Savannah has once again earned national recognition as one of America's premier travel destinations, ranking No. 3 in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026. The city has consistently ranked among the publication's top five U.S. cities for nearly two decades. This year, Savannah was specifically recognized for its rich history, award-winning restaurants, and inimitable Southern hospitality.

“On behalf of the Savannah/Chatham County community, we are again extremely proud to be ranked among the very top on Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best destinations list”, says Visit Savannah President and CEO Joseph Marinelli.”

Marinelli went on to add, “This is a reminder that visitors to the Savannah area will always find a warm, welcoming destination that truly puts an emphasis on our unique style of Southern hospitality. Additionally, this continued recognition underscores Savannah's enduring appeal and commitment to preserving its history while delivering exceptional visitor experiences.”

Key characteristics that the 661,000 voters were looking for were distinctive destinations rich in culture, history, and uniqueness. Cities were specifically rated on sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value.

TOP 10 CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES 2026

1.  Santa Fe, New Mexico

2.  Charleston, South Carolina

3. Savannah, Georgia

4.  New Orleans, Louisiana

5.  Chicago, Illinois

6.  Fort Worth, Texas

7.  Honolulu, Hawaii

8.  New York, New York

9.  Alexandria, Virginia

10. Greenville, South Carolina

The 2026 World’s Best Awards are featured in the August 2026 issue of Travel + Leisure.