Quebec City Crowned World’s Best Fall Travel Hotspot for 2026

Quebec City has been named the world’s best destination for an autumn getaway, beating traditional U.S. fall favourites in a new global ranking.

Research from Iglu Cruise ranked Quebec’s capital No. 1 among 40 popular seasonal destinations worldwide, ahead of Kyoto, Japan; Burlington, Vermont; Portland, Maine; and Jackson, New Hampshire.

Canada performed particularly well in the ranking, claiming three spots in the global top 10. Halifax, Nova Scotia, landed in ninth place, while Saguenay, Quebec, rounded out the list at No. 10.

The ranking comes as interest in autumn travel continues to rise. According to the research, Google Trends UK search interest for “autumn travel” increased 130 per cent compared with the previous five-year average, reaching an all-time high in early 2026.

Quebec City takes the crown

Iglu Cruise analyzed global data across 40 destinations, scoring each based on broadleaf tree density, daily autumn sunshine hours, availability of local tours and growth in UK search demand.

Quebec City earned a final index score of 90.6 out of 100, putting it comfortably ahead of second-place Kyoto, which scored 85.9.

The Canadian destination received perfect scores of 100 for both tree density and search demand, along with a score of 92.5 for excursion supply and 68.4 for autumn sunshine.

The study highlighted the region’s sugar maples and their displays of red and gold, with Jacques-Cartier National Park, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Grande Allée and Rue Saint-Louis among the recommended locations for viewing fall colours.

Kyoto took second place globally, boosted by its maple foliage and autumn sunshine. Tofuku-ji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera and the Philosopher’s Path were identified among its notable seasonal attractions.

New England remains a fall favourite

U.S. destinations dominated much of the remainder of the list, securing four of the top 10 positions.

Burlington, Vermont, ranked third with a score of 83.5, followed by Portland, Maine, at 81.6 and Jackson, New Hampshire, at 81.5.

Bar Harbor, Maine, home to Acadia National Park, ranked seventh with a score of 79.9.

Austria’s Wachau Valley was the highest-ranked European destination, taking sixth place globally with a score of 80.2. Hiroshima, Japan, followed in eighth place at 77.8.

Three Canadian destinations make top 10

Canada’s showing extended beyond Quebec City.

Halifax ranked ninth globally with an index score of 76.7. The research highlighted Point Pleasant Park and McNabs Island among the area’s fall foliage viewing locations, along with coastal drives featuring red maple and golden birch.

Saguenay took the final spot in the top 10 with a score of 76.3.

The Quebec destination was recognized for the colourful birch and maple trees surrounding the Saguenay Fjord. Cap-Trinité, Route 172 and Saguenay Fjord National Park were identified as key viewing locations, while boat trips provide another way to see the region’s autumn colours.

The top 10 destinations for 2026 are Quebec City; Kyoto; Burlington; Portland; Jackson; Wachau Valley; Bar Harbor; Hiroshima; Halifax; and Saguenay.