Liv Kelly

In 2026, European travel is shifting fast. We’ve seen overcrowding, overheating and plenty of anti-tourism measures across the continent – and as a result, travellers are actively seeking out quieter, lesser-known destinations away from the tourist crowds. And if that sounds like you, you’re in luck – here at Time Out, underrated destinations are our bread and butter.  This list has been updated for 2026 by Time Out’s global network of local experts who have been to every single destination featured (often multiple times), highlighting destinations that are not only overlooked, but genuinely worth visiting right now. We’ve got alternative Scandinavian city breaks, remote islands only accessible by ferry, and destination dupes for some of Europe’s hottest beach holidays, from the Algarve to the Amalfi Coast.  ➡️ Discover the best city breaks in Europe for 2026 Why travel to underrated destinations in 2026? Sure, we love the classics for a reason. But if you’ve ever queued an hour for a pastry, spent your day’s budget on a coffee or had to book a museum three months in advance, you’ll know why more and more of us are searching for under-the-radar breaks: it’s the crowds. In fact, in some cities – the likes of Amsterdam, Venice, Barcelona – overtourism is so bad, they’ve been forced to clamp down on crowds with anti-tourism measures, from daily visitor limits to outright bans on new hotels. If you’re coming up against these, then we’d say that’s a pretty good reason to head some

A red sandstone amphitheatre. An ancient woodland on the English coast. A teeny tiny island with a black sand beach. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes – luckily, the world isn’t held to the same rigid beauty standards as humans are – and we’ve curated this list to celebrate that.  It goes without saying that Time Out’s ranking of the world’s most beautiful places is entirely subjective and by no means exhaustive, but what we can guarantee is real-life experience. Every single beach, lake, city and valley on this list has been visited and vetted by our globetrotting network of travel writers. In short, they’re all well worth making the journey to see for yourself (no social media fakery here).We update this list regularly, ensuring we’re including the big-hitters while considering the impact of overtourism and spotlighting lesser-known beauty spots. So here it is: Time Out’s guide to the most beautiful places on planet Earth. Happy travels!Updated March 2026: There are seven new additions to the list this year, including a terracotta-coloured Old Town in Italy, an opulent Renaissance-style library in New York and a compact mountain range in northern Spain.Grace Beard is Time Out’s travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED:⛰️ The most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites🗺 The most underrated travel destinations i

London is full of perfect pizza. The finest of fast foods, this delicious staple has been elevated far beyond its humble roots by great Italian restaurants in London, pop-ups, street food vendors and pub residencies, and we know just where to find these world-class wonders, because we’ve been eating our way across London in order to discover the best. Whether it’s delivered in a cardboard box or served in a swish restaurant, excellent pizza is hard to beat. Browse our list of the best pizza places in town and try not to drool on your screen. Recent additions to the list include some nifty kitchen residencies; Dough Hands at the Spurstowe Arms and Old Nun’s Head, Hot Saint at the Old Queen’s Head in Angel, Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern in Dalston, and Short Road Pizza at the William The Fourth in Leyton and Three Colts in Bethnal Green. You can find Ace Pizza at the Pembury Tavern in Hackney Downs, but they have also opened their first standalone parlour in Victoria Park. Try also; Spring Street Pizza in Borough for pie with a Michelin-starred chefs touch, Carmela’s on Upper Street for a cosy slice and Vincenzo’s in Shoreditch for no-flop pizza. RECOMMENDED: The finest fish and chips in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

For a healthy dose of sun, sand, and sea, is there any U.S. destination more iconic than Miami Beach? We’d argue not, and that’s why we’ve poured a whole load of love and care into researching and reviewing the neighborhood’s very best places to stay—it’s a hard life, we know. Below is a shiny list of gleaming swimming pools, suave spas, and gorgeous oceanfront views, which each have a top hotel attached. Scroll on for our refreshed list, with new entries for 2026.  Which area is best to stay in Miami? South Beach, known for its colourful nightlife, Art Deco buildings and, of course, stretches of powdery sand, is quintessential Miami, but Bricknell is a fun place to stay for a taste of the city (and its swish restaurants), and those keen to sight-see should opt for Downtown.  Miami’s best hotels at a glance: 💎 Most luxurious: Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club 👛 Best budget: Fontainebleau Miami Beach 🫧 Best spa: Eden Roc Miami Beach 👙 Best pool: The Shelborne by Proper 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in Miami How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article i

It will come as no surprise that Amsterdam is overrun with exceptional places to stay. And we mean every kind: 18th-century canalside mansions, converted bridge keepers’ houses, luxury historic hotels that have hosted royal weddings – the lot. But that isn’t to say that every stay here will blow the budget – there are plenty of affordable options in Amsterdam too, if you know where to look. On our list, we’ve made sure to include a bit of everything, all individually reviewed and rated by Time Out’s very own travel experts. Read on for five-star luxury, budget boutiques and everything in between. And for 2026, one hotel sits firmly at the top of the list: Rosewood Amsterdam, a spectacular new canalside stay that’s quickly become the city’s most talked-about address. What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Amsterdam?  There isn’t necessarily one answer to this, as each of Amsterdam’s districts offers something totally unique. If it’s your first time in the city, Centrum is best to access touristy experiences. For something more off-grid (and often more affordable), you’re best off catching the free ferry to Noord, Amsterdam’s creative warehouse district. But for a reliable all-rounder? We love hipster haven Oost, where you’ll find many of the city’s coolest bars, restaurants and hotels. For more, check out our full area guide.  🏘️ Looking for even more options? Check out our guide to Amsterdam’s best Airbnbs Amsterdam’s best hotels at a glance 👑 Best overall: Rosewood Hot

New York: it’s a frantic experience. That’s why, when you’ve only got a handful of days to dine, sight-see, museum hop and shop, that oh-so-precious shut-eye becomes all the more important. But, despite its famous moniker as the “city that never sleeps”, the Big Apple is brimming with stylish, innovative, and world-renowned hotels. So, here’s Time Out’s gleaming collection of our absolute favorite places to stay, all tried and tested by local writers.  New for spring 2026 are reviews of Nine Orchard, Ace Hotel Brooklyn, The Ned NoMad, and our brand-new number one, The Fifth Avenue Hotel. Scroll on. Which area is best to stay in New York? Well, we’ve compiled an entire neighborhood guide to help you find the best fit for your trip, but first-timers should consider Midtown (particularly on and around Fifth Avenue), frequent visitors who want to feel like a local should opt for hotels in Williamsburg, and for particularly stylish boutique stays, you’ll find plenty of those in Tribeca, NoMad, the Lower East Side, and the Meatpacking District.  New York’s very best hotels at a glance: 💎 Most luxurious: The Plaza 👛 Best budget: The FiDi Hotel 🌃 Best view: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad 👙 Best pool: Equinox Hotel New York 🍸 Best boutique: Nine Orchard 🪩 Coolest: The William Vale 🤩 Most iconic: The Hotel Chelsea 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—

This list is from 2025. Our latest ranking for 2026 is live here. People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared… RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The coolest n

There isn’t really a bad time to visit New York, but when the streets are at their stuffiest and the sidewalks practically radiate heat, having a glistening pool at your hotel can offer travelers some much-needed respite. That’s why we’ve taken the time to handpick the best ones, from cabana-lined rooftops in Brooklyn to stylish, spa-adjacent plunges hidden away in Manhattan. Dive into our dazzling list, updated fresh for spring 2026. Which area is best to stay in New York? Pools are hidden away all over New York City, from deceptively secluded Manhattan rooftops to spacious Brooklyn hangouts with brilliant skyline views. For all the best local tips on where to stay, have a read of our guides to all NYC’s neighborhoods, compiled by Time Out’s local writers.   New York’s best hotels with swimming pools, at a glance: 🌃 Best view: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge 👙 Best rooftop: Gansevoort Meatpacking District 👛 Best budget: Margaritaville Resort Times Square 💎 Most luxurious: The Peninsula New York 🤩 Most iconic: The William Vale 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities,

Much of the northern hemisphere is set to shiver through single-digit temperatures for the forseeable. And while even southern Europe won’t reach properly hot temperatures until springtime 2026 at the earliest, there are still a handful of perfectly warm European destinations to visit in the mean time. From Greek Islands to the coasts of Spain and Portugal, parts of the continent experience wonderfully mild weather, even in the coldest winter months. Tans are not garuanteed, but balmy, sunny t-shirt weather? Most certainly. Here are our top picks in Europe for a healthy dose of glorious winter sun. What is the warmest place in Europe in winter? The undisputed champion of European heat in December and January? Unsurprisingly, Spain’s Canary Islands take the title. This archipelago of eight inhabited islands just off the coast of northwestern Africa is Europe’s winter sun champion, sitting pretty with December and January temperatures that many towns in Northern Europe would be happy with at the height of summer. The Canaries are particularly delightful at this time, and you might even spot some migrating humpback and fin whales. If it’s good enough for the world’s largest mammals, it is good enough for us. Besides, does it get much better than Christmas on the beach in the Canary Islands?  Europe’s best winter sun destinations at a glance ☀️ Best for scorching heat: The Canary Islands 🏛️ Best for a balmy city break: Cadiz, Spain 🏞️ Best for hiking and scenery: Madeira 📍 D

March 2026: It’s spring, which means London’s arts and culture scene is in full swing with plenty of major openings across the capital’s biggest museums. Heading to the National Gallery, the Science Museum, Young V&A or the Tate Modern? There are new shows to check out on such disparate subjects as the studio behind ‘Wallace and Gromit’, legendary artist Tracey Emin, Pantanal – the world’s biggest wetland, Samurai, groundbreaking fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli and photographer Catherine Opie. Or find out more great things to see this year with our pick of 2026's cultural highlights. Museums are one of the things that London does best. This city boasts grand institutions housing ancient treasures, modern monoliths packed with intriguing exhibits, and tiny rooms containing deeply niche collections – and lots of them are totally free to anyone who wants to come in and take a gander. And with more than 170 London museums to choose from, there's bound to be one to pique your interest, whatever you're in to.  Want to explore the history of TfL? We’ve got a museum for that. Rather learn about advertising? We’ve got a museum for that too. History? Check. Science? Check. 1940s cinema memorabilia, grotesque eighteenth-century surgical instruments, or perhaps a wall of 4,000 mouse skeletons? Check, check and check! Being the cultured metropolitans that we are, Time Out’s editors love nothing more than a wholesome afternoon spent gawping at Churchill’s baby rattle or some ancient Egy

March 2026: It finally seems as if spring is on the way, so we've updated our roasts list to reflect the return of sunnier days. Try the Macbeth in Hoxton, which offers a great Portuguese-style Sunday sesh or the ravishing Jamaican-inspired roast at Buster Mantis in Deptford. There are a couple of posh restaurants in the mix too, with a Nordic roast at the plush Ekstedt at the Yard near Westminster, and a serious meat feast at Quality Chop House in Clerkenwell. Our worthy Number 1 is the simple, spectacular roast at London’s OG organic pub, The Duke of Cambridge in Islington.  London’s best Sunday roasts at a glance: 🥩 Central: Duke of Cambridge, Angel 😇 North: The Angel, Highgate ⛪ South: Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead 🌈 East: The Nelson’s, Hackney 🍻 West: The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill Sunday lunch. There’s nothing quite like it. An elemental meal, one that Londoners take incredibly seriously. Debates about what constitutes the ‘perfect’ Sunday roast have been known to last for hours. There is no shortage of top roasts in London. We’ve rounded up the city’s best Sunday meals from a host of pubs, restaurants and breweries all around town. What makes a good roast? For us, it’s simple; a welcoming room is a good start, maybe in a pub with an open fire. Then it comes to the plate – we need perfect roast potatoes, well-cooked lamb, beef or pork and a decent plant-based option too. A Sunday roast is more than just lunch - it’s self-care. From snug neighbourhood staples to more bij

There’s nowt wrong with a pork scratching or bag of Scampi Fries to accompany your hand-cranked pint of amber ale, but we are ever grateful for the invention of the gastropub. London boozer The Eagle, which opened in Farringdon in 1991, is widely regarded as the first one. Its chalkboard full of dishes with ‘big flavours and rough edges’ brought proper butcher’s sausages with lentils, generously portioned pasta dishes with fennel and lemon and lovingly crafted steak sandwiches to the polished pedestal table. It changed the pub food game in the ’90s and the dining world has never looked back. Outside of London, one of the best ways to enjoy a gastropub is to arrive several hours before your booking and take yourself off on a hike to work up an appetite. That first sip of a pint when your chosen trail guides you right back to the pub’s door tastes even sweeter when your cheeks are ruddy and your glutes are burning. When it comes to the main event, dishes can be hearty classics or surprising takes, like when a ‘pickled onion’ accompaniment comes as a swoosh of gel on your plate. Ingredients must be as local as possible, seasonal, obviously, and there has to be a decent wine list as well as a cracking pint. Oh, and you should absolutely never be at risk of going home hungry.  There’s a separate list for you if you’re looking for London’s best gastropubs. But here are 15 of the best gastropubs across the rest of the UK right now. Tuck in.  Kelly Bishop is a food writer based in M

Cato is a tale of two bars. You’ll arrive at what they’re calling The House of Julep, a lively, chatter-filled space on the ground floor with dark wood, garnet-painted walls, and the pleasant rattle of cocktail shakers. Here, the vibe is relaxed, jovial, and on a Thursday evening it feels like the merry hum of a pub has been transplanted into the swankier body of a sultry bar.  In the basement, you leave the hubbub behind to find a much more intimate space, draped in scarlet velvet. This is Cato, a name inspired by freedman and pioneer of American cocktail culture Cato Alexander. Classic disco plays as we snack on pretzels, olives, and airy focaccia while browsing the menu, which is organised by colour. Inspired by the colour-coded brain phenomenon of synesthesia, it includes 14 different cocktails which contain ingredients sourced exclusively from UK suppliers. The standouts? If you fancy something ‘Brown’, then Chestnut + Brown Butter is an exquisite, earthy, very savoury combination of aged rum, Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask, brown butter, caramelised chicken broth ‘brown’ rum, and chestnut praline. The most impressive was undoubtedly Wasabi + Mustard Greens, where ginger and honey shrub, foraged mustard greens and mustard leaf tincture mixed with gin and English wasabi distillate make for a refreshing, slightly fiery zinger of a cocktail. Order this Don’t sleep on The House of Julep’s menu. Go for The Oyster House Martini – it’s a pellucid blend of Ford’s London Dry

If you’re after a refined and polished bar perfect for quiet conversation, Homeboy is not the place. What it is good for, however, is expertly-executed cocktails served in what feels more like a raucous Irish pub. Enter and you’ll be enveloped into a snug, pleasingly low-lit space and affably greeted like a regular, even if you’ve never been here before. It’s a welcome tonic to the monosyllabic, named-after-a-generic-white-bloke bars which have proliferated London of late: there’s ample room on plump Chesterfield banquettes and lots of dark wood. On Thursdays and Sundays your evening will be soundtracked not by vinyl, but by a live Irish band.  There are TVs which, when we visited, were blaring the Six Nations, and once the music actually gets going, this place gets properly noisy. However, the seamlessness of the table service and the lively atmosphere proves that this place is a well-oiled hospitality machine – as do the drinks. Homeboy Bar’s menu features a signature collection of cocktails which have been steadfast inclusions since it opened, but there’s also a list of drinks inspired by Irish idols. The Punk Poet is one of these: it blends Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon with orange zest-infused oil, dark chocolate liqueur and demerara sugar, and it’s moreish, sour and sharp. The emphasis is very much on mixing a bit of Irishness into classic cocktail recipes, and dirty martini drinkers will also enjoy an Irish Sea.  Oh, and arrive hungry. This place doesn’t just knock it out of

Pass under the quintessential New York black awning, rotate through the revolving door and Sofitel New York greets you with a lengthy, imposing, Art Deco-esque lair of a lobby. It’s a lowly illuminated but pleasingly warm welcome from New York’s crispy late-fall streets, and while confusingly you’ll need to walk all the way towards the glitzy statement staircase at the far end to reach the actual reception, there are plenty of staff floating around to assist you.  This hotel is Sofitel’s new North American flagship property, which, after a substantial facelift, is a Midtown base that brims with potential. Despite a slightly bizarre entrance and shortcomings in the food offering, the hotel’s impressive location, immaculately designed beds and assured luxury service are where it gleams. Here’s what we thought of Sofitel New York.  Why stay at Sofitel New York? You probably haven’t traveled all the way to New York for a glimpse at the French way of life, but Sofitel is keen to deliver at least a flavor of it anyway. With the brand’s renewed emphasis on eating, drinking and sleeping well (which they refer to as the ‘French zest’), Sofitel New York has emerged from its site-wide renovation, striving and mostly succeeding to deliver on all those with polish.  The number one reason you should stay at this hotel is because of its prime—and we mean prime—location. Beyond having the Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Central Park, Broadway and Times Square all with

Head along to University of East London’s Docklands campus after dark and you'll find this spectacular free festival brightening up the skies. This year, the theme is the four elements, which means there'll be tons to see inspired by the wonders of wind, earth, fire and water. Its eclectic line-up includes glowing hula hooping, fire acrobatics, a giant roaming octopus and dragon, and illuminated performers walking high above the crowds. There'll also be refreshments from local street food stalls throughout the evening. Book your free place to be part of the fun. 

Lisbon strikes an unmatched balance of spontaneous small town energy while ticking all the criteria a great city should – stellar restaurants and bars, cool museums, top-tier places to go shopping and plethora of unique and interesting neighbourhoods to explore. It’s that balance which is also somehow executed by ME Lisbon, a large luxury stay in Marquês do Pombal which, despite its glassy exterior, intimidatingly polished lobby and sheer size, is an unabashedly friendly and thoughtfully designed hotel that I would definitely return to.  Why stay at ME Lisbon? While this hotel is big, corporate, and ultra luxurious, the warmth of the service, the excellent restaurant and the tasteful design mean it still feels quintessentially Lisbon. Sure, it’s a far cry from the whimsical little boutique hotels you’ll find in Alfama or the city centre, but ME Lisbon, armed not only with a friendly team, good food and a marvellous scent (literally everything smells good – even the air in the lifts) but also a downright beautiful spa and rooftop pool mean you can properly kick back here.  What are the rooms like at ME Lisbon? There are 213 rooms at ME Lisbon, with a whopping 12 different types to choose from – we stayed in an expansive Beyond ME+ Suite Street View which overlooked Avenue António Augusto de Aguiar and bragged a walk-in dressing area with shedloads of storage, a bar and mini fridge, living space and Smart TV, plus a bedroom area and a vast and luxurious en suite.  The entire sp

It’s been four years since Mozart’s revered comedy was performed on a London stage, but the English National Opera’s upcoming production of Così fan tutte has had some whimsy injected thanks to a collaboration with Improbable, an improv-based theatre company. The opera follows the outcome the cynical placing of a bet by two soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, that if tested their fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, would have affairs, and soprano Lucy Crowe OBE and mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven are starring as the two sisters.  With Olivier Award-winner Phelim McDermott at the helm and Critics’ Circle Young Talent Award winner Dinis Sousa conducting, this co-production (in partnership with New York’s Metropolitan Opera), written originally at the height of Mozart’s career in the 1790s, has now been transformed by set (by Tom Pye) and costume design (by Laura Hopkins) to unfurl on 1950s Coney Island.

Montreal is a cool city – and I don’t just mean literally. From its dazzling fine art museum whose architectural engineering is just as outstanding as its collections, to its hearty, diverse food, stylish bars, top-tier shopping and an actual underground network of streets (yes, really), it’s somewhere I recommend you move to the top of your bucket list for 2026. And when you do pay a visit, the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is ready and waiting to greet you. Just like the city, this hotel has an effortless, stylish je ne sais quoi about it, largely thanks to the conclusion of a recent site-wide refurbishment. The result? A comfortable and exceptionally well-run hotel, perched on one of the coolest streets in the world. Why stay at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile? The Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is, simply, an expertly run hotel. The service is attentive but not overbearing, the rooms and suites are spacious with considerate details, and you’re in a handy Downtown location, just minutes from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Mount Royal.  On top of all that, the hotel has impressive environmental credentials – it was awarded 5 Green Keys in early 2025, the highest possible certification from eco-label programme Green Key Global, plus a local Montreal sustainability award – thanks to details such as its policy on using no paper or plastic bottles. It’s also platinum certified by SHe Travel Club, a certification platform for women travellers. What are the rooms like at Sofitel

Through the MacSmiths Repair Shop on Hackney Road is where you’ll find this cave-like, perfect-for-the-winter cocktail bar. We arrived drenched from the rain into the pleasantly toasty, warmly but lowly-lit space which sits at the bottom of a small staircase, and the vibe feels most like the den of a whacky old professor – think kooky portraits, cluttered old computer monitors and even something called a poem-o-graph. This is the place to come if you’re trying to ‘get into’ whisky. As of 2025, the bar is run by the same team behind the nearby Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society, and not only does it have 24 different kinds on an evolving roster (when a bottle runs out, a new whisky replaces it), but they also have Whisky Wednesdays for tastings and specially curated cocktail menu. It’s no surprise they refer to themselves as a ‘whisky bunker’. For a crash course on whisky without committing to a full drink, there were three flight options on the menu: the ‘world wonderer’, the ‘smoke stack’ and the brilliant dessert trolley, which included notes of tropical vanilla, honeycomb and banana bread – it’s definitely one for those of us with a sweet tooth. Service is suitably laid-back, and if you’re overwhelmed by the lengthy list of options, you won’t feel too intimidated to seek out some recommendations from the bar staff about the drinks or well-paired snacks. Order this If, like me, you’re a fan of cocktails that’ll make your face scrunch up, order the Pickleback Sour.

St Martin's Voices and St Martin's Brass will this year be bringing us some stunningly festive performances of glorious music, carol singing and festive readings. Conducted by Andrew Earis, expect to hear beloved classic songs such as ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘O Holy Night’ plus the audience carols of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. Set against the beautiful backdrop of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, these concerts promise to be a magical start to Christmas. 

What’s the vibe?  This space is one of Brighton’s most refined restaurants. It sits on Upper Market Street unbeknownst to the majority of passers-by, which gives it an exclusive, elevated vibe. The restaurant is tastefully and simply furnished with lots of pale wood and natural light giving it a beachhouse feel, and that is reflected in the menu.  What should I order?  The menu here changes regularly, but there’ll be a three-course set lunch menu for £35 per person or a decadent six-course option at dinner time which costs £85 per person. Each will include simple but super elegant seafood dishes, and the restaurant’s signature dish, the egg and soldiers, will (hopefully) be available at dinner time.

What’s the vibe?  In a nutshell, the vibe here is casual, speedy and really, really tasty. It’s unlikely you’ll wait long for your food to arrive, nor will you be at the table for much more than an hour, but we guarantee every second will be worth it. Why? Well, Bincho’s isn’t just a favourite of Brighton’s locals, but also of its chefs. What should I order? The chef here describes himself as an Izayaka fanatic, and after spending three years in Japan finessing the cooking techniques, you can bet that this is the most authentic take on southeast Asian cuisine that Brighton has to offer. There aren’t any duds on this menu – the only mistake would be not arriving ravenous.  

You might expect a Grade I National Trust property to be a bit of a stuffy and impersonal place to stay for a weekend, but Bodysgallen Hall, a lovingly restored manor house on Pydew Mountain in north Wales, is quite the opposite.  The hotel provided us tired, post-hike guests with a stay so comforting that, despite its looming size, felt more like we were at the home of an impossibly wealthy relative than a high-end hotel. Swathed by crackling fires, good, tasty food and amiable staff, this place is primed for a properly restful weekend.  Why stay at Bodysgallen Hall?  If you don’t just want a break from your day-to-day life but some proper respite from the 21st century, this is the place to stay. Bodysgallen Hall’s Main House feels a bit imposing as you approach it, but there’s something undeniably old-timey and welcoming about the place once you’ve stepped inside.  It brags all the traditional quirks that a proper country estate should, with comically low ground-floor ceilings, dark wood-panelled walls, heartily-stoked fires and marshmallow-like armchairs throughout the reception area and jumbled hallways, and much of it was built around 600 years ago. Though modern elements (speedy wifi and high-pressure showers) have seeped through, a weekend here still feels like you’ve dipped back into a different era.  What are the rooms like at Bodysgallen Hall? The Main House bedrooms could well remind you of a grandparent’s house, and I mean that as a compliment. The furnishings are

Tenerife, the largest, busiest and arguably the best of the glorious Canary Islands, has long been a go-to year-round destination, known for its rugged peaks, gold and black beaches, and impressive restaurant scene.  In 2025, 16.3 million people paid the island a visit, and revenue from tourism increased by 3.9 percent on the previous year at an estimated €23.2 billion – that’s according to the Institute of Statistics.  However, the island’s reputation has come under fire recently, due to the condition of its coasts and water management systems. In January, the European Union Court of Justice berated Spanish authorities for ‘uncontrolled urban wastewater discharges’, according to Travel Tomorrow.  Spanish environmental NGO Ecologists in Action handed Playa Jardín (on the north coast) and Puertito de Adeje (on Tenerife’s southwest coast) two ‘Black Flags’ and no – it’s got nothing to do with the island’s volcanic sand.  Recommended: The most underrated places to visit in Europe in 2026 according to Time Out.  Photograph: Shutterstock The former was closed between 2024 and mid-2025 due to inadequate infrastructure, water pollution and an E coli contamination, while the latter was condemned for poor management in light of new luxury developments and an ecologically questionable underwater garden project.  There are serious concerns that the water and beach conditions could harm tourism to Tenerife, an industry that supports a quarter of the island’s jobs.  So, what’s the plan?

On April 16, all the winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced at a glitzy ceremony in London, but there’s no harm in taking a sneak peek at those in contention for a prize, is there?  After the shortlist of images from the Student and Youth categories were unveiled in January, the awards body has now released all the entries from the professional competition competing for the grand prizes – including the coveted title of Photographer of the Year – and we’ve combed through to find our favourite travel snaps. Scroll on to have a look.  Photograph: © Vanta Coda III, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards Photograph: © Megumi Murakami, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards Photograph: © Robby Ogilvie, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards Photograph: © Rob Van Thienen, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards Photograph: © Siavosh Ejlali, Iran, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards Photograph: Marcus Westberg / Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Photograph: Michael Blann / Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Oh, and if you’re keen to get a closer look at the winners, they’ll all be on display at the exhibition in London’s Somerset House, from April 17 to May 4 2026.  ICYMI: Why is Rome chopping down its iconic pine trees? Plus: Berlin just opened a museum dedicated to Ukraine in a former bunker.  Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.

Cities are nothing if not creative. Across Europe, you’ll see disused buildings reborn as cultural spaces, landmarks taken over by art installations and urban parks transformed into summer festivals.  The annual Creative Tourism Awards exist to celebrate the ingenuity of our cities, and this year, a Slavic city has taken the crown as the ‘best creative city destination’ for 2026. Organised by the non-profit Creative Tourism Network, 223 candidates from 28 different countries were judged by an international jury, and the Slovenian capital Ljubljana was crowned champion.  The city was handed the accolade for ‘integrating creativity into its identity, tourism strategy, and long-term urban development’, as well as for its programme of creative events and its work with local creators, according to euronews.  Ljubljana has a handful of cultural quarters – head to Soteska in the summer months for the Open Resilience Festival or Šiška for a mooch in some sweet little galleries, museums and local ateliers.  A couple of our favourites? The Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova is housed inside former military barracks and has a collection of art from the 1960s up to the present day, while the House of Illusions is a fun, family-friendly attraction full of holograms, exhibitions and of course, optical illusions.  There’s also the LUV Festival, a brilliant programme of opera performances, dance, workshops, as well as more exhibitions and concerts. Plenty going on, right? Recommended: The

Time Out dropped our annual round-up of the 26 most exciting things to do on the planet a few months back, featuring activities, experiences, exhibitions and everything in between from Brazil to Iceland, Canada to Thailand. But, if you’re looking for even more travel inspiration, TIME has just unveiled its 2026 edition of the World’s Greatest Places, nominated by contributors from across the publication’s international network. The result is a 100-strong collection – 50 places to stay and 50 places to visit – of shiny new museums, off-grid farm stays, new nature reserves, and underwater sculpture parks, so let’s dive in.  After a decade of delays, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo was finally completed in October 2025. Time Out’s head of content for North America Will Gleason visited just before opening weekend.  ‘The mummified reptile in front of me is one of 15,000 fascinating cultural artefacts that have been on display over the last year during GEM’s soft opening,’ writes Will,  ‘Visitors will also be able to experience the institution’s main attraction: the Tutankhamun galleries, containing 5,000 objects discovered in the famous pharaoh’s tomb in 1922, including his iconic gold funerary mask.’ Photograph: Will Gleason for Time Out Over on the other side of the world, Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Australia earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2025 and is home to a fascinating collection of Indigenous rock carvings, some of which date back up to 50,000 years (older

With news of the world’s longest coastal path opening in the UK and Mallorca’s new hiking route launching in January, it’s looking to be a very good year for outdoorsy types in Europe. Joining the growing list of new trails, routes and green spaces is a brand-new nature park in Croatia. It’s around an hour’s drive from Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, and will be called the Zagorje Mountains Nature Park. It’s Croatia’s 13th protected green space and the first since Dinara Nature Park was established back in 2021. Oh, and it looks absolutely idyllic.  Recommended: These are the best national parks in the world, according to Time Out.  Photograph: Croatia National Tourism Board The site sprawls a vast 30,000-hectare patch, with 150km of stunning trails for cyclists and hikers, which journey through oak forests and connect historic mountain routes with little villages and scenic viewpoints. From Mount Ivanščica, the region’s highest peak, you can take in glorious views over northern Croatia and even towards neighbouring Slovenia.  The designation will not only help safeguard the environment, ecosystems and heritage of the region, but also means important conservation funding will now be accessible. ‘Croatia is known for its coastline and islands, but this new nature park highlights the extraordinary landscapes of our inland regions,’ says director of Croatian national tourist office in the UK Bisera Fabrio. ‘The Zagorje Mountains offer a different perspective of Croatia – one of for

Have you had your inner ‘Freak on a Leash’? Do you feel yourself ‘Coming Undone’? Well, we’ve got some great news for you – Korn are going on tour.  That’s right – the nu-metal legends, formed in Bakersfield back in 1993, have just announced a 19-date tour of the UK and Europe, which kicks off in mid-October in Stuttgart and concludes late-November in Milan, with stops in Paris, Manchester, Amsterdam and Berlin, plus loads more, in between. They’ll be supported by Architects, Youth Code and Pixel Grip, so here is absolutely everything you need to know about the presale, dates, and ticket prices. Read on, and stay heavy.   Recommended: The 8 best concerts worth travelling for in 2026.  When are Korn going on their European tour in 2026? Below is a full list of all the Europe dates, including Korn’s stops in the UK: Oct 18 - Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart Oct 19 - Olympiahalle, Munich Oct 21 - Lanxess Arena, Cologne Oct 23 - Accor Arena, Paris Oct 26 - First Direct Arena, Leeds Oct 28 - Utilita Arena Birmingham, Birmingham Oct 30 - Utilita Arena Newcastle, Newcastle Oct 31 - AO Arena, Manchester Nov 2 - 3Arena, Dublin Nov 4 - The O2, London Nov 8 - Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam Nov 9 - AFAS Dome, Antwerp Nov 11 - Barclays Arena, Hamburg Nov 13 - ZAG Arena, Hanover Nov 14 - Uber Arena, Berlin Nov 16 - O2 Arena Prague, Prague Nov 17 - Tauron Arena, Krakow Nov 19 - Wiener Stadhalle, Vienna Nov 21 - Unipol Forum, Milan If you’re heading to the UK shows, check out our guide. Ima

Most major European cities have a showstopping cathedral – London’s St Paul’s, Paris’s Notre-Dame, Milan’s Duomo – but Cologne’s is by far its most-visited attraction, with around six million people flocking there each year.  Kölner Dom – which took more than 600 years to build, beginning in 1248 and wrapping up in 1880 – towers above the German city’s main railway station. The building acquired Unesco World Heritage status in 1996, and until now has been free to enter. But, thanks to inflation, rising personnel costs and a depletion of funding reserves, Cathedral officials have opted to implement a fee. So, what do we actually know about the fee? Well, according to German news agency dpa, 99 percent of visitors to the cathedral are tourists, and they’re the ones who will be subject to the entry fee – worshippers and members of the Central Cathedral Building Association will be exempt.  We know that the plan is to implement the fee in the second half of this year, and while we actually don’t know how much it will be, it will likely fall between €12-15 (which is £10-13), according to the Guardian.  The Independent has also reported that fees to visit the treasury, climb the towers and attend concerts might also be hiked, though accessing votive candles and silent prayer in designated areas will remain free.  ‘It may seem to some like an infringement on cherished traditions. But it is essential if we want to continue the care, protection, and ongoing operation of the Cathedral

Nobody knows a city better than the people who experience it day-in, day-out, and that’s why, for the last 10 years, Time Out has been asking urbanites from all over the planet about life where they live.  Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel, for this anniversary edition, surveyed 24,000 people on everything from the food and nightlife to the walkability and general happiness in their city, and applied insight from over 100 Time Out city experts to produce this year’s 50-strong ranking.  Melbourne claimed the top spot, but 19 European, 12 Asian, and four African cities all feature in the list, as do six different South American hubs. The first of these is the brilliant, coruscating Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which sits in twelfth position on our worldwide list.  Photograph: rocharibeiro / Shutterstock Our research found that ‘beautiful’ and ‘lively’ were the most common terms used by locals to describe Rio, and an impressive 79 percent of them said they felt it fostered a sense of community.  What’s so special about visiting the city this year? According to Time Out Rio de Janeiro editor Lívia Breves, Rio’s crowning jewel is its nightlife, with parties, festivals and gigs often unfolding along its streets and beaches like the famous Copacabana.  ‘Rio’s festival scene is going from strength to strength. Rock in Rio returns in September with Elton John, Jamiroquai and Demi Lovato.’ writes Lívia. ‘In May, Copacabana hosts another free mega-show – after Madonna a

You’ll know by now that Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel has unveiled its 50-strong ranking of the world’s most brilliant hubs for 2026. Based on 24,000 responses from local urbanites, and insight from more than 100 Time Out city experts, this year’s Best Cities have been ranked based on everything from their culture and nightlife to their affordability and walkability, with Melbourne claiming the number one spot.  Nineteen cities in Europe were included, too, as were 12 different metropolises across Asia. And in Africa, four cities from all corners of the continent claimed a spot in our 2026 ranking, the first of those being Cape Town, which sits at number six.  Photograph: Shutterstock Time Out Cape Town’s city editor Selene Brophy writes: ‘Cape Town wows you from the minute you land at its award-winning airport. This city has it all: pristine beaches, character-filled neighbourhoods and genuinely friendly locals, from the city centre flower sellers and the fishermen hauling in the daily catch in Kalk Bay to the creative excellence of its hospitality entrepreneurs.’ According to our research, Cape Town ranked as this year’s most beautiful city, with 86 percent of locals describing it as such (a higher proportion than any other place on our list). Paired with the same approval rating for the city’s green spaces and nature, it’s no surprise 85 percent of people have a positive perception of their quality of life.  Photograph: Shutterstock Marrakech claimed 24th

Don’t Cha just love when a legendary noughties girl band regroups for an anniversary tour? In 2024 we were blessed with a reprise of Girls Aloud, but 2026 marks the return of the The Pussycat Dolls, whose PDC Forever Tour kicks off in June but will be darting to 53 different cities across the US, UK, and Europe. Three of the (most iconic) original six members – Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, and Kimberly Wyatt – are reuniting, and the announcement was paired with the release of a brand-new single, ‘Club Song’. Below is all the information you need on tickets, dates, prices and presales.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE PUSSYCAT DOLLS (@pussycatdolls) Recommended: The 8 best concerts worth travelling for in 2026.  When are The Pussycat Dolls going on their European tour in 2026? Below is a full list of all the PCD Forever tour dates across Europe and the UK: Sep 9 - Royal Arena, Copenhagen Sep 10 - Oslo Spektrum, Oslo Sep 13 - Rockhal, Luxembourg City Sep 14 - Olympiahalle, Munich Sep 16 - COS Torwar, Warsaw Sep 18 - AFAS Dome, Antwerp Sep 19 - Accor Arena, Paris Sep 21 - Hallenstadion, Zurich Sep 23 - O2 Arena, Prague Sep 26 - PSD Bank Dome, Düsseldorf Sep 27 - Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam Sep 29 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham Sep 30 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham Oct 2 - First Direct Arena, Leeds Oct 3 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Oct 5 - 3Arena, Dublin Oct 7 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow Oct 9 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle Oct 10 - Co-op Live, Manche

There are many things we can rely on in our favourite cities. Those landmark restaurants that have stood the test of time, or a nightlife scene which continues to thrive despite a major shift in our habits. However, just like we do, cities live, breathe and adapt – and that’s why we annually refresh our ranking of the planet’s top metropolises.  This year, Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel awarded the number one spot to Melbourne. The ranking was created thanks to our massive annual survey, which this year more than 24,000 people took part in, as well as the insights of more than 100 Time Out city experts.  An Asian hub claimed place number two, ranking ahead of London, Paris, New York and Tokyo. The city in question? It was Shanghai – so let’s take a look at the data.  According to the locals we spoke to, the city received the highest overall score for affordability, with 88 agreeing it’s cheap to dine out and 90 percent saying the same about buying coffee or going to the cinema. Oh, and 78 percent of people agree that it’s cycling-friendly, too.  Photograph: Shutterstock So, why should you visit Shanghai in 2026? Well, according to Sammi Sowerby, Time Out’s English editor in Shanghai, ‘Chances are high that you – yes, you – no longer need a visa to visit Shanghai, or China at large.’ ‘Citizens of more than 50 countries can now enter visa-free for short stays, and the list keeps getting longer; Canada and the UK were officially approved on February 15. China is h

In some parts of the world, March 17 is just another day, but to anybody with Irish heritage, a penchant for the colour green, or who’s a regular splitter of the G, it’s one of the merriest days of the year – St Patrick’s Day.  Thanks to the Emerald Isle’s expansive diaspora, Paddy’s Day is now celebrated all over the planet. There’s everything from free Céilís and enormous parades to river-dyeing sessions and potato-flinging contests. We’ve compiled a handful of the biggest and best taking place in 2026, so grab your Guinness and have a scroll.  Recommended: These are the best hotels in Ireland, according to Time Out The world’s best St Patrick’s Day celebrations   1. Dublin Best for: Paddy’s Day purists There’s only one way to start this list, and it’s with the Irish capital’s monumental, four-day celebration of St Patrick’s Day, which this year takes place from March 14-17. Half a million people will line Dublin’s streets to watch colourful floats meander from Parnell Square to the junction of Kevin Street and Cuffe Street, but that’s far from all that’s lined up to mark the occasion. Think free traditional Irish Céilís, harbour walks on the Dublin Coastal Trail, all-ages treasure hunts and plenty of gigs, poetry readings and comedy sets, too. Great craic, right? 2. Montserrat  Best for: a history lesson  The Caribbean is home to its own Emerald Isle in the form of Montserrat, and March 17 is a massive celebration here. Not just for the sake of St Paddy, but to commemorate