Art travel used to mean a handful of predictable stops: New York, Paris, Basel. But a new wave of destinations now offer some of the world's best cultural programming, with new museums, design festivals and outdoor art experiences rivaling those in more established art capitals. Here are five destinations where art isn’t an aside, but rather the reason for the trip.

1. Naoshima, Teshima & Inujima, Japan

Japan’s “art islands” in the Seto Inland Sea have drawn architecture and art enthusiasts for years, thanks largely to a cluster of minimalist museums designed by Tadao Ando. That lineup includes the Chichu Art Museum (built mostly underground), the Lee Ufan Museum and the Benesse House Museum, which together form one of the most concentrated settings of site-specific contemporary art in the world. Last year’s opening of the Naoshima New Museum of Art adds a major new anchor, with a focus on contemporary Asian artists.

Between museum visits, travelers bike or take short ferries between islands, stopping for installations set along the coast and in small villages that have been partially transformed into art sites. A stay at Benesse House is central to the experience. The hotel doubles as a museum, and guests can access galleries early in the morning and after closing, when works by artists like Alberto Giacometti and Jean-Michel Basquiat can be viewed with few or no other visitors.

2. Ljubljana & Bled, Slovenia

Better known for its alpine landscapes, Slovenia has been quietly building a contemporary art presence, particularly in its capital, Ljubljana, where institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova and a growing network of independent galleries have expanded programming over the past decade.

The scheduled opening of the Muzej Lah this summer, in the town of Bled, will mark a significant step forward. Backed by a major private collection, the contemporary art museum is expected to bring international-caliber exhibitions to a country that has sat, until now, slightly outside the main European art circuit. Travelers may choose to combine Ljubljana with Lake Bled, the Julian Alps and the Adriatic coast in a single trip.

3. Inhotim, Brazil

A museum and botanical garden set on a lush landscape in southeastern Brazil, Inhotim ranks among the largest open-air contemporary art sites in the world. The 350-acre site combines lush landscape design with more than 20 galleries, many of them built for specific artists. Major works include immersive environments by artists such as Olafur Eliasson and Doug Aitken, as well as site-specific commissions designed for the landscape.

A recent development has made visiting significantly easier: the opening of Clara Arte, the first hotel located on the museum’s grounds. The property, set near the park’s entrance, includes dozens of private villas and common spaces that display works from Inhotim’s collection. Previously, visitors had to stay in nearby Brumadinho or make a day trip from Belo Horizonte, limiting visits to a single day. With on-site accommodations now available, it’s possible to spend multiple days exploring at a more manageable pace.

4. Helsinki, Finland

Design enthusiasts should enjoy a visit to the Finnish capital during Helsinki Design Week, held each August. The event turns the city into a network of exhibitions, talks and installations spread across galleries, studios and public spaces. Unlike many design fairs, which are primarily industry events, Helsinki Design Week is open and accessible to the public. Visitors don't need credentials to attend events focused on architecture, furniture and fashion, alongside talks and workshops.

The format makes it easy to build a trip around the festival: spend the day moving between venues, then use the rest of the visit to explore Helsinki’s permanent design institutions, shops and architecture. The programming also includes a strong slate of events for children, making it one of the more family-friendly options on the design calendar.

5. Bentonville, Arkansas

Over the past decade, Bentonville has become one of the United States’ newest art destinations, driven largely by the opening of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Founded by Alice Walton, the museum is known for its collection of American art and its architecturally distinctive campus. A major expansion expected to be completed in June will add gallery space for more than 200 new works, which will open alongside an exhibition featuring sculptures by Keith Haring.

A short distance away, an extension of the Crystal Bridges Museum called The Momentary focuses on newer and more experimental programming, including contemporary art exhibitions, music performances and culinary events. Together, the two institutions anchor a rapidly growing cultural scene.