Every year, the world offers surprising new destinations, where majestic nature meets marvelous architecture, where local culture blends with exquisite cuisine. In 2026, Time Out's list ranges from the virgin forests of Indonesia to the mystical valleys of Bhutan, from the turquoise coast of Italy to the endless California coastal roads.
Whether you love exploring wild nature or are passionate about urban art and architecture, this list has a destination just for you.
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Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Picos de Europa Mountains, Spain
Morgan Library and Museum, New York, USA
Douro Valley, Portugal
Big Sur, USA
Ullswater, England
Old Town Bologna, Italy
Capo Testa, Sardinia, Italy
Victoria Falls, Africa
Punakha Valley, Bhutan
01 Komodo National Park, Indonesia Indonesia · Southeast Asia\
Stretching across the Lesser Sunda archipelago, Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and home to the legendary Komodo dragon — the largest living lizard on Earth. However, the attraction of this place goes beyond that majestic reptile.
Smooth coral pink beaches like Pink Beach, clear water filled with colorful fish and lush green hills overlooking the Flores sea create an unforgettable natural picture. Visitors can scuba dive, walk through the forest to track Komodo dragons in the wild, or simply relax on a traditional Phinisi wooden boat gliding through the straits.
Komodo is one of the few places in the world where nature still reigns supreme — wild, untouched and awe-inspiring.
The ideal time to visit is from April to August, when the sea is calm and diving visibility is at its best. From Labuan Bajo, visitors can rent a boat to explore the islands for a few days.
02 Picos de Europa Mountains, Spain Spain · Europe
Only a few dozen kilometers from the coast of Cantabria, the peaks of Picos de Europa are more than 2,600 meters high, creating a breathtaking contrast between sea and mountains. This is Spain's first national park, established in 1918, and is still one of the most beautiful and least crowded trekking destinations in Europe.
The Ruta del Cares trail is a trail carved into a steep cliff beside the Cares River, an experience described by many European backpackers as "one of the most beautiful hikes of a lifetime." Small fishing villages, famous Cabrales cheese cellars and sunsets over Lake Enol make this an ideal destination for both adventurers and those who just want to enjoy peaceful nature.
03 Morgan Library and Museum, New York New York, USA · North America
In the bustling heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Morgan Library and Museum is a rare island of peace, where medieval manuscripts, handwritten letters from Beethoven and Mozart, and the world's rarest ancient books are kept behind bright glass panels.
Originally the personal collection of billionaire John Pierpont Morgan Sr., this magnificent neoclassical mansion has been open to the public since 1924. After a major renovation designed by architect Renzo Piano, the museum today is more spacious and modern, but still retains the soul of an enchanting ancient reading room.
This is not only a place to store knowledge, but also a place where you can touch human history through old pages.
04 Douro Valley, Portugal Portugal · Europe
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, the Douro valley is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world, where terraced vineyards stretching along both river banks create a lyrical landscape like an oil painting.
The ideal itinerary is to cruise up the Douro River from the city of Porto, stopping at quintas (heirloom wine farms) to enjoy Port and Douro DOC wine straight from oak barrels. The grape harvest season in September–October is the most beautiful time of the year, with fresh air, golden colors covering the hillsides and colorful wine festivals.
05 Big Sur, USA California, USA · North America
Located along the California coastline between Carmel and San Simeon, Big Sur is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. Steep granite cliffs plummeting into the Pacific Ocean, ancient redwood forests rising amid the mist, and the iconic Bixby Creek bridge spanning a deep ravine all create a scene that is both majestic and romantic.
Highway 1 running through Big Sur is known as the "All-American Road", which is one of the most beautiful driving roads in America. Stop at Pfeiffer Beach to watch the mysterious purple waves at sunset, or explore the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park forest to rediscover the feeling of tranquility amidst majestic nature.
06 Ullswater, England UK · Europe
Located in the Lake District, UNESCO World Natural Heritage Ullswater Lake is voted by many British people as their country's most beautiful lake. The 12km long lake curves in a Z shape between lush green hills, surrounded by ancient stone villages and daffodil flower gardens that bloom in spring and it was these flowers that inspired William Wordsworth's immortal poem.
Visitors can take a ride on the classic Ullswater Steamers, cycle around the lake, climb to the top of Helvellyn (950m) for panoramic views, or simply sit on the lakeside at Glenridding village with a hot cup of tea and feel the rare peace.
07 Old Town Bologna, Italy Italy · Europe
Bologna is famous for three names: "La Rossa" (Red - the color of bricks on tiled roofs and walls), "La Grassa" (Fat - because of its rich cuisine that is unmatched anywhere else) and "La Dotta" (Learned - because it has the world's oldest university, founded in 1088). This is a city with a cultural and culinary depth that surpasses many more famous cities in Italy.
More than 38km of continuous domes cover the ancient streets, creating a unique architectural feature that no other city in the world has. The traditional Mercato di Mezzo market and Quadrilatero area are the perfect places to enjoy tagliatelle al ragù (the true origin of "Bolognese sauce"), mortadella, or a cold glass of Pignoletto before climbing the Asinelli tower to watch the sunset.
08 Capo Testa, Sardinia, Italy Sardinia, Italy · Mediterranean
At the northern tip of the island of Sardinia, Capo Testa promontory protrudes into the sea with giant granite blocks eroded by waves and wind over millions of years into strange shapes like natural sculptures. The color of the sea water here ranges from mint green to deep cobalt blue, making many tourists think they are standing in front of an edited photo.
Not overly commercialized like many other famous beaches in the Mediterranean, Capo Testa still retains its wild and quiet look. Trails between the rocks lead to hidden coves, ideal for those wanting to escape the crowds and find a truly pure corner of nature.
09 Victoria Falls, Africa Zimbabwe / Zambia · Africa
The native Tongan people call this waterfall "Mosi-oa-Tunya", meaning "Thundering Smoke". And indeed, when standing near Victoria Falls, the sound of water falling into the abyss sounds like thunder, while the white spray of water flying hundreds of meters high can be seen from up to 50km away.
With a width of more than 1,700m and a height of 108m, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world by water cross-sectional area, larger than Niagara and Iguazu. Located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, it offers bungee jumping, kayaking along the Zambezi River, elephant and buffalo viewing at Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, or bathing in "Devil's Pool", a natural pool at the edge of a waterfall that only appears during the dry season.
There is no natural wonder that makes people feel so small and that is why it is so magical.
10 Punakha Valley, Bhutan Bhutan · South Asia
Located at an altitude of about 1,200m, Punakha is the ancient capital and one of the most fertile and warm valleys of Bhutan. Unlike the cold high mountains, Punakha has a pleasant climate all year round, endless green rice fields and blooming azalea gardens in the spring.
The heart of the valley is Punakha Dzong, an ancient fortress-monastery built in 1637 right at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. Voted by many architects and photographers as the most beautiful building in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong appears shimmering between the pure white of water waves and the yellow of ripe rice. Bhutan limits the number of visitors each year, making the journey here feel truly privileged.
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