Planning a holiday often begins with a dream destination and ends with another year of putting it off. National Geographic’s latest travel list offers a reason to start planning sooner. Its annual Best of the World 2027 selection features 25 destinations around the globe, from historic cities and cultural hotspots to remote landscapes and scenic road trips.
The list, published on October 20, highlights places that offer something distinctive in the year ahead. Some are drawing attention for new attractions and improved access, while others are preparing for major anniversaries, festivals and cultural events.
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India’s Jaipur features alongside destinations such as Penang in Malaysia, Luxor in Egypt, Puerto Rico and Chile’s Cape Froward National Park. For travellers looking beyond familiar holiday circuits, the selection offers ideas spanning architecture, history, food, nature and local traditions.
Why has National Geographic picked these destinations for 2027?
The appeal of the list lies in its emphasis on experiences rather than simply naming popular holiday spots. New cultural venues, reopening attractions, festivals and improved transport connections give travellers specific reasons to consider these destinations in 2027.
National Geographic editor-in-chief Nathan Lump spoke to CNN about some of the places that particularly excite him. Among the highlights are California’s Pacific Coast Highway, which is once again accessible along its Big Sur stretch following a three-year closure, and Luxor, Egypt, which is expected to experience the longest duration of totality during the total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027.
Where will 2027 take you? Shaped by Nat Geo’s global community of writers, photographers, and explorers, our #BestOfTheWorld 2027 list is here, featuring 25 remarkable destinations across six continents. Discover where to travel in 2027: https://t.co/MFApWFTgHx https://t.co/iR5TBo1hTJ
— Nat Geo Travel (@NatGeoTravel) October 20, 2026
Other destinations are preparing for cultural milestones. Leipzig in Germany will mark the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s death, while Grenada’s Spicemas carnival will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027.
Here are all 25 destinations featured in National Geographic’s list, along with some of the experiences highlighted in the report.
25 destinations to add to your 2027 travel bucket list
1. Pacific Coast Highway, California, USA
Few road trips are as closely associated with the American coastline as California’s Pacific Coast Highway. With the Big Sur section reopened after a three-year closure, travellers can once again plan a journey along the celebrated stretch. National Geographic’s Nathan Lump also recommends exploring creative communities in towns such as Mendocino and Laguna Beach.
2. Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Baltimore is preparing to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of America’s first commercial railroad in 1827. The city’s National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation has undergone a $38 million upgrade, with its Innovation Hall scheduled to open in early 2027.
3. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico offers more than beaches. Its music, dance and food reflect African, Indigenous and Spanish influences. Travellers interested in the island’s Indigenous heritage can explore the Taíno Route, which includes historic settlements, sacred caves and centuries-old rock carvings.
4. Grenada
Known as the Spice Island for its cultivation of nutmeg, cloves and other spices, Grenada is preparing for the 150th anniversary of Spicemas, its annual August carnival. The celebrations feature music, parades and street parties, while the island also offers wellness experiences such as volcanic mud bathing and guided yoga sessions near waterfalls.
5. Santander, Spain
Santander is gaining fresh cultural appeal with new art institutions. Faro Santander opened in 2026 to display the Banco Santander art collection, while Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofía is due to open an outpost in the city in 2027. The Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology is also moving to a new building.
6. Kuélap, Chachapoyas, Peru
Built by the Chachapoya people around 500 CE, Kuélap is an ancient citadel in northern Peru. A new trail scheduled to open in June 2027 will reach part of the Malcapampa ruins, offering visitors access to a previously difficult-to-reach archaeological site.
7. Luxor, Egypt
Luxor is a major draw for travellers interested in ancient Egyptian history. The city is expected to experience the longest period of totality during the August 2, 2027, total solar eclipse. The historic Winter Palace hotel is also due to reopen in July as the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, while Egypt’s planned luxury tourist sleeper train, the Guardian of the Nile, is expected to connect Cairo and Aswan with a stop in Luxor.
8. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax is one of the 25 destinations included in National Geographic’s selection. The supplied report lists the Canadian city but does not detail a specific attraction or event behind its inclusion.
9. Southern Ozarks, Missouri and Arkansas, USA
The Southern Ozarks, spanning Missouri and Arkansas, also features on the 2027 list. The report identifies the region as a destination to consider but does not provide further details about its attractions.
10. Cape Froward, Chile
Cape Froward is among the destinations highlighted for a significant new development: the opening of Cape Froward National Park. Its inclusion brings a newly established protected landscape into the spotlight for travellers planning future nature-focused trips.
11. Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
This Scottish region features among National Geographic’s 25 recommended destinations for 2027. The supplied report does not specify the particular attractions or events that prompted its selection.
12. Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig is set to mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in 2027 with a festival. For travellers interested in classical music and cultural history, the anniversary provides a particular reason to consider a visit.
13. Normandy, France
Normandy is included in the annual selection of 25 destinations. The supplied report names the region but does not provide details of a particular event or new attraction associated with its inclusion.
14. The Transcaucasian Trail, Armenia
The Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia features on the list, giving the country a place among National Geographic’s recommended destinations for the year ahead. The report does not offer further details about specific routes or experiences.
15. Tricity, Poland
Tricity, Poland, is another destination named in the 2027 selection. The supplied report does not outline the particular attractions or developments behind its inclusion.
16. Vestland, Norway
Vestland, a region in Norway, has made the list of 25 places to consider for a 2027 trip. Specific highlights were not detailed in the supplied report.
17. Malawi
Malawi appears among the destinations selected by National Geographic for 2027. The report does not specify which attractions or experiences were central to its selection.
18. Chengdu, China
Chengdu is one of the Chinese destinations on the list. Although the supplied report does not detail the reasons behind its inclusion, the city is among the places National Geographic recommends considering for travel in 2027.
19. Niigata, Japan
Niigata, in Japan’s Snow Country, features in the selection alongside an arts festival in the region. The festival adds a cultural dimension to the destination’s appeal for travellers planning a visit in 2027.
20. Jaipur, India
Jaipur is India’s entry on the list. Known internationally for its historic architecture and cultural heritage, the Rajasthan capital joins a varied selection of destinations spanning several continents. The supplied report does not identify a specific new attraction or event as the reason for Jaipur’s inclusion.
21. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne features among the 25 destinations recommended for 2027. The supplied report does not provide a specific event or new opening associated with the Australian city’s selection.
22. Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Madison is another American destination on the list. The report identifies the city as one to consider in 2027 but does not specify the attractions behind its inclusion.
23. Maya Ka’an, Mexico
Maya Ka’an is attracting attention because of improved accessibility. The region is now linked to Cancún and Tulum by train, making it easier for travellers to reach an area that was previously more remote.
24. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Salvador, in Brazil’s Bahia state, features on the list of 25 destinations. The supplied report does not give further details about the experiences or events that informed its selection.
25. Penang, Malaysia
Penang rounds out the list, with new attractions planned in its capital, George Town. These include a cable car to the top of Penang Hill, offering another reason for travellers to consider the Malaysian destination in 2027.
How to use the list to plan your next holiday
The destinations span different travel styles, from road trips and archaeological exploration to music festivals, art museums and natural landscapes. Travellers drawn to cultural events might consider Leipzig or Grenada, while those interested in ancient history could look towards Luxor or Kuélap.
For a trip centred on scenery, California’s Pacific Coast Highway and Chile’s Cape Froward stand out in the report. Penang and Maya Ka’an, meanwhile, are attracting attention for new attractions or improved transport access.
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The list is best used as a starting point rather than a ready-made itinerary. Before booking, check local transport, seasonal conditions, opening dates and event schedules, particularly where a destination’s appeal depends on an attraction or festival planned for 2027.
With 25 places spanning continents and travel styles, National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 offers plenty of inspiration for turning a postponed holiday into a concrete plan.