Top 10 Destinations & Experiences for College Students in 2026
The top 10 places every college student should have on their 2026 travel list: easy planning, cultural vibes, unreal scenery, and experiences you’ll wish you did way sooner.
i.e. Places that make people say, “I wish I went here first.”
If your bucket list is one unorganized Notes app bullet point that just says “travel a lot???” with about 50 different random places and experiences listed under it, then same. College is the perfect time to hop on a plane, collect core memories, and aggressively romanticize your life. But with a million places to go and a not-so-million-dollar budget, where do you actually start?
Here are the 10 best destinations and experiences for 2026. These places don’t require a 47-tab planning spreadsheet, balance culture, nature, and fun, and will have your group chat saying “wait…I want to go too.”
1. Portugal (THE place to go in 2026)
Portugal is having its brat year.
Beaches? Unreal. Cities? Walkable and gorgeous. Food? Affordable and slay. THE SHOPPING? Unreal. It’s the ideal mix of culture, nature, nightlife, and “does the cig count if I’m Portugal?”
Whether you’re a first-time traveler wanting to go to Lisbon for unforgettable shopping and loads of tinned fish or you’re a frequent traveler wanting to try something new by exploring the Algarve or Azores, Portugal is the perfect destination for your 2026 travels.
2. The Balkans
The Balkans are one of the most slept on places in Europe and, it is one of the best-value regions in the world right now, which automatically makes them a win for budget travelers. Croatia and Albania give you everything you’d want in a European trip: beaches, culture, great food, walkable cities, and a solid social scene, without the “why did my iced coffee cost $9” moments you get in Western Europe.
Croatia is a great entry point. It’s extremely visitor-friendly, full of coastal towns you can explore on foot, and easy to navigate even if you’re new to international travel. You can spend your days island hopping, wandering old towns like Split and Dubrovnik, swimming in clear water, and boating to all the different islands.
Albania is the hidden gem that you’re getting in early on something everyone will soon be talking about. The prices are student-budget friendly, the beaches are some of the best in Europe, and the country has a really warm, welcoming travel culture.
3. Iceland
In May, I booked a $200 flight to Iceland and had the most perfect solo weekend. Iceland is the perfect spot for anyone—the people who love nature, the ones who don’t, the foodies, and the ones who aren’t picky about their meals. Truly, Iceland is the closest you can get to another planet. It’s shockingly easy to explore, extremely safe, and perfect for students who want adventure without needing to be Bear Grylls. Bring your camera, pack your jacket, and get ready for your life to change.
4. Hong Kong
If New York had a baby with Tokyo and that baby was somehow also a beach person, it would be Hong Kong. Killer food, insane city views, mountains + islands you can reach by ferry, and a nightlife scene that will have you rethinking every bar on campus. Genuinely, your cool girl origin story starts in Hong Kong.
5. Japan
When you come here you'll find yourself saying "Japan is living in the future" one minute, and "woah I just stepped back in time" the next. From Tokyo's Blade Runner-esque technology and nightlife to Kyoto's old-timey, Edo-period houses and cobblestone streets, and all the funky, aesthetic cities in between—Japan really does have it all. Oh, did I mention there's also plenty of scenic mountains as well? Mt. Fuji included.
6. Sicily
Sicily is the cooler hotter younger sister of Italy (take it from me I’m Sicilian). You get ancient history, warm hospitality, coastal views, and food that’s affordable and genuinely incredible. Trust me, all of your favorite Italian foods are Sicilian. Arancini? Sicilian. Cannoli? Sicilian. And it’s going to be half the cost and double the beauty of mainland Italy.
7. Morocco
If you have ever wished for a love affair with Timothee Chalamet in the dessert, you can recreate Dune in Morocco. It’s culturally rich and immersive, but still accessible and incredibly welcoming to travelers. Whether you’re sand surfing down dunes in the Sahara, learning to cook tagine, or exploring ancient kasbahs, Morocco gives you the kind of travel experience you talk about for years, and brag about having gone to.
8. Hungary
Budapest is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. You can explore museums, thermal baths, markets, viewpoints, and cafes all within the same few walkable neighborhoods. Public transit is simple, food is inexpensive, and there’s a big international student scene, making it easy to meet people. It’s a low-stress, high-reward destination for anyone traveling on a budget.
9. Ireland
Rolling green hills, pub culture, friendly locals, and vibes that feel like stepping into a cozy storybook. In Ireland, you can go from castles to cliffs to live music in a single day. Low-stress, high-fun, great for first-timers.
10. India
India is rich with culture, architecture, and did I mention their shopping is out of this world? Basically all of your favorite brands—Anthropology, Free People, Vera Bradley—manufacture their products in India and take inspiration from Indian culture. But in India? Half the cost, great quality, and you're directly supporting the locals. Oh, and even better? India's most colorful festival, Holi, takes place in March (spring break anyone?)
Travel in college doesn’t have to be complicated, you just need the right balance of culture, nature, social connection, and “this is the best night of my life” type experiences. From cooking classes in Sicily to hopping around Tokyo’s food markets, these experiences hit all the marks. Take it from me—the coolest girls are going to be in these countries this year.
Start Pinteresting, start planning, go solo, or just send this link to your group chat with “2026 trip??”
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