As we start to wind down towards the end of the year, you probably have next year’s travel plans on your mind. So, right on cue, National Geographic has just unveiled its annual ‘Best of the World’ roundup for 2026. The travel mag’s explorers, photographers and editors have travelled to all corners of the globe and chosen 25 spots that they reckon are most worth visiting over the next 12 months. This year, it features the Dolomites, Dominica, Rio de Janeiro, and... one surprising English city.
Hull was named one of National Geographic’s best places in the world to visit in 2026. Yes, Kingston upon Hull. The Yorkshire port city gets a lot of bad rap, but Nat Geo’s experts say its has a ‘laid-back charm [that’s] hard to resist’.
The publication spotlighted Hull for the network of new or revamped sites opening next year that’ll bring 800 years of maritime history to life. A whopping £39.8m has been spent on the regeneration project, which has included upgrades to the museums, docks, preserved shops and public spaces in the city.
The best things to do in Hull, England
One of the most exciting things happening in Hull next year will be the reopening of Hull Maritime Museum. Following a huge six-year-long refurbishment, the museum, which sits in a regal Grade II-listed old docks office, will reopen in the summer, with thousands of artefacts re-hung, a series of new immersive exhibitions and access to one of its domes for the very first time.
Just as exciting is the restoration of the 1960s fishing trawler Arctic Corsair, Hull’s answer to Cutty Sark. It’s expected to sail into a permanent berth on Hull docks next spring and open to visitors shortly after. Spurn Lightship, which spent decades guiding ships through the treacherous Humber estuary will also be ready for visitors next spring following restoration.
Once you’ve covered those, you still won’t struggle for things to do. You can walk along Hull’s new heritage trail, which snakes through ‘the three key areas of Princes Dock Street, Humber Street and High Street; lively strips now full of restaurants, terrace bars, small galleries, and independent boutiques’.
With the rest of your day, you could visit the sea turtles, nurse sharks and sting rays at The Deep aquarium (pictured above) or peruse the art at Ferens Gallery. And in the evening, see a show at spectacular performance amphitheater Stage@TheDock, or stop by ramshackle music venue The New Adelphi Club, which has previously hosted the likes of Radiohead, Pulp, Primal Scream and Oasis
Find all of National Geographic’s picks of the top places to visit in 2026 here.
See all of Time Out’s favourite things to do in Hull here.
Plus: National Geographic has named 3 British hotels the best in the world right now.
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