[2026 Best Places to Travel in the World] BBC's Top 20 Must-Visit Destinations: Komodo Islands Make the List! Pink Sand Beaches and Komodo Dragons Await in This Paradise for Adventurers

Around this time each year, travel media outlets start rolling out their ‘must-visit lists.’ This time, BBC’s 2026 edition, ‘The 20 best places to travel in 2026,’ features a Komodo Island image as the lead photo—and it instantly grabs your attention. After all, when you’ve been in Bali for a while, seeing a nearby destination get international recognition makes you take a closer look.

Komodo National Park Turns 45

The list notes that Komodo National Park will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2026, with a new wave of conservation programs set to launch. A more practical change is that getting there has become easier—Labuan Bajo now has direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, so you no longer have to navigate complicated routes like before.

In recent years, many travelers have been combining Bali and the Komodo Islands into a single trip. One offers island resort relaxation and cultural experiences, while the other features wild Komodo dragons and pink sand beaches—two completely different vibes that surprisingly complement each other. Infrastructure has indeed improved over the past few years, with airports, ports, and accommodations all much better than before.

【Komodo Island Guide】Labuan Bajo Independent Travel: Everything You Need to Know About Seeing Komodo Dragons and Pink Sand Beaches on a Liveaboard

Other Destinations on the List

Beyond Komodo, this list spans five continents, with each destination selected for distinct reasons—it’s not just a random collection of popular spots.

In Asia and the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is emerging as a cultural heavyweight in the region, thanks to several new museums in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture is inviting visitors back to the Noto Peninsula, using tourism to drive post-earthquake recovery, with highlights including Kenroku-en Garden and local sake. As for Phnom Penh, Cambodia—I spent eight years there before moving to Indonesia, so it holds a special place in my heart. Now, with a new airport and a revamped riverside district, it’s transformed from a mere transit point into a destination worth exploring.

▲ Phnom Penh Riverside, Cambodia

Over in Europe: Scotland’s Hebrides islands offer white sand beaches and the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, paired with a whisky culture that sounds perfect for a leisurely wander. Montenegro adds hiking routes in the Prokletije Mountains to its usual Kotor Bay attractions. Portugal’s Guimarães is celebrating 25 years as a UNESCO World Heritage site while also being named European Green Capital. Finland’s Oulu, one of the 2026 European Capitals of Culture, sits near the Arctic Circle and focuses on art festivals and saunas.

In the Americas: Chile’s Colchagua Valley stretches from the Andes to the Pacific, offering wineries, stargazing, and colonial towns. The Oregon Coast in the US is ideal for a slow road trip, with cliffs and lighthouses as highlights. Philadelphia is gearing up for a series of celebrations and events for the 250th anniversary of American independence. The colonial zone of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic has just been renovated, just in time for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. Canada’s Slocan Valley will open the ‘Japanese Canadian Heritage Trail,’ commemorating the history of World War II.

Oceania and Africa: Rarotonga in the Cook Islands boasts a blue lagoon and rich Polynesian culture, while Aitutaki is even more tranquil. Australia’s Uluru has a new walking trail that explores the desert while teaching about the culture of the Anangu people. Kenya’s Samburu made the list for its rare wildlife safaris, elephant rescue center, and stargazing.

Other highlights include Roman ruins in Algeria, a whale and dolphin sanctuary in Loreto, Mexico, the beaches and historic city of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, and eco-tourism on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica—each with its own unique appeal.

Final Thoughts

Looking at the full list, what struck me most was seeing Komodo on it. Indonesia’s tourism marketing has become much more internationally savvy in recent years—it’s not just about posting scenic photos anymore; they’re weaving conservation and sustainability into the narrative. I think that’s the right direction. If you’re still deciding where to go this year, put Indonesia on your shortlist—once you’ve had your fill of Bali, a quick flight to Labuan Bajo to see the Komodo dragons offers a completely different experience.

⭐Bali + Komodo Dragon Island: 4-Night Light Luxury Stay, No Shopping, No Optional Tours, 5-Day Trip⭐