Tipperary ranked among Lonely Planet’s latest top global holiday destinations for 2026

Travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has unveiled its list of the 25 best places to visit in 2026, with an Irish favourite earning a prestigious fifth-place spot: Tipperary.

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The list spans the globe, inviting travellers to experience everything from the “breezy coastal living” of Phuket to the “Bronze Age stone structures” of Sardinia, and the “legendary apples” of Tipperary.

Celebrating Tipperary as a dream destination for hiking, history, and food, Lonely Planet describes the county as a haven for nature lovers.

Among its top recommendations is the Glen of Aherlow, described as a “ridiculously scenic valley flanked by the Galtee Mountains and Slievenamuck.” Visitors are encouraged to explore the area through hiking, fishing, swimming, or horseback riding, all while enjoying the striking views.

For those interested in history, Lonely Planet highlights the 12th-century Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle, as well as the historic passages of Mitchelstown Cave.

The publication also praises Tipperary’s food and drink scene, mentioning apple tarts, Bulmers cider, Cashel Blue cheese, O'Donnells crisps, and Blanco Niño tortillas among the county’s best local flavours. Pubs such as Thatch in Cloneen and Jim of the Mills also receive a mention for their authentic charm.

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Lonely Planet’s 25 Best Destinations for 2026:

1. Maine, USA

2. Jaffna, Sri Lanka

3. Réunion, Africa

4. Finland, Europe

5. Tipperary, Ireland

6. Peru, South America

7. Cádiz, Spain

8. Botswana, Africa

9. Cartagena, Colombia

10. Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala

11. Liberdade, São Paulo, Brazil

12. Mexico City, Mexico

13. Utrecht, Netherlands

14. Barbados, Caribbean

15. British Columbia, Canada

16. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA

17. Sardinia, Italy

18. Jeju-Do, South Korea

19. Quy Nhon, Vietnam

20. Siem Reap, Cambodia

21. Phuket, Thailand

22. Ikaria-Flinders Ranges and Outback, South Australia

23. North Island, New Zealand/Aotearoa

24. Tunisia, Africa

25. Solomon Islands, Oceania