Brussels, the capital of European diplomacy, topped the list.
Although 2025 is not yet over, many tourists are already making plans for the next year. To make it easier for travelers to choose, many influential portals offer various top destinations.
Now it’s the turn of a major luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, whose experts have identified the best places in Europe to visit in 2026.
“We asked our experts from all over the world to name places that are currently on the rise – places that have come to their attention due to the opening of many hotels, important cultural events, conversations about new air routes or coordinated efforts to preserve nature,” said author Olivia Morelli.
The capital of Belgium and all of European diplomacy, Brussels, topped the list.
“This often-ignored European capital is experiencing a cultural moment that marks a transition from a bureaucratic center to a creative center. The opening of the Kanal-Centre Pompidou in November 2026 will transform a long-abandoned factory into a hub for contemporary art. This is one of the most anticipated openings in Europe, featuring extensive exhibition spaces curated in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, as well as a dynamic program of live performances, music, films, workshops, a library, and, on the fifth floor, a restaurant overlooking the vast exhibition hall, topped by a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city. The cultural revival of Brussels is evident everywhere, from the renovated facades of the Place de l’Elysée to the Dome project, the restoration of the first Belgian department store in a modern style,” said Adriana Falisova, a writer from Brussels.
The 10 Best Places to Visit in Europe in 2026
- Brussels, Belgium: Creative Inspiration and Cultural Revival.
- Crete, Greece: an authentic lifestyle and a center of European gastronomy in 2026.
- Frankfurt am Main, Germany: World Design Capital 2026 and new hotels.
- Islay, Scotland: Whiskey.
- Milan, Italy: winter wonders.
- Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France: eco-friendly train travel and breathtaking views of the Upper Savoie.
- Seville, Spain: new restaurants and the opening of luxury hotels.
- Oulu, Finland: Arctic culture, art routes, and year-round cultural programs.
- Peloponnese, Greece: filming locations, Homer’s history, and hiking trails.
- Upper Krajna (Gorenjska), Slovenia: Fairy-tale villages and breathtaking lakes.
