County Galway’s Killary Fjord is feayrued in Lonely Planet’s latest “Best in Travel 2027” list of 50 destinations, released on September 22, 2026.
The list highlights 50 standout global destinations and experiences, split evenly into 25 must-visit destinations and 25 must-do experiences, focusing on uncrowded charm, sustainability, and slower, more meaningful travel.
Killary Fjord is singled out as a “criminally undersung” natural wonder, Ireland’s stunning glacial fjord made the global spotlight for its breathtaking scenery and tranquil escape.
Other highlights include yhe Tweed (Australia), named as a top destination, this uncrowded region nestled between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay stands out for its paddock-to-plate dining, hinterland rail trails, and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, and Rose Island Lighthouse (Newport, Rhode Island, USA): Highlighted as a unique stay where travelers can volunteer as a lighthouse keeper, trading hotel luxury for solitude and coastal chores.
The broader 50-item list spans international gems ranging from Okinawa (Japan) and Oman to Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico), Taiwan’s culinary trails, and wildlife tracking in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park. The two separate lists are in alphabetical order by country:
Places;
- Bariloche and the lakes, Argentina
- The Tweed, Australia
- Québec, Canada
- Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Chengdu, China
- Šibenik, Croatia
- Dessau, Germany
- Gujarat, India
- Veneto, Italy
- Okinawa, Japan
- Tsavo East and West National Parks, Kenya
- Fulidhoo, Maldives
- Montserrat, Montserrat
- Rabat, Morocco
- New Caledonia, New Caledonia
- Dunedin and the Waitaki, New Zealand
- Granada, Nicaragua
- Oman, Oman
- Bocas del Toro, Panama
- León, Spain
- Swedish Riviera (Skanör-Falsterbo), Sweden
- California’s Coastal Redwoods, USA
- Maryland, USA
- New Mexico, USA
- Danang, Vietnam
Experiences
- Dance sultry tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Take a polar plunge, Antarctica
- Immerse yourself in art in the Red Centre, Australia
- Marvel at Monteverde’s cloud forest, Costa Rica
- Go on a Galápagos expedition cruise, Ecuador
- Road-trip through history on the Route Napoléon, France
- Embark on ocean adventures, French Polynesia
- Dive into an unexpected underwater world, Greece
- Ride the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
- Be wowed by wonderful Killary Fjord, Co Galway, Ireland
- Sail the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy
- Trek the Michinoku Coastal Trail, Japan
- Admire Astana’s architecture, Kazakhstan
- Glide on a longboat to orangutan territory, Malaysia
- Enjoy wine and fine-dining in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
- Experience Faʻa Sāmoa, Samoa
- Explore Africa’s unsung island paradise, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Follow a Foodie Trail, Taiwan
- Take a safari trek in Gombe National Park, Tanzania
- Visit Abu Dhabi’s museums, United Arab Emirates
- Walk St Cuthbert’s Way to Lindisfarne, United Kingdom
- Become a temporary keeper at Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island, USA
- Flightsee in the “last frontier,” Alaska, USA
- Hotel-hop South Beach, Miami, USA
- Savour the Slow Road, Minnesota, USA
