Thinking about golden years adventures? These are officially the best holiday destinations for retired travellers in 2026

On the whole, we’re living longer than ever. Advances in medicine, technology and education mean life expectancies are continuously rising, with record numbers of healthy octogenarians and nonagenarians around the world.

Consequently, fewer of us are viewing retirement as a time to slow down. The retirement gap year is very much on the rise and, timed with children flying the nest and starting their own families as parents’ careers come to a well-deserved end, curious baby boomers and those of the silent generation are setting their sights on a host of jetsetting adventures.

But which destinations are best suited to these travellers? While tastes and interests vary greatly, octogenarians seek different experiences on their travels than those of globetrotters before starting university.

Scenic panoramic view of famous Jungfraujoch mountain with forest and valley, seen from the train running on Jungfrau railway, Swiss Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Getty Images

To uncover the best destinations in the world for retired travellers in 2026, the travel specialists at Firebird Tours have pitted some of the world’s most popular holiday destinations against each other across several metrics. The study considers scores for walkability, healthcare, peace and safety, while factoring in museum discounts, the number of Michelin-recognised restaurants and a score for the number of UNESCO Heritage Sites.

Japan has been named the best destination in the world for retired travellers right now, trumping other destinations by an impressive margin. While it proves an increasingly popular option for younger travellers, Japan is home to the largest proportion of over-65s (29.5 per cent), its cities are deemed extremely walkable, and there are myriad Michelin options for touring gourmands.

Germany is second, with a notable safety score and plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites – but it’s let down by measly discounts for seniors on public transport and in cultural venues. Such discounts are considerably better in Spain, which ranks third, while fourth-place Slovenia’s score is bolstered by a large senior population and its walkable landscape.

Aerial view of Fortress Vila Vella and Badia de Tossa bay at summer in Tossa de Mar on Costa Brava, Catalunya, Spain

Getty Images

Below, see the destinations retirees are travelling to in their droves – and see the full study at firebirdtours.com.

The best countries in the world for retired travellers

10. Canada
=8. Netherlands
=8. Finland
7. Denmark
6. Austria
5. Switzerland
4. Slovenia
3. Spain
2. Germany
1. Japan