Forty-eight teams. Sixteen cities. One very loud summer.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from mid-June to mid-July, which means there are still a few weeks to book something better. Availability in Europe hasn’t dried up yet, and while hotels in Dallas and New York fill up and flight prices hold firm, some of the best destinations on the planet are sitting quietly in the background. The kind of places that do not need a tournament to justify going. These are a few that are definitely worth booking.
Folegandros, Greece
Folegandros sits at the edge of the Cyclades: small, unhurried, without a cruise ship in sight. There are no chain hotels here, no reason to rush, and no competition for your attention. Gundari, the island’s most considered retreat, perches above the sea with the kind of views that make everything feel necessary. Greece in summer is never truly quiet, but Folegandros comes close.
Gozo, Malta
Take the ferry from Malta and the pace changes immediately. Gozo is smaller, slower, and considerably more itself: limestone villages, sheltered bays, and a food culture that has always punched above its weight. The island’s boutique offering is intimate by necessity, which is exactly the point. Our guide to the best boutique hotels in Malta and Gozo covers where to stay on both islands, but if you only have one week this summer, give it to Gozo.
Fez, Morocco
July in Fez is warm, which means going early and going slowly. The medina is one of the most intact medieval cities anywhere in the world, and it still rewards wandering. For a stay that feels like a genuine retreat from it, two properties define the choice: Hotel Sahrai perches between the medina and the new city, all infinity pool and panoramic views; Dar Roumana sits inside the medina itself: five suites, traditional Moroccan dar, complete quiet. Different in every way. Both worth it.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona isn’t hosting World Cup matches, and this summer it barely needs a reason to visit. Casa Sagnier is the case for staying here: a building designed in 1892 by Enric Sagnier, one of the most prolific architects in Barcelona’s history, restored and opened as a boutique hotel on Rambla de Catalunya. The architecture is the point, the history is the point, and the rooftop terrace makes a strong argument for not leaving.
Mainland Greece
If the islands feel like too much coordination, mainland Greece offers something different. The Peloponnese is cooler, quieter, and more culturally layered than most people give it credit for. The boutique hotel scene here has been building steadily for years. Our roundup of boutique hotels in mainland Greece has the picks.
