National Geographic Names 25 Global Destinations for 2027, Highlighting New Openings and Anniversaries

Key points

• The list includes 25 destinations, with Madison, Wisconsin, recognized for its bike-friendly infrastructure, local food scene, and lakefront trails.
• Luxor, Egypt, is highlighted for the total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, and the reopening of the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace.
• Penang, Malaysia, features a new cable car to Penang Hill and restored heritage shophouses in George Town.
• Grenada marks the 150th anniversary of its Spicemas carnival, while Jaipur, India, celebrates its 300th anniversary.
• The Pacific Coast Highway in California is fully open again after a three-year closure due to mudslides.

Background

This release follows the 2026 publication of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list, which also emphasized less crowded European and global experiences. National Geographic’s list is shaped by its global community of writers and explorers, focusing on new itineraries and cultural revivals.

How outlets are covering it

National Geographic emphasizes new developments and anniversaries, such as the reopening of the Pacific Coast Highway and the 150th anniversary of Grenada’s carnival. CNN highlights the list’s timeliness, noting new openings like Cape Froward National Park in Chile and improved accessibility in Mexico’s Maya Ka’an. WKOW focuses on the local impact for Madison, Wisconsin, noting that Destination Madison’s CEO credited years of relationship-building with travel writers for the city’s inclusion. All sources agree on the 25 destinations but differ in emphasis: National Geographic provides detailed descriptions of each location, CNN offers editor-in-chief Nathan Lump’s personal favorites, and WKOW highlights local business pride in Madison.

Why it matters

The list provides travelers with curated options for 2027, highlighting destinations with new attractions, cultural events, and improved infrastructure. It also reflects the growing importance of cultural heritage and sustainability in travel planning.

What to watch

Travelers can plan trips to the 25 destinations, with specific events like the solar eclipse in Luxor and the Spicemas carnival in Grenada. New infrastructure, such as the cable car in Penang and the sleeper train in Egypt, will enhance the travel experience.