Beach, city or adventure? Discover our top holiday destination picks.
Florida, Egypt and Tenerife are some of the best holiday destinations to travel to this year. Majorca and Croatia are part of the same club, too. We’ve got all the info on the top destinations for 2026, to help you make this year’s getaway your best one yet. Before you start digging out your passport and packing your bags, have a read of our round-up to find the spot that’s right for you.
Once you’ve decided where you want to go, start browsing our deals.
America’s Sunshine State has its fingers in a lot of pies. There’s Orlando, where you’ll find the iconic theme parks of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. There’s Miami, where mile after mile of white-sand waterfront is asking to be lounged on. And, there’s the Everglades – one of the country’s biggest wetlands – where airboat tours alongside alligators top the to-do list. Even so, there’s another part of Florida that’s stepped into the spotlight recently, the Space Coast. This region on the state’s eastern shorefront is home to the Kennedy Space Center, the hub of America’s space programme for over 70 years. Snap pictures of the rockets on display here, before heading to one of the area’s A-grade belts of sand – Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach – for a bit of R&R.
A firm favourite in the summer holiday scene for decades, Turkey has no intentions of slowing down this year. It’s home to plenty of top towns, all of which offer up beaches well worth a spot on a postcard, Ottoman-Empire-era ancient ruins and bustling market towns. Antalya, in particular, deserves some time in the limelight. You’ll find this city in the southwest region of Turkey, known as the Turkish Riviera, where you have over 400 miles of sand to stretch out on. The city’s also a good introduction to Turkey’s modern and antique sides. The waterfront’s loaded with trendy bars, while the old town is where you'll find Antalya’s busy bazaars.
Majorca’s the biggest of the Balearic Islands, and it packs in everything from a coastal capital and family-friendly beaches to peaceful countryside towns and trendy tapas bars. Plus, it only takes around two hours to fly there from the UK, making it a great pick if you need some sunshine but want to skip the long-haul flight. Most of the action here’s focused around the capital, Palma, where you can explore an 800-year-old cathedral, head into the countryside on a traditional wooden train, and kick back in a sea-view cocktail bar. If laidback sandy swathes are more your style, plant yourself in places like Cala d’Or or Cala Bona on the island’s east coast – they're both top picks for beach breaks.
This peaceful Greek island has all the essentials for an R&R-filled holiday this year. It’s one of the biggest islands floating in the Mediterranean Sea, with over 650 miles of top-class waterfront for you to pick from. The area around Chania – on the island’s northwest coast – is especially known for its Blue Flag beaches. It’s the place to uncover Crete’s ancient history, thanks to its old town. You can step inside a waterfront fortress that’s now used as a maritime museum, explore a Turkish-style mosque and admire preserved Venetian houses.
Sharm El Sheikh – or Sharm as it’s called by the locals – is nestled near the bottom of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, right by the Red Sea. This lively holiday hotspot serves as a gateway to the country’s natural side. The waters around Sharm are teeming with coral reefs, and there are heaps of watersports centres dotted along the coast where you can book a guided boat trip to explore the big blue. Point your eyes inland, meanwhile, and you’ll find sand dunes that roll on for miles – perfect for quad-biking adventures and 4x4 safaris. If you’d prefer to stay in town and splash some cash, there are plenty of boutiques and bazaars for you to browse, too.
Croatia has only really been a holiday destination for international travellers since the 1990s, but this Balkan beauty is a feast for the eyes, with wild and unspoilt beaches, energetic cities and scenic national parks all ripe for exploring. Sharing a coast with the Adriatic Sea, its Dalmatian Coast stretches for 4,000 kilometres across its mainland and archipelago of around 78 islands. Feeling intrepid? Take an island-hopping adventure, making tracks on show-stopping islands like Brač, Hvar and Lopud. And if you’re into historical cities with a giant helping of Insta-worthy panoramas, Dubrovnik – AKA The Pearl of the Adriatic – is just the ticket. This fortress city of Games of Thrones fame has it all – from walkable city walls and cobbled alleyways filled with cute shops to a pretty harbour where you can watch the world go by. Pula’s another top pick for a Croatian getaway this year – it’s the meeting point of the country’s old and new sides, from Roman ruins to trendy bars you’ve probably seen on TikTok.
Fancy a city break instead? You’re in for a treat when you visit the Eternal City. The Italian capital has long been a city-tripper’s favourite, thanks to its pristine historical sites, world-famous art and architecture. The whole city centre’s got a UNESCO tick to its name, and history buffs young and old will be in awe of its landmarks like the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought for their lives. Rome’s a top pick for foodies, so take your pick from casual trattorias serving fresh pizza to high-end steakhouses and lively cocktail bars. Or, push the boat out with a trip to a Michelin-starred place – over 20 spots around the city have bagged these iconic awards. If shopping is your bag, you’ll find both high-end boutiques along the chic Via Condotti – think Prada and Gucci – and high-street favourites along the Via del Corso. Bargain hunters are in for a treat, too, at the Porta Portese Market, the biggest market in Rome. Oh, and did we mention the gelato? It’s out of this world.
Mainland Spain has been a go-to for a sunny escape since the 1950s. The Costa del Sol is one of the standout spots along the south coast, and with a name that translates as ‘Sunshine Coast’, it’s easy to see why. This region basks in more than 320 days of sunshine per year, so it’s a perfect pick for an escape at any time of year. Wondering where to stay? Torremolinos is one of the region’s biggest names, all thanks to a 10-kilometre stretch of sand and British-style pubs that provide a taste of back home – Sunday roast in the sunshine, anyone? Further along the coast, Marbella steps things up a little, with a swanky marina lined with wine bars and restaurants with fancy seafood dishes on the menu.
Hoping to tick off Thailand this year? Make Phuket your base and you’ll have easy access to some of the country’s best bits. Day trips to its most iconic islands, Phi Phi, are easy work from here – you’re only an hour’s boat ride away. On Phi Phi Don, you can go on a snorkelling adventure at Shark’s Point. Or, head to Phi Phi Leh to see the iconic Maya Bay from the film The Beach. We’ve got hotels all around the island, so you’re sorted whether you want a taste of tradition in Kamala Beach or a party holiday in Patong Beach. If you’re looking to make tracks around more of Thailand, our Multi-Destination holidays are just the ticket. You can pair a stay in Phuket with a stay in another part of the country, including Krabi and Khao Lak. The best bit is, you can forget connecting flights when you fly with TUI Airways. We fly direct to Phuket a couple of times a week from London Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport in the winter months, AKA the best time to travel to Thailand. Winner, winner.
Our final entry takes us to the biggest Canary Island of the bunch, Tenerife. Head to the island’s south coast for golden beaches, British-style bars and plenty of sunshine. Playa de las Americas is the liveliest spot of the bunch, and it’s sandwiched by more laidback towns on either side. Los Cristianos lines up plenty of seaside restaurants, while Costa Adeje is famous for seafront cocktail bars. If you fancy seeing a different side of the Canaries, head north to Puerto de la Cruz. This side of the island sees a little more rainfall, so it’s a lot lusher than the volcanic landscapes in view at the other end of it. You’ll get a real taste for Tenerife here –think family-run restaurants and tapas bars set along cobblestone streets. Don’t miss out on Canarian potatoes – the islands’ signature dish comes with a delicious chilli garlic sauce that will have you searching for the recipe to make back home.
Ready to hit a destination from this year’s hotlist?
Browse all our deals and get your next break in the bag.
Or for more inspo, have a read of the Best All Inclusive hotels in Europe, or check out our pick of the best swim-up rooms. If you’re set on a summer getaway, take a look at our best summer holiday destinations in Europe.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Karl Taylor
Last updated: 18.12.2025
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