If your holidays are starting to feel the same, it could be time to mix it up and visit some of the up-and-coming tourist destinations for 2026.
Experts have listed 10 places where you can take the road less travelled while enjoying some incredible experiences next year - and you don't need to travel far, as some parts of Europe have made the list.
Intrepid shared its 'Not So Hot' List for 2026, which highlights emerging destinations based on how ready they are for tourism, including their infrastructure and capacity.
It also looked at areas hosting major events in 2026, celebrating cultural milestones or those with sustainable growth plans, and the beautiful Tiwai Island took the top spot.
Vis Island in Croatia is a lesser-known part of the country
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Up-and-coming holidays for 2026
- Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone
- Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan
- Sierra Norte, Mexico
- Vis Island, Croatia
- Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey
- Arunachal Pradesh, India
- Via Transilvanica, Romania
- Ruta de la Flores, El Salvador
- Oulu, Finland
- Great Basin National Park, USA
Sierra Leone has gorgeous sandy beaches, beautiful rainforests and varied wildlife, although it is not the most popular holiday destination.
According to the new research, it could be one to watch, with Tiwai Island proving particularly promising. The experts said: "A recently launched 10-year tourism strategy marked a bold plan to attract international travellers and recast the country as a leader in ecotourism.
"At the heart of this transformation is Tiwai Island. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2025, it’s renowned for its diverse populations of animals and part of the Gola Forest National Park."
For Europe, Vis Island in Croatia was the highest-ranking destination. Croatia is already incredibly popular with tourists - for good reason - but new areas are shining through as must-visit destinations for holidaymakers.
The experts added: "Having learnt from its neighbours, Vis has shaped an approach to tourism grounded in small-scale, local experiences that celebrate the island’s unspoiled charm and slower pace."
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Oulu in Finland is the newly dubbed ‘European Capital of Culture 2026’
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The other European recommendations include Via Transilvanica in Romania - "Europe’s next great walking destination" - and Oulu in Finland.
Oulu is a coastal town with beaches, great dining options and access to art and cultural events.
The experts added: "Perched on the delta of the Oulujoki River and surrounded by untamed wilderness, Oulu’s a dynamic, forward-thinking coastal city just below the Arctic Circle in Finland.
"And as the newly dubbed ‘European Capital of Culture 2026’, it’s attracting visitors through a bold cultural program that fuses climate science with creative expression, seizing the opportunity to champion environmental awareness."