Whether it’s because of rising food and culture scenes, new cutting-edge attractions and landmarks, the power of social media (or even the desire to escape it), under-the-radar destinations are trending with travellers. Think second cities, smaller beach and country towns or capitals that were once overlooked.
That’s certainly the case for the rising desinations spotlighted by Tripadvisor’s Summer Travel Index, an annual list of destinations that are seeing the biggest year-on-year growth in search volume from British travellers. The list is based on data from Tripadvisor’s website, specifically for travel dates between June and August.
So, where are Brits venturing to in 2026?
Spain continues to to reign as the supreme summer stay, and Alicante shines at the top spot. The beaches of Barcelona and Mallorca have always been sought after, but Alicante is steady-rising contender, offering the same palm-lined paradise with urban beaches and an epic nightlife. It’s also home to a small archipelago, Tabarca Island, which has buckets of sleepy charm and fresh seafood.
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Portuguese fishing village Alvor came second on the list. The village is at the heart of the Algarve, Portugal’s southern coastal region famed for its beaches (in fact, we reckon it’s home to the most beautiful beach in Europe). Destinations in Spain – Playa de Palma and Malaga – came second and third, respectively. Malaga’s popularity started to rise over 20 years ago with the opening of Museo Picasso, and it”s been captivating sun and art-seeking travellers since.
Other popular destinations listed include Poland’s capital Krakow, Budapest and its glorious baths and spas, and Dublin, for those seeking greener pastures and Guinness pints over beach sand and SPF.
These are the trending European destinations, according to Tripadvisor’s Summer Travel Index 2026
- Alicante, Spain
- Alvor, Portugal
- Playa de Palma, Majorca, Spain
- Malaga, Spain
- Ksamil, Albania
- Krakow, Poland
- Sitges, Spain
- Rhodes, Greece
- Budapest, Hungary
- Dublin, Ireland
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Plus: These are the best cheap beach holidays in Europe.
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