Madeira named world’s most popular destination for 2026 | News
Madeira has been named the world’s number one trending destination for 2026 by the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards*, topping the global rankings, ahead of other exciting destinations including Quy Nhon in Vietnam, Recife in Brazil and Puerto Escondido in Mexico.
The awards reflect 12 months of consistently strong traveler reviews submitted to TripAdvisor in 2025, recognizing the island for the quality and quantity of visitor feedback on hotels, attractions, restaurants, experiences, tours and family-friendly experiences. TripAdvisor’s findings show that the biggest draws are the beautiful architecture and mild year-round climate, in addition to the dramatic scenery and outdoor lifestyle.
This recognition comes as the island becomes more accessible than ever to British travellers, with a 17% increase in flight capacity between March 2025 and March 2026. While London remains a key hub – with services from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted accounting for more than half of weekly departures – regional connectivity continues to expand. Travelers can now fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, making Madeira easy to reach across the country, and not just from the capital.
Madeira offers travelers an extraordinary natural and cultural experience. Known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, deep valleys and soaring mountains, the island is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with miles of coastal, mountain and levada trails winding through the lush interior. Visitors can also enjoy whale and dolphin watching, golden beaches at neighboring Porto Santo, world-class gastronomy and a thriving wine culture.
In addition to its natural beauty, Madeira also offers a varied cultural calendar all year round, with standout moments such as Carnival in February, the Atlantic Festival in early summer, the Madeira Wine Festival in September and the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks.
* TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards are based on reviews from travelers worldwide posted to the platform between January and December 2025. More information is available here.
For more information about what to see and do in Madeira, visit: https://visitmadeira.com/en/
