Budapest is about to become one of the world’s most visited cities. Brimming with intriguing architecture and rich cultural heritage, Budapest still feels slightly untouched by tourists. This weighed heavily on our decision to it rank it as one of the absolute hottest travel destinations for 2020. Check out local ruins bars, enjoy a river cruise along the Danube, or meet locals on a walking tour.
Honestly, we suggest visiting any city in the Philippines next year. A thriving culture of local cuisine and some of the friendliest people on the planet make it a great spot to start any travel adventure. However, Palawan made our list of the world’s best islands for a reason. It feels untouched, with white sandy beaches and tropical jungle. El Nido is a cluster of 45 islands just off the tip of Palawan that you can explore, too.
We’re not kidding about digital nomads shaping travel trends in 2020. From Instagram influencers to remote workers getting a taste of various cultures and countries throughout the year, these jet-setting individuals have a huge influence on travel destinations. That’s part of why Buenos Aires ranked as the third hottest travel destination in 2020. It’s currently the best city for digital nomads.
Based on booking trends, Milwaukee is the hottest travel destination in the world for 2020. It saw a whopping 729% increase in bookings on Airbnb for 2020 compared to 2019. Maybe it’s the allure of Lake Michigan in the summer. Or, perhaps it’s the fact that the city’s home to some of the world’s best breweries.
There’s no denying that tourism in Canada is alive and thriving. Expedia reported astounded year-over-year growth across the entire country. In fact, Canadian cities took 15 of the top 20 spots in 2019. However, in terms of what modern travellers are looking for, Montreal is one of the hottest travel destinations for 2020. As the third best city for millennials and third friendliest city in Canada, it’s easy to see why. Funky festivals, a raging nightlife, and lots of tolerance for visitors make Montreal pretty great.
It’s no secret as to what makes Tokyo one of the hottest tourist destinations for 2020. The 2020 Summer Olympics are expected to cause such a surge in visitors that the Narita airport is building a temporary terminal to help welcome them all. However, the city seems to also be attractive to the millions of tourists eager to tour all of Japan as well.
Expedia’s recent reports show that travel to Australia is causing most major cities to see a 5% to 20% increase in visitors next year. However, they’re not headed for age-old hotspots such as Melbourne and Sydney. Instead, they’re opting for more unique travel experiences, like exploring southeastern Australia by van. In 2020, plan a roadtrip through Australia’s wild, winding coast and outback.
We’ve long been fans of the hilly country and historical charm of the entire country of Romania, which Airbnb reports will see a 298% rise in interest for 2020. From the cascading Carpathian Mountains to the numerous centuries-old castles that line the countryside, Romania is a country with plenty to offer any kind of tourist. However, Brasov possesses a unique charm that seems to have disappeared from major cities in Western Europe.
The Carolinas are heating up in nearly every way possible. You’ll find some of the the United States’ best restaurants here along with some of the world’s most impressive and beautiful hiking trails. And, Asheville, which is nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains, couldn’t act as a more perfect jumping off point from which to explore the landscapes, restaurants, and charming hotels in North Carolina.
If you follow the Instagram couple community then you’ll know that most couples recently made trips to Croatia this year. Dubrovnik, in particular, provides travellers with an almost romantic setting in a fairytale town along the Adriatic coast. Head over to the nearby town of Cavtat for truly breathtaking scenery and to remove yourself even further from the tourist scene. Here, you can enjoy lots of watersports, horseback riding, and nature hikes.
About ten years ago the Moroccan Department of Tourism wanted to be one of the top 20 tourist destinations by 2020. Next year, they’ll likely meet that goal. From Casablanca to Tangier and all the way to the blue city of Chefchaouen, you’ll see many more travellers immersing themselves in Moroccan culture next year. The blue-washed buildings of Chefchaouen serve as a stunning backdrop for Insta photos, which, honestly, plays a big part in travel planning these days.
Norway’s famous, Instagrammable fjords are one of the most popular places that travellers to gawk over on Instagram. However, Fjord Norway meets many of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s criteria for destinations. The Norwegian government ensures that fishing, hunting and drilling for oil are all well-regulated in Bergen and beyond, pushing the city to the top of our list for the hottest travel destinations for 2020.
Interest in Airbnbs in Cape Canaveral has increased by 136% in 2020 compared to 2019. The reason? It’s hard to say for sure, but it’s likely due to the fact that, in 2020, it’ll host NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. Locals and tourists alike are eager to snag a spot in place before it’s too late. Plan on seeing more travel photos from Florida’s Space Coast next year, as Cape Canaveral is poised to attract a lot more visitors.
As digital nomads continue to shape the travel industry, the top destinations in 2020 and beyond will increasingly be spots that are nomad-friendly. Chiang Mai is one such spot, currently taking the No. 3 spot, just behind Bali, as one of the world’s best cities for digital nomads and ex-pats. The city makes cashless travel easy and is home to a variety of unique cultural festivals all throughout the year.
As the 2020 European Capital of Culture, Galway certainly tops any list of the must-visit travel destinations for the next year. The 18th-century Eyre Square acts as a central point at which rich history, Irish folk music, and brightly-painted pubs extend outwards and into the veins of the rest of Ireland. Due to the fact that it’ll act as the European Capital of Culture for the entire next year, expect a year-long party full of art, festive fun, and cultural events.
In terms of the hottest Caribbean travel destinations for 2020, the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba takes the top spot. The island paradise, which locals and tourists alike have deemed “One Happy Island,” embodies everything you’re looking for out of a Caribbean tropical vacation. And, Eagle Beach is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Last year, Bilbao won the title of the European City of the Year. And, it’s not hard to see why. From the iconic Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum to the numerous restaurants serving Basque-inspired cuisine, it’s recently evolved into one of the most culturally intriguing cities in Europe. That’s likely why bookings on Airbnb have increase 402% for 2020 compared to in 2019.
Colombia is far from the war-torn country that media and Narcos portrays. Tourism to the South American country has surged 300% in the last decade. And, while visitors seem to test the waters in cities such as Bogota and Medellin, the coffee region is where you’ll want to head first. It’s full of small coffee farms where you can learn about the process of coffee cultivation. When visiting Salento, make a day out of hiking through the breathtaking Valle de Cocora.
Tourists have long since traversed the remarkable Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Cruise ships pass by there each year. This year, it’s going to be all about visiting Athens. The super-sunny capital city is one of the most culturally-impressive and well-preserved cities in the entire world, making it one of the top European destinations for travellers looking to enjoy the perfect mixture of great nightlife, spectacular food, and rich history.
We’re cheating a bit with this one, as the entire island of Bali is one of the world’s hottest destinations year after year. This year, however, we’re calling it; Canggu will be the hottest spot on the island. It’s currently ranked as the second-best place for digital nomads in the world, which plays a huge part in travel trends and trips. Digital nomads seem to be fuelling the popularity of this Indonesian island, which offers everything from monkey forests and temples to quality surf and cuisine.
