Hull Named One of the World’s Top Travel Destinations for 2026 (Yes, Really!)

By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger & Flight Expert

Plane Travel News & Reviews with Altitude

Hull.Yes, Hull!

National Geographic has just revealed its Top 25 Travel Destinations for 2026, and alongside bucket-list heavyweights like Fiji, Beijing, and the Dolomites, there’s a surprise entry: Hull, Yorkshire, England right here in the UK.

As highlighted in National Geographic’s Top 25 Destinations for 2026 the travel magazine praised Hull’s “laid-back charm that’s hard to resist” and spotlighted the upcoming reopening of the Hull Maritime Museum, which has undergone a major transformation. Visitors will soon be able to see thousands of newly displayed artefacts and, for the first time, step inside one of the museum’s iconic domes.

So if you thought Hull was just for ferry ports and chip shops, think again. It’s officially gone from fish dock to top spot 🏆

The World’s Best Travel Destinations for 2026 (Nat Geo)

National Geographic’s explorers, photographers and editors picked their top 25 holiday hotspots, with a mix of crowd-pleasers and under-the-radar gems. Here are a few standouts:

• Hull, Yorkshire, England

• North Dakota’s Badlands, USA, rugged new Three Affiliated Tribes National Park

• Beijing, China, ancient wonders meet modern revival

• Coastal Oaxaca, Mexico, beachside bliss after Day of the Dead

• Oulu, Finland, Arctic design meets Northern Lights

• Rabat, Morocco, a brand-new British Airways Gatwick route for 2026!

• Fiji, Dominica, Uluru, and Vancouver also make the list

Yes, that's a pair of Hull socks!

Hull might not have palm trees or penguins, but it does have affordable trains, friendly locals, and a pub for every mood. Plus, exploring at home is the ultimate Avios saver, no jet lag, no luggage fees, no airport Pret.

So before you splash your points on Fiji or Rabat (which I’ll be covering in my Luxury Escapes for Less series soon), maybe give Yorkshire’s waterfront a go, your wallet will thank you.

I’m excited to be partnering with Stand4 Socks, who create the most comfortable, sustainable socks I’ve ever worn. Each pair celebrates iconic UK cities (I’ve got the London edition), and here’s the best part: for every pair you buy, they donate a pair to someone experiencing homelessness in your area..

Born from a simple idea “if everyone wears socks, why not make them change the world?” Stand4 Socks creates engineered-for-comfort socks that are bold, breathable, and built for travellers.

For every pair sold, they donate a thick, antibacterial pair to someone experiencing homelessness. So far, that’s over 150,000 pairs given and counting.

“Fantastic Stand4 Socks donate a thick anti-bacterial pair for every pair sold.” Stephen Fry

They’re ideal for long walking days, airport layovers, or even those chilly mornings catching the Hull-to-Rotterdam ferry. Plane Approved for comfort, ethics, and effortless style.

👉 Buy some Stand4 Socks and make your next trip a little kinder.

I’m not entirely sure how we went from Hull to socks, but here we are and honestly, you should grab a pair with your own UK city on them.

👉 Shop Stand4 Socks here and make your next trip a little kinder.

For every pair you buy, they donate another to someone experiencing homelessness in your area.

That’s warmth for your giftee and warmth for someone in need. A stylish, practical, and purposeful gift, what’s not to love?

Time Out recently called Hull one of the most underrated UK city breaks! Maybe Hull won’t give you tan lines, but it’ll give you something better a trip that’s kind to your wallet and the world. That’s my kind of Luxury Escape for Less.

Related Plane Blogs: City Breaks with Altitude

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• A Review of The Roseate Edinburgh Hotel Boutique luxury and afternoon tea perfection near Haymarket.

• Plaza Premium Lounge Edinburgh Airport Review My go-to pre-flight escape at Edinburgh Airport.

• Your Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh Christmas Markets 2025 From mulled wine to Moxy stays, the festive capital has it all.

• Top 5 Travel Tips for Visiting Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets How to plan the perfect winter weekend in Scotland’s capital.

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A former airline insider who’s swapped the jump seat for the window seat. I share honest reviews, travel hacks, and a few behind-the-scenes stories.

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