National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 list features six European destinations, highlighting places where travellers can explore historic cities, dramatic natural landscapes, cultural events and changing tourism scenes. Among the selections are Poland’s Tricity area, Norway’s Vestland region, Leipzig in Germany, Normandy in France, Santander in Spain, and Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.
The annual selection, first launched in 2012, identifies destinations that National Geographic believes deserve travellers’ attention. Its recommendations range from places known for their history and architecture to regions offering wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures and major cultural celebrations.
For Europe, the 2027 list points to a broad range of travel experiences, from Norway’s fjords to the Baltic coast of Poland. It also highlights destinations preparing for significant cultural events or new attractions that could give visitors additional reasons to plan a trip.
Norway’s Vestland region stands out for its dramatic scenery, including steep cliffs, turquoise waters and waterfalls. National Geographic highlights the region’s combination of fjord adventures and wellness-focused travel, making it an option for visitors seeking both outdoor activities and time to relax in nature.
Poland’s Tricity area is another European destination on the list. The region brings together Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, three neighbouring cities along the Baltic Sea, each with its own character. Their shared coastline is complemented by historic landmarks, modern architecture, cultural attractions and a growing food scene.
The recognition puts a spotlight on a part of Poland that offers more than a traditional summer beach holiday. Visitors can explore centuries of maritime history in Gdańsk, enjoy Sopot’s seaside atmosphere and spa heritage, and discover Gdynia’s modernist architecture and maritime connections within a single trip.
Gdańsk is the Tricity’s historic centre, with attractions including Long Market, the medieval Crane, the Museum of the Second World War and the European Solidarity Centre. The former Gdańsk Shipyard, closely associated with Poland’s labour movement and the Solidarity movement, has also become an area of renewed interest, with former industrial spaces taking on cultural, social and commercial uses.
Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz welcomed the recognition, describing the city as a place where history and modern life meet. She said the distinction belonged to local residents, whose daily lives help shape the city’s character.
Sopot offers a different experience, with its beaches, spa traditions and access to the Tricity Landscape Park. Although the city is popular during the summer, its coastal setting and walking routes also give visitors reasons to explore outside the busiest months. Sopot Mayor Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim credited local tourism businesses and the Sopot Tourism Organisation for helping maintain the quality of the city’s visitor offer.
Gdynia, the third city in the region, is known for its modernist buildings and its role in the development of Poland’s maritime economy. Its growth accelerated during the interwar period, when the city became an important symbol of the country’s ambitions on the Baltic coast. The source article also reports that Gdynia’s Modernist Centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026, giving the city’s architectural heritage added significance in the year of the centenary of its city status. Mayor Aleksandra Kosiorek said the National Geographic recognition was particularly meaningful at this moment in Gdynia’s history.
Food and events add another dimension to the Tricity’s appeal. Restaurants draw on Baltic fish, regional produce and Kashubian culinary traditions, often presenting familiar ingredients in contemporary ways. The cultural calendar includes Gdańsk’s St Dominic’s Fair and Shakespeare Festival, as well as a literary festival in Sopot.
Gdynia is also scheduled to host the main multi-class regattas as part of the 2027 Sailing World Championships. The city is additionally expected to welcome Kolosy, the National Meeting of Travellers, Sailors and Mountaineers. Visitors can travel between the three cities using public transport, making it possible to combine historic sightseeing, time on the beach and architectural exploration without relying on a car.
Germany’s Leipzig is another city recognised by National Geographic, particularly for its musical heritage. Its attractions include opera, orchestral performances and jazz venues. The city also plans to expand its Music Trail, an existing 5.3-kilometre route connecting important locations in Leipzig’s musical history, with a second loop measuring 7.2 kilometres.
In France, Normandy is included partly because of the events planned for 2027 under the banner “Millenium 2027: European Year of the Normans”. The programme will mark 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror, with more than 1,000 events expected throughout the year. Concerts, medieval feasts and theatrical street performances are among the activities planned to bring the region’s history to life.
Spain’s northern coast also features through Santander, the capital of Cantabria. National Geographic describes the region as frequently overlooked by international travellers, while pointing to new cultural attractions that could raise the city’s profile. An outpost of Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofia is expected to open in Santander in 2027, while the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology is due to move to a new location.
For travellers interested in outdoor activities and stargazing, Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland offers quiet walking routes and dark night skies. The area includes landscapes within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is expected to open there in summer 2027, potentially adding another attraction for visitors interested in astronomy and the region’s rural surroundings.
Europe accounts for six of the 25 destinations in the 2027 selection, but the list also covers locations across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Salvador in Brazil is highlighted for its Afro-Brazilian culture and celebrations. National Geographic points to plans for Salvador Carnival to take place immediately after the Festa de Iemanja, a major festival associated with the Candomble religion, for the first time in decades.
Malawi is recognised for its wildlife and nature experiences, including opportunities to see lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and African buffalo in areas such as Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve. The selection also includes Luxor in Egypt, Chengdu in China, Maya Ka’an in Mexico and the Pacific Coast Highway in California, alongside destinations such as Penang in Malaysia, Jaipur in India, Melbourne in Australia and Kuélap in Peru.
The full list of 25 destinations also features Madison in Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, Niigata Prefecture in Japan, Grenada, Cape Froward National Park in Chile, the Ozarks in the United States, Halifax in Canada, Armenia and Baltimore in Maryland. Together, the selections cover a wide range of travel interests, from heritage and architecture to wildlife, food, music and outdoor exploration.
For Poland, the inclusion of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot adds to the international attention previously given by National Geographic to Białowieża Forest in 2019 and Łódź in 2022. The Tricity recommendation presents the Baltic coast as a destination where visitors can combine three distinct urban experiences, with each city contributing its own history, culture and relationship with the sea.
