Race Across the World 2026: Filming Locations from Italy to Mongolia Revealed
Race Across the World returns to television screens with its most extreme edition yet, as five new teams embark on a grueling 7,400-mile journey from Italy to Mongolia. The 2026 series, which premiered on Friday 10 April 2026, promises viewers an epic transcontinental adventure, tracing parts of the ancient Silk Road through diverse landscapes and cultures.
The Teams and the Challenge
This year's competition features five pairs: best friends Jo and Kush, siblings Katie and Harrison, father and daughter Andrew and Molly, cousins Puja and Roshni, and the unlikely duo of in-laws Mark and Margo. Each team must navigate bustling cities and remote rural areas, enduring harsh conditions and extreme temperatures, all while managing a limited budget and carrying only essential resources in their backpacks.
Start Line: Palermo, Sicily
The race kicks off in Palermo, the capital of Sicily, where teams gather at the 12th-century Baroque cathedral, the Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini. Here, they surrender their bank cards and phones, marking the beginning of their adventure. Palermo, known as Europe's most conquered city, boasts a rich architectural blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, alongside Unesco-protected Norman palaces that incorporate Arab and Byzantine influences. Beyond its historical allure, the city attracts tourists with its Mediterranean climate and renowned Sicilian cuisine, including favourites like arancini and pasta alla norma.
Checkpoint One: Fiskardo, Kefalonia, Greece
The first checkpoint is the picturesque village of Fiskardo on the northern tip of Kefalonia, Greece's largest Ionian island. This upscale harbour resort, popular with yachters, features intact Venetian buildings dating back to the 16th to 18th centuries. Visitors can enjoy family-run restaurants, cafes, and bars along the waterfront, serving local specialities. Surrounded by pebble beaches and bays, Fiskardo offers opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, and boat hires to secluded coves.
Checkpoint Two: Istanbul, Turkey
In stark contrast to the tranquil Greek village, the next checkpoint is the vibrant city of Istanbul, Turkey. After traveling 186 miles through rural Greece, including stops in Athens and Mount Olympus, teams arrive in this bustling metropolis that straddles Europe and Asia. Istanbul draws over 19 million tourists annually, famed for its sprawling spice and jewellery bazaars, over 3,000 mosques, and iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sofia—a historic Byzantine structure turned mosque. The city is also a haven for foodies, offering Turkish breakfasts, street vendors selling balik ekmek (fish sandwiches), and a rich coffee culture.
Finish Line: Hatgal, Mongolia
The journey culminates in the remote village of Hatgal on the shores of Lake Hövsgöl in northern Mongolia, near the Russian border. This region experiences extreme temperatures, with winters dropping to -49°C in January. Lake Hövsgöl, known as the Blue Pearl, is Mongolia's largest freshwater lake by volume and one of Earth's 20 ancient lakes, existing for around two million years. Each March, a two-day festival on its frozen surface features ice skating, horse sleigh racing, ice sumo wrestling, and Shamanic rituals honouring nature spirits.
Throughout the series, viewers will witness the teams' struggles and triumphs as they traverse Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia, making this the most challenging Race Across the World to date.
