The 10 most incredible yoga destinations

Whether you’re a devout yogi or you just enjoy a bit of downward dog, there are some truly amazing places around the world to practise yoga.

These yoga destinations are ideal places to start or continue your yoga practice, giving you the opportunity to reconnect to your mind, body and soul. Yoga retreats make a great vacation and can add a spiritual element to any holiday. Here are our 10 favourites.

1. Bali, Indonesia

Australians love to escape to Bali to relax and unwind, and there is even more reason to do so with the many retreats and yoga classes that are spread across the island. Probably the most famous is The Yoga Barn in Ubud which offers more than 100 yoga classes per week, as well as breathwork and healing sessions. Afterwards, you can enjoy vegan, vegetarian and raw cuisine at its Garden Kafe.

Girl Doing Yoga On Poolside In Morning In Bali, Indonesia. Young Slim Woman In Sportswear Sitting In Lotus Pose Or Padmasana On Sport Mat Near Infinity Pool Against Tropical Landscape. — Relax and unwind at a Bali yoga retreat.

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Yoga on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy is one of the best destinations to practise yoga as it provides an idyllic place to connect with your inner self as you enjoy breathtaking views of the turquoise Mediterranean sea. Not only that, but you’ll also find yourself enjoying the freshest sea-to-table meals, and exploring exotic underwater caves known as grottoes.

Amalfi Coast Yoga Retreats is organised so guests can experience Southern Italy as authentically as possible. You’ll enjoy daily yoga with sea views, beautiful accommodation in a private villa and stunning Italian food. This all-inclusive villa is the perfect place for a yoga-practising world traveller looking to practise mindfulness as well as become immersed in the Italian culture that surrounds it.

Aerial view of beach in Italy with parasols — Yoga on the Amalfi Coast is incredibly picturesque.

3. Koh Phangan, Thailand

Koh Phangan is more than just the Full Moon Party that attracts so many backpackers each month. This island is also known for its natural beauty, slower-paced hippie lifestyle, and its tranquillity. Koh Phangan is brimming with yoga experiences, spirituality and healthy living.

The Sanctuary is a resort and spa offering a yoga program that has been operating for 25 years. The Sanctuary regards yoga as an ancient practice and encourages its guests to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. They offer three daily classes with different levels and forms of yoga, so you’re sure to find something that suits your beliefs, practises, and goals.

Young woman doing morning yoga exercise at her home terrace in Koh Phangan island in Thailand. She is doing stretching and meditation, relaxing on the beginning of a new day. — There is way more to Koh Phangan than the Full Moon Party.

4. Tulum in Mexico

Tulum is sprinkled with yoga resorts with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. It’s the ideal place to sink deeper into your yoga practise while getting some Instagrammable content too. Give your mind, body and spirit an extra reboot by visiting one of the many yoga classes or wellness retreats in the region, which draw visitors from around the world who are attracted to Tulum’s ancient spirituality and relaxed way of life.

AZULIK is one of the most beautiful yoga shalas in Tulum and has classes at 8am and 9.30am every day, or you can organise private classes.

Gran Cenote is one of the most famous cenotes in Mexico, Tulum, Riviera Maya. — You’ll get some Insta-worthy shots as well as some well-deserved relaxation.

5. Rishikesh, India

There’s no better place on earth than India to study yoga or visit a retreat for some self-care. Rishikesh has been a magnet for yogis and enlightenment seekers since the 1960s. Plus, the International Yoga Festival is held here, welcoming yogis from all over for seven days in March each year.

Phool Chatti has been offering yoga and meditation courses for over 120 years. They offer different program options and diverse forms of yoga to cater to all kinds of people. What makes this location the perfect place to practise yoga is its secluded grounds, completely free of all kinds of pollution. For the participants of their yoga retreats, they offer fully furnished rooms and a healthy meal plan that is available throughout your stay.

Young woman practicing yoga in India at the famous Taj Mahal at sunrise - Headstand position upside down- People travel spirituality zen like concept — India is an iconic yoga destination.

6. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona in Arizona is one of the United States’ most iconic yoga destinations where people travel from far and wide to practise yoga. Holding the three-day Sedona Yoga Festival each year, it offers more than 200 relevant events including classes, performances, and workshops. The festival also includes specific yoga classes to help with anxiety and PTSD.

a woman reflected practicing yoga under the milky way near cathedral rock sedona arizona — Sedona has a three-day yoga festival every year.

7. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap in Cambodia is a popular resort town home to the famous Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon, Ta Prohm, and many other amazing cultural and historical attractions. It may not be one of the obvious yoga retreat destinations, but there are a handful of wellness and yoga-focused hotels and centres that offer multi-day retreats and healthy cuisine.

Young woman exercising yoga in ancient temple near majestic terrace lake at sunrise; concept of people with healthy lifestyles and wellbeing and travel Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Southeast Asia — Siem Reap is a very spiritual place.

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8. Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa is a beach town in Costa Rica that is nestled in the wilderness. Surrounded by the beach, jungles and more, it’s a beautiful location to centre yourself and your yoga practice. Vajra Sol is one of the most established yoga retreats in Costa Rica, and it unfolds onto a pristine beach lined by wild jungle and gifted with mesmerising sunsets. Dive into your yoga practice and learn to surf or stand-up paddle board in the warm ocean of the Nicoya Peninsula while you’re there.

Costa Rica Silhouettes of people doing yoga on the beach at sunset — Yoga with a view.

9. Lanzarote, Spain

Lanzarote is one of Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa. It is one of the best-preserved islands of the Canaries, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. It has a mild and pleasant temperature year-round, crystal-clear water with abundant marine life, relaxing beaches and 300 volcanoes that give a special energy to the land.

Yoga Lanzarote not only circulates the practice of yoga but also shares the spiritual philosophy from India and spreads that wisdom mixed with compassion that has been learnt from Buddhist monks to the yogis who come to the island.

View along a narrow street in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain. — Lanzarote is part of the Canary Islands.

10. Sacred Valley, Peru

The Sacred Valley in Peru’s Andean highlands, along with Cuzco and Machu Picchu, formed the Inca Empire. Samadhi is a facility in Peru dedicated to yoga and meditation, with the goal to work toward the conscience state of the divine through yoga, plant-based dieting, culture, and art therapy.

The stunning view from the accommodation helps create the overall experience that Samadhi strives for by immersing guests in a natural environment. This facility dedicates itself to teaching its guests how to connect to mother earth by taking a holistic and spiritual approach. Their yoga-mediation classes focus on self-knowledge and guide you to be your own teacher.

Machu Picchu In Peru — Is there a more sacred place to practice yoga than Sacred Valley?

Thousands of readers have cast their votes in a worldwide survey, revealing the best islands in the world to add to your travel radar.

The best island escapes have a way of making us feel instantly lighter – whether it be the pink-hued fringing reefs, green coconuts, powdery sands between your toes or crystalline water that shifts between turquoise and aquamarine with the light. Perhaps it’s the easy-breezy atmosphere that makes your worries melt as quickly as a tropical ice block in the sun. But how does one choose which island to visit?

Travel + Leisure has released its list of the best islands in the world as part of its 2026 World’s Best Awards, shining a spotlight on 25 idylls worth adding to your travel radar. More than 661,000 votes were cast across all award categories, including the best train journeys in the world, from more than 207,000 readers, who weighed in to share their opinions. From accessible Pacific gems to volcanic Portuguese outposts and stirring Scottish isles, the top-voted islands have revealed travellers’ appetite not only for relaxation, but also for adventure and cultural discovery.

And taking out the No.1 ranking? A blissful Thai island set in an inlet of the South China Sea.

1. Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand’s second-largest island, Koh Samui, has been named the number one island in the world for 2026, scoring an impressive 95.64 out of 100. Travellers appreciate the island’s diversity – offering everything from pristine beaches and lush rainforests to elephant sanctuaries and breathtaking Buddhist temples.

The destination has received increased attention from tourists over the past year or so, thanks to the hit HBO series The White Lotus setting its third season at the uber-luxurious Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui (we can dream, right?). Whether you’re checking into this five-star resort or an affordable jungle villa, Koh Samui will no doubt cast its spell on you.

2. Maldives

maldives aerial — The Maldives are known for their overwater villas. (Credit: Unsplash/Ishan @seefromthesky)

The atolls of the Maldives continue to hold universal allure, owing to their unbelievably glassy waters, indulgent overwater resorts and abundant marine life luring the diving crowd. And now they are even easier to access than ever, thanks to Luxury Escapes recently launching Australia’s first direct flight to the Maldives.

3. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

yellow iguana on Galapagos Islands — Spot the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. (Credit: Simon Berger)

Giant tortoises. Cheeky sea lions. Marine iguanas. With its unique environment where guests can follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, unparalleled wildlife encounters and expedition spirit, it’s easy to see why this island group in the eastern Pacific Ocean tops bucket lists the world over.

4. Bali, Indonesia

The River Café at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, Bali — A secluded riverside infinity pool hangs over the sacred Petanu River at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa.

Bali is a tried-and-true crowd-favourite among Aussie and NZ travellers not just for its convenient proximity to the east coast of Australia, but for its surf breaks, laid-back beach club lifestyle and delicious food. Plus, prices are a fraction of what they are back home.

5. Phuket, Thailand

Rich in dramatic limestone cliffs, elephant sanctuaries and a dynamic meld of cultures, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and one worth planning a tropical escape to.

6. Seychelles

a white-sand beach with giant boulders at La Digue, Seychelles — Etched on La Digue Island are huge granite rocks. (Credit: Getty/Diamond Dogs)

The independent island nation of Seychelles commonly conjures images of secluded beaches studded with oversized granite boulders and lined with shady palms. But it is also home to thriving vanilla plantations, multi-ethnic culture, French and British architecture, as well as island-hopping opportunities.

7. Fiji

Top view of Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort pool — Spend warm days soaking up the sun, playing golf or relaxing by the pool at Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort.

Fiji was voted one of the best islands in the world for several reasons: it is convenient to get to (located around four hours from mainland Australia), home to wildly beautiful marine environments and boasts of the friendliest locals in the world.

8. Sri Lanka

sri lanka train — Sri Lanka is known for its lush landscapes. (Credit: Unsplash/gemmafjam)

Located in the Indian Ocean just off the south-eastern coast of India, Sri Lanka beckons with flavour-packed cuisine, lush jungle and relaxed surf scenes that have visitors longing to return.

9. Dominica, the Caribbean

With rainforest covering around two-thirds of the land mass, this Caribbean destination is all about getting outdoors. Swim under thundering waterfalls, hike volcanic terrain and snorkel around Scotts Head.

10. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Boasting a vibrant fusion of African, Arabic and Indian cultures, Zanzibar is a unique place to book for your next island escape. The postcard-worthy beaches harbour dolphins and sea turtles, while the landscapes are home to endangered monkeys, rhinos and antelopes.

11. Golden Isles, USA

Comprising Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and St. Simons Island, the Golden Isles lie along Georgia’s Atlantic coast. Expect sweeping salt marshes, stretches of sun-drenched beaches and landmarks revealing a fascinating southern history.

12. Sardinia, Italy

sardinia boats — Sardinia is blessed with blue waters. (Credit: Unsplash/Fadi al Shami)

If you haven’t yet visited Sardinia, consider this your sign. This relatively undeveloped island, placed 200 kilometres off Italy’s mainland just south of Corsica, offers a distinctive local cuisine and mysterious Bronze Age ruins. An absolute must is joining a boat charter to the La Maddalena Archipelago – I’ve never seen water so clear and blue!

13. Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland

Not all islands come ringed with palm trees and tropical waters. In Scotland, the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides offer windswept coastlines far from civilisation, historic castles and a Lord of the Rings vibe.

14. Malta

the Valletta city pictured from above — Soak up the Baroque beauty of Valletta City. (Credit: Visit Malta)

One of the world’s best islands for both history and stunning blue water, Malta is famed for its golden limestone architecture, megalithic temples and Baroque buildings. Make sure to visit the striking Blue Lagoon.

15. Grenada, the Caribbean

Dubbed the ‘spice isle’, Grenada’s main hilly island is home to an abundance of nutmeg plantations, along with colourful Georgian buildings and diverse landscapes, from flowing waterfalls to castaway beaches.

16. Madeira, Portugal

coastal views at Porto da Cruz, Madeira — The majestic coastal beauty of Madeira’s Porto da Cruz. (Credit: Lauren de Sousa)

This subtropical Portuguese archipelago is a speck in the North Atlantic Ocean. Praised for its stirring volcanic landscapes, fortified wine and hiking trails, Madeira is a wonderful destination for food lovers as well as nature seekers.

17. Azores, Portugal

A lush paradise in the Atlantic, the Azores comprise nine volcanic islands, with São Miguel being the most popular among tourists. Bubbling geothermal hot springs, green crater lakes, whales, and dolphins are all reasons to visit.

18. Maui, USA

Maui is Hawai’i’s second-largest island and is known for its crystal-clear snorkelling at Molokini Crater, epic sunrises, waterfalls, scenic drives and luxurious beach resorts.

19. Sicily, Italy

sicily architecture — Sicily boasts charming architecture. (Unsplash/Val Vesa)

It’s little wonder Sicily has become such an enviable tourist destination, voted one of the best islands in the world. Not only does it offer sparkling turquoise coves and Italy’s tallest active volcano, but it’s also home to ancient Greek ruins and charming towns dotted with restaurants dishing up twirls of silky spaghetti.

20. Milos, Greece

Ah, Milos. This Aegean outpost in the Cyclades region is proving that the Greek islands will always be a slice of paradise to travellers with its moon-like landscapes, quieter atmosphere and pebbly beaches dotted with sun-baking locals.

21. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Discover vegetation-lined walking trails, nature sanctuaries, luxury yacht trips and famous seawater-flooded grottos on this dreamy Caribbean island.

22. Crete, Greece

a boat moored in the seaside village of Loutro Crete — Loutro is a charming seaside village in Crete that is surrounded by turquoise waters.

The largest and most populous island of Greece, Crete is the place to go for towering mountain gorges, world-renowned beaches, historic old towns and a distinct blend of Minoan, Greek Orthodox, Venetian, and Ottoman influences.

23. Vieques, Puerto Rico

The lesser-known Caribbean island of Vieques is where wild horses roam the countryside, wildlife refuges and bioluminescent bays where microorganisms light up the water with an otherworldly blue-green glow.

24. Paros, Greece

The lively main fishing town of Paros gives the island plenty of charm – think whitewashed houses, cobbled alleys, vine-draped tavernas and boutique shops. But don’t miss the sailing cruises and unique rock formations dotted around the island.

25. Kauaʻi, USA

Kauaʻi coast — Hike dramatic coastlines on Kauaʻi. (Credit: Unsplash/Jake Houglum)

Part of the Hawaiian archipelago, Kauaʻi is best known for its striking natural beauty, where godly green cliffs tumble into azure ocean and rainbows spring from misty waterfalls.