s softest beaches and a picturesque coastline.

The island is a paradise for seafood lovers, as you can catch your own dinner here. Tourists can enjoy:

• oyster harvesting;
• lobster trapping;
• mackerel fishing;
• mussel harvesting.

We previously wrote about 5 Caribbean islands for active adventures.

Astana, Kazakhstan

The capital of Kazakhstan is located in the northern steppes of the country. The city has grown up in the middle of the plains and has become a showcase of 21st-century international architecture right in the heart of Central Asia.

Astana’s main feature is its skyline of unusually shaped skyscrapers. Among the city’s landmarks, the publication highlights the Atyrau Bridge spanning the Ishim River.

Bariloche and the Lake District, Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche is considered the gateway to Patagonia and a convenient base for exploring the Lake District of Argentina. The region is recommended for a leisurely vacation among lakes and mountains.

Activities include trekking to a high-altitude lagoon, stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Gutiérrez, and new rock-climbing routes. The publication also highlights the local artisanal chocolate.

Where to Go in Europe This Winter — read here.

Skåne-Falsterbo, Sweden

This small town in Sweden is perfect for a peaceful beach vacation. It features quiet streets and rows of traditional cottages with white walls.

In the summer, the gardens around the houses bloom profusely, which is why Lonely Planet recommends Skärgårds-Falsterbo specifically for a summer trip to the seaside.

Montserrat, Caribbean

Most tourists traveling through the Caribbean skip Montserrat. Lonely Planet recommends it for a peaceful getaway.

The island’s landscape was shaped by volcanoes: it features green mountain peaks and black-sand beaches. Montserrat also boasts award-winning restaurants, and you can go snorkeling near Woodlands Beach.

The world’s safest and most dangerous major cities in 2026— click here.

Killarney Fjord, Ireland

The fjord is located in western Ireland, on the Connemara coast along the Wild Atlantic Way. It can be reached via narrow roads that wind along the rugged coastline.

The author of the review calls Killarney one of the contenders for the title of Ireland’s most beautiful place. Among the region’s attractions, Lonely Planet also mentions Kylemore Abbey.

Granada, Nicaragua

The former capital of Nicaragua has preserved the architecture of the Spanish colonial era. The city is known for its colorful buildings with ornate entrances that attract photographers.

In addition to historical landmarks, Granada offers modern restaurants and a lively street scene. The publication also highlights the views of Lake Apoyo.

Read also: The Best Cities for Nightlife in 2026.

How to Plan a Vacation Based on the Lonely Planet 2027 Rankings?

When traveling to a destination from the Best in Travel 2027 list, it’s worth deciding on the type of vacation you want. The list includes options for a variety of interests: road trips in France and the U.S., hiking trails in the U.K. and Japan, diving in Greece, national parks in Kenya and Tanzania, Pacific islands, as well as culinary destinations such as Taiwan and the Guadalupe Valley. A tour guide from the Visit World portal will help you plan a convenient itinerary: it makes it easier to choose locations to visit and allocate time between them.

Order a tour guide from Visit World for your chosen country or region from the Lonely Planet ranking and plan your trip for 2027!

Reminder! In our previous article, we talked about 10 hidden gems around the world worth visiting in 2027.

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