Explore the World: Nat Geo's Top 2027 Destinations

National Geographic has unveiled its "Best of the World 2027" list, a collection of destinations curated to inspire global travel and discovery. This annual selection, announced on October 20, 2026, highlights both prominent locales and overlooked gems, encouraging travelers to explore with curiosity.

The chosen destinations were identified by National Geographic's worldwide network of travel experts and editors. Selections were based on factors such as new developments, significant anniversaries, cultural events, and enhanced accessibility, reflecting the creative pulse of cities and communities.

Editor-in-chief Nathan Lump emphasized the list's goal to provide novel reasons for travel, catering to an audience seeking both familiar comforts and new adventures. The publication prioritizes locations that offer enriching experiences, recognizing that travelers value their precious leisure time.

Notable inclusions range from Baltimore, the birthplace of American railroading, to Normandy, France, celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror's birth, and Luxor, Egypt, poised for a total solar eclipse. The list also features lesser-known sites like Kuélap in Peru, an ancient pre-Incan marvel recently made more accessible to visitors.

Addressing concerns about overtourism, National Geographic intentionally includes destinations like Niigata, Japan, offering alternatives to crowded hotspots. The selection process involved soliciting nominations from a vast community of writers, photographers, and explorers, followed by a rigorous vetting to ensure a diverse range of geographic appeal and special interests.

Additionally, a "Readers' Choice" campaign led to the inclusion of Santa Catalina Island as a winner, selected by the public from a shortlist of five finalists. This comprehensive list aims to provide options for various travel styles, durations, and budgets.