- National Geographic revealed its Best of the World 2027 list of 25 destinations.
- Destinations span six continents including Vestland, Penang and Luxor.
- Luxor will host a total solar eclipse in 2027.
- Jaipur celebrates its 300th anniversary and literature festival.
- Normandy marks millennium celebrations of William the Conqueror.
National Geographic has revealed its Best of the World 2027 list highlighting 25 global travel destinations chosen for cultural, natural and infrastructural milestones. The selection spans six continents ranging from Vestland in Norway to Luxor in Egypt. The list includes destinations such as Penang in Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland and Niigata in Japan.
The list features Chengdu in China, the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Jaipur in India, Grenada, Salvador in Brazil, Cape Froward in Chile, Santander in Spain and Normandy in France. Other destinations include Southern Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas, Halifax in Nova Scotia, the Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia, Melbourne in Australia, Leipzig in Germany, Baltimore in Maryland, Malawi, Maya Ka’an in Mexico, Tricity in Poland and Kuélap in Peru.
Each destination was selected for significant milestones occurring throughout 2027. Luxor will host a rare total solar eclipse. Jaipur celebrates its 300th anniversary and the world’s largest literature festival. Normandy marks millennium celebrations of William the Conqueror. Leipzig celebrates 800 years of musical heritage.
- 1. Vestland, Norway: Epic fjords, glaciers, and wilderness adventures centred on Bergen’s historic waterfront and Michelin-starred Nordic cuisine.
- 2. Penang, Malaysia: UNESCO-listed George Town heritage, rainforest trails, and living Peranakan culture spanning island and mainland.
- 3. Luxor, Egypt: Ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings under a rare total solar eclipse, plus a reopened historic hotel and new luxury train.
- 4. Madison, Wisconsin: Lakefront trails, farmers’ markets, and bike-friendly urban parks in a compact Midwestern capital.
- 5. Puerto Rico: Afro-Caribbean traditions, Taíno heritage sites, and vibrant festivals from Loíza to Old San Juan.
- 6. Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland: Dark-sky stargazing, quiet coastal paths, and literary sites linked to Robert Burns in the Lowlands.
- 7. Niigata, Japan: Outdoor art installations across rural villages and a deep fermentation food culture of sake, miso, and foraged ingredients.
- 8. Chengdu, China: Bronze Age Shu kingdom treasures, panda encounters, and the bold flavours of Sichuan hot pot and street food.
- 9. Pacific Coast Highway, California: Scenic coastal road trip linking artists’ colonies, murals, and creative communities from Laguna Beach to Mendocino.
- 10. Jaipur, India: 300th-anniversary celebrations, the world’s largest literature festival, and Rajasthan’s forts, palaces, and craft markets.
- 11. Grenada: Spice-island carnival marking 150 years, volcanic mud soaks, and turtle-nesting beaches.
- 12. Salvador, Brazil: Afro-Brazilian Carnival and Festa de Iemanjá coinciding in one of the world’s great African-diaspora celebrations.
- 13. Cape Froward, Chile: Brand-new national park at the southern tip of mainland South America with wild hiking and kayaking.
- 14. Santander, Spain: New outposts of major Spanish art museums alongside Cantabrian beaches and seafood.
- 15. Normandy, France: Millennium celebrations of William the Conqueror amid Impressionist landscapes, Mont-Saint-Michel, and D-Day sites.
- 16. Southern Ozarks, Missouri and Arkansas
- Mountain-biking parks, American art museums, and free-roaming bison and elk in the heartland hills.
- 17. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Indigenous Mi’kmaw cultural centre, African-Canadian heritage, and immigration stories at the historic pier.
- 18. The Transcaucasian Trail, Armenia: Long-distance hiking through volcanic peaks, monasteries, and remote villages with improved trails and homestays.
- 19. Melbourne, Australia: Diverse food scene, new urban green spaces, and access to coastal trails and the Great Ocean Road.
- 20. Leipzig, Germany: 800 years of musical heritage celebrated with Bach, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn festivals in a fast-growing city.
- 21. Baltimore, Maryland: Bicentennial of American railroading at an expanded museum, plus revitalised markets and waterfront trails.
- 22. Malawi: Quiet big-five safaris, Lake Malawi beaches, and hikes on Mount Mulanje without the crowds.
- 23. Maya Ka’an, Mexico: Community-led Maya experiences, biosphere reserves, and cenotes away from mass Riviera Maya tourism.
- 24. Tricity, Poland: Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia’s maritime history, modernist architecture, and revived Baltic coastal cuisine.
- 25. Kuélap, Chachapoyas, Peru. Cloud-forest citadel of the Chachapoya “warriors of the clouds” with new trails and archaeological exhibits.
