British readers love to travel, and this is revealed in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2026, where Italy is repeatedly honored from multiple perspectives. For the twenty-fifth edition, 251,461 readers who are travel enthusiasts cast over 8.2 million votes, selecting the destinations, tour operators, and brands most loved. The top title? Sicily rises onto the podium as one of Europe’s most desired islands, but it isn’t the only standout among many locations.
Sicily, the Italian island among Europe’s most desired
Those who have already visited it can imagine the reasons why this Italian region has managed to win the hearts of the English, while those who haven’t yet vacationed there have another reason to add it to their travel wish lists… and it isn’t just about beaches. The award, recognized by the readers of the British magazine Wanderlust, places our Sicily in third place.
You can start in Palermo, with lively markets, historic palaces, and the scents of street food, or get lost among the Baroque architectures of Noto, Modica and Ragusa. In Syracuse, the island of Ortigia awaits with atmospheric alleys and sea views, while Taormina offers panoramas that seem designed to imprint themselves on memory.
And then there’s Etna, a dramatic and powerful presence that reminds us how this island is built of contrasts. On the same journey you can move from volcanic landscapes to crystal-clear coves, from archaeological sites to small villages where time seems to slow down. Do you prefer the sea? Between the western coast, the southern beaches, and the smaller islands, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
And when it’s time to sit down at the table, arancine/arancini (depending on the province), pasta alla Norma, cannoli, and granita complete the experience. Only Corsica, ranked first for its wild beaches and medieval villages, and the splendid Greek island of Crete, surpassed it.
The other Italian destinations honored
To captivate UK readers there is also an Italian city regarded as an “emerging destination” abroad: Genoa. The Magnificent Genoa enchants, not only for its aquarium, but also for its world‑unique elevators that connect the different levels of the structure, the splendid panoramas, and of course the artistic heritage starting from the Rolli palaces. In the ranking of Europe’s most desirable cities, it places fourth, behind Athens, Dubrovnik and Copenhagen.
Fourth place also for Puglia in the top 10 of Europe’s most desirable regions: it is surpassed by the Croatian islands, the Greek ones, and Andalusia. What do these wonders have in common? Certainly sea-facing panoramas and dreamy beaches. Of course Italy is also recognized for its cultural heritage on a global level, finishing third. Egypt takes first place, and Japan follows. An important milestone when you consider how many possibilities there are and the many facets of the topic on a global scale.
Second place for our nation in another regard as well… that related to food: second only to Thailand for gastronomy, it earns a silver medal.
