Lonely Planet has just unveiled its 2027 Best in Travel list – and 10 places and experiences in Europe made the cut.
Released annually ahead of the holiday booking season, the list has been curated by the guide book publisher’s community of travel experts based around the globe.
The list is split into two: 25 best places to visit, and 25 best experiences to book.
Places that made the cut this year range from Dunedin and the Waitaki, one of the “coolest and quirkiest” parts of New Zealand, to Fulidhoo in the Maldives, an affordable alternative to the standard resort islands.
On the experience front, Lonely Planet recommends wining and dining in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, before it hits the mainstream, and riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India.
For something a little closer to home, here’s everywhere in Europe that made the cut for 2027.
Lonely Planet’s best places in Europe for 2027
When it comes to the Veneto region of Italy, Venice dominates the conversation as people descend on the canal-crossed city for romantic breaks.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list instead encourages tourists to explore the wider region, from the Dolomites and Lake Garda to other cities like Verona and Padua.
Another option in Southern Europe is Šibenik in Croatia, one of the country’s oldest cities, which Lonely Planet says boasts “impressive architecture, gastronomic delights and a colourful calendar of festivals throughout the year”.
Much like Venice, Spain has generated plenty of headlines this year in regards to overtourism.
That doesn’t mean you can’t visit the country responsibly, though – you just need to pick a destination that actually wants more tourism.
Like León in northern Spain, a medieval city on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago that draws in tourists looking to see its gorgeous Gothic architecture, and Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Botines.
Much has been said about the growing popularity of coolcations, and the coolest for 2027 is Skanör-Falsterbo, the twin towns found in Sweden’s Skåne province.
Known as the Swedish Riviera, visitors can slow down and soak in the coastal scenery and explore the area’s nature reserves.
Finally, Lonely Planet has also put the spotlight on Dessau in Germany, a city “synonymous with the Bauhaus movement” that packs a big cultural punch despite its small size.
The best experiences in Europe to book next year
For walkers, St Cuthbert’s Way from the Scottish Borders to Northumberland – a 100-kilometre historic pilgrimage – is an absolute must next year.
“Britain is blessed with so many breathtaking landscapes, stunning coastlines and remarkable history and heritage that it is fitting that a trail, which effortlessly combines all three, has received such a glowing endorsement by global travel experts,” Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain / VisitEngland, said.
“With more than one in three international visitors enjoying countryside walks during trips to the North East, and as VisitEngland launches its major domestic coastal campaign, we can’t wait to welcome more people to explore St Cuthbert’s Way and the great tourism businesses along its route.”
If you’re more into road trips than long walks, another of the recommended experiences for 2027 is a trip along Route Napoléon in France.
Next year the route, which passes through spots like Grasse, Castellane and Sisteron, will celebrate its 95th anniversary.
If you’d rather take to the water, Lonely Planet suggests sailing the Aeolian Islands of Italy, “where rugged coastlines, crystal-clear waters and the authentic Italian lifestyle is waiting”.
Alternatively, you can dive into Greece’s Aegean Sea to discover centuries of maritime history.
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way takes in 2,600 kilometres of road, but for a shorter escape that’s “a strong contender for the most breathtaking place in the country”, Lonely Planet says you should be headed to Killary Fjord in Co Galway.