BBC journalists have released their annual list of the best places to travel in 2026, focusing on destinations that use tourism to support local communities, protect the environment and preserve cultural heritage. The guide highlights lesser-known spots as alternatives to overcrowded hotspots.
Montenegro is recommended as a quieter alternative to Croatia's Dubrovnik, with beautiful seaside settlements and new hiking trails connecting mountain communities. Montevideo, Uruguay, is pitched as a greener, less crowded counterpart to Buenos Aires, offering world-class tango, steaks and architecture. Algeria is described as a 'sleeping beauty' of African tourism, with Roman ruins, desert landscapes and a newly simplified visa-on-arrival policy for organised tours.
Abu Dhabi is set for a blockbuster year with the opening of several major cultural attractions, including the world's largest digital art museum TeamLab Phenomena, the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. The long-delayed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is expected in late 2026 or later. Theme park expansion continues on Yas Island, with a Harry Potter extension at Warner Bros. World and a new mega-zone at Yas Waterworld, plus plans for the Middle East's first Disneyland.
The guide notes that travel across the Middle East, including to the UAE, has been affected by the joint Israeli and US war on Iran, advising travellers to consult official government advice before planning trips.
