The mountain range in Spain recognized as the most beautiful place in the world in 2026

The list was compiled by a team from the influential travel and entertainment magazine Time Out. The authors of the ranking emphasize that it is subjective and by no means exhaustive. At the same time, they guaranteed that the ratings of each place on the list are based on real experiences.

"Every beach, lake, city, and valley on this list has been visited and verified by our network of traveler-authors. In short, they are all worth a trip to see them with your own eyes," the statement said.

Picos de Europa – what makes it interesting

It is one of the most compact mountain ranges in the world, reaching an impressive height of 2,650 meters just 20 kilometers from the coast.

"It is undoubtedly a geographical wonder, but it also creates landscapes of extraordinary beauty. The Picos mountains rise steeply from the sea, meaning the views include not only sheer cliffs and dangerous peaks but also sparkling stretches of beach and the raging Cantabrian Sea," noted British Time Out author Ed Cunningham.

According to him, the Picos de Europa National Park is home to countless beautiful spots: the strikingly secluded mountain peak Naranjo de Bulnes, the ancient mountain villages of Sotres and Cain, the sparkling glacial lakes of Covadonga with its namesake sanctuary, and a pilgrimage site in the rock balancing over a waterfall.

Tourists are particularly encouraged to pay attention to the Ruta de Cares trail – one of the most famous hiking routes in Spain. The 23-kilometer (round trip) trail runs through the canyon past peaks and waterfalls, with some of its paths carved into the rock.

The 10 most beautiful places in the world in 2026

1. Picos de Europa, Spain.

2. Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

3. Morgan Library, New York, USA.

4. Douro Valley, Portugal.

5. Big Sur, USA.

6. Ullswater, England.

7. The old town of Bologna, Italy.

8. Capo Testa, Sardinia, Italy.

9. Victoria Falls, Africa.

10. Punakha Valley, Bhutan.