destinations

Looking to discover new horizons in 2027? National Geographic magazine has unveiled its pick of 25 destinations to visit next year, highlighting lesser-known places, cultural events, and remarkable historical sites. From Normandy to the mountains of Peru, along Australian shores and Egyptian temples, travel ideas abound. Several destinations will benefit from new openings and exceptional celebrations designed to attract visitors.

In Europe, France and Spain Bet on Their Heritage

Normandy represents France in this selection of destinations to discover in 2027. It’s worth noting that the region will be particularly celebrated in 2027, with a year of festivities dedicated to the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror, born in 1027. Named “Millennium 2027, European Year of the Normans”, this event foresees more than a thousand cultural happenings, including concerts, medieval banquets, and street performances. The celebrations will begin in February in Caen, with a sound-and-light show at the Abbey of the Ladies, before continuing notably at Falaise Castle, where a contemporary work imagining the crowning of William the Conqueror, absent from the famous Bayeux Tapestry, will be presented. In June, a flotilla capable of bringing together up to 40 ships inspired by the Viking era will also sail along the Normandy coast. It is a chance to rediscover this region with cliffs, lush green pastures, and coastal villages that have inspired impressionist painters.

In Germany, Leipzig is preparing to celebrate the bicentennial of Ludwig van Beethoven’s death, which occurred in 1827. A festival dedicated to the composer is planned to honor this anniversary in 2027. The city thus stands out among the destinations to favor for travelers who want to pair their stay with a major musical event.

Spain will also be in the spotlight, with Santander on the northern coast of the country. The port city is expanding its cultural offering with the recent opening of the Faro Santander cultural space in the former headquarters of the Banco Santander. This venue hosts notably an exhibition of the bank’s art collection, assembled for more than 160 years, featuring works by masters such as Titian, Velázquez, and Goya. In 2027, an extension of the Museo Reina Sofía of Madrid is expected to open its doors there as well. This institution holds a collection of 138,000 paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts. Moreover, Santander plans to relocate its Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory to a new building designed by the Barcelona-based architects Mendoza Partida, at an announced cost of 56 million dollars.

Other European destinations complete the list, including Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, the Vestland region in Norway, and the Polish Tri-City, which comprises Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. The Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia also features in the rankings.

From Peru to Egypt, journeys paced by history and major events

Outside Europe, several destinations stand out for exceptional events. In Egypt, Luxor will be particularly sought after on August 2, 2027, during a total solar eclipse whose totality phase is expected to last long in this region. The city also houses a remarkable concentration of ancient Egyptian relics. The historic Winter Palace hotel, where Howard Carter announced in 1922 the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, is slated to reopen in July under the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace brand. A luxury overnight train, the Guardian of the Nile, will also connect Cairo to Aswan, with a stop in Luxor.

In South America, the Kuélap fortress in Peru offers an alternative to the country’s most visited sites. Built around 500 CE by the Chachapoya people, it sits in the northern part of the country. A new trail planned for June 2027 will make portions of the Malcapampa ruins accessible, previously difficult to reach. Visitors will be able to observe archaeologists at work and continue their exploration toward humanoid-shaped sarcophagi installed along cliff faces.

Adventure enthusiasts can also turn to California and its Pacific Coast Highway. The Big Sur stretch, closed for three years, has reopened, allowing travelers to once again experience one of the United States’ most iconic coastal routes. National Geographic’s editor-in-chief, Nathan Lump, calls it “probably the most iconic road trip you can take in America, aside from Route 66.”

In the Caribbean, Grenada will celebrate in 2027 the 150th anniversary of Spicemas, its annual August carnival. Parades, music, and street parties animate this event on the island, famous for its nutmeg and cloves. Puerto Rico is also included in the selection, particularly for its cultural heritage blending African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences, which visitors can explore along the Taíno Road.

Finally, the selection extends to Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with Chengdu in China, Niigata in Japan, Jaipur in India, Malawi, Melbourne in Australia, and Penang in Malaysia. Chile, Mexico, and Brazil complete this list of 25 destinations, inviting travelers to plan trips around cultural discoveries, historic sites, and events that do not present themselves every year.