Asia’s best places to travel in 2026, according to Rough Guides

Rough Guides just dropped its list of the 26 best places to travel in 2026, and Asia is having a very good year. Out of the global shortlist, seven Asian destinations made the cut – with the number one spot going to a destination most of us know (and love) all too well: Bali.

The annual list comes from Rough Guides, a name travellers have trusted since the 1980s for its no-nonsense, on-the-ground approach to travel. And unlike trend lists built on hype alone, this one is rooted in data. Rough Guides analysed over 30,000 tailor-made trip enquiries sent to its network of local travel experts around the world, looking closely at where interest is building and how travel habits are shifting for the year ahead. That insight was then cross-checked with feedback from guides who live and work in these destinations.

The Asian destinations that made Rough Guides’ 2026 list read like a snapshot of how the region is evolving. Right at the top is Bali, which takes the number one spot in Asia, and third globally. The island’s appeal in 2026 lies in a noticeable shift away from overbuilt hotspots and towards places that prioritise creativity, community, and a lighter footprint. That’s something we experienced firsthand when we checked into Oshom Bali in Nuanu Creative City, a stay that reflects how parts of Bali are repositioning themselves around art, design, and intention rather than volume. Elsewhere, curiosity is spreading beyond the usual circuits, with more travellers venturing into less-visited corners of the island – a trend we’ve been tracking in places like West Bali.

Beyond Bali, the rest of Asia’s picks reinforce that same direction of travel. Tokyo and Bangkok remain high on the list as cities that reward repeat visits, especially as transport links and neighbourhood-led travel make it easier to experience them beyond the surface. Hanoi is increasingly being used as a base for northern Vietnam routes rather than a quick city stop, while Chiang Mai and Kerala reflect growing interest in culture-first, unhurried journeys.

Palawan rounds out the list as a reminder that nature-led destinations – especially those with stronger conservation measures – are back in focus. Taken together, the region’s 2026 standouts point to a clear theme: travel that feels more grounded, more considered, and more connected to place.

Here are the Top 26 destinations to travel in 2026, according to Rough Guides:

1. Marrakech
2. Crete
3. Bali
4. Tokyo
5. Rome
6. Istanbul
7. Sicily
8. Lisbon
9. Hanoi
10. Bangkok
11. Paris
12. Tenerife
13. Amalfi Coast
14. Rio de Janeiro
15. Budapest
16. Kerala
17. Dalmatian Coast and Dubrovnik
18. Kruger National Park
19. Yucatán
20. Seville
21. Namibia
22. The Highlands
23. Provence
24. Pantanal
25. Chiang Mai
26. Palawan

Read the full list at The Rough Guide to the 26 best places to travel in 2026.

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