This was published 6 months ago

Aussie islands make list of 'world's most beautiful places' for 2026

April 5, 2026 - 11.12pm

A compact mountain range in Spain has been named the most beautiful place in the world in 2026.

Northern Spain's Picos de Europa took the top spot on Time Out's list, which also featured two Australian islands.

The publication's international network of travel experts helped compile the extensive list of now 51 destinations by sharing their own highlights.

Scenic summer mountain landscape of Picos de Europa with green hillsides, valleys and highland pastures, Spain — Northern Spain's Picos de Europa took the top spot for 2026. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ed Cunningham, Time Out's News and Features Editor UK called Picos de Europa a "marvel of geography".

Indeed, the range reaches an impressive 2,650 metres in height just 20 kilometres from the coast.

"But it also makes for scenes of extraordinary beauty," he wrote. "The Picos' mountains rise steeply out of the sea, meaning views contain not just plunging gorges and perilous peaks but gleaming strips of beach and the stormy Cantabrian Sea."

View gallery

<p>This route in Torres del Paine National Park is on the bucket list of many a keen hiker. It takes 10 days to traverse the 120km trail, which passes ice fields and brilliant blue lakes.</p>

Australia gets shout-out in list of world's most beautiful hikes

Time Out Travel editor Grace Beard said the list was a definitive, but by no means exhaustive, guide to the most stunning spots on the planet.

"We update this list regularly, ensuring we're including the big-hitters while considering the impact of overtourism and spotlighting lesser-known beauty spots."

Lakes Picos de Europa, Asturias, landscape photography — The range reaches 2,650 metres in height just 20 kilometres from the coast. Getty Images/iStockphoto

There are seven new additions to the list in 2026, including a terracotta-coloured Old Town in Italy, and an opulent Renaissance-style library in New York.

Last year's front-runner, the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, came in second place.

Cheryl Sekkappan, Time Out Southeast Asia's news and travel editor said from the top of Padar Island you'll be met with "one of the most unique sights in the world – three giant bays of white, black, and pink sand in one frame. Crested by rocky hills, it's a scene straight out of Jurassic Park."

views of kelor island at komodo national park, indonesia — Last year's front-runner, the Komodo National Park in Indonesia, came in second place. Getty

The aforementioned library, which has won a spot on the list this year, is found at Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, and sits in third place.

"Thousands of books are encased on their shelves, which are stacked across three levels from the polished floor to the wonderfully intricate Renaissance-inspired ceiling," travel writer Liv Kelly wrote, calling it "quite a sight".

Australia made the list at number 33, with Lord Howe Island recognised for its "volcanic provenance, reef, and incredible biodiversity".

Travel writer Alison Plummer wrote "this World Heritage-listed speck in the Tasman Sea was described by Sir David Attenborough as 'so extraordinary it is almost unbelievable'."

Getaway — Australia had a mention at number 33 with Lord Howe Island. Supplied

Tasmania's Maria Island National Park was also named the 41st most beautiful place in the world, described as "a rare pocket of raw, unbridled beauty".

The island known by Aboriginal people as wukaluwikiwayna was once a convict settlement, but today it's the domain of Australian native wildlife, Time Out contributor Jo Stewart wrote.

Across the Tasman, Milford Sound in New Zealand also remained on the list at number 38, called "a marvel of nature".