7 Wonders of Europe You Should Visit in 2026, According to Our UK Editors

"From sprawling coastlines to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and sumptuous fantasy lands. Europe has never been short on spectacle. Yet beyond the headline cities and endlessly recycled itineraries lies a quieter, deeper continent; one that's best encountered through patience and a willingness to detour from the obvious itinerary. Our 7 wonders of Europe for 2026 in Europe are not places that beg for attention. Instead they reward those prepared to explore more than a few miles from the nearest airport and linger a little longer than planned. Some are entering new cultural chapters; others are simply being seen afresh after years of flying under the radar. Together they form a reminder that Europe's most enduring pleasures often reveal themselves softly."

"2026 marks 75 years since the very first package holiday jetted off from London to this quiet corner of Corsica. The firm, Horizon Holidays, conducted a "guinea pig" run in 1950, taking a group of teachers to the island on a charter flight. The following year was the first time the general public had the chance to do the same. Yet Calvi never really took off as a package holiday destination. Perhaps it was because of the mountainous geography that looms up behind Calvi, which restricted endless hotel development? Or maybe it was because the powers that be, both in Paris and the Corsican capital Ajaccio, simply never wanted a Spanish-style resort to take hold? Whatever the case may be, three-quarters of a century on from that maiden trip, Calvi remains a quiet, sunny town."

Europe contains many quieter, lesser-known places that reward travelers willing to detour from headline cities and linger longer. The 2026 selection highlights coastal, natural and cultural sites that require patience and curiosity to appreciate. Several locations are entering new cultural chapters while others are being newly rediscovered after years of obscurity. The rewards are subtle: slow exploration, local festivals, historic hilltop towns, protected biospheres and seaside communities. Calvi, Corsica exemplifies this approach, having avoided mass tourism, preserving medieval lanes, possible Columbus connections, a Napoleon hideout, a mid-June jazz festival and ongoing appeal to yacht visitors.

Read at Conde Nast Traveler