The winners of the prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards have been named.This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreYoung woman standing in Scott Monument in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Two Scottish cities have been named among the top travel spots in the world for 2026(Image: Marlene Ford / Getty Images)

Two cities in Scotland have been named among the best travel destinations in the world as part of a prestigious annual awards. One was crowned among the top solo locations across the globe, while the other was included on a list of the top trending locations.

On Tuesday, January 13, Tripadvisor unveiled the winners of the 2026 Best of the Best Destinations categories as part of the yearly Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. The Best of the Best Destinations showcase the top and trending travel spots for the year ahead, with 270 places across 60 countries worldwide recognised.

Edinburgh appears in the top 10 of Tripadvisor’s best solo destinations in the world category, coming in at number five. According to Tripadvisor, solo travel is the third most popular option for British travellers, with the Scottish capital beating out locations such as New York, Madrid, and Bali to make the top five.

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Dublin in Ireland was named the number one solo travel destination in the world, with Tripadvisor noting attractions such as St Patrick’s Cathedral and the city’s various distilleries. Rounding out the top five are Berlin, London, and Santiago, at numbers two, three, and four respectively.

Edinburgh was also crowned one of the best culture destinations in the world as part of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. The Scottish capital placed at number six in the top 10, behind Singapore, London, Krakow, Paris, and Rome.

Street entertainers perform on Edinburgh's Royal Mile during the city's Festival Fringe on August 19, 2025

The Edinburgh Fringe(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Edinburgh is home to many cultural attractions, from museums and art galleries to theatres and music venues. It is also the host of the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is the biggest arts festival in the world that welcomes thousands of performers and visitors each August.

Elsewhere, Glasgow was named among the top trending travel destinations across the globe for 2026. The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow was noted for its thriving music and food scenes and its easy access to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.

Tripadvisor stated: “Coming in at number seven, Glasgow stands out for its bold contemporary culture, as the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music, and also has a vibrant dining scene. It’s also the perfect setting off point to visit some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes, with day trips to Oban, Glencoe and The Highlands.”

View of Nelson Mandela Place featuring St. George’s Tron Church

The centre of Glasgow(Image: Patrick Donovan / Getty Images)

Additionally, both Edinburgh and Glasgow appear on the top 10 list of the best travel destinations in the UK. The former places at number two, while the latter comes in at number five, with London topping the roundup.

Chief Communications Officer at Tripadvisor Group Laurel Greatrix commented: “Tripadvisor is the world’s most trusted travel platform, built on the experiences of millions of global travellers.

“From iconic cities like Bangkok and London to cultural hubs, serene beach escapes, and romantic getaways across Madeira, Singapore, Bali, and beyond, the Best of the Best Destinations showcase the places that make every journey unforgettable—and inspire travellers to explore the world with confidence.”

The 2026 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations were calculated based on the quality and quantity of reviews, specific to each award subcategory, for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in destinations from travellers globally on Tripadvisor between October 1, 2024 through to September 30, 2025.

See below for the Best of the Best Destinations categories where Scotland was recognised in the top 10. More information about the Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Destinations can be found on the Tripadvisor website.

Best solo destinations in the world

  1. Dublin, Ireland
  2. Berlin, Germany
  3. London, UK
  4. Santiago, Chile
  5. Edinburgh, Scotland
  6. New York City, US
  7. Hanoi, Vietnam
  8. Madrid, Spain
  9. Bali, Indonesia
  10. Cape Town, South Africa

Best culture destinations in the world

  1. Singapore
  2. London, UK
  3. Krakow, Poland
  4. Paris, France
  5. Rome, Italy
  6. Edinburgh, Scotland
  7. Hanoi, Vietnam
  8. Budapest, Hungary
  9. Kyoto, Japan
  10. Bali, Indonesia

Trending destinations in the world

  1. Madeira, Portugal
  2. Tbilisi, Georgia
  3. Chicago, US
  4. Quy Nhon, Vietnam
  5. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
  6. Milan, Italy
  7. Glasgow, Scotland
  8. Abu Dhabi, UAE
  9. Recife, Brazil
  10. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

Top destinations in the UK

  1. London
  2. Edinburgh
  3. Liverpool
  4. Manchester
  5. Glasgow
  6. York
  7. Bath
  8. Belfast
  9. Torquay
  10. Jersey