A hidden gem in eastern Indonesia is now gaining global attention. Cenderawasih Bay National Park has been named one of the best places to visit in 2026, making it the only destination from Indonesia on the list.
The recognition comes from Time through its annual World’s Greatest Places 2026. Within this release, the “Places to Visit” category highlights 50 destinations considered worth exploring in the coming year.
Cenderawasih Bay stands out for a reason that is hard to ignore. The experience it offers is rare, even on a global scale.
“If swimming alongside a 25-foot whale shark is impressive, how about being surrounded by seven? That rare possibility is what draws travelers to Cenderawasih Bay National Park,” the publication stated.
This moment places Indonesia alongside a wide range of destinations from across the world. Each location carries its own unique appeal, from cultural landmarks to modern attractions.
The list is not randomly compiled. It comes from nominations submitted by global contributors, including hotels, cruise operators, restaurants, tourist attractions, museums, and parks. Each entry is carefully curated. There is no ranking system. All 50 destinations are presented equally.
Here are the 50 best places to visit in 2026 according to Time:
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- V&A East Storehouse, London, United Kingdom
- Surf Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Netflix House, Philadelphia, United States
- Lime Out, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
- Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt
- Art Zoo Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Aabbcc, New Delhi, India
- Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong
- Highway 1, California, United States
- Maana Living, Kyoto, Japan
- Tasmanian Expedition Cruises, Australia
- Tala, Auckland, New Zealand
- Dib Bangkok, Thailand
- Ephedra Restaurant, Chile
- House of Tan Yeok Nee, Singapore
- DaiDib DaiDee, Thailand
- Centre for Contemporary Arts, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Studio Museum in Harlem, United States
- The Reefline, United States
- Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, China
- Maid of Somerset, Castle Cary, United Kingdom
- Love Malmö, Sweden
- Princeton University Art Museum, United States
- Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, United States
- PAZ, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Khao Yai Art Forest, Thailand
- Rainforest Wild Asia, Singapore
- Counterculture Museum, United States
- Amura, South Africa
- Fenix, Netherlands
- Kaway’an EcoPark, Philippines
- Universal Epic Universe, United States
- Museo Casa Kahlo, Mexico
- Ise-Jingu, Japan
- Murujuga Cultural Landscape, Australia
- Perso, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Zayed National Museum, United Arab Emirates
- The Frick Collection, United States
- Naagan, Canada
- Ratnange Trail Center, Nepal
- Savvia, Mexico
- Silolona Sojourns Si Datu Bua, Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
- El Camino de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
- Art City, Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States
- Sydney Fish Market, Sydney, Australia
- Lawh Wa Qalam M.F. Husain Museum, Doha, Qatar
- Nariz del Diablo, Andean Highlands, Ecuador
- SMK Thy, Doverodde, Denmark
- Backyard Cafe, Georgetown, Guyana
Amid this global lineup, Cenderawasih Bay holds a special place. It is not just part of the list. It represents Indonesia on a world stage filled with extraordinary destinations.
