Travel + Leisure just announced the results of its 2026 World's Best Awards, revealing the destinations, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and travel experiences that earned top honors from readers around the world. With insights from more than 207,000 readers, the annual survey offers a snapshot of the places, brands, and experiences resonating with travelers today.

This year's rankings highlight a mix of first-time winners, standout newcomers, and enduring favorites. Koh Samui, Thailand, earned the distinction of Best Island in the World for the first time, while EVA Air rose to the top spot among international airlines. New and reimagined hotels also made an impression on readers, with Patina Osaka in Japan named the Best Hotel in the World and Hotel Albatross in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, taking top honors as the Best Continental Inn in the U.S. Meanwhile, Santa Fe, New Mexico, retained its position as the Best City in the U.S., continuing its appeal among travelers seeking distinctive destinations rich in culture and history.

"This year's rankings showcase a mix of exciting newcomers and enduring favorites," said Jacqui Gifford, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure. "From Koh Samui's rise to the top of our islands list to the continued popularity of destinations like San Miguel de Allende and Yellowstone, the winners reflect travelers' interest in destinations that feel distinctive, memorable, and deeply rooted in place."

Below are select highlights from this year's World's Best Awards, with expanded rankings and editorial coverage available on travelandleisure.com
.

TOP 10 WORLD'S BEST CITIES 2026:

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

TOP 10 U.S. CITIES 2026:

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico
2. Charleston, South Carolina
3. Savannah, Georgia
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
5. Chicago, Illinois
6. Fort Worth, Texas
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
8. New York, New York
9. Alexandria, Virginia
10. Greenville, South Carolina

TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD'S BEST AWARDS 2026 WINNER HIGHLIGHTS:

BEST CITY IN THE WORLD: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
BEST CITY IN THE U.S.: Santa Fe, New Mexico
BEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD: Patina Osaka, Japan
BEST HOTEL BRAND IN THE WORLD: Capella Hotels & Resorts
BEST ISLAND IN THE WORLD: Koh Samui, Thailand
BEST ISLAND IN THE U.S.: Golden Isles, Georgia
BEST U.S. NATIONAL PARK: Yellowstone
BEST CAR RENTAL COMPANY IN THE WORLD: National Car Rental
BEST TRAIN IN THE WORLD: Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train
BEST AIRLINE IN THE WORLD: EVA Air
BEST AIRLINE IN THE U.S.: JSX
BEST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD: Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
BEST AIRPORT IN THE U.S.: T. F. Green International Airport, Rhode Island
BEST MEGA-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD: Virgin Voyages
BEST LARGE-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD: Disney Cruise Line
BEST MIDSIZE-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD: Crystal
BEST SMALL-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD: Viking
BEST INTIMATE-SHIP OCEAN CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD: Quasar Expeditions
BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE IN THE WORLD: The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers
BEST TOUR OPERATOR IN THE WORLD: TCS World Travel
BEST SAFARI OPERATOR IN THE WORLD: Rothschild Safaris