New data from the online travel agency eDreams ODIGEO shows that Spanish cities continue to dominate the holiday plans of European travellers in 2026. The company's "year in travel" report, based on search and booking activity from customers in Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK and the USA, highlights both enduring favourites and a clear shift towards less conventional destinations.
Globally, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Palma de Mallorca and London were the five most-booked cities of 2026. Yet the fastest-growing destinations tell a different story: Durban (up 80%), Melbourne (57%), Cape Town (55%), Johannesburg (50%) and Sydney (48%) all saw sharp increases in bookings. The report attributes this to a growing appetite for "Southern Hemisphere escapes that offer the best of many worlds: vibrant cities, access to stunning beaches and outdoor activities".
Looking ahead, travellers are already setting their sights on 2027. Paris, London, Tokyo, New York City and Bangkok lead early bookings, while Tokyo, London, Paris, Orlando and Cancun top the search rankings. Dana Dunne, CEO of eDreams ODIGEO, said: "People's appetite for travel is as strong as ever, and we expect 2027 to be another big year based on the early signs."
Hotel bookings reveal a taste for second cities
For the first time, the report also analysed hotel booking data. European destinations dominated the global hotel list, with Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam the most popular. But the fastest-growing hotel markets include Cagliari in Italy (up 78%), Dublin in Ireland (76%) and Tirana in Albania (74%). The company noted that "travellers are also balancing European favourites with a growing interest in second and even third-city destinations that offer new cultural experiences".
British travellers, in particular, are embracing short breaks of one to two days (68% of bookings), favouring nearby cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam and Paris. Staycations are also on the rise, with Manchester (up 112%) and Belfast (56%) showing strong growth. Rome, Barcelona, Paris, London, Madrid, New York's Battery Park, Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam and Seville remain "perennial favourites", with 2027 bookings so far indicating "strong interest in European city breaks". Cultural immersion, food and adventure are the main motivations cited.
National preferences: from Marrakech to Tirana
French travellers booked Marrakech, Barcelona and Lisbon most often in 2026, followed by Porto, Palma de Mallorca, Djerba in Tunisia, Madrid, Rome, Istanbul and Nice. The list reflects a mix of familiar Mediterranean escapes and North African charm.
Spaniards, meanwhile, showed a strong staycation tendency: seven of their top ten destinations were domestic, including Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Málaga, Seville and Gran Canaria. Paris, Rome and London were the only foreign cities to break into the top ten.
Portuguese travellers chose Paris as their top destination, with Barcelona and Madrid close behind. Funchal, London, Amsterdam, Ponta Delgada, Geneva and Zurich also featured prominently, indicating a taste for both island getaways and Alpine city breaks.
Italians favoured Barcelona, Tirana and Paris, with Catania, Madrid, Olbia, Amsterdam, Milan, London and Ibiza also popular. For 2027, Italians are already booking Paris, Madrid, London and Barcelona, alongside Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, Amsterdam, New York, Budapest, Rome and Valencia.
German travellers placed Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona at the top, with Istanbul in third. London, Vienna, Madrid, Paris, Lisbon, Athens and Tirana completed their top ten. For 2027, Bangkok leads German bookings, followed by Palma de Mallorca, London, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Rome, Vienna, Tenerife, Athens and Lisbon.
The data underscores a broader European trend: while classic sun-and-city destinations remain essential, travellers are increasingly curious about emerging spots that offer cultural depth and value. As the continent's travel habits evolve, cities like Tirana and Cagliari are proving that the appeal of Europe extends well beyond its most famous capitals. For more insights on where to find affordable getaways, see our best-value travel list for 2027.
