Agios Nikolaos, Crete.
Crete, Greece’s largest island, has been named the world’s second-best destination to visit in 2026 by travel media company Rough Guides, praised for its authenticity and distinctive local culture.
The company’s annual Best Destinations to Travel guide helps travelers worldwide plan their trips, featuring experiences ranging from epic safaris in Africa to relaxed island escapes in Greece.
In this year’s edition, Crete is recommended as a destination that combines flexibility, affordability, and strong local character, offering a broad range of experiences. Highlights include an early-morning hike through the Samaria Gorge, as well as guided visits to Knossos that place the site in its historical context.
Knossos Palace, Crete.
Travelers can also swim at Balos Lagoon later in the day to avoid peak crowds, take a leisurely drive around the Lasithi Plateau with stops at traditional villages and the cave associated with Zeus’s birth, or learn traditional weaving techniques in Kritsa. In the hills near Chania, evenings often feature local dishes such as grilled lamb, accompanied by live music.
“Drive inland to mountain villages like Anogeia or Archanes, where you can try local cheese, hear Cretan music, and see a version of Crete that hasn’t changed much in decades,” a travel expert said.
This year’s standout destination is Marrakech, Morocco, recognized for its vibrant everyday life and distinctive gastronomy. Bali, Namibia, Palawan, the Highlands, Istanbul, Bangkok, Seville, Rome, Tokyo, Yucatan, and Provence are also included in the guide.
For its Best Destinations to Travel in 2026 guide, the company analyzed more than 30,000 tailor-made trip enquiries submitted to its local travel specialists.
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