Bali has been named the Best of the Best Destination at the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
The recognition places Bali at the top of TripAdvisor’s global rankings, based on traveller reviews collected over 12 months.
Bali Ranked World’s Best Destination in TripAdvisor Awards 2026
The award is given to destinations that receive a high volume of positive and consistent reviews from the TripAdvisor community. Fewer than one per cent of the platform’s destinations worldwide achieve the Best of the Best status.
In the 2026 rankings, Bali placed first, ahead of London, Dubai, Hanoi, Paris, Rome, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Crete, and New York. The result continues Bali’s strong performance in recent years. The island ranked third in 2024 and rose to first place in 2025.
The recognition comes amid ongoing challenges faced by Indonesia’s tourism sector. Despite these conditions, Bali remained at the top of global travel preferences.
Tourism Stakeholders Highlight Bali’s Enduring Appeal
Chairman of the Bali Marginalised Tourism Actors Alliance (APPMB), I Wayan Puspa Negara, said the award was encouraging for national tourism.
“When it comes to tourism, Bali is the best in the world. This shows that Indonesia has extraordinary advantages in the global tourism sector,” he said, as quoted by KoranJakarta.
Puspa Negara noted that Bali achieved the recognition despite limited tourism promotion in 2025. The lack of promotion followed the implementation of the government’s budget efficiency policy under Presidential Regulation No. 1 of 2025, which affected both domestic and international tourism campaigns.
“This proves that Bali has strong authenticity. Cultural factors, spirituality, and local wisdom are key attractions that cannot be imitated or diminished by time,” he said.
He added that Bali’s consistent presence in TripAdvisor’s top rankings reflects long-term trust from international travellers, rather than short-term promotional efforts.
Officials Credit Culture and Sustainable Tourism in Bali
Bali Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that the island ranked first in the World’s Best Destination category at the Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best 2026.
“Bali is ranked number one among the top 10 global tourism destinations. It holds the highest ranking in the world throughout history,” Koster said in Denpasar on Saturday, January 17, 2026, as reported by Antara.
He acknowledged that Bali had faced criticism throughout 2025 over issues such as waste management, traffic congestion, and declining visitor numbers in certain areas.
“Despite being plagued by issues like waste, traffic jams, desertedness, and other issues, Bali’s position hasn’t wavered,” he said.
The Bali Provincial Government attributed the achievement to the island’s tourism foundation, which is rooted in culture, tradition, art, and nature. Along the way, several popular spot like Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Lembongan are becoming expat favourite place to stay.
The government said it continues to improve tourism infrastructure and policies to support sustainable development.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana also welcomed the award. In a social media post, she said the recognition reflected the assessment of millions of international travellers.
“This award represents millions of objective reviews from international tourists over the past year,” Widiyanti said.
“Bali being selected as the world’s best tourist destination by Tripadvisor demonstrates that Bali remains a magnet for global tourism,” she added.
In addition to the top global ranking, Bali also received several other distinctions at the 2026 awards.
These included first place in the Best Honeymoon Destination category, a Top 10 ranking for Cultural Destinations, a Top 10 ranking for Solo Travel Destinations, and a position among the Top 20 Trending Cities in the World.
Top 10 Destinations for 2026:
- Bali, Indonesia – Renowned for its beaches, temples, and cultural heritage in Ubud.
2. London, United Kingdom – A global city combining historic landmarks, museums, and modern culture.
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Known for iconic architecture, luxury experiences, and desert adventures.
4. Hanoi, Vietnam – Valued for its preserved Old Quarter, lakes, and traditional architecture.
5. Paris, France – Celebrated for its art, cuisine, and historic cityscape.
6. Rome, Italy – Famous for ancient sites, public squares, and culinary traditions.
7. Marrakech, Morocco – Recognised for its markets, gardens, and historic Medina.
8. Bangkok, Thailand – Popular for temples, street food, and lively urban atmosphere.
9. Crete, Greece – Known for archaeological sites, beaches, and local heritage.
10. New York City, United States – A leading destination for culture, arts, and iconic landmarks.
Bali: A Perfect Destination for Traveler
Bali, often named as one of the world’s most captivating islands, continues to enchant foreign visitors with its seamless blend of Indonesian warmth and deeply rooted Balinese culture. From the moment travellers arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport, the island reveals its magic through luxurious Bali hotels, sacred temples, and iconic landscapes such as the Monkey Forest, white sand beaches, and the dramatic coastline of Batu Bolong.
Every journey across Bali feels breathtaking, whether watching the sunset over the ocean, exploring cultural villages, or embracing the island’s spiritual rhythm that keeps travellers returning time and again.
