World’s Best Places to Visit in 2027

The best places to visit in 2027 aren’t only the famous names. They are the places where something happens that year and nowhere else: a six-minute total solar eclipse over the temples of Luxor, a Rugby World Cup across Australia, a flower expo that Japan hasn’t staged at this level in 37 years, and two small European cities taking their turn as Capitals of Culture.

This guide sorts the year’s strongest destinations the way you actually plan a trip. First by region, then by travel style, interest and budget. The final sections cover how to choose between them and how to book without overpaying.

Travelling from France? Also see our shortlist of the best countries to visit from France, with flight times, budgets and entry rules for each.

Quick picks for 2027:

 

• • Once in a lifetime: Luxor, Egypt, for the 2 August total solar eclipse

• • Europes surprise: Évora and the Alentejo, Portugal (Européen Capital of Culture)

• • Asia: Yokohama and wider Japan, for GREEN×EXPO 2027 (19 March 26 Septembre)

• • America: Brazil for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Lima for the Pan American Games

• • Oceania: Australia for the Men’s Rugby World Cup (1 October 13 November)

Best Places to Visit in 2027 by Region

Every region below has at least one reason to go specifically in 2027: a major event, a cultural title, or a natural moment you can’t repeat next year.

Europe

The best places to visit in 2027 aren’t only the famous names. They are the places where something happens that year and nowhere else: a six-minute total solar eclipse over the temples of Luxor, a Rugby World Cup across Australia, a flower expo that Japan hasn’t staged at this level in 37 years, and two small European cities taking their turn as Capitals of Culture.

This guide sorts the year’s strongest destinations the way you actually plan a trip. First by region, then by travel style, interest and budget. The final sections cover how to choose between them and how to book without overpaying.

Quick picks for 2027:

 

• • Once in a lifetime: Luxor, Egypt, for the 2 August total solar eclipse

• • Europes surprise: Évora and the Alentejo, Portugal (Européen Capital of Culture)

• • Asia: Yokohama and wider Japan, for GREEN×EXPO 2027 (19 March 26 Septembre)

• • America: Brazil for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Lima for the Pan American Games

• • Oceania: Australia for the Men’s Rugby World Cup (1 October 13 November)

Best Places to Visit in 2027 by Region

Every region below has at least one reason to go specifically in 2027: a major event, a cultural title, or a natural moment you can’t repeat next year.

1. Europe

Évora and the Alentejo, Portugal. Évora shares the European Capital of Culture title for 2027 with Liepāja in Latvia. Its programme is built around vagar, the Alentejo idea of slow living. Expect Roman ruins, whitewashed lanes, cork forests and some of Portugal’s best-value wine country, about 140 km east of Lisbon.

Andalusia, Spain. On 2 August 2027, the path of the total solar eclipse crosses southern Spain. Tarifa gets the longest totality in the country, at roughly 4 minutes 39 seconds. Pair the eclipse with Cádiz, the sherry bodegas of Jerez, or Granada’s Alhambra.

Edinburgh and Scotland. The Tour de France starts in Scotland for the first time, with the Grand Départ in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027. The first stage runs south to Carlisle. Come for the race, then stay for the Highlands.

Southwest Ireland. Adare Manor in County Limerick hosts the centenary Ryder Cup, with matches on 17 19 September 2027. Even without a ticket, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Dingle Peninsula make it a strong autumn trip.

2. Asia

Yokohama and Japan. GREEN×EXPO 2027 runs from 19 March to 26 September in Yokohama. It is the first top-tier (A1) international horticultural expo Japan has hosted since 1990. Entry is by timed reservation, so book your date and shuttle once you’ve bought a ticket. Combine it with Tokyo, Kyoto and a quieter city like Kanazawa.

Central Vietnam. Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue give you an old town, beaches and imperial history within a few hours of each other. Costs stay low, and February to May is the driest window.

Uzbekistan. Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are the Silk Road at its most photogenic. It’s still far less crowded than comparable heritage stops in Europe or the Middle East.

3. The Americas

Brazil. Brazil hosts the FIFA Women’s World Cup from 24 June to 25 July 2027, the first ever held in South America. Matches are spread across eight cities, with the final at the Maracanã in Rio. June and July are also Brazil’s mild, dry season.

Lima and Peru. Lima hosts the Pan American Games from 23 July to 8 August 2027. The city is already one of the world’s great food capitals. Add Cusco and Machu Picchu, which are in their dry season at the same time.

Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is the pick for travellers who care more about food, markets and craft than resorts. Visit in late October and early November for Día de Muertos.

4. Africa

Luxor, Egypt. This is the headline destination of 2027. On 2 August, Luxor gets about 6 minutes 20 seconds of totality, with near-guaranteed clear skies. It’s one of the longest total eclipses of the century over a major tourist site. Expect extreme heat and very high demand, so book early.

Northern Morocco. Tangier and Tetouan also sit in the eclipse path, with close to five minutes of totality and milder temperatures than Egypt. Chefchaouen’s blue medina is a short drive away.

South Africa. South Africa co-hosts the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia from 4 October to 21 November 2027. Spring is also a great time for Cape Town, the Winelands and a safari.

5. Oceania

Australia. The Men’s Rugby World Cup runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027. It is the first edition with 24 teams, across seven host cities from Perth to Sydney. Match days make the best excuse in years for a long east-to-west trip.

New Zealand. New Zealand is best in its summer, December to March. Go for the Queenstown and Fiordland region, and the Great Walks if you book huts well ahead.

Best Places to Visit in 2027 for Every Type of Traveller

The right destination depends less on the “best” list and more on who is travelling. Here is where each type of trip works best in 2027.

For Couples

 

• • Évora and the Alentejo: Wine estates, quiet hilltop villages and the slow-living theme of its Capital of Culture year make it a natural fit for couples.

• • Kyoto and Kanazawa, Japan: Stay in a traditional ryokan, walk the gardens early, and pair it with the spring expo in Yokohama.

• • Andalusia, Spain: White villages, sherry tastings and long dinners. You can add the eclipse on 2 August for a story you’ll tell for years.

For Families

 

• • Japan: It’s safe, spotless and easy with kids. Trains run on time, and GREEN×EXPO gives you a full day of gardens and pavilions.

• • Queensland, Australia: Beaches, reef trips and wildlife parks are all within a short drive of Brisbane.

• • The Algarve, Portugal: You get short flights from most of Europe, calm coves and family-run restaurants.

For Adventure

 

• • Patagonia (Chile and Argentina): Torres del Paine and El Chaltén offer world-class trekking. The season runs November to March.

• • Namibia: Go self-drive through dunes, desert and Etosha’s waterholes. It’s one of Africa’s easiest road trips.

• • New Zealand’s South Island: Hike the Great Walks, go kayaking in Fiordland, or try the adrenaline sports around Queenstown.

For Beaches and Relaxation

 

• • Southern Sri Lanka: The coast from Galle to Mirissa is at its best between December and April. Good value, too.

• • Central Vietnam: Da Nang and An Bang beach pair well with Hoi An’s lantern lit old town.

• • Zanzibar, Tanzania: Turquoise water, Stone Town’s history, and a simple add-on to a Tanzanian safari.

Culture, Food and History: Where to Go in 2027

If you travel to learn, eat or understand a place, these destinations pay back the most time.

History and Landmarks

 

• • Egypt: Luxor’s temples and the Valley of the Kings, plus the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. If August heat is too much, go between October and March instead.

• • Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Peru: The Inca heartland is best in the dry season, May to September, which lines up with the Pan American Games in Lima.

• • Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbekistan: Tiled madrasas, caravanserais and 2,000 years of Silk Road trade.

• • Évora, Portugal: A Roman temple, a working aqueduct and a UNESCO listed old town, with a full cultural programme on top in 2027.

Food and Wine

 

• • Lima, Peru: Ceviche, Nikkei cooking and some of the world’s most celebrated tasting menus, often at lower prices than in Europe.

• • Oaxaca, Mexico: Mole, mezcal and market food that is the whole point of the trip.

• • The Alentejo, Portugal: Clay pot (talha) wines, black pork and country cooking at very fair prices.

• • The Cape Winelands, South Africa: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine estates, one hour from Cape Town, with excellent value for the quality.

Local Culture

 

• • Liepāja, Latvia: Europe’s other 2027 Capital of Culture. This Baltic seaside city has a strong music identity and a wild coastline.

• • Kyoto, Japan: Tea houses, craft workshops and neighbourhood festivals. Go beyond the headline temples.

• • Georgia (the country): Supra feasts, polyphonic singing and an 8,000-year winemaking tradition, at modest prices.

Best Places to Visit in 2027 on Different Budgets

Big-event years push prices up in host cities. The smartest budget move is often to go somewhere just outside the spotlight.

On a Budget

Destination	Why it’s good value	Best months
Vietnam	Cheap street food, trains and guesthouses	Feb – May
Albania	Mediterranean beaches at a fraction of Greek prices	May – Jun, Sep
Georgia	Great food and wine, mountains, low costs	May – Oct
Mexico (Oaxaca, Yucatán)	Rich culture with flexible costs	Nov – Apr
Sri Lanka	Beaches, tea country and wildlife on one ticket	Dec – Apr
Morocco	Short flights from Europe, riads for less	Mar – May, Sep – Nov

For Luxury Travel

 

• • Southwest Ireland: Castle hotels and links golf. Adare Manor itself hosts the Ryder Cup in September.

• • Japan: Top-end ryokan with private onsen, kaiseki dinners and first-class rail between cities.

• • Botswana: Fly in safari camps in the Okavango Delta. It’s low volume and high cost by design.

• • The Maldives: Overwater villas and reef diving. Aim for January to April for the calmest seas.

How to Choose the Best Places to Visit in 2027

Start with when you can travel, then how you like to travel. The destination usually picks itself.

By Season

When you travel	Where to go in 2027
January – March	Sri Lanka, southern Vietnam, Patagonia, New Zealand, Egypt (mild temperatures)
April – May	Japan (spring and GREEN×EXPO), Andalusia, Morocco, central Vietnam
June – August	Brazil (Women’s World Cup), Scotland (Tour de France start), Peru, Spain, Morocco or Egypt for the 2 August eclipse
September – November	Ireland (Ryder Cup), Australia (Rugby World Cup), South Africa (Cricket World Cup), Oaxaca
December	New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives

By Travel Style

 

• • Event chaser: Build the trip around one fixed date: the eclipse, a final, or a Grand Départ. Book those nights first, then add the rest.

• • Slow traveller: Pick one region and stay put. The Alentejo, Georgia and Oaxaca all reward two weeks in one base.

• • First-timer abroad: Choose easy logistics: Japan, Portugal, Australia or New Zealand.

• • Crowd-avoider: Go to the host country’s neighbours during big events. That means Namibia instead of Cape Town in October, or Liepāja instead of the big capitals.

For Short Trips

For a long weekend or a four- to five-day trip, stay within about four hours’ flight:

 

• • From Europe: Évora (via Lisbon), Edinburgh, Tangier, Andalusia

• • From North America: Oaxaca, Mexico City, the Caribbean

• • From Asia and Australia: Vietnam, Japan and New Zealand, depending on your departure city

Planning Your Trip to the Best Places to Visit in 2027

The biggest planning mistake in an event year is booking late. Here’s how to get the timing, length and paperwork right.

When to Book Your 2027 Trip

 

• • Book now (12+ months out): Luxor and the eclipse path in Spain and Morocco, Rugby World Cup host cities, and Adare Manor-area hotels for Ryder Cup week. These sell out, and prices climb as the date approaches.

• • Book 6–9 months out: Brazil during the Women’s World Cup, Edinburgh for the Tour de France start, and Japan in cherry-blossom season.

• • Book 2–4 months out: Most other international trips outside peak holidays. Set fare alerts rather than waiting for a last-minute deal.

• • Always: Choose free-cancellation rates on hotels, so you can lock in a room now and rebook if prices drop.

How Long to Stay

Trip type	Recommended length
City break (Évora, Edinburgh, Lima)	3–4 days
One country, several regions (Japan, Morocco, Vietnam)	10–14 days
Event trip (World Cup, Rugby World Cup)	Match days + 4–5 days around them
Eclipse trip (Egypt, Spain, Morocco)	5–7 days, with 2 buffer days before 2 August
Long-haul (Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia)	At least 14 days

Essential Travel Tips for 2027

 

• • Europe’s new border checks: The EU’s Entry/Exit System has been fully running at Schengen border since April 2026. Non EU Visitor registre fingerprints and a photo on the first entry, so allow extra time at passport control.

• • ETIAS isn’t live yet: The EU’s €20 travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors is still not operating, and its start date has slipped more than once. Check the official EU travel site before you fly, and never pay a third-party site to apply early.

• • Eclipse safety: Use only certified solar eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2). The only time you can look without them is during totality itself.

• • Heat planning: Luxor in August regularly passes 40°C. Plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning and pick a hotel with a pool.

• • Travel insurance: Buy it as soon as you book, not the week before. That way cancellation cover protects the non-refundable event tickets and flights.

Your 2027 Starting Point

If you only make one big trip in 2027, make it one you couldn’t take any other year. That could be the eclipse in Luxor or Andalusia, a match in Australia or Brazil, or Évora in its Capital of Culture year. Pick your date, book the hard-to-get nights first, and build the rest of the trip around them.

Next step: Open our full guide to the destination you’ve shortlisted for itineraries, where to stay and what it really costs. [CTA: link to your destination guides / newsletter signup]

FAQ: Best Places to Visit in 2027

Where is the best place to see the 2027 solar eclipse? Luxor, Egypt. It has about 6 minutes 20 seconds of totality on 2 August 2027 and the most reliable clear skies anywhere on the path. For a cooler, shorter trip, Tarifa in Spain and Tangier in Morocco both get more than four and a half minutes.

What are the biggest travel events in 2027? The total solar eclipse on 2 August, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil (24 June – 25 July), the Pan American Games in Lima (23 July – 8 August), the Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia (1 October – 13 November) and GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama (19 March – 26 September).

Which European cities are Capitals of Culture in 2027? Évora in Portugal and Liepāja in Latvia. Both run year-long programmes of festivals, exhibitions and performances.

Do I need ETIAS to visit Europe in 2027? Not yet. ETIAS has not launched and has no confirmed start date. When it does, there will be a transition period before it becomes mandatory. Check the official EU travel site before booking.