Race Across the World 2026: Filming Locations from Italy to Mongolia Revealed
Race Across the World returns to television screens with its most extreme edition yet, as five new teams embark on a gruelling 7,400-mile journey from Italy to Mongolia. The 2026 series, which premiered on Wednesday 8 April 2026, promises viewers an epic transcontinental adventure, following parts of the ancient Silk Road trading route through diverse landscapes and challenging conditions.
The Teams and the Challenge
This year's competition features five pairs racing against each other to be the first to reach the finish line in rural Mongolia. The teams include best friends Jo and Kush, siblings Katie and Harrison, father and daughter Andrew and Molly, cousins Puja and Roshni, and the unlikely duo of in-laws Mark and Margo. Each pair must navigate bustling cities and remote rural areas, enduring harsh conditions and extreme temperatures, all while operating on a limited budget with only the resources they can carry in their backpacks.
The Starting Point: Palermo, Sicily
The race kicks off in the historic city of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, the Mediterranean's largest island. At the 12th-century Baroque cathedral, the Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini, teams hand in their bank cards and phones, marking the beginning of their adventure. From here, they choose various routes across southern Italy, passing through iconic locations such as Naples, Sorrento, the Puglia region, and the Calabrian coast.
Palermo is renowned for its rich architectural heritage, featuring Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles that reflect its history as one of Europe's most conquered cities. The city also boasts Unesco-protected palaces and churches built by the Normans in the 10th century, incorporating earlier Arab and Byzantine influences. Beyond its fascinating cityscape, Palermo attracts tourists with its pleasant Mediterranean climate and celebrated Sicilian cuisine, including local favourites like arancini and pasta alla norma.
Checkpoint One: Fiskardo, Kefalonia, Greece
The first checkpoint is located in the charming village of Fiskardo on the northern tip of Kefalonia, the largest of Greece's Ionian islands. This upscale harbour resort is a popular destination for yachters, who moor their vessels in its turquoise waters alongside traditional fishing boats. Fiskardo is distinguished by its well-preserved Venetian buildings, dating back to the period between 1500 and 1797 when Venice ruled the island.
Visitors to Fiskardo can enjoy a selection of family-run restaurants, cafes, and bars along the waterfront, serving local specialities. The village is surrounded by pebble beaches and secluded bays, offering opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, or hiring a boat to explore hidden coves.
The Finish Line: Hatgal, Mongolia
After traversing 7,400 miles through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia, teams reach the finish line in the remote village of Hatgal, situated on the shores of Lake Hövsgöl in northern Mongolia near the Russian border. This region experiences extreme temperatures, with long, harsh winters that can see temperatures plummet to -49 degrees Celsius in January.
Lake Hövsgöl, known as the Blue Pearl, is Mongolia's largest lake by volume and one of only 20 ancient lakes on Earth, estimated to be around two million years old. Each March, a two-day festival is held on its frozen surface, featuring activities such as ice skating, horse sleigh racing, ice sumo wrestling, and Shamanic rituals honouring the spirits of nature.
This year's Race Across the World not only tests the endurance and resourcefulness of its contestants but also showcases some of the most breathtaking and culturally significant locations along the historic Silk Road, providing viewers with a unique glimpse into diverse landscapes and traditions across Europe and Asia.
