Here at Travel Off Path, we're obsessed with finding the next big thing, but we also know there's immense value in knowing which popular destinations are actually living up to the hype. While we love an underrated gem, sometimes the most-loved places are popular for a very good reason: they deliver an incredible travel experience, time and time again.
That's why the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards are such a big deal. This isn't a list compiled by a handful of editors; it's the result of thousands of real, passionate travelers voting for the countries that impressed them the most over the last year. It’s the ultimate guide to what's truly delivering for travelers right now.
The results for 2026 are in, and they paint a fascinating picture of global travel. While Europe continues to be a powerhouse, the list is packed with diverse destinations from Asia, the Americas, and Africa, proving that travelers are seeking amazing experiences all over the globe. But with 20 incredible countries topping the list, how do you decide where to go first? To help, we've created a brand-new quiz to find your perfect match.
The 20 Most-Loved Countries According to Travelers
This list is a fantastic starting point for your 2026 travel planning. From perennial favorites to countries that have been rapidly climbing the ranks, these are the destinations that earned the highest marks from your fellow travelers.
- Japan
- Greece
- Portugal
- Italy
- Spain
- Türkiye
- Ireland
- Croatia
- France
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Mexico
- Germany
- India
- Thailand
- Morocco
- Austria
- Dominica
- Bhutan
- South Africa
From Alpine Peaks to Asian Metropolises: How to Choose?
Looking at that list, the diversity is staggering. The perfect trip for one person is a world away from another's. The list includes everything from the epic mountain scenery of Switzerland and Canada to the sun-drenched beaches of Greece and Thailand. It features foodie hotspots like Japan, a country that has become one of the trendiest destinations for Americans, and cultural powerhouses like Italy and India.
Your perfect match depends entirely on your travel style. Are you looking for a fast-paced, energetic trip to a bustling city, or a leisurely exploration of charming towns and cozy cafes? Is your vacation centered around an outdoor adventure in the mountains, or is it all about relaxing on a beach with a good book?
For some, the timeless appeal of a classic European trip to France or Spain is the goal. For others, the vibrant culture and incredible value of a trip to Mexico is the smarter choice. This list truly has something for everyone, which is exactly why choosing can be so difficult.
Find Your Perfect Match From The World's Hottest List
To help you pinpoint your ideal trip from these 20 traveler-approved destinations, we created our new quiz. It's designed to cut through the confusion and match your personal travel priorities with the country that's right for you. In just a few quick questions, you'll tell us:
- Which region of the world is calling your name?
- What the main focus of your trip is (Food & Culture, Nature & Scenery, History & Landmarks, or just Sun & Relaxation?).
- What your ideal travel pace is (Energetic, Leisurely, Adventurous, or Total Beach Time?).
Based on your answers, the quiz will give you a personalized recommendation, helping you kickstart your planning for an amazing trip to a destination that you know already has the stamp of approval from thousands of travelers just like you.
Ready to find out which of the world's hottest countries you should visit first? Take our new quiz below!
Which region is calling your name?
What's the main focus of your trip?
What's your ideal travel pace?
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James
Friday 31st of October 2025
Where is Korea? I think you missed that one lol
Benjamin Jean-Louis
Thursday 30th of October 2025
I,being from Mauritius, we experience lots of tourists. What I'm not surprised about is that we're not top 20 because the dominant tourist nationalities are our foreign residencies, France and South Africa. It's a nice place, unfortunately too expensive for Americans because we're in the middle of the world, in the Indian Ocean. The dominant area is the North and the beaches like Blue Bay, Mont Choisy and Flic-En-Flac. The spots I recommend as attractions to understand Mauritian life are the town of Curepipe, Vacoas–Phoenix and BBRH. A commercial center, I say Tribeca.
mc
Thursday 30th of October 2025
@Benjamin Jean-Louis, Bonjour. I'm not sure if total tourists visited Mauritius not more than 1.5 million last year is worth any shout-out at all though. I've just googled and I'm quite flabbergasted by the underwhelming figure I received, which Is insignificant.
Don't get me wrong, Mauritius I believe is stunning it's one Of the places I would love to visit. Then, with less than 1.5 million tourists the whole year, I'm not sure how u got the impression that u guys are having so many tourists around, maybe being a small island with that handful of places where the most people are, u would get that impression.
FYI, Malaysia received 38.1 million tourists last year, we might break 40 million this year, and we should be mentioned instead of those listed which are overrated.