Bali and New York City Crowned Top 2026 Destinations

Tripadvisor officially named its "Best of the Best" destinations for 2026 today, with Bali, Indonesia, claiming the #1 spot globally.

Described as a "living postcard," Bali was praised for its blend of spiritual culture, lush landscapes, and world-class hospitality. Joining it in the top five are London, Dubai, Hanoi, and Paris. Domestically, New York City retained its crown as the top U.S. destination for another year, followed closely by Las Vegas, Oahu, and Nashville.

The 2026 rankings also highlighted several "Rising Stars," with Tbilisi, Georgia, taking the #2 spot for trending global destinations due to its burgeoning arts scene and unique blend of architectural history. Other emerging hotspots for the year include Quy Nhon, Vietnam, and Puerto Escondido, Mexico. For solo travelers, Dublin, Ireland, was named the best in the world, cited for its walkability, rich literary history, and famously welcoming pub culture.

A notable trend in this year's data is the rise of "Culture Destinations," with Singapore and Krakow seeing major surges in interest as travelers look for "substance over aesthetics." Tripadvisor’s research indicates that 44% of Americans plan to travel abroad this year, but "destination indecision" remains a hurdle for many. To combat this, the platform has integrated more immersive content, allowing travelers to "virtually experience" a destination before booking.

For the 2026 traveler, these rankings serve as both an inspiration and a warning: while the #1 spots offer guaranteed quality, they are also likely to be the most crowded. The "Smart Strategy" for 2026, according to travel experts, is to look at the "Trending" list—destinations like Madeira, Portugal, or Glasgow, UK—which offer the same high-level experience with a more relaxed, authentic atmosphere.