The Best Places to Travel in Europe in 2026
Nov. 5, 2025
We’re almost at the end of the year, which means that trend piece season is upon us.
Lots of words are being written about what we can expect in the new year, especially for travel.
While I’m happy to add to the conversation, the truth is that a lot of these trends have been bubbling under the surface for a very long time.
Like the idea of detour destinations, or second city swaps: the concept of skipping an over-touristed capital in favor of a less visited destination nearby is already popular in Europe.
Other trends seem to get the idea right, but not the specifics.
Wellness travel is indeed gaining in popularity, but I’m not sure I buy the “sleep tourism” story, that people are going on vacations solely to sleep.
In Europe, one trend that exploded this summer, when throngs of tourists clogged the hiking trails of the Dolomites, is a desire for adventure experiences and outdoor destinations.
And though you’ll never get me to say the word “coolcation” with a straight face, there’s been a noticeable rise of summer travelers ditching the crowded Mediterranean for Northern Europe outposts, instead.
Below, I present the eleven destinations that are trending in Europe for 2026.
These are the places where my friends are already booking trips for next year, or spots that keep popping up in the group chat as potential destinations.
Sardinia, Italy
Sicily may have Mt. Etna, but Sardinia’s own natural wonders are attracting visitors hungry for white sand beaches, verdant hiking trails and dramatic cliffs.
Italy’s second-largest island feels worlds apart from the mainland, where turquoise coves meet rugged mountains and a coastline dotted with ancient watchtowers. The Costa Smeralda still dazzles with its glamorous resorts and translucent waters, but the Province of Nuoro offers a quieter escape, with serene beaches near Orosei and hikes through the dramatic Gorropu Canyon. In the south, Cagliari offers lively marina promenades and nearby beaches that stretch for miles. Dishes like bottarga, porceddu, and pane carasau complete the island’s distinctly Sardinian allure. Visitors can savor porceddu, Sardinia’s slow-roasted suckling pig, alongside crisp vermentino or full-bodied cannonau wines that capture the island’s distinct terroir.
Allgäu, Germany
Come for Neuschwanstein, but stay for the stunning landscapes, hearty cuisine, and relaxing wellness resorts.
In Bavaria’s southern corner, the Allgäu region delivers a quintessential Alpine mix of storybook castles and mountain serenity. Most travelers seek out Neuschwanstein, King Ludwig II’s fairytale fortress in Hoheschwangau, but the surrounding landscape is equally captivating, with rolling meadows, emerald lakes, and wooded hiking trails. Sleek, wood-clad wellness hotels around Oberstdorf and Bad Hindelang define the region’s softer side, combining locally sourced cuisine with luxurious spa traditions and deeply relaxing amenities inspired by nature.
Oslo to Bergen, Norway
via the Bergensbanen
See Norway’s legendary fjords without contributing to the cruise ship traffic that is quickly becoming a blight on the country’s western coast.
Traveling to Norway’s fjords by rail reveals a side of the country that cruise passengers never see. The Bergensbanen rail line links Oslo and Bergen in just over six hours, climbing past pine forests, idyllic lakes, and the Hardangervidda Plateau, one of Europe’s highest and most expansive mountain plateaus. Travelers can stop in Finse or Myrdal for alpine hikes among glaciers and mountain lakes, or detour to Flåm, a fjordside village reached by a scenic branch line known for its waterfalls and postcard-perfect setting. In Bergen, colorful wooden wharves highlight the gateway to Norway’s western fjords, where spectacular views reward slow, sustainable travelers.
Albania
This small country seems poised to dethrone Croatia as the buzzy Balkan destination of choice.
Wedged between Greece and Montenegro, Albania’s Adriatic and Ionian coasts remain one of Europe’s last underexplored stretches of shoreline. The Albanian Riviera dazzles with turquoise coves, white pebble beaches, and hilltop towns like Himara and Dhërmi, where waterfront bars hum long after sunset. Inland, travelers can trade the coast for a day trip to Gjirokastër, a hillside town of stone houses and fortress views, before continuing to the Blue Eye, a vivid spring whose deep turquoise color seems almost unreal. Down the coast, Ksamil draws attention for its crystalline shallows and a spate of new boutique resorts that blend modern amenities with Albania’s natural beauty.
Madrid, Spain
In a country bursting with so much variety, perhaps the best hidden gem is the elegant, underrated Spanish capital.
An elegant city with a youthful, buzzing energy, Madrid balances historic grandeur with the creative pulse of neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Visitors can spend hours in the Prado Museum, home to masterpieces like Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s The Third of May 1808, or find a modern counterpoint at the Reina Sofía Museum, where Picasso’s Guernica anchors a collection of 20th-century icons by Dalí and Miró. In between, travelers can graze on tapas and Rioja at Mercado de San Miguel, followed by churros and chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés. Tour the Royal Palace to learn about one of Europe’s largest royal residences and gain a glimpse into the opulence of Spain’s former empire.
Glasgow, Scotland
Scotland’s largest city is shedding its industrial past and attracting visitors to its art, music, and dining scenes.
In Glasgow, a city once defined by shipyards and steel now thrives on creativity and style. The Glasgow Cathedral is an emblem of the city’s medieval origins, while the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum mixes Old Masters with eccentric local collections under one roof. The Riverside Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid, illustrates Glasgow’s industrial history through vintage cars, locomotives, and interactive exhibits. In the West End, Georgian townhouses host indie galleries, record shops, and ambitious kitchens that have earned Glasgow a reputation as Scotland’s most dynamic food city.
Zurich, Switzerland
Beneath its global banking façade, Zurich brims with youthful culture and provides a perfect base for exploring the Swiss Alps.
Switzerland’s largest city pairs unbeatable mountain access with a creative, modern edge. In the Old Town, narrow lanes lead to design boutiques, café terraces, and the twin towers of the Grossmünster. A few blocks away, the Kunsthaus Zürich and Swiss National Museum showcase the country’s artistic and cultural range, while the Langstrasse district hums with nightlife and new-wave dining. Summer brings swimming in Lake Zurich on lidos like Seebad Utoquai, and cable-car rides to the city’s local peak, Uetliberg. Those hoping to explore the Alps deeper can take easy day trips to Lucerne, where hikes like the Stoos Ridge Trail reward travelers with some of Switzerland’s most spectacular views.
Kraków, Poland
Centuries of history meet a new wave of artistic expression in Poland’s most atmospheric city.
Once the seat of Polish kings, Kraków stands apart as one of the few major cities in Poland spared from destruction in World War II. The Main Market Square remains one of Europe’s grandest, lined with elegant cafés and the Gothic towers of St. Mary’s Basilica. At Wawel Castle, a thousand years of Polish monarchy unfold through the reigns of the Piast and Jagiellonian dynasties, whose legacy shaped Poland’s cultural identity. Beyond the Old Town, the Kazimierz district has become a cultural crossroads of galleries, wine bars, and contemporary cuisine, where dishes like pierogi ruskie and żurek soup offer an unmistakably Polish experience.
Coimbra, Portugal
A slower, more soulful alternative to Lisbon or Porto, Coimbra’s scholarly spirit and centuries-old history deserve a spot on any Portugal itinerary.
Set along the Mondego River, Coimbra draws visitors for its historic university, medieval alleys, and deep literary heritage. The Baroque Joanina Library is renowned as one of Europe’s most remarkable academic libraries and a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Enlightenment. Nearby, the Botanical Garden reflects the same spirit of scientific curiosity with its tropical greenhouses and shaded terraces. Visitors can climb to the Old Cathedral, hear fado de Coimbra performed by students, or sample caldo verde and pastéis de Tentúgal.
Metz, France
Half-timbered houses meet bold modern design in this northeastern French gem, complete with its own outpost of the Centre Pompidou and a dreamlike new hotel.
Long overlooked in favor of Strasbourg or Colmar, Metz stands out for its mix of medieval charm and contemporary design. The Centre Pompidou-Metz anchors the city’s cultural revival, pairing avant-garde architecture with world-class exhibitions. Nearby, the striking Maison Heler Metz, a new Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, redefines the skyline with a full-size maison balanced atop a sleek glass and concrete building. Between museum visits and riverside cafés, travelers can venture to Nancy, the former capital of Lorraine, or head into the Vosges Mountains for wooded hikes and vineyard-dotted valleys.
Puglia, Italy
While the rest of the world flocks to the Dolomites, those in the know are pointing their compass to Italy’s southeast, where olive groves stretch to the sea and sunbathing is practically an art form.
If the Amalfi Coast feels too crowded and Tuscany too landlocked, Puglia is the Italian escape you’ve been dreaming of. The region’s architectural highlights include the whitewashed old town of Ostuni and the Trulli houses of Alberobello, where conical rooftops peek above olive groves. Along the Adriatic coast, beach clubs spill into turquoise water while rugged cliffs double as daring diving spots. Farther south, Lecce adds a touch of baroque drama with its ornate Basilica di Santa Croce, best enjoyed between bites of orecchiette with turnip greens and rustico leccese pastries.
I LOVE THE INSPIRATION PHASE OF PLANNING A TRIP.
You’re free to imagine yourself in a faraway location, without having to concern yourself, yet, with logistics or planning.
If you’re getting ready to move on from daydreaming, though, we have a few travel planning resources to help you get started with confidence.
For those feeling overwhelmed with, well, everything, the How to Plan a Trip to Europe email course is an 8-part series that delivers one bite-sized lesson on travel planning per day. Better yet, if you want to move through the material even quicker, you can complete each day’s homework assignment to receive the next lesson immediately.
If you’ve got the basic travel logistics sorted, but aren’t sure how to make the most of your time abroad, then our Europe Experience Planner is a great starting point. It explains the different types of travel experiences on offer throughout Europe, including which experiences are best suited for certain personality types, as well as when to plan certain types of experiences into your itinerary.
And if you’re still a little lost on where to travel to, then our Travel Personality Quiz will help you better understand your travel style, as well as the best destinations for your personality.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Notes From Europe newsletter, and bookmark our homepage for whenever the wanderlust strikes.
Until next time,
Angela