The beauty and wellness trips worth booking in 2026

Let’s be honest: if you’re travelling in 2026, you want results. The kind that show up on your face, in your posture and in how little you sigh when your inbox reloads. Beauty and wellness travel has officially grown up, swapping vague “journeys” for treatments that actually do something. We’re talking destinations where dermatology rivals dining, spas are basically temples, and self-care feels indulgent without being ridiculous. From cities obsessed with glass skin to towns built around hot water and silence, these are the places where your holiday glow doesn’t fade at passport control.

Baden-Baden, Germany

Baden-Baden is what happens when wellness stops chasing trends and starts perfecting the fundamentals. Built around thermal waters the Romans swore by, this elegant spa town specialises in deep, restorative treatments that actually make a difference — less “pampering”, more “why do my joints feel amazing?” Expect medical-grade spa programmes, detox cures, posture-fixing physio and baths so calming they feel vaguely medicinal. It’s quiet, refined and unapologetically grown-up. There's excellent water, fresh forest air and sleep so good it borders on suspicious.

Best time to visit: May–September

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como’s approach to wellness is exactly what you’d expect: chic, understated and quietly effective. Treatments focus on longevity, circulation and stress reduction, delivered in serene spas overlooking water so beautiful it should be prescribed. Days revolve around gentle movement, thermal circuits, expertly executed body treatments and food that’s indulgent but somehow still feels sensible. This isn’t a punishing detox destination – it’s about balance, pleasure and looking effortlessly well. You won’t leave with a new personality, but you will leave calmer, brighter and deeply convinced this is how life should be lived.

Best time to visit: May–June or September

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech does wellness with heat, heritage and a little theatrical flair. Traditional hammams are the headline act, combining steam, black soap exfoliation and a vigorous massage that leaves skin softer than you thought possible. Riads double as sanctuaries, offering argan oil rituals, rosewater facials and calm courtyards that make your nervous system unclench on arrival. Yes, it’s sensory and sometimes chaotic, but that’s part of the magic. Between ancient practices and modern luxury spas, Marrakech delivers glow with soul — and a renewed appreciation for doing absolutely nothing very beautifully.

Best time to visit: March–May or October–November

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is where beauty trends are born, tested, perfected and then exported to the rest of us. In 2026, it’s still the gold standard for skin treatments that are advanced, efficient and refreshingly affordable. Clinics offer everything from laser toning to non-invasive lifting, all delivered with meticulous care and zero drama. Wellness doesn’t stop at the clinic doors either: jjimjilbangs, herbal medicine and food designed to nourish skin from the inside out are part of daily life. You’ll leave with clearer skin, better habits and at least three products you swear you’ll never stop using.

Best time to visit: April–June or September–October

Santa Monica, California, USA

Santa Monica treats wellness like a lifestyle that happens to look great on Instagram. The vibe is relaxed but serious about results, with lymphatic drainage, cryotherapy, red-light facials and longevity-focused skin treatments lining sunlit streets. Everything is designed to make you look healthy rather than “done”. Morning beach walks double as therapy, studios specialise in low-impact strength and mobility, and menus are built to keep inflammation low without killing joy. It’s aspirational but approachable – the kind of place where you come home glowing and briefly believe you’ll keep up the routine.

Best time to visit: April–June or September–October

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo doesn’t mess around when it comes to beauty. This is a city that treats skincare like a discipline, not a hobby, and the results are everywhere you look. Clinics specialise in cutting-edge dermatology, regenerative facials and tweakments so subtle they’ll only clock as “you look… really good?” Add centuries-old onsen culture, precise massage techniques and a diet quietly engineered for longevity, and you’ve got a masterclass in holistic glow. Even browsing a drugstore feels educational. Come curious, leave converted, and prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about cleanser.

Best time to visit: March–May or October–November