The 16 hottest destinations for 2024 named

Novelty is the fix that gets travellers going. We want to know what lies behind the door and through the window, over the hill and across the strait. And while we’re keen to understand the old, we love to embrace the new.

Good news, then, for those looking for the latest: 2024 has an addict’s choice of newly trending destinations, including unfamiliar places from Guyana to Benin.

We hope you’re inspired to put some of these places on your list – and add a few of your own.

Palau

Epic beaches, waterfalls shrouded by jungle, and some of the best diving in the world. The only reason the island nation of Palau hasn’t already taken off as a destination is that it’s been so hard to get to – until now.

Air Niugini’s introduction of weekly flights from Brisbane via Port Moresby makes planning a trip to this Micronesian nation so much easier. Top activities to add to your to-do list: swimming in Jellyfish Lake, exploring some of the fascinating World War II sites and diving at spectacular spots like Blue Corner, Peleliu Wall and German Channel, home to a manta ray cleaning station. See pristineparadisepalau.com

Brazil, The Green-Blue Route

Brazil’s new touring route connects the country’s two largest cities – Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo – but it is the scenery along the way that makes this 615-kilometre drive worth taking.

The route wends its way between the coast and the Atlantic Forest, passing more than 2000 beaches as well as heritage towns such as the World Heritage-listed Paraty, where once a month tidal waters wash the streets clean.

Allow enough time in your schedule for checking out local waterfalls, kayaking among the off-shore islands, and staying in some atmospheric fazendas. See visitbrasil.com

Paris, France

You don’t have to be a sports lover to be excited about next year’s Paris Olympics, which will showcase some of the most iconic cityscapes of the French capital.

The opening ceremony, featuring an athletes’ parade down the Seine, will be hard to beat but the diving events – taking place on the Ile de la Cite – and the equestrian events being held in the gardens at Versailles are also set to be mesmerising.

In the run-up to the Games, Mayor Anne Hidalgo has also invested heavily in sustainability measures including greening the city and removing cars from an increasing number of streets. See parisjetaime.com

Nagaland, India

From Kolkata to Jaipur to Mumbai, India’s cities are favourites with adventurous travellers, but some of the more far-flung corners of the continent are even more compelling.

Among the most intriguing is Nagaland in the northeast of the country, bordering Myanmar, where more than 16 tribal groups have preserved their distinctive customs and costumes.

Other highlights include magnificent rafting and hiking (the Dzukou Valley is a highlight), Intanki National Park, rich in wildlife including Asian elephants, and the Hornbill Festival, a grand tribal gathering held every December.

See tourism.nagaland.gov.in

Maui, Hawaii

Recovery tourism is here to stay, but we’re still learning how to do it right. After the fires that devastated West Maui earlier this year, the rest of the island watched in despair as tourists stayed away.

When West Maui’s governor later announced the fire-devastated area was reopening to tourism locals – many of whom were still recovering from the ordeal – protested loudly.

So what’s the lesson? Don’t rush to cancel your travel plans after a disaster – look a little deeper and work out whether your presence would be a problem or a bonus. One thing is for sure: Maui will be enthusiastically welcoming visitors next year. See gohawaii.com

Brisbane, Queensland

No other Australian city is evolving as quickly as the capital of the sunshine state, with a whole host of new destinations and new ways of getting around.

Opening in April, the 26-hectare Queen’s Wharf will include a range of restaurants, bars and hotels set into nine heritage buildings as well as new builds, all connected to South Bank on the opposite shore via the Neville Bonner Bridge.

The new Brisbane Metro is also set to launch later in the year but meanwhile the free KittyCat ferries are a convenient way to zip across the river. See visit.brisbane.qld.au

Saudi Arabia

Its human rights record notwithstanding, the world’s newest tourist destination, Saudi Arabia, now set to be the host of the 2034 men’s football World Cup, continues to showcase new areas of this expansive country.

As well as the dazzling landscapes and Nabatean tombs at AlUla, next year guests will be able to explore the Red Sea’s desertscapes and its underwater wonders. In the north-west of the country, Sindhala Island – the first stage of the NEOM development that famously includes the world’s first vertical city, The Line – will also welcome its first guests.

The biggest attraction remains the Saudi people, who love introducing visitors to their country. See visitsaudi.com

Indonesia

If you are feeling a little bored with Bali, you are not alone. And with more than 18,000 Indonesian islands to choose from, it’s high time we started looking beyond Seminyak and Canggu. The Indonesian government has some ideas about where we should go next: it has designated five new priority destinations. Many Australians will already be familiar with the magnificent temple at Borobudur and the Komodo dragons at Labuan Bajo; less well-known are Sumatra’s Lake Toba, the world’s largest crater lake, and the beautiful beaches of Mandalika on Lombok and Likupang on Sulawesi. See indonesia.travel

Innsbruck, Austria

If you are looking for a quintessentially European destination that isn’t overcrowded with tourists, Innsbruck may well tick all your boxes.

It’s no surprise that the capital of Austria’s Alpine region has jaw-dropping scenery – from the centre of town it’s just a 20-minute cable car ride into the heart of the Nordkette range – but as the one-time centre of the Habsburg Empire, it also has some magnificent baroque architecture.

In winter, eight nearby slopes areas beckon skiers; in summer wander the medieval streets, snack on local specialities at the vibrant market, or simply relax in one of the many sidewalk cafes. See innsbruck.info

Guyana

Most people would struggle to name three facts about Guyana, but that may change if this small country nestled into South America’s northern coastline continues to build up its tourism industry.

Nature is the big draw here – almost 10 per cent of the country is covered in dense rainforest – and many of Guyana’s new eco-tourism projects are run by indigenous communities.

Travel here remains a rugged rather than a relaxing experience, so Guyana is best suited to those travellers who don’t mind a bit of hard-going. (Bonus for cricket fans: in this former English colony, they love a good match.) See exploreguyana.org

Greenland

No, you probably won’t see a polar bear in Greenland, but there are plenty of other reasons to visit the world’s largest island.

From the stunning World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord to the thriving Inuit culture of Thule, from ancient Viking ruins to whale-watching, Greenland has much to offer visitors – even a multi-day trek, the 160-kilometre Arctic Circle Trail (BYO tent).

The only tough decision is when to visit: in summer to see the surprising flower-filled meadows of East Greenland or in winter to be dazzled by the Northern Lights. See visitgreenland.com

Tangier, Morocco

Tangier is one of those cities that seems to be rediscovered by successive generations. Artists such as Matisse and Delacroix once found inspiration here; later the likes of Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix followed in their footsteps.

Now the conversion of Yves Saint Laurent’s former home into a hotel has once again put the spotlight on the city. Must-visits include not just the medina but also creative hubs like the Cinematheque de Tanger, the Museum of Contemporary Art housed in a former prison, and the 70-hectare Perdicaris Park. Or just take a seat in the palm-studded Grand Socco square and watch the world go by. See visitmorocco.com

Murujuga National Park, WA

The many joys of The Kimberley and Margaret River are well-known but Western Australia has another ace up its sleeve. Murujuga National Park, on the Burrup Peninsula near Dampier, is home to the largest concentration of ancient rock art in the world, containing an estimated one million petroglyphs.

And that’s not all. The 5000-hectare park – nominated for a World Heritage listing – also contains middens, fish traps, rock shelters and quarry sites, making this an excellent place for a deep dive into Indigenous culture. Join a tour led by traditional custodians, then relax on one of the area’s beautiful beaches. See murujuga.org.au

Corsica

If you were one of the many Australians who flocked to Sicily in the last year or two, you are probably ready for your next Mediterranean escapade. Corsica may be just what you are looking for.

Although the island is French rather than Italian, what Corsica has in common with Sicily is an astounding diversity. You can get active in the lush forests or on the soaring mountains – Corsica has more than 20 peaks that are higher than 2000 metres – be enchanted by the scenic hilltop villages, or simply laze on the beautiful beaches.

Corsica also has prehistoric menhirs, or standing stones, dating back 6000 years, fabulous food and even a World Heritage site, the magnificent Scandola Reserve. See visit-corsica.com

Stewart Island, New Zealand

There’s the South Island and then there’s the Way Down South Island. A one-hour ferry ride from Bluff, Stewart Island – population: 400 – has just 28 kilometres of road, making this heaven for hikers (more than 85 per cent of the island is national park).

Whether you opt for shorter walks, the three-day Rakiura Track or a boat cruise that takes you into secluded bays and bights, expect to see plenty of birdlife including blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins and brown kiwi, which outnumber humans.

Come during summer to see the aurora australis light up the night sky. See stewartisland.co.nz

Zaragoza, Spain

As travellers start to look for alternatives to the always crowded Barcelona and Madrid, Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, is ready for its turn in the spotlight. Just a 90-minute high-speed train trip from both of Spain’s major cities, Zaragoza’s attractions include majestic cathedrals, Roman remains and Islamic palaces.

The local food scene is also lively: take a wander through the winding streets of the El Tubo neighbourhood whenever you get hungry. Any one of the centuries-old taverns is likely to deliver fabulous food and with the acclaimed La Rioja wine region just 100 kilometres away, fabulous wine is also guaranteed. See spain.info

The Catskills, New York State

New York will always be New York, but there is more to be discovered beyond the city boundaries. Just two hours from the city, The Catskills is a laidback getaway that blends classic and contemporary in just the right amounts, mixing spa retreats and farm-gate stands with forest trails and countless perfect spots for fly fishing.

Go vintage shopping or spirit-tasting in some of the region’s pretty towns, including Narrowsburg and Calacoon, and catch a concert at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, site of the Woodstock Festival.

The area’s wealth of boutique lodgings includes Kenoza Hall or Hasbrouck House, built around an 18th century Dutch Colonial stone mansion. visitcatskills.com

Benin

Even as Greece continues to agitate for the return of the Elgin Marbles from Britain, the African nation of Benin has been more successful at getting priceless artefacts returned from the colonial powers that took them away.

Towards the end of the year some of those treasures will be on display in the much-awaited Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and Kings of Dahomey. The new museum will join Benin’s already-impressive list of must-sees including the Sacred Forest of Ouidah, the birthplace of voodoo, and Ganvie, the largest stilted village in Africa, alongside the beautiful beaches of Grand-Popo. No website

George Town, Malaysia

A whole new breed of traveller is about to discover the many charms of George Town when Belmond’s revamped Eastern & Oriental Express rolls into town next year.

George Town, the capital of the sun-drenched island of Penang, will be one of the highlights on the four-day Essence of Malaysia itinerary, with guests having the chance to explore the city’s beguiling blend of colourful Chinese shophouses, Islamic mosques and Buddhist temples – not to mention some of the best street food in Asia. mypenang.gov.my

Blue Mountains, NSW

Over the last few years the Blue Mountains has been battered by fires and floods, so locals are hoping that the opening of the 20-kilometre Grand Cliff Top Walk will launch a new chapter. Thousands of new steps were carved as part of the $17 million trail which links existing tracks and paths between Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba.

Take the opportunity to check out what else is new in the Blue Mountains, including the Megalong Restaurant in the Megalong Valley and the Blue Mountains Craft Beverage Trail, taking in artisanal producers of cider, spirits and beer. See visitbluemountains.com.au

Which destinations are on your list for 2024? Share your travel plans in the comments below.