The 7 most fascinating places to go in 2026 that you’ve probably never heard of

From a Pacific island lapped by turquoise ocean to the heart of Ireland’s ancient east, these are Metro editors’ top destinations this year.

The world’s most iconic cities see enough tourists. And that’s why each year, we do our best to talk about places that many readers have yet to consider visiting.

In this year’s guide to the best places to travel, we’re shining a spotlight on unusual destinations that offer incredible experiences and are enthusiastically welcoming visitors, while others are pushing back.

There are under-the-radar gems and ‘sleeping beauties’ that are finally waking up, including a tiny Baltic town and Africa’s largest country.

We hope it will be a handy guide for choosing where you travel over the next 12 months.

Sigulda, Latvia

Why go? For authentic experiences, like a traditional Latvian sauna.

A tapestry of sea, lakes and woods, Latvia may be small, but the amount of personal space it provides is enormous.

You could (and you should) spend a few days exploring Riga, the ancient and elegant capital that’s dripping in Soviet intrigue and affordable luxury.

This year, it was named Europe’s cheapest city break by Post Office Travel Money, and direct flights will take you from the UK for as little as £53 return.

But for a truly unforgettable Baltic experience, head about an hour north to Sigulda, a charming town known as the ‘Switzerland of Latvia’ for its chocolate-box villages and medieval castles. 

The jewel in its crown is Ziedlejas, a wellness centre where terrible signal forces you to rest and reflect without technology. Here, you can indulge in a pirts, a part sauna, part bathing ritual performed with herbs, salt and gongs in a shed heated to about 65°C.

Deeply rooted in Latvian traditional culture, the pirts is intended to cleanse the mind as much as the body. You’ll plunge into the icy depths of a forest lake, then scuttle inside for four blissful hours of off-grid relaxation.

Beyond the pirts, there is plenty to see and do in Sigulda.

Go for a spin at the local bobsleigh track (one of the few in the world that are free to visit), ride a zipline along the only aerial cableway in the Baltics, feed native red deer at a safari park and take in the views of the Gauja Valley from the aptly named Paradise Hill. — Alice Murphy

Ningaloo Reef, Australia

Why go? For unspoiled beauty, snorkelling, and the chance to go off-grid.

Rising from the deep blue, its spots glistening in the reflected sunlight, a whale shark swims just metres in front of me.

These gentle giants — bigger than an elephant and, mercifully, not keen on eating humans — pass through Ningaloo Reef, in Western Australia, from March to July, every year.

At 300km long, Ningaloo is a fringing reef (meaning it sits closer to the shore than the more famous Great Barrier) on the coast of Western Australia, about a two-hour flight north of Perth.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 2011, due to its exceptional natural beauty and biological diversity, it’s home to a staggering number of marine species — from humpback whales and mantarays to whale sharks.

Tragically, 2025 saw significant coral bleaching on the reef, due to a prolonged heatwave that spanned five months.

Dubbed a ‘red-alert moment’, conservationists feared for the ‘coastal communities and their businesses [who] rely on a healthy marine environment.’ With so much beauty still to behold, there’s no better time to visit the reef, to support the work being done to protect it.

There’s more to see inland, too. The Cape Range National Park is home to 50,581 hectares of canyons, gorges and ochre-toned desert. The views on the popular hike to Yardie Creek, where red-sand gorges tumble into turquoise seas, have to be seen to be believed.

For adrenaline junkies, Ningaloo offers a rare balance — adventure is complemented by a slow pace of life.

And to go truly off-grid, head to Sal Salis camp, a glamping retreat with no WiFi, where you can hear the whales sing as you laze in the hammock outside of your tent. — Kristina Beanland

Constantine, Algeria

Why go? For ancient history, every kind of landscape and zero crowds.

Home to grand Roman ruins, historic cities and otherworldly landscapes, Algeria has all the ingredients for a memorable holiday.

Africa’s largest country is just a short hop from Europe, with snow-flecked mountains and stunning coastline in the north, and surreal sand seas in the south.

It’s one of the few places in the world where you can go skiing in the mountains in the morning and hiking in the desert at night.

Travellers have been deterred by its famously complicated visa system, but now, the ‘sleeping beauty’ of African tourism is finally waking up.

Recent tourism-boosting initiatives include the introduction of a visa-on-arrival policy for visitors on organised tours, the launch of new airline Air Algérie subsidiary Domestic Airlines in August 2025, and a government commitment to step up the protection and preservation of its cultural heritage.

New tours launched by major operators are also making it easier to visit in 2026, with 10-day trips ranging from £1,700 to £3,300 with the likes of Wild Frontiers, Trailfinders, and Explore Worldwide.

While most visitors begin in the vibrant coastal capital, Algiers, you shouldn’t miss Constantine.

Dubbed the ‘City of Bridges’, it is built across a deep gorge (a bit like Ronda in Spain) and connected by a network of walkways that earned the UNESCO-listed ancient city its name.

Founded by the Phoenicians and considered one of the oldest cities in the world, it once served as the capital of the kingdom of Numidia and is now an architectural masterpiece that preserves relics of three thousand years of occupation.

If you make the trip to this eastern city, its magical landscapes, ornate Palace of Ahmed Bey, and intricate Emir Abdelkader Mosque are sure to leave a lasting impression. 

And best of all, you’ll get to enjoy the lot with barely another tourist in sight. — Alice Murphy

Mumbles, Wales

Why go? For a quintessential British staycation.

To our Welsh readers, this one isn’t exactly a secret, but beyond the shores of Swansea Bay, not many will know the charms of Mumbles.

Famous for its castle, pier and top-class restaurants, this quintessential seaside town has an enviable location on the stunning Gower Peninsula.

Named one of the UK’s most desirable places to live in 2024, it gets the nickname ‘the Hamptons of Wales’ thanks to its independent shops, fancy Yacht Club and stylish seafront — but this place is far from pretentious.

@christopherlevans

I Visited Mumbles in Swansea… Is this the prettiest town in wales? Have you been here? Did mumbles pier catch fire last year #Wales #swansea #Mumbles

♬ original sound – Christopher Lee

This area has a homey, community feel. The annual MumblesFest is a council-organised event held in the grounds of Oystermouth Castle every June, with live music, family fun and a street-food market.

You can also take a dip with the ladies wild-swimming group, the Rother Bobbers, or give surfing a go at the Gower Surf Academy (Mumbles has some of the best surf in the UK).

Creatives can head to the Gower Gallery, to check out the work of talented Welsh makers, while those gasping for a pint can quench their thirst at one of Mumbles’ many watering holes — the Beaufort Arms is a local favourite. The seafront was once home to the Mumbles Mile — a legendary pub crawl, which included 20 stops in its heyday, and there’s still plenty of boozy fun to have in the town.

And of course, no trip to the seaside is complete without an ice-cream. We couldn’t possibly crown the ‘best’… but make sure you go to Joe’s, which has been serving customers for nearly 40 years. — Kristina Beanland

Mitchelstown Cave, Ireland

Why go? To explore Europe’s finest cave and Ireland’s ‘best’ county.

Two hours south of Dublin, Tipperary is a ridiculously scenic region of emerald valleys, legendary mountains and friendly folk pubs humming with traditional music.

The small but mighty county – known as the ‘Premier County’ for its historic nationalist spirit – was a surprise entry in Lonely Planet’s prestigious list of the best destinations to visit around the world in 2026.

Describing it as ‘the Ireland of postcards’, the travel publisher recognised Tipperary (of It’s a Long Way fame) for its hiking, history and fine food.

But to international tourists who tend to tick off Dublin, Cork and Galway before jetting off again, Tipp, as it’s affectionately known, remains something of a mystery.

It has many shining lights, but one of the brightest (and most underrated) is Mitchelstown Cave, widely described as the most spectacular cave in Europe.

The cave’s unusual formations, shapes, colour and history make for an enthralling visit. Graceful calcite curtains hang from the sloping roofs, calcite crystals glisten like diamonds in the distance and one of Europe’s finest calcite columns, the huge Tower of Babel, stands tall.

Bring a picnic along and avail of the beautiful panoramic views of the Galtee Mountains before your descent underground.

To find out more about what you should see and do in Tipperary, check out our interview with Ireland’s top travel creator and proud Tipp woman, Roz Purcell. — Alice Murphy

Caldas de Rainha, Portugal

Why go? To explore the authentic Portugal, without the crowds.

Portugal’s ‘Silver Coast’ (named after the way the sunlight reflects off the Atlantic Ocean), is a quieter region for those looking to escape the golf courses and mega-resorts of the Algarve.

It’s also where you’ll find the colourful city of Caldas de Rainha.

A spa town, your first stop should be the Parque Dom Carlos I. There’s a lake where you can hire rowboats, and the sun dappled paths are perfect for a stroll.

The park is also home to the abandoned thermal hospital building, one of the world’s first, where patients would be treated using waters from the natural hot springs that the city lies on.

@daveinportugal

Heaven on Earth. 🫰 Parque D. Carlos in Caldas da Rainha is one of my favorite places in Portugal, a place that feels as if it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook. #caldasdarainhaportugal♥️ #caldas #travelportugal #livinginportugal #bestplacesineurope #bestplacesportugal #bordallopinheiro

♬ Beanie – Piano Version – Penguin Piano

Just a few streets away, you’ll find the daily fruit market at The Praça da Fruta, the Fruit Square. Always buzzing, it offers a variety of local produce, including vegetables, flowers, nuts, and cakes. Beijinhos das Caldas are the city’s famous sweet treat, a type of crispy pastry topped with lemon and sugar. Be warned: you’ll need a very sweet tooth for this one.

Finally you can’t go to Caldas de Rainha without nosey-ing around some ceramic shops, perhaps the city’s most popular export. There’s the Bordallo Pinheiro Ceramics Museum, but ceramics are everywhere in the city — even on street and store signs — so make sure you keep an eye out.

Heading to the Algarve next year? To find out more about lesser-known gems in the popular region, check out my top recommendations, after visiting the region more than 20 times. — Kristina Beanland

Rodrigues Island, Mauritius

Why go? To experience this paradise island with world-class hikes, before anyone else

Known as the ‘sleepy sister’ to the more bustling Mauritius, Rodrigues Island sits about 350 miles north of its older sibling, in the Indian Ocean.

One of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, Lonely Planet said it ‘barely feels connected to its big sister… let alone the wider world.’ This tiny spot welcomed just 25,000 international tourists in 2024 — with only around 500 from the UK.

But while it often gets overlooked (it’s also affectionally known as the ‘Cinderella’ island) Rodrigues is starting to garner some well-deserved attention. Trailfinders is one of the only mainstream travel companies to offer holidays to the island, as part of a multi-centre trip with Mauritius.

If you like to hike, this is the place for you. The trails are well-worn, having been used for centuries by farmers and fishing communities. The Trail de Rodrigues is an annual festival, held every November, which celebrates the island’s long hiking history, with a series of trail running events.

Spectacular walks pass through diverse landscapes, from tropical forests, to beaches and volcanic peaks — the tallest is Mont Lemon, which offers panoramic views of the island.

For more nature, the François Leguat Reserve is home to 3000 tortoises, a result of a rewilding project, designed to recreate what the island might have looked like before it was discovered by man — sadly, the native giant tortoise became extinct in the 1800s.

There’s also a network of nine caves on the reserve, the largest of which, the aptly named Grande Caverne, can be explored by a series of walkways.

Back above ground, the only time you might find a crowd in Rodrigues is when locals visit the Saturday market, in the capital of Port Mathurin. Here you’ll be able to sample local produce, including spices and fresh fruit and veg, and even pick up a souvenir or two.

And of course, a paradise island has picture-perfect beaches. The secluded Trou d’Argent Beach is considered the crown of the Rodrigues’ coastline, with its soft white sand and blue waters. — Kristina Beanland

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Comments Add as preferred source