A recent report titled "عام السفر 2026" (The Travel Year 2026) by eDreams ODIGEO, an online travel agency, has analyzed travel data from several European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, and the US. The report highlights the most popular destinations for European travelers in 2026, with Spanish cities featuring prominently on the list.
According to the report, the top five most booked destinations globally in 2026 are Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Palma de Mallorca, and London. The cities that saw the most significant growth in bookings include Durban, Melbourne, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Sydney, with travelers seeking destinations in the Southern Hemisphere that offer a mix of urban excitement, beautiful beaches, and outdoor activities.
The report also notes that Paris, London, Tokyo, New York City, and Bangkok are among the most searched destinations for 2026, while Tokyo, London, Paris, Orlando, and Cancun are the top searched destinations for 2027. eDreams ODIGEO's CEO, Dana Dan, states that people's appetite for travel remains strong, and the company expects 2027 to be another significant year for travel based on early indicators.
The report also analyzed hotel booking data, revealing that European destinations such as Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam are among the most popular choices for 2026. Cities like Cagliari in Italy, Dublin in Ireland, and Tirana in Albania saw significant growth in hotel bookings, with increases of 78%, 76%, and 74%, respectively.
Travelers from the UK tend to prefer short breaks of one to two days, with 68% opting for destinations close to home. Popular hotel booking destinations for UK travelers include Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Paris. British tourists also enjoy domestic travel, with cities like Manchester and Belfast experiencing growth in bookings.
For French travelers, the top destinations in 2026 were Marrakech, Barcelona, and Lisbon, followed by Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, Porto, and Jerba. Spanish travelers, on the other hand, favored domestic destinations, with seven out of the top ten booked destinations being Spanish cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca.
The report also highlights the travel preferences of travelers from other European countries, including Portugal, Italy, and Germany. For Portuguese travelers, Paris was the most booked destination in 2026, followed by Barcelona and Madrid. Italian travelers favored Barcelona, Tirana, and Paris, while German travelers opted for Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, and Istanbul.
Key points
- Spanish cities dominate the list of most booked destinations for European travelers in 2026.
- The Southern Hemisphere is becoming increasingly popular among travelers, with cities like Durban, Melbourne, and Cape Town experiencing significant growth in bookings.
- European destinations such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Paris continue to be among the most popular choices for travelers in 2026 and 2027.
