Travel Trends 2027: Top 10 Destinations According to Booking.com

Booking.com has revealed the 10 fastest-growing travel destinations. Discover what to see in each city and which entry requirements apply in 2026

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Anyone planning next year’s holiday usually starts looking for ideas in autumn. This time they come from Booking.com: the platform has published a report that boils the 2027 travel trends down to one simple idea. People are tired of predictable itineraries. A survey of more than 28,000 travellers across 32 countries and territories found that 77% want to do something completely out of the ordinary on holiday, and 81% are ready to choose a destination by mood rather than by guidebook. Even paranormal tourism, according to 65% of respondents, is slowly going mainstream.

Alongside the predictions, Booking.com has presented ten cities where interest is growing fastest. Some of the names are familiar, others are places most travellers haven’t heard of yet. Below we go through each of them, and also look at what has changed at the borders in the meantime.

Read also: 10 destinations for food lovers.

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How does Booking.com build its list, and why is it not a ranking?

The cities in Booking.com’s travel predictions were among the 1,000 most-booked destinations on the platform between 1 January and 30 June 2026. They were then sorted by year-on-year growth, and the list was adjusted slightly so that different parts of the world appear on the map. So the order of the cities says nothing about which one is better. It simply shows where interest is rising fastest. The traveller survey itself was carried out in July and August 2026.

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Where to travel in 2027: Reims, Bratislava and Pescara

The European part of the list is the most compact. Each of the three cities can be reached without long connections, yet they could hardly be more different in character.

Reims, France

Photo – Magnific

Champagne is the local currency here, but Reims is more interesting than its reputation. The champagne houses store their bottles in chalk galleries cut deep beneath the city, and some of them are open to visitors. Tastings take place in cool, high-vaulted tunnels that feel like underground cathedrals. Above ground, the main landmark is Reims Cathedral, where French kings were crowned for centuries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around it, medieval streets mix with Art Deco, and cafés and brasseries fill the squares. A local signature is the pink biscuits roses de Reims, traditionally dunked in champagne. The high-speed train from Paris takes under 45 minutes, so many people come for a day and end up staying the night.

Where to celebrate New Year 2027 in Europe – we tell you here.

Pescara, Italy

Italy’s Adriatic coast has long stood in the shadow of the Tyrrhenian one, and Pescara makes the most of it. A long sandy beach, a cycling promenade, bars and restaurants that spill out onto the street. A day here is made of a morning swim, a long lunch and an evening aperitivo. Among the dishes, try brodetto alla pescarese, a local fish stew made with the Adriatic catch. There is a cultural side too: the house where the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio was born is now a museum, and the Museum of the Peoples of Abruzzo tells the story of the region’s history and traditions. Pescara airport has direct flights to several European hubs.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Photo – Magnific

The Slovak capital spent years in the shadow of Vienna and Budapest, even though it sits on the Danube right between them. Now it is getting noticed for exactly what its bigger neighbours lack: a compact centre and pedestrian streets. The Old Town, with its Baroque palaces, leads up to the castle on the hill above the river. At the Stará Tržnica market, you’ll find food, natural wine and ceramics on weekends. Just outside the city begin the Little Carpathians and their vineyards, and Pezinok and Modra make good day trips where you can try fresh white wines. Vienna is about an hour away by train.

Asia and Oceania: Sendai, Puri and Christchurch

Three different worlds here: a Japanese city that finally has room to breathe, a pilgrimage coast in India, and a New Zealand city that turned ruins into design.

Sendai, Japan

Japan has no shortage of famous cities, but Sendai, the largest in the Tōhoku region, offers something different: space. It is surrounded by mountains, forests and coastline, and the pace stays calm, without the crowds jostling on the popular routes. Jōzenji-dōri, shaded by zelkova trees, is one of the nicest streets for a walk. The ruins of Sendai Castle and the Zuihōden mausoleum show the city in the samurai era. The local culinary calling card is gyūtan, grilled beef tongue, alongside seafood from the nearby Sanriku coast. From Tokyo it is about an hour and a half by Shinkansen. Beyond the city lies the wooded Akiu Onsen valley with its hot springs, and the islands and temples of Matsushima make an easy day trip.

Puri, India

On the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Puri lives at its own pace. At dawn, fishermen haul their nets onto the sand, and the smell of fried fish and coconut curry drifts through the streets. At the heart of the city stands the Jagannath Temple, one of the four sacred temples of Hinduism. Every June or July, the Ratha Yatra, a procession of chariots, draws enormous crowds. Only Hindus may enter the temple, but the old town around it is open to everyone. From here it is easy to visit the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Chilika Lake, where boat trips offer views of migratory birds and Irrawaddy dolphins. The nearest major airport is in Bhubaneswar, about an hour from Puri by taxi or bus.

The 10 best seaside destinations for December – here.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Photo – Magnific

Christchurch proved that ruins can become urban design. After the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, the city centre was rebuilt with an emphasis on architecture, public spaces and creative culture. Today paths and gardens run along the Ōtākaro Avon River, Hagley Park fills with cricket players in summer, and the Botanic Gardens hold an impressive plant collection. Beyond the city rise the Southern Alps, with hiking trails and skiing, while the Port Hills and nearby beaches are good for cycling and swimming. Direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore and other cities land at the local international airport.

The Americas: Monterey, Rosario, Goiânia and Asunción

The American part is the most varied: from the foggy Californian coast to inland cities of South America.

Monterey, USA

The only US destination on the list lies on California’s central coast. Once a booming sardine-canning town, the setting for Steinbeck’s writing, it is now known for its waterfront, historic Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Whale-watching tours head out onto the water: for most of the year you can spot grey and humpback whales and dolphins. By kayak you can paddle through kelp forests alongside sea otters, seals and sea lions. The classic coastal route is the 17-Mile Drive, past cypress trees and beaches. The nearest major airport is San Francisco, roughly two hours’ drive to the south.

Rosario, Argentina

Rosario sits on the banks of the Paraná River and is regarded as one of the country’s most creative and relaxed cities. On weekends, cyclists, families and food vendors gather along the long waterfront, and impromptu tango performances sometimes break out. The Pichincha district has become a hub of jazz bars, cocktail lounges and independent galleries. At the Mercado del Patio, local cheeses, river fish and generously stuffed empanadas take centre stage. The city has ties to some of Argentina’s best-known figures: Che Guevara was born here, and so was the artist Lucio Fontana. Buenos Aires is a little under four hours away by car, and the city has an airport with flights to other Latin American destinations.

The 10 trending destinations from Skyscanner – here.

Goiânia, Brazil

Photo – goiania.go.gov.br

Goiânia was built in the 1930s as one of South America’s first planned cities, which is why it has wide tree-lined boulevards, Art Deco public buildings and generous urban planning. It’s a good idea to start the day at the Municipal Market, which sells fresh produce from the Cerrado, the savanna landscape around the city, and regional delicacies such as pequi, a pungent local fruit. Locals love the Bosque dos Buritis park, with its natural waterfall in the middle, for morning walks. In the afternoon, the Setor Marista and Setor Bueno districts come alive with independent cafés, galleries and concept stores. In the evenings the city fills with sertanejo music, and bars and open-air venues fill up with people. From São Paulo, it is less than two hours’ flight to Santa Genoveva airport.

Asunción, Paraguay

Asunción sits on a bluff above the Paraguay River and never hurries. The best way to start the morning is at Mercado 4, the vast central market, where vendors sell gourds for tereré, fresh greens and Paraguayan dishes such as mbejú and chipa. In the historic centre, pastel façades and half-ruined Art Deco mansions stand next to buildings covered in bright murals. The Palacio de los López and the National Pantheon of Heroes add a note of grandeur, and shaded riverside parks offer relief from the midday heat. By evening, life moves to the Villa Morra district, where restaurants fill up and craft cocktail bars open their doors. It is just over an hour’s flight from Silvio Pettirossi airport to Buenos Aires, and under two to São Paulo.

The most affordable destinations for a winter holiday are in our previous article.

Entry rules 2026: what to check before you book

For those who have already opened the calendar: here are the essentials for each destination. Conditions depend on your passport, so treat this as a guide rather than a substitute for official websites.

- Reims, Bratislava, Pescara. Since 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been running at all external Schengen borders. Non-EU nationals arriving for a short stay are registered on their first crossing, with fingerprints and a photo taken. ETIAS, a travel authorisation with a fee of around €20, has not yet been launched by the EU, and no exact date has been announced.

- Sendai. Many nationalities can travel to Japan without a visa. However, since 1 July 2026 the departure tax has risen to 3,000 yen, and from 1 November tax-free shopping works under a new scheme: you pay the full price in the shop and reclaim the tax at the airport. The electronic authorisation JESTA is planned for 2028.

- Puri. Many passports need an electronic tourist visa valid for 30 days, one year or five years. The cost depends on the visa type and your citizenship: the 30-day visa costs from 10 to 25 dollars. For one-year and five-year visas, the total stay cannot exceed 180 days per calendar year.

- Christchurch. Travellers from visa-exempt countries need an NZeTA electronic authorisation, with the IVL conservation levy added on top. Together this comes to about 117 New Zealand dollars. Citizens of Australia and New Zealand are exempt.

- Monterey. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries need an ESTA, everyone else needs a visa. It is best to check conditions and fees on the official website shortly before your trip.

- Goiânia. Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia have needed an electronic visa costing 80.90 dollars since April 2025. For other nationalities, the regime depends on the passport.

- Rosario and Asunción. Rules differ depending on citizenship, so check the websites of both countries’ consulates.

It is best to arrange insurance together with your booking, especially if your route combines several countries. This material is for informational purposes only; for your specific situation, consult a lawyer.

What makes this 2027 shortlist worth following?

A quick look at the list shows it isn’t about big names. There is no Paris and no New York, but there are cities people visit for the rhythm, the food and the sense of space. Reims, Sendai or Pescara slot easily into a trip with a better-known neighbour, while Rosario, Asunción and Goiânia let you see South America without the tourist crowds. Whether to trust the predictions is up to you. But the entry rules deserve your attention before you start looking at ticket prices.

Booking.com’s list spans five continents, and the entry rules differ from place to place: from the Schengen regime to electronic visas and permits. The Travel Guide from Visit World explains how to get a tourist visa for the country you need, from filling in the application form to the visa interview. Inside you’ll find the full list of documents, the visa fee, processing times and tips for your trip. Choose your destination country on Visit World and get a guide for your route.

Don’t forget! Lonely Planet has named 50 places worth visiting in 2027. The full list and the top ten are in our previous article.

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