More than 207,000 well-traveled readers voted in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, and the result at the very top was not a surprise. It was a statement.
For the third year in a row, the city named the best in the world is not a global capital. It is a hilltop colonial town in Mexico’s central highlands, with a population smaller than many American suburbs.
Further down the list, the genuine upsets are where the story really gets interesting: a first-time island winner in Thailand, a Nile river cruise ahead of Europe’s waterways, and a new name at the top of the airline rankings.
San Miguel de Allende Refuses to Give Up the Crown
San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, was named Best City in the World again in 2026, with a reader score of 93.07 out of 100. It is the town’s third consecutive win and its fifth title overall, making it one of the most decorated cities in the history of the awards.
Readers point to the same qualities year after year: the colonial architecture, a food scene far more ambitious than the town’s size suggests, and a creative community that has been drawing artists and writers for decades. The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.
Mexico had an exceptional year overall. Oaxaca placed fifth and Mexico City ninth, giving the country three of the world’s top 10 cities.
The World’s Top 10 Cities for 2026
| Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | San Miguel de Allende, Mexico |
| 2 | Kyoto, Japan |
| 3 | Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| 4 | Hoi An, Vietnam |
| 5 | Oaxaca, Mexico |
| 6 | Bangkok, Thailand |
| 7 | Jerusalem, Israel |
| 8 | Siem Reap, Cambodia |
| 9 | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 10 | Tokyo, Japan |
The pattern is hard to miss. Seven of the ten are in Asia, three are in Mexico, and not one is in Europe or North America outside Mexico. Paris, London, Rome and New York are all absent.
What these cities share is depth: markets, temples, regional cooking and a sense of place that takes more than a long weekend to absorb. Oaxaca alone could fill a week with mole, mezcal and village craft traditions.
At home, Santa Fe held its ground. Santa Fe, New Mexico, kept its title as Best City in the U.S., followed by Charleston and Savannah. New Orleans, Chicago and Fort Worth complete the top six.
The Real Newcomer Is an Island in the Gulf of Thailand
If San Miguel is the story of consistency, Koh Samui is the story of change. The Thai island was named Best Island in the World for the first time, taking over from Greece’s Páros, last year’s winner.
For travelers who have watched Phuket and Bali become crowded, Koh Samui’s win is a useful signal. It still offers a slower pace, a strong spa culture and easy hops to the quieter islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Closer to home, the Golden Isles of Georgia were named Best Island in the U.S., a stretch of coast that remains far less discovered than its Carolina neighbors.
A New Hotel Takes the Top Spot
Patina Osaka in Japan was named Best Hotel in the World, part of a broader trend in this year’s results toward new and reimagined properties. Capella Hotels & Resorts held on to the title of Best Hotel Brand in the World, rewarding a small, design-led collection over the large global chains.
A New Leader in the Skies
EVA Air took the title of Best Airline in the World, displacing Singapore Airlines, which held the top spot in 2025. Singapore still had something to celebrate, with Changi named Best Airport in the World.
In the U.S., JSX was again voted the best domestic airline, and T. F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island was named Best Airport in the U.S., proof that readers value an easy, uncrowded terminal over a sprawling hub.
The train category deserves attention too. The Andean Explorer, a Belmond train crossing the Peruvian highlands between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, was named Best Train in the World.
The Nile Overtakes the Rhine and Danube
The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers won Best River Cruise Line in the World, a category long dominated by European operators. For travelers who have already sailed the Danube, it is a strong argument for Egypt as the next river journey.
Ocean cruising winners by ship size:
- Mega-ship: Virgin Voyages
- Large-ship: Disney Cruise Line
- Midsize-ship: Crystal
- Small-ship: Viking
- Intimate-ship: Quasar Expeditions
Small-Group Specialists Win Over Mass Market
TCS World Travel was named Best Tour Operator in the World, and Rothschild Safaris took Best Safari Operator. Both specialize in tightly curated, small-group trips, a fit with everything else in this year’s results.
Yellowstone, meanwhile, kept its place as Best U.S. National Park.
What This Year’s List Says About Seasoned Travelers
Read together, the results point to readers who want substance from a trip rather than a checklist of famous sights. A colonial town of cobbled streets outranked Tokyo. A Thai island replaced a Greek one. A Nile cruise beat the great rivers of Europe.
It is worth keeping one caveat in mind. These are reader-voted awards, so they reflect where Travel + Leisure’s audience has traveled and loved, not an objective measure of every city on earth. A separate ranking by Time Out, based on residents’ views, named Melbourne the world’s best city in 2026, and Melbourne does not appear in Travel + Leisure’s top 25 at all.
Making the Most of the Winners
- Visit San Miguel de Allende outside Mexican holiday weekends, when the town fills with visitors from Mexico City.
- Pair San Miguel with Guanajuato city, under two hours away, for a richer week in the region.
- Book Oaxaca for late October to see Day of the Dead preparations, but reserve accommodation many months ahead.
- Plan Koh Samui for the drier months from December to April, avoiding the heavier rains of late autumn.
- Reserve Nile cruises and the Andean Explorer well in advance, as cabin numbers on both are limited.
Source: Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026, voted by more than 207,000 readers
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.