The best wellness destinations for 2026 so you can live your ultimate zen life

Hands up if you’ve ever gone on the trip of a lifetime, but came back feeling like you needed a holiday from your holiday?

No matter how good a month-long jaunt around Europe is or how beautiful spending months trekking around South America can be, sometimes you just need a trip that just involves logging TF off.

If you’ve been fantasising about finding yourself in Bali, eating and meditating your way through Thailand, or sunbathing in Portugal after an intense surf class, then a wellness holiday may be right up your alley in 2026.

Wellness travel isn’t just a trend in 2026 – it’s a full-blown lifestyle

I didn’t meant that to sound like a title of a ’00s emo song, but Fall Out Boy eat your heart out.

The concept of wellness holidays are only increasing in popularity as we all burn ourselves out with adult life and work responsibilities.

In 2026, wellness isn’t just yoga, herbal teas and silent meditation. It’s stepping out into nature, relaxing in thermal pools, and disconnecting from the digital world to appreciate the beauty right in front of our eyes – even if it’s only for a week or two.

Some people dream to visit fancy institutes with cutting-edge medical science. Some like to spend their money on week-long yoga or pilates retreats with likeminded people, or go hiking in the alps. Others may want to come back from a holiday with skin so clear and shiny they look like they’ve stepped straight out of a magazine (looking at you South Korea fans).

The Global Wellness Economy hit $6.3 trillion in 2023, with $830 billion coming from wellness tourism. And now the wellness market has grown so much that The Global Wellness Institute expects it’ll hit $9 trillion in 2028.

That’s a lotta money!

Just for you, we’ve rounded up some of 2026’s hottest wellness locations

Sure, it’s only January, but it’s never too soon to start planning your 2026 escape!

Japan

While it’s not usually the country that pops to mind when you think of retreats, Japan has something to suit all wellness needs from city retreats to mountain getaways, to grounding outdoor hikes and thermal heated, mineral-rich pools.

Whether you want to soak in onsen, stay in a traditional ryokan or experience reiki, there’s so much peace, wisdom and inner zen rooted in the Japanese way of life that you don’t need a fancy schmancy all-expenses retreat. You’ll find what you’re looking for simply by exploring the country on your own terms.

India

The world’s epicentre of wellness, India is home to Ayurveda, yoga and meditation and is the perfect destination for those who have started embarking on their wellness journey but want to grow their practices.

Outside of the bustling and crowded city centres, there are many tranquil and meditative places to explore in India to deepen your connection with your mind and body. Ashrams are popular ways of engaging more in spiritual practices, where participants can discover the history of meditation, yoga, and immerse themselves in a more disciplined lifestyle focusing on inner growth and healing.

With alternative medicine practices like Ayurveda – an ancient Indian holistic healing system –  increasing in popularity, India is the must-go to place for anyone wanting to balance their mind, body and spirit through diet, yoga, herbal remedies and meditation to restore their natural balance.

Portugal

Portugal is fast emerging as one of Europe’s most popular wellness spots, offering the perfect mix of sun, sea, fitness, and spa treatments for one well-rounded holiday. Plus, sometimes a cheeky glass of sangria is also practicing wellness.

From the sun-drenched Algarve Coast to the vineyard yoga vibes of Duoro Valley, Portugal effortlessly blends fitness trends like pilates, surfing, and hiking with beach days, hot springs, thermal spas, and ultimate relaxation.  

Indonesia

It’s impossible to talk about wellness trips without including Indonesia and every Australians’ home away from home – Bali.

This extremely budget-friendly destination has everything you could ever ask for. We’re talking sunrise yoga, floating breakfasts, cheap massages, scalp and haircare treatments, hydrating facials, breathwork classes, soundbaths, and ancient healing traditions like Melukat.

Melukat, the Balinese Hindu ritual of spiritual cleansing using holy spring water from sacred sites is probably the thing you’ve seen some random girlie doing on TikTok – basically its purpose is to purify the body, mind and spirit from negative energy. Yes, hopefully that includes the demonic spirit of your evil ex.

If that’s not your thing or you want to dig a bit deeper, there’s also Balinese healing – where you can go visit traditional healers to find and clear energy blockages and cleanse your aura.

Whether you’re after clearer skin or a clearer mind, Bali and its surrounds has you covered.

Thailand

Another very popular and affordable wellness hub, Thailand blends ancient healing traditions (meditation, herbal therapies and mindfulness) with relaxed luxury. Think slow mornings, yoga, stand up paddleboarding and pilates classes, fresh coconuts by the beach, and having thoughtful chats with the training Buddhist monks to learn their ways of life and how they embrace mindfulness.

This type of wellness trip isn’t about the extremities of detoxing or forcing a strict routine. It’s about embracing clarity and perspective, learning to feel good and coming home mentally lighter than when you arrived.

Plus, the FOOD. Need we say more?

South Korea

Let’s be honest, who amongst us doesn’t want a hot girl South Korean holiday? From 24-hour jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses) to hiking misty mountains and sipping herbal teas, South Korea is the ultimate nervous system reset.

And the real drawcard goes without saying. Where better to learn a 10-step Korean skincare routine for glass skin than from the experts themselves? South Korea is a skincare mecca and perfect for the ultimate glowcation. From high-tech machines and skin treatments to steam rooms, salt rooms, and hot tubs that flush out toxins, the modern innovation combined with natural care will give your skin and soul a double detox. You’ll never need to use a Snapchat or Instagram filter again.

Mexico

Mexico is a splash of wellness, and a whole lot of fun at the same time, perfect for those seeking balance in life.

Sun, spiritual vibes and adventure all come together in Mexico, where one morning you may be melting into a 75-minute hot yoga session, and another hiking a mountain to see the most epic sunrise of your life. You may then round off the afternoon off with a soul-searching session with a local shaman, leaving rejuvenated. The options are endless!

Plus, at the end of the day you can celebrate another day of taking care of you with delicious tacos and maybe a margarita or two. We did say it was about balance, right?

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been one of the wellness world’s best-kept secrets for a little while, but that’s due to change very soon. So if you needed a push to get onto a soul-satisfying Sri Lanka trip while it still feels rare and hidden, take this as your sign!

From Ayurvedic retreats that offer personalised wellness routines to immersing yourself in rainforests, tea plantations, waterfalls and scenic beaches, every day is a beautiful mix of mindfulness, meditation and magic.

Enjoy all the wellness perks without breaking the bank on a Sri Lanka trip – and spice things up by learning how to surf in between yoga sessions or indulge in a Kottu Roti. Trust us, this won’t be your only trip to Sri Lanka.  

Switzerland

If you’re feeling a little fancy and your budget has more wiggle room, Switzerland is the premier global wellness hub. The alpine beauty, cutting-edge medical science, and strong culture of overall wellbeing means the moment you step into Switzerland you’re living and breathing a whole new life.

Switzerland is the ultimate dream for those wanting to experience wellness with a side of adventure. Ever thought about trying yoga on a glacier? Or sitting in a steaming hot infinity pool overlooking the snow-capped mountains? Plus then there’s the endless stunning hikes, winter sports if you’re a snow bunny, and high-end medical spas that offer all sorts of tailored health programming. You’ll be going home a totally new person! Or maybe you won’t want to go home at all. We don’t blame you.

Have you already embraced the wellness travel trend? Tell us about it here.