As travel trends evolve, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of discovery, with some places that may be lesser-known to Americans stepping into the spotlight. Here, we highlight some compelling destinations that are poised for a surge in popularity this year.
Malta
“Malta’s appeal among North American travelers continues to accelerate…it will be fueled by Delta Air Lines launching direct seasonal flights to Malta beginning June 2026 as well as great connectivity from European cities that makes for a great pairing destination for city and island itineraries,” Jessica Parker, a luxury travel adviser for Virtuoso and Cadence, told Newsweek.
Tracy Lamourie, founder and managing director at Lamourie Media, who lives in Malta, told Newsweek that the southern European island “has everything for every taste,” from the quiet, historic streets of Mdina to the slower pace of Gozo, “where horses still walk on the streets and much of the landscape still looks as it did a thousand years ago.”
Visitors can easily hop on a boat ride from the capital city of Valletta to Malta’s Comino Island for a dip in the pristine turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Sardinia, Italy
With Delta Air Lines launching a new flight route from New York City to Olbia in Sardinia in May, the Italian island will be one to watch this year.
Michelle Durpetti, the owner of Michelle Durpetti Events, told Newsweek: “Sardinia is one of the most exciting destinations to watch for 2026. It offers the rare combination travelers are craving right now—untouched natural beauty, deep cultural authenticity, and understated luxury.”
She added: “While long favored by Europeans, it remains relatively undiscovered by American travelers, making it ideal for those seeking a place that feels special rather than saturated—from its crystal-clear coastline to its ancient traditions and hyper-local food culture.”
Budapest, Hungary
“For an underappreciated European city that can act as a great alternative to Vienna, check out Budapest,” Parker suggested, where the Danube River flows through the center of the city.
Parker says: “It’s incredibly easy to get around on foot, and I highly recommend walking around on the Pest side. Buda is a bit hillier but serves up some of the best views in the city.”
Biarritz, France
“Biarritz, located in the French Basque Country, is a compelling alternative to the French Riviera, offering dramatic coastline, surf culture, and a deeply rooted culinary tradition,” Alexis Doerfler of The Destination Designer, a luxury travel agency, told Newsweek. “The region balances laid-back elegance with exceptional food, design, and cultural depth…2026 is definitely the ideal moment to visit before demand accelerates.”
Alentejo, Portugal
Doerfler also pointed to Alentejo for its “rare sense of space and serenity that is increasingly difficult to find in Europe.” Visitors won’t want to miss the medieval hill town of Monsaraz and stargaze in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, the first site in the world to be certified as a “Starlight Tourism Destination”—a certification backed by UNESCO.
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
A short drive from San Diego, just south of the border, Valle de Guadalupe is “one of the few wine destinations that still feels very local and undiscovered,” Parker said. “I went this spring, and fell in love with the caliber of food, wine, hospitality and design. It was everything I was hoping for and more.”
El Salvador
Chris Atkins, owner of Central America Fishing, told Newsweek: “Over the past several years, it’s become clear that El Salvador is the next up-and-coming destination.”
“You can visit quaint colonial mountain towns, Mayan ruins, and even a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Joya de Ceren, otherwise known as the ‘Pompeii of the Americas,’” Atkins said. “Great surf without a huge lineup of surfers, El Salvador is becoming a very poorly kept secret as it’s now recognized as one of the top international surf destinations.”
Panama
“Panama is a great country to consider in Latin America for its unique combination of lush nature, beach, and culture,” Parker said. “With new direct flights from multiple U.S. cities, access is easier than ever.”
Alex Sanchez of travel company G Adventures told Newsweek that “the desire to feel something—awe, wonder, joy, connection—is outpacing the urge to simply ‘see’ something.” Panama, he said, offers “beach time, plus amazing culture, food and architecture…a trifecta for travelers.”
Kyrgyzstan
Lee Thompson is the co‑founder of the Flash Pack travel company. He has traveled to over 100 countries as a photojournalist for various newspapers. He told Newsweek: “Kyrgyzstan is the destination I’m most excited about for 2026,” as it’s where you’ll find places that “still feel untouched,” such as “vast mountain landscapes, high-altitude alpine lakes and nomadic traditions that haven’t changed for centuries.”
Albania
Thompson describes Albania as “effectively the hidden-secret version of Greece or Croatia—stunning beaches, exceptional food and historic towns—but without the crowds or inflated prices.”
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