Here are the Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2027, according to National Geographic
National Geographic has released its annual Best of the World travel list recommending 25 destinations across six continents to travelers for 2027.
The list was shaped by National Geographic's worldwide community of writers, photographers, and travelers, who all determined that in the following destinations, "new itineraries, cultural revivals, and milestone celebrations make now the time to explore," the travel magazine wrote on Oct. 20.
Here are the places that made the cut.
Vestland, Norway
With scenery straight out of Norse mythology, the southwest county of Vestland in Norway offers, among others, one of Norway's largest glaciers, Folgefonna National Park, and the 16-kilometer Nærøyfjord, a narrow fjord perfect for kayakers eager to see seals, porpoises, and eagles.
Penang, Malaysia
National Geographic describes the Malaysian state of Penang as "a tropical destination [that] pairs rainforest trails and living heritage." There's more to look forward to in 2027: the opening of George Town's Penang Hill cable car, which will give passengers panoramic views of the canopy of the Penang Botanic Gardens as they ride up to the peak of Penang Hill.
Luxor, Egypt
If you time your trip right, you can catch an over-six-minute total solar eclipse on Aug. 2 in the ancient city of Luxor, with its landscape of temples and royal tombs. Plus, Egypt's first luxury tourist sleeper train, the Guardian of the Nile, is set to open in 2027.
Madison, Wisconsin
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Madison offers a beautiful combination of a college town and over 300 kilometers of hiking trails. Wisconsin's capital is known as one of the US' most bike-friendly cities, whose bikeways connect the city's cozy neighborhoods to beaches and about 300 parks.
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
The less-known region in the Scottish lowlands is set to open the new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in midsummer of 2027, which is mid-to-late June, giving visitors a 360-degree view of Galloway's skies. Bikers can also get on the new scenic 331-kilometer Gallovidian Gravel route.
Niigata, Japan
Right in the heart of Japan's snow country, Niigata Prefecture is known to skiers around the globe for its "legendary snowfall." If you visit between July and November, you also get to experience the 10th year of the Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale.
Puerto Rico
Bad Bunny isn't the only world-class export of Puerto Rican culture. It also boasts, among others, the colorful Festival de Santiago Apóstol in July 2027 as well as the country's indigenous heritage displayed in sacred caves, ancient rock carvings, and petroglyphs.
Chengdu, China
The 3,000-year-old kingdom is not just about its world-class hot pots, which have earned Chengdu the title of UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The Sichuan capital is also an archaeological wonder whose two museums house thousands of ancient artifacts.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
Along California's coastline are sites that have inspired multiple writers and artists, including Jack Kerouac and Ansel Adams. There's Laguna Beach, which marks its centennial in 2027, a mural trail in Lompoc, and Mendocino County's artistic headlands.
Jaipur, India
This city is celebrating its 300th anniversary in 2027, which would be the ideal time to experience the Jaipur Literature Festival to be held from Jan. 14 to 18. Beyond literature, Jaipur's cultural diversity entices with ornate European palaces, the Johari and Chandpole Bazaars full of traditional Indian crafts, and contemporary art in the Jaipur Centre for Art.
Grenada
The Caribbean nation, known as the Spice Isle, will hold the 150th anniversary of Spicemas, the country's annual carnival in August. Aside from the aroma of Grenada's nutmeg, mace, and clove crops, the event will also have calypso competitions, the pre-dawn parade that is J'ouvert, and Monday Night Mas, a huge street party with soca music.
Salvador, Brazil
Next year, visitors in Salvador get to experience two major cultural and religious events in one go. For the first time in decades, the Salvador Carnival, a massive street party with bands playing samba-reggae and Bahian Afro-Caribbean fusion music, takes place right after Festa de Iemanjá, a festival of the Candomblé religion, which is a blend of African religions and Catholicism.
Cape Froward, Chile
Found in the southernmost point of mainland South America, Cape Froward offers visitors a rugged adventure with a 38-kilometer footpath and the opportunity to book a five-day camping trip in sub-Antarctic forests. You can also do a three-day ocean kayaking trip to the tip of the continent.
Santander, Spain
Between Asturias and Basque Country lies Santander, Cantabria's capital where, in 2027, Madrid's Museo Reina Sofia will open an outpost with a collection of 138,000 art pieces by artists from Spain, Latin America, and North America. Next year, Santander's Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology is also set to transfer the 2,600 artifacts in its care to a new 120,000-square-foot home.
Normandy, France
Throughout 2027, over a thousand events will take place to mark 1,000 years since William the Conqueror sailed from France to conquer England. Millennium 2027: European Year of the Normans will have concerts, medieval feasts, and theatrical street performances, with the year-long party kicking off in February in Caen.
Melbourne, Australia
It is no secret that Melbourne is a global city, with vibrant and diverse communities enriching its culinary scene. Plan especially to make a stop at Smith Street, which is the historic commercial area featuring all sorts of gastronomic adventures. Also, next October, Melbourne's Docklands district will be hosting eight matches during the Rugby World Cup.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
In 2027, Halifax is set to open Wije'winen/Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, which is a celebration of the city's mix of Indigenous, European, African, and other traditions. In the 75,000-square-foot building, visitors can learn how to cook traditional food, go on medicine walks, and participate in a smudging ceremony.
South Ozarks, Missouri and Arkansas
There is a bit of everything in this rugged landscape for adventure seekers and art lovers. Bella Vista's trails are known to mountain bikers globally, as well as Arkansas' OZ Trails Bike Park. At the same time, art enthusiasts will love a trip to Arkansas' Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, with over 100,000 square feet of new galleries, dining areas, and more.
The Transcaucasian Trail, Armenia
This trail from old shepherds' roads and formerly overgrown footpaths links Armenia and Georgia and, eventually, Azerbaijan, potentially spanning over 3,000 kilometers. Hiking the trail is a rugged but customizable experience, leading to the wine regions, river gorges, and remote communities.
Leipzig, Germany
Next year will be all about Leipzig's musical history, celebrating its homegrown greats, including Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn, with several milestone events. There's the Beethoven Festival in May, the annual Bachfest in June, and the annual Mendelssohn Festival in November; but don't forget about stopping by Leipzig's Museum of Fine Arts, too.
Malawi
As "Africa's best-kept secret," Malawi has grown into a nature-travel destination with Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve both home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and African buffalo, among others. Beyond the reserves are Lake Malawi, perfect for kayaking and snorkeling, and Mount Mulanje, with trails along untouched highland wilderness.
Baltimore, Maryland
For the first time, Baltimore, home to the US' first commercial railroad, will open to the public in 2027 the National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation's archival treasures and immersive exhibits on railroad technology. Lexington Market, offering plenty of local food, is also the perfect place to get a handle on the city's culture.
Maya Ka'an, Mexico
Home to 78 Indigenous Maya communities, Maya Ka'an is one of the most protected biospheres in Mexico, driven by community-ownership. And it's not as remote as before, with the over-1,448-kilometer passenger railway Tren Maya connecting Maya Ka'an to international gateways Cancún and Tulum. Homestays are common, which further enriches the cultural immersion.
Tricity, Poland
Poland's most vibrant and dynamic cultural and culinary scene is shared by three neighboring cities on the country's Baltic coast: Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia, collectively known as Tricity. In 2027, Gdynia will host the World Sailing Championships, Gdansk's Shakespeare Theatre will gather international theater companies, and Sopot will host the Literacki Sopot book festival.
Kuélap, Chachapoyas, Perú
As the "Machu Picchu of the north," Northern Peru's Kuélap is a "citadel in the cloud forests," which the Chachapoya people used to resist Inca rule in the mid-1400s. In 2027, new exhibits and trails to unexcavated ruins will be made accessible to the public, thanks to an ongoing conservation project.
As an extra destination, National Geographic included the readers' choice: Catalina Island, where visitors looking for an adventure can go on hikes, watch bison in the wild, and photograph plant and animal species endemic to the island. And all of it is just around 35 kilometers from Los Angeles.
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