UAE city ranked among world’s trending destinations for 2026

Abu Dhabi has been named the eighth most popular destination in TripAdvisor’s list of top 20 trending destinations for 2026. The UAE capital is the only Middle Eastern city to feature in the top 10, outperforming major global destinations, including Vienna in Austria, Bordeaux in France and Belfast in the UK. 

Europe leads the line-up with seven cities on the list, followed by Asia and the Americas. The US stands out as the only country to be represented twice among top picks.    

Revealed as part of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards, the annual list spotlights under-the-radar destinations that have seen a surge in traveller interest over the past 12 months. Rankings are based on millions of reviews from TripAdvisor users highlighting standout experiences and emerging attractions. 

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According to the platform, Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal is being fuelled by sustained investment in the emirate’s cultural tourism sector. The recent openings of Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum in Saadiyat’s Cultural District, alongside the debut of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2026 – set to become the largest Guggenheim museum globally – is driving global attention.  

In 2025, visits to museums and heritage landmarks in Abu Dhabi grew 47% year-on-year, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), underscoring growing interest in cultural attractions. 

TripAdvisor also commended the city’s growing leisure appeal, noting its diverse experiences spanning shopping, dining, theme parks and desert safaris. The UAE capital was recently named the world’s most in-demand luxury travel destination for US travellers.