Noot all holidays remain imprinted in the same way: there are itineraries that flow quickly, between photos and obligatory stops, but there are also experiences capable of leaving something deeper: a vivid memory, a story to tella feeling that is difficult to forget. It is precisely on this second type of journey that the 2026 ranking of “Best of the Best Things To Do” by Tripadvisordedicated to the best travel experiences and based on millions of real reviews left by travellers. An emotional map of Europemade up of authentic, engaging and often far from cliché activities.
The best travel experiences of 2026: the discreet charm of Porto wins
At the top of the ranking is the walking tour of the historic center of Porto, city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in northern Portugal. Here there are no special effects, but stories. The route winds through alleys, climbs and glimpses of the Douro river, accompanied by guides who describe the city naturally, without rigid scripts. It is precisely this simplicity that makes it special: a walk that restores the authentic soul of the place.
Italy between history…
In a ranking of travel experiences, Italy cannot be missing, which finds space with two experiences which tell two different faces of the country. The first in Florence with the tour dedicated to the Renaissance and the Medici family. Among historic buildings and monumental squares, the story of one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe takes shape, made up of art, politics and intrigue.
And he cooks
The second, in Rome, where the experience is instead to be lived in the kitchen. In the surroundings of Piazza Navona, there are real businesses run by cooking schools, chefs or local tour operators who they offer a cooking class teaching how to prepare fresh pasta and tiramisu. The great thing, however, is that it is not just a lesson, but a convivial moment that tells the story of Italian culture through its most iconic flavours.
The European capitals between memory and entertainment
The ranking continues through some of the most important cities on the continent, each with its own identity. In Berlin the tour on the Third Reich and the Cold War addresses a complex part of European history, offering a direct and unfiltered look at the events of the twentieth century.
The atmosphere changes completely, however, in London where the winner is the historic pub tour that combines architecture and traditiondescribing the city through its most convivial places. Even the Spanish ones Madrid and Barcelona, they offer guided tours that mix culture and lightheartedness. In fact, it is not the classic rigid visit full of dates, but a walk that intertwines history and everyday life.
The journey seen from another perspective
Some experiences, then, change the point of view, inviting you to discover cities in a different way. For example, in Amsterdam, the canal cruise it allows you to observe the city from the water, between bridges, narrow houses and reflections that tell centuries of history.
In Liverpool, however, in the United Kingdom, the journey becomes musical: the tour dedicated to the Beatles retraces the history of the band that revolutionized pop music, through anecdotes and nostalgic atmospheres.
Between nature and sea, the most immersive experiences
The ranking also opens up to natural landscapes and moments of relaxation. In Krakow, Poland, the experience takes you out of the city, towards the Tatra mountains. Here nature, spas and local gastronomy intertwine in a day that combines discovery and well-being. In the end, Dubrovnik, Croatia closes the list with a boat tour between crystal clear waters and the suggestive Blue Cave. An experience that tells of the brightest and most spectacular side of the Adriatic.
The best travel experiences: the memories that are never lost
What emerges from this Tripadvisor ranking, beyond the places, it is also a change in the way we travel. A new vision that, rather than visiting a place, wants to truly experience it. In fact, the awarded experiences are not necessarily the most luxurious, but those that manage to create an authentic connection with the territory.
Walking through the streets of a city, listening to local stories, cooking, sailing or immersing yourself in nature: these are the moments that transform a journey into something personal. And which, once they return home, will not be easy to forget.