Airbnb Reveals Lesser-Known City As UK’s Most Exciting Destination For 2026

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London isn’t exactly old news, but Scotland certainly seems to be all the rage.

Whether it’s new train routes or newfound hype from the biggest names in travel, more people are scoping out Scotland rather than a one-and-done trip to London.

Don’t believe us?

Take it from Airbnb’s latest report, jam-packed with insightful nuggets for your 2026 adventures.

Though you won’t find any recognizable UK getaway, there are numerous European stunners mentioned.

But there’s one destination ‘across the pond’ that’s ready to wow you as it’s laden with storybook castles, traditional pubs, a delightful riverfront to explore, and the legend of one of the world’s most famous mysteries you can settle once and for all.

Inverness: A Postcard City Without Tourism Overload

You may know Glasgow and Edinburgh, but Inverness flies under the radar.

Growing up, my grandparents lived on Inverness Drive in Tyler, TX. Even knowing then that connecting streets were Scottish themed, such as Aberdeen Drive and Edinburgh Drive, none of us ever put together that Inverness was a real place, and I was an avid National Geographic subscriber at the time.

Still, this lesser-known city is not even close to being a household name nowadays, with the likes of other major UK destinations.

Rather small in size, home to just 48,000 people, it sits in that sweet spot between nature and city comforts without the urban chaos you find elsewhere.

Straddling the River Ness, you can easily peruse Inverness for hours, discovering well-preserved Victorian buildings, many of which house traditional pubs dating back ages.

Inverness is not only a charming city itself, but also the perfect springboard to the famed Scottish Highlands for epic countryside scenery brimming with lush greenery, historic castles, and tranquil lochs.

Rarely will you see an unsightly crowd here, even at the most popular landmarks, making it one of the most enticing visits to the UK, as other cities are on a record-breaking tear.

Airbnb Hypes Inverness As A Solo Destination

In their own words, Airbnb states “As “me time” replaces “plus one,” solo explorers are curating some of the year’s most intriguing getaways” and guess which Scottish followed…

Yep — Inverness.

Look — I’d have no problem hopping on a plane and exploring London on my own — until the bill came…

$25 for so-so fish and chips, $10 for a pint of beer you can’t pronounce — yeah, that can be hard to swallow when you’re not splitting costs.

Inverness is much lighter on the wallet.

Being an Airbnb topic, we’d be remiss not to do a little digging to see how much vacation rentals go for.

You can find entire apartments in the city center this spring for around $100 per night, so it is doable.

Of course, there are hostels and cute bed and breakfasts as an option too…

The point being, even though it’s not the biggest city to get lost in for an entire week, there’s plenty to do and see, all while stretching your budget if you choose to brave Inverness on your own terms.

Whether it be castle tours, whiskey tastings, city walking tours or gorgeous hikes (post-winter), you will surely have a blast!

And that’s not to say Inverness isn’t enjoyed by couples either. It’s safe to say Inverness is one of the most romantic settings in all of the UK.

Has The Legend Of “Nessie” Come To An End?

Put aside tourism statistics and trend predictions for a moment. If Scotland has one claim to fame, it might sound silly, but it’s the Loch Ness Monster (otherwise known as “Nessie”).

The legend of Nessie all started in the 1930’s when a local couple made waves saying they saw an unknown creature.

Stories have been passed down for decades, including a famous photo looking something like a tentacle sticking out of the waters of Loch Ness.

Today, you can still go on boat tours hoping to catch a glimpse of what seems to be Scotland’s version of Bigfoot.

But this popular attraction recently came to a crashing halt as longtime researcher Adrian Shine claimed he has given up on the elusive lake dweller, claiming it simply can’t be true to exist and must be explained by natural phenomena or simply a misidentified species.

Real or not, Nessie has created a whole subculture industry for tourism. If anything, it’s fun to talk about with locals over a pint.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.