Croatia tops Lonely Planet’s list of the world’s best summer destinations for 2026

Croatia

Croatia has topped the list of the world’s best summer destination for 2026 by Lonely Planet, earning the top spot on the travel publisher’s latest list of 21 best destinations for the season.

The annual selection, which highlights destinations across the globe, places Croatia ahead of Colorado in the United States and Scotland, which take second and third place respectively. Portugal and Italy complete the top five.

In explaining its choice, Lonely Planet praised Croatia’s combination of warm summer weather, vibrant coastal atmosphere and diverse travel experiences.

The travel guide publisher highlighted the Dalmatian coast as the country’s main summer attraction, pointing to the historic city of Dubrovnik, the lively waterfront of Split and the stylish harbour of Hvar Town as standout destinations.

It noted that the summer season reaches its peak between June and August, when visitors flock to the Adriatic coast to enjoy the beaches, crystal-clear sea and lively beach bars.

For travellers looking to avoid the busiest tourist hotspots, Lonely Planet recommended exploring the Kornati Islands or heading inland to discover Croatia’s vineyards and rolling hills.

“Summer season in Croatia brings high temperatures and a party vibe, particularly on the Dalmatian Coast,” Lonely Planet wrote, while also highlighting quieter alternatives away from the busiest coastal resorts.

The remainder of the top 10 includes Tanzania in sixth place, followed by Utah, New Hampshire, Switzerland and Greece in tenth.

The full list also features Japan, Spain, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Iceland, Peru, Ireland, Bermuda, California, Morocco and Czechia.