Experience

BELGIUM | Brussels 3rd in ‘The Best Places to Go in 2026’

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List season is upon us and Condé Nast Traveler announced at the start of November 2025 its picks for the best places to travel in 2026. Brussels in Belgium has secured a prominent third place. 

It is a striking moment for a city that has long lived in the shadow of Bruges’ picture-perfect canals and Antwerp’s creative swagger. For years, Brussels has been dismissed as little more than a bureaucratic centre or a convenient Eurostar stop, but that view is rapidly becoming outdated. 

In 2026, the Belgian capital is expected to step confidently into the spotlight with the opening of the Kanal-Centre Pompidou. Housed in a vast former factory, the new cultural hub is set to become one of Europe’s major spaces for contemporary art, with live performances, film screenings, music events and hands-on creative workshops breathing new life into the canal district.

Beyond Brussels, CN Traveler’s list ranges from India’s romantic Udaipur in India – its lakes and bridges still carrying the cinematic glamour of its ‘Octopussy‘ cameo – to Colombia’s Medellín, a city celebrated for its dramatic setting and irrepressible energy. Medellín has long been admired for its transformation and its lively cultural scene, with nightlife that consistently draws international acclaim.

Other destinations on the 2026 list include Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Fes (or Fès or Fez) in Morocco, Hong Kong in China, Prince Edward County in Canada and a mix of emerging and established places across Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia. According to CN Traveler, 2026 offers no shortage of inspiration—but Brussels’ rise to cultural heavyweight is one of the year’s most compelling stories.

CN Traveler on Brussels: 

“Go for: creative inspiration and cultural revival. Brussels has long been known for its opulent Baroque buildings and timeless architecture, but new openings in 2026 it will cement its status as a hub of modern art and design.

“This often-overlooked European capital is having a cultural moment, signaling a shift from a bureaucratic hub to a creative powerhouse. The opening of Kanal—Centre Pompidou in November 2026 transforms a long-dormant factory into a contemporary center for modern arts”. 

One of Europe’s highly anticipated arrivals, it will feature expansive exhibition spaces curated with Paris’s Centre Pompidou, alongside a dynamic program of live performances, music, film, workshops, a library, and—five floors up—a restaurant overlooking the vast showroom, capped by a rooftop bar with panoramic city views. Just steps away is newly opened The Standard, with a rooftop bar, greenhouse-style lounge, and bold design that mirrors the city’s creative energy.”

“Brussels’ cultural revival is visible everywhere, from the refreshed façades of Place de la Bourse to the Dome Project, a restoration of Belgium’s first department store with modern flair. Nearby, the Gare Maritime, a former freight station, seamlessly blends sustainable architecture with design fairs and chef-led food stalls.” 

“Plan a spring visit, when Art Brussels draws galleries and collectors from around the world for a vibrant international fair, and the biannual Zinneke Parade transforms the city’s streets into a stage of theatre and imagination. For those seeking more adrenaline, base yourself in the city for the Belgian Grand Prix to marvel at the sporting spectacle”, Adriana Falisova writes.

The best travel destinations in 2026, according to CN Traveler:

  • Arusha, Tanzania.
  • East Coast, Barbados.
  • Brussels, Belgium.
  • Chiriquí Province, Panama.
  • Deer Valley, Utah, United States.
  • Fès, Morocco.
  • Gabon.
  • Upper Carniola (Gorenjska), Slovenia.
  • Guadalajara, Mexico.
  • Hong Kong.
  • Margaret River, Australia.
  • Medellín, Colombia.
  • Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Naoshima, Japan.
  • Northern Chilean Patagonia.
  • Northern Namibia.
  • Oulu, Finland.
  • The Peloponnese, Greece.
  • Potosí, Bolivia.
  • Prince Edward County, Canada.
  • Route 66, United States.
  • Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
  • Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France.
  • Udaipur, India.
  • Uluru, Australia.
  • Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Exploring Brussels