January can be a bit depressing. Between the bad weather, the dark, and the fact that no one has any money after Christmas, you’re probably in need of a bit of a pick me up, which makes it the perfect time to start browsing holiday options.
To help you plan your travels, TripAdvisor has just revealed the ‘Best of the Best’ winners for its 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards. There are several categories, but one of the most exciting is the ‘Trending Destinations’, designed to recognise the spots that the ratings website reckons are about to have a big year.
RECOMMENDED: The best travel destinations for 2026, according to Time Out editors
The awards are based on data from 2025, looking at both the ‘quality and quantity of reviews’ that a given place received in the past 12 months.
After crunching the numbers, the tiny Atlantic island of Madeira was named the Top Trending Destination in the world. The Portuguese archipelago is sometimes referred to as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ thanks to its dramatic volcanic landscapes, stunning blue oceans, and abundance of sandy beaches.
According to TripAdvisor, Madeira’s biggest draws are its ‘beautiful architecture and mild weather year-round’, although the winters could be a little rainier than you would get in Hawaii. If you’re planning a trip, we’ve got a guide on the best times to visit that you can read here.
While there are flights from major cities like London, Paris, and Lisbon, it’s not the most accessible island. For that reason, it’s not as busy as the Canary Islands and other popular tourist spots. It’s known for excellent hiking and stays pretty relaxed for most of the year.
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, was the second top trending spot in the world, offering visitors something ‘straight from the pages of a Gothic fairytale’, according to TripAdvisor. Chicago came third, thanks to its accessible transport, vibrant cultural life, and excellent food – you’ve not had real deep-dish pizza until you’ve visited its hometown.
The top trending travel destinations in the world
Here are TripAdvisor’s top travel recommendations for 2026, according to thousands of reviews on the site.
- Madeira, Portugal
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Chicago, US
- Quy Nhon, Vietnam
- Puerto Escondido, Mexico
- Milan, Italy
- Glasgow, UK
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Recife, Brazil
- San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
Revealed: The best cheap city break in Europe, where pints are €2 and Airbnbs are less than €50 a night.
Plus: This is the surprising European city named the best ‘noctourism’ destination for 2026.
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