Lonely Planet just named its best places to visit in 2027. These 10 caught my attention

The annual selection includes 50 destinations and experiences, with recommendations for what to do when you get there.

Planning next year’s travel is the fun part, at least before you start checking flight prices. Lonely Planet has just added 50 suggestions to consider with the release of its annual Best in Travel list for 2027.

The destinations and experiences were selected through recommendations from its global contributor network and refined by a core panel. Each comes with a writer’s firsthand perspective on why it belongs on the list.

These are the 10 that caught my attention, including a few personal favorites and some places I’d love to visit.

That’s how I visited earlier this year, and I loved having time to eat at local restaurants after the day’s excursions. Isabela was a favorite, especially my stay at Isabela Beach House.

Buenos Aires was where I spent my weekends when I lived in Rosario, so I was happy to see it included. For visitors who’d prefer to watch the dancing, I personally like Rojo Tango.

My recent trips to Sweden took me into the forests of Småland and dog-sledding and skiing in Dalarna. Skanör-Falsterbo would be a new stop for me, but those visits left me with plenty of affection for the country. I’m glad to see another part of it getting some attention.

Maryland, U.S.

Maryland earned its place for its Underground Railroad history and Chesapeake food traditions. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek is one of the stops highlighted in Lonely Planet’s guide.

The center tells the story of Tubman’s life and her work helping people escape slavery. It’s a specific place to start planning a Maryland visit, particularly if you want to spend some of your vacation learning about the area’s history.

Alaska, U.S.

Some Alaska sightseeing trips include landing on a glacier and stepping out onto the snow. That possibility is what drew me to this pick. Lonely Planet chose the state for its flightseeing experiences, which take travelers into mountain country that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

Flights from Talkeetna can take you over the Ruth Glacier, where enormous granite walls rise above the ice, with views of Denali when the clouds cooperate. Around Kenai Fjords, routes pass over icefields and coastal waters dotted with icebergs. Some tours offer a glacier landing as an add-on, giving you time on the ground in the landscape you’ve just flown over. (I did a similar experience to this on Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, and loved it.)

Montserrat, Caribbean

The Soufrière Hills eruptions devastated Montserrat’s former capital, Plymouth, and forced residents to rebuild their lives elsewhere. Visitors can learn about what happened at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, which has views of the exclusion zone and a documentary about the eruptions. Montserrat caught my attention because a visit offers a chance to understand how people have rebuilt their lives alongside an active volcano.

Lonely Planet recommends staying at least three nights. That gives you time to hike in the Centre Hills or spend a morning at the beach. Visits into the volcanic exclusion zone require an approved guided tour, with access controlled.

Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico’s wine country in Baja California, where you can book a room overlooking the vineyards and spend an afternoon visiting wineries. August brings harvest celebrations, including special tastings and concerts.

The vineyard hotels helped earn Valle de Guadalupe a place in this roundup; I like the idea of making the stay itself part of the trip. Lonely Planet’s guide includes Campera Hotel Burbuja, where you sleep in a bubble-shaped room with a clear ceiling for stargazing. El Cielo Resort has its own winery, and some rooms have private outdoor firepits.

León, Spain

León is on the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain, with a Gothic cathedral known for its stained glass. Lonely Planet recommends an early visit to see the sunlight coming through the windows.

You can explore the historic center on foot, stopping at the plazas along the way. In the evening, the Barrio Húmedo is a popular area for tapas and drinks. I’d happily leave an evening open for that.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde’s cloud forests are home to hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal, a bird with brilliant green and red plumage. Its long tail makes it especially striking, if you’re lucky enough to spot one.

According to Lonely Planet’s Costa Rica guide, quetzals are easier to see during their mating season, which runs from March through June. That’s useful to keep in mind if bird-watching is one of your main reasons for visiting.

Red Centre, Australia

Lonely Planet’s Red Centre selection emphasizes Aboriginal storytelling, with opportunities to learn from Traditional Custodians during a visit. Its regional guide also recommends exploring Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuṯa, about a 45-minute drive from Uluṟu.

This was my favorite part of Australia. Kings Canyon is stunning, and Kata Tjuṯa was an incredible experience. I’m not especially religious, but spiritual is the word I’d use to describe how it felt to be there. Uluṟu left me with that same feeling. Having visited all three, I’m very happy to see this region on the list.