Only 2 U.S. spots are on BBC’s best places to travel list (and one is in Oregon)

BBC Travel has published its list of the 20 best places to travel in 2026.

The list of global destinations only includes two U.S. travel spots, and one is the Oregon coast.

The BBC write-up is glowing, calling Oregon’s coastline “one of the country’s bucket-list road trips” – and noting that Oregon is the only U.S. state where all beaches are free and public.

• 6 Oregon towns make list of ‘most adorable’ in PNW

Kaitlyn Brajcich of Sustainable Travel International contributed to the BBC’s article, praising the coast’s accessibility and sustainability:

“Mobi-Mats laid over the sand and free beach wheelchairs enable more visitors to enjoy the shore, as does a new partnership with Wheel the World that maps inclusive lodging and experiences.”

Brajcich also cited the easy availability of bikes, sustainable seafood and transit options as reasons to visit the Oregon coast.

The Oregon coast has racked up plenty of superlatives over the years” “most adorable” small towns, most beautiful landmarks, best campground and more.

If you’re planning to visit the coast this winter, Winter Whale Watch Week begins Saturday, Dec. 27 and runs through Wednesday, Dec. 31.

“Trained Oregon State Park volunteers will be stationed at 14 sites along the Oregon Coast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said in a news release, “to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico.”

A map of the volunteer sites is available on the Oregon State Parks website.

Winter is also the best season to watch storms and view king tides at the coast, but remember to follow safety guidelines if you go.

• The 6 best places to witness king tides on the Oregon and Washington coasts this winter

The other U.S. location to make the BBC’s travel list? Philadelphia, where 2026 will see a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday, including art and museum exhibits, concerts and a variety of sporting events like the FIFA World Cup.