The hidden gem destinations to visit in 2026 for a dream holiday - with best beaches, adventures and ancient ruins
Looking for an alternative holiday destination to travel to this year? Here are 10 stunning lesser-known places to visit in 2026.
The global car rental comparison site DiscoverCars.com has put together a new report of 10 fantastic hidden gems from all around the world with affordability in mind. The destinations listed will allow you to avoid the busiest tourist destinations and enjoy mountains, lakes, culture, hidden beaches and forests instead.
Let’s delve in.
Corsica
The first destination in DiscoverCars.com’s round up is Corsica, known as the “Island of Beauty" (L'Île de Beauté). The global car rental comparison site highlighted the Mediterranean country as an ideal place for nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to visit, thanks to its beautiful mountain scenery.
The capital Ajaccio, a port city in the Gulf of Ajaccio, is well situated for paddle-boarders and kite-surfers. May-June is the most affordable time to visit, as well as offering great weather for the beach. You can hire a car in Ajaccio for £22 a day. A night’s stay in May for two at Hôtel Albion in the city would cost £85.
Estonia
Over half of Estonia is covered by forests and peat bogs and the country has more than 2,000 islands, some of which are tiny, making it a perfect peaceful retreat. It also has lively, cultural cities with beautiful architecture like Tartu and capital Tallinn. The most affordable time of all to visit Estonia is January-March, but for warmer weather, May is ideal. Hiring a car in the capital might cost £6 per day, and you can stay at Dream Stay - Mere Residence Apartments from £51 per night (for two people).
Georgia
Georgia is known for its amazing mountain ranges. Possibly the birthplace of wine, with a winemaking history going back 8,000 years, this would be a great destination for foodies. The wine region Kakheti is also home to Lagodekhi National Park. Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is a cultural hotspot renowned for its music scene, especially electronic music.
December-March is the cheapest time to visit but May-June will have the best weather – mountaineers will want to visit in July-August. You can hire a car in the capital city of Tbilisi for £10 a day and stay a night there at Royal Plaza Hotel from £45 per night.
Jordan
If you have ever wanted to visit the Middle East but worried it may be too expensive, Jordan is a beautiful country that is more affordable to visit than many of its neighbours. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the city of Petra carved directly into pink sandstone, and the desert of the Wadi Rum Protected Area.
The capital Amman blends modern culture with amazing ancient ruins. September-November is one of the peak tourist times when the weather is milder, while December-March is cheapest. You can hire a car in Amman for £5 a day and stay the night at Nozoll Boutique Residences from £64 per night.
Malta
Malta has a huge amount of things to see and do, despite being a small country. Very popular for diving, sailing and beach holidays, it also has UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Ġgantija temples which are more than 3,000 years old. The pretty capital Valletta is one of Europe’s smallest capital cities, about 1km long and 600m wide.
July-August is the most popular time to visit for a beach holiday, while September-October is great for a city break. February-March is the cheapest time to fly to Malta. Hiring a car in Valletta costs £21 a day and a night’s stay at Valletta Collection - GB Suites might cost £118 per night.
Montenegro
Montenegro combines natural beauty in places like Durmitor National Park with historic towns and cities. The national park is perfect for climbing, mountaineering, hiking, rafting and canoeing. In the capital Podgorica, you can find the Old Town of Stara Varoš, with some amazing Ottoman era architecture.
May-September is the best time to visit for sunshine, and the most affordable time to visit is November-April, meaning April could be an ideal time to go without spending too much. Hiring a car in Podgorica might cost £2 a day, with a night’s stay in Zoya Apartment from £34 per night.
Morocco
Morocco is the next hidden gems destination in DiscoverCars.com’s roundup, where you can see stunning mountains and deserts including the Sahara desert. Cities like Marrakesh and the capital Rabat are culturally rich and full of history, with the souks or traditional markets a particular highlight for many visitors.
March-May offers some of the best weather before it gets too hot, and November-March is the most affordable time to fly, making March a great month to visit Morocco. It might cost £5 to hire a car and £33 to stay the night at Riad el wazania in Rabat.
Poland
Poland is another country that would be perfect either for outdoor adventures, or a city break. Destinations like the Tatra Mountains and Masurian Lake District are very beautiful, and popular with skiers, hikers, cyclists, canoeists and other outdoor enthusiasts. The capital Warsaw has a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised Old Town, and is a great place for culture lovers, with many art galleries and museums.
December-March is when the cheapest flights are, meaning December could be perfect for a skiing trip to the mountains – July-August is more expensive but will have the warmest weather. You can hire a car in Warsaw for £4 and stop at Hotel Arche Geologiczna from £78 per night.
Scotland
Scotland is home to some of the UK’s most magnificent scenery, including Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. Its lively cities are full of arts and culture, and gorgeous historic architecture. There are over 150 active whisky distilleries making this a great destination for people who love high quality Scotch.
The most affordable time to fly to Scotland is February-March but for milder temperatures that make it easier to explore Scotland’s natural beauty, April-June might be better. Hiring a car in Edinburgh might cost £7 a day and you can stay at Ibis Budget Hotel Edinburgh Park from £118 per night.
Uzbekistan
Finally, Uzbekistan in the heart of Central Asia has historic cities full of majestic Islamic architecture and ancient monuments, as well as dramatic scenery of mountain gorges, forests, and desert. The capital city Tashkent has lots to see, from buildings that are hundreds of years old to the ornate marble metro stations built in the 70s.
March-June, when it’s not too hot and the meadows are full of wildflowers, is a popular time to visit, and January-March is cheapest. Hiring a car in Tashkent might cost £21 a day and a night’s stay at Art City Apartments & Hotel might cost £48 per night.