Beyond the already established markets, the BARNES Global Property Handbook 2026 identifies 20 destinations to watch closely. These markets share a common characteristic: significant appreciation potential, underpinned by solid fundamentals—favourable demographics, infrastructure development, rising tourist attractiveness or strategic repositioning.
London (United Kingdom)
London remains the world's number-one destination for prestige real estate investors, with the deepest market and highest liquidity in the world. Despite the aftermath of Brexit and heavier taxation on prestige transactions, the British capital maintains its international appeal, sustained by its universities, financial institutions and an incomparable cultural scene.
Venice (Italy)
Venice is one of the rarest destinations in the world. With a continuously declining resident population (fewer than 50,000 in the historic city), strict regulations on new construction and an increasing influx of luxury tourists, the Venetian real estate market combines absolute scarcity with sustained demand. Palazzi on the Grand Canal remain among the most sought-after properties in the world.
Istanbul (Turkey)
Istanbul is the world's only megacity straddling two continents. Its exceptional geographic position, millennial culture, economic dynamism and still-attractive cost of living make it an increasingly coveted destination for investors from the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia. Turkey's golden visa programme has supported foreign real estate investment.
Barcelona (Spain)
Barcelona remains one of Europe's most sought-after cities for international buyers, despite restrictions on tourist rentals and price pressure in certain neighbourhoods. The city combines an exceptional cultural offering (Gaudí, the Raval, the Barrio Gótico), world-renowned gastronomy and excellent air connectivity.
Budapest (Hungary)
Budapest is Central Europe's most remarkable emerging destination. Its architectural beauty, thermal heritage, burgeoning gastronomic and cultural scene and still-accessible price levels make it a unique investment opportunity. Hungary's golden visa programme is attracting investors from the Middle East and Asia.
Brussels (Belgium)
Capital of the European Union and home to numerous international institutions, Brussels offers a stable and liquid prestige real estate market. The Avenue Louise neighbourhood and the Marolles district concentrate the prestige offering most sought after by international civil servants and the Benelux clientele.
Geneva (Switzerland)
Geneva embodies the safe-haven asset par excellence: political stability, a strong currency, attractive cantonal taxation, a concentration of private banks and international organisations, and an incomparable quality of life. The Geneva hyper-prime market remains one of the world's most resilient in times of turbulence.
Mauritius
Mauritius remains the Indian Ocean's leading destination for prestige residential real estate. The Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) and Property Development Scheme (PDS) allow foreigners to acquire prestige properties within protective regulatory frameworks. The diversity of micro-environments (north coast, Tamarin, Moka, east coast) offers a rich palette of residential options.
Lisbon & Porto (Portugal)
Despite the revision of the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, Portugal maintains strong international appeal. Lisbon remains Europe's most affordable luxury destination capital, and Porto is emerging as an increasingly coveted alternative, notably in the Foz do Douro area.
Athens (Greece)
Athens is experiencing a spectacular real estate renaissance. After a decade of crisis, the Greek capital is once again attracting international investors, driven by strong tourism growth, a recovery in rents and prices that remain attractive relative to other major Mediterranean capitals. Kolonaki and the Anaktora district are the most coveted neighbourhoods.
Montreal (Canada)
Montreal is establishing itself as one of the world's leading capitals for artificial intelligence and renewable energies. Its dynamic university population, multilingualism, reasonable cost of living relative to other North American metropolises and recognised quality of life make it an increasingly prized residential destination.
Bordeaux (France)
Bordeaux has attracted more than 50,000 new residents since 2010, profoundly transforming its residential fabric and service offering. After years of strong price growth, the market is experiencing a gentle correction that is creating opportunities for discerning buyers, particularly in the Golden Triangle and around the Jardin Public.
Lyon (France)
Lyon is regularly ranked as France's third city in terms of quality of life. Its world-renowned gastronomy, UNESCO heritage, universities and diversified economic fabric make it a solid residential destination. The prestige market is experiencing a correction in 2025, creating opportunities notably in the 6th arrondissement.
Deauville (France)
Deauville is Normandy's emblematic seaside resort, just 2 hours from Paris. Its unique Anglo-Norman architecture, the famous boardwalk, the racecourse, the American Film Festival and an exceptional equestrian market make it an incomparable destination. The stability of prices reflects the maturity and solidity of this market.
Arcachon Bay (France)
The Arcachon Bay is one of the most exclusive seaside destinations on the French Atlantic coast. The coexistence of the Arcachon Winter Town, the Dune du Pilat, Cap Ferret and the oyster fishing cabins creates a residential world of unique richness. Prestige supply is extremely limited and prices hold firm at elevated levels.
Basque Coast (France)
The French Basque Coast (Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hossegor) is one of Europe's most coveted seaside destinations. Its strong Basque cultural identity, renowned gastronomic scene, mythical surf breaks and the quality of its Pyrenean hinterland make it an authentic four-season destination.
Provence — Aix-en-Provence, the Alpilles and the Luberon
Inland Provence represents one of France's most stable and cherished prestige real estate markets. The Provençal art de vivre, the quality of the light, the markets, the gastronomy and the beauty of the landscapes constitute an irresistible appeal for a deeply loyal French and international clientele.
Provence — Marseille, Cassis, Sanary and Lavandou
The Provençal coastline, from Marseille to Lavandou, offers a palette of highly diverse destinations: Marseille, in the midst of an urban renaissance driven by its cosmopolitan energy; Cassis, the chic village of Calanques Provence; Sanary, the refined family resort of the 1920s; and Lavandou, the gateway to the Îles d'Or.
Île de Ré (France)
The Île de Ré is one of France's most exclusive seaside destinations. With 80% of its territory classified as a protected area, real estate supply is structurally limited. The white stone houses with green shutters, flower-lined lanes and wild beaches create an incomparable residential world. Prices hold firm at very elevated levels.
Ibiza (Spain)
Ibiza is Spain's most expensive island per square metre. Its structural shortage of buildable land, its status as the international reference destination for UHNWI clients and the impossibility of creating new seafront developments guarantee that demand will remain durably above supply. The prestige market continues to trend upwards.
Corsica (France)
Corsica remains one of France's most protected prestige real estate destinations. Strict planning rules, the coastal development law and local land constraints guarantee lasting scarcity in the quality supply. The most coveted areas remain the Balagne in the north, Porto-Vecchio in the south and Bonifacio at the island's southern tip.