All the industry reports are in, so which destinations in Europe are going to be trending in 2027? We take a look at the expert picks.
As the travel industry looks ahead to 2027, a flurry of new reports has offered a glimpse of where holidaymakers might be heading over the next 12 months – and what they’ll be looking for when they get there.
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From booking platforms to guidebook publishers, everyone seems to have an opinion on which are the “hot” destinations, whether that’s emerging city break favourites, quieter alternatives, or places gearing up for major cultural events.
Europe features heavily in many of the predictions, with Albania, lesser-known Greek islands and smaller cities in Italy, France and Germany among the destinations attracting attention.
At Euronews Travel, our own predictions for 2027 include a rise in popularity in the Spanish cities of Cádiz, Marbella and Málaga, thanks to the total eclipse next August, as well as trips to second cities, like Basel in Switzerland and Cambridge in the UK.
We also think China, which now allows citizens from more countries than ever to visit for up to 30 days visa-free, will be hot in 2027, while lovers of Indonesia will look past busy Bali and visit the likes of Komodo National Park, Lombok and beautiful Raja Ampat.
So, where should you go to in Europe in 2027? Here are the trending destinations according to the experts.
Europe’s trending destinations for 2027
Expedia
Online travel platform Expedia was among those launching a guide on where to go in 2027, and among its 10 must-visit destinations, two were in Europe.
Expedia ranked the top 10 by the year-on-year increase in searches for a spot, and in seventh place was Perugia in Italy with searches up 35% from 2025 to 2026.
Capital of the Umbria region, Perugia is famous for its hilltop city centre, which is packed with historical sites dating back to the 14th century. It’s also well worth a visit to experience its jazz and chocolate festivals, held respectively in July and November.
The other destination in the top 10 was Chichester, in the south of the UK, where searches were up 30%. The historic city in West Sussex is known for its Roman ruins and is surrounded by city walls, which make up a trail circuit that is the most intact of Roman town defences in southern England.
Chichester is also right on the doorstep of the beautiful South Downs National Park, majestic Arundel Castle and popular beaches, including sandy West Wittering.
Booking.com
Accommodation booking platform Booking.com revealed its 10 trending destinations for 2027, including three in Europe. These are Reims in France, Bratislava in Slovakia, and Pescara in Italy.
Reims, in the heart of France’s Champagne region, is known for its historic cathedral, where French kings were crowned for hundreds of years, as well as the famous Champagne houses whose cellars lie beneath the city. Less than 45 minutes from Paris by high-speed train, it also makes for an easy city break.
Bratislava, Slovakia’s compact capital, sits on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest, with a medieval old town, hilltop castle and lively food and drink scene. Beyond the city, the nearby Little Carpathians are home to vineyards and wine-producing towns.
Pescara, on Italy’s Adriatic coast, is often overlooked in favour of the country’s more famous western coastline, but the city has long sandy beaches, a lively waterfront and plenty of seafood restaurants.
It’s also a good base for exploring the wider Abruzzo region, known for its mountains, national parks and wine.
Lonely Planet
Guidebook publisher Lonely Planet unveiled 25 destinations for its 2027 Best in Travel list, using the knowledge of travel experts based around the globe. Five of the picks are in Europe.
First up is the Veneto region of Italy, home to enormously popular – and overtouristed – Venice. In its guide, Lonely Planet recommends visiting the wider region, from the Dolomites and Lake Garda to cities including historical Verona and Padua.
Šibenik in Croatia, one of the country’s oldest cities, also makes the list. Lonely Planet says it boasts “impressive architecture, gastronomic delights and a colourful calendar of festivals throughout the year”.
While parts of Spain are also hugely overtouristed, León in the north of the country makes an excellent alternative to more popular spots.
The medieval city, on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, draws in tourists looking to see its gorgeous Gothic architecture and Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Botines.
Coolcations are set to become ever more popular in 2027, so it’s little surprise that Skanör-Falsterbo, the twin towns found in Sweden’s Skåne province, are on this list.
The area, known as the Swedish Riviera, encourages visitors to slow down and soak in the coastal scenery and explore the area’s nature reserves, all while experiencing lower temperatures than much of Europe.
Lonely Planet’s final pick is Dessau in Germany, a city which it says is “synonymous with the Bauhaus movement” and one which packs a big cultural punch despite its small size.
Skyscanner
As part of its wider trends list, travel search engine Skyscanner revealed its top 10 trending destinations for 2027, based on the biggest year-on-year rises in searches on its platform, with four European destinations making the list.
Malmö, in southern Sweden, is known for its mix of historic architecture and modern design, as well as its lively food scene. Its location also makes it an easy base for exploring the wider, cross-border Öresund region, with Copenhagen just a short train ride across the bridge.
Trapani, on Sicily’s western coast, offers a taste of traditional Italian island life, with a historic old town, seafood restaurants and salt pans stretching along the coast. It is also a handy starting point for trips to the Egadi Islands and the hilltop medieval town of Erice.
Meanwhile, the Greek island of Samos is known for its clear-water beaches, ancient sites and green, mountainous interior. It’s also far quieter than some of Greece’s better-known holiday islands, with traditional villages and vineyards adding to its appeal.
Finally, Kittilä, in Finnish Lapland, is a gateway to the region’s winter landscapes. Visitors can head out in search of the Northern Lights, try husky sledding and snowmobiling, or explore nearby ski resorts like Levi, the largest in the country.
Intrepid Travel's Not Hot List
Adventure travel company Intrepid Travel publishes an annual ‘Not Hot List’, highlighting under-the-radar destinations where tourism spending could make a real difference. Three of its 10 picks are in Europe.
Alonnisos, in Greece’s Northern Sporades, offers a quieter alternative to the country’s busier islands, with picturesque villages, beaches and excellent diving. It is home to Europe’s largest marine protected area and Greece’s first underwater museum, at the Peristera shipwreck.
Latvia’s Liepāja is another destination to watch, having been named a European Capital of Culture for 2027. More than 500 cultural events are planned, while its eight-kilometre beach makes it an appealing alternative to the Mediterranean for a summer escape.
Dalsland in Sweden is often dubbed the country’s Lake District. With more than 2,000 lakes and 850 kilometres of gravel-biking routes, it is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and remains relatively undiscovered. Luckily, it’s becoming more easily accessible thanks to the recent launch of a new rail link between Malmö and Oslo.
National Geographic
National Geographic unveiled its 25 must-visit destinations for 2027, with six European spots making the grade. Its annual "Best of the World" list highlights places offering everything from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences and historic sights.
Its picks are ideal for travellers who have “a sense of adventure, a fascination with the past”, or are seeking the “simple pleasure of wandering unfamiliar city streets”.
Among the trending destinations is Norway’s Vestland, where dramatic fjords, towering cliffs and waterfalls provide the backdrop for adventure and wellness breaks. Poland’s Tricity – comprising Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot – also features, alongside Leipzig in Germany, which is expanding its Music Trail with a new 7.2km loop.
France’s Normandy will mark 1,000 years since William the Conqueror’s birth with more than 1,000 events, while Spain’s Santander is set to welcome two major art museums. Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway completes the European selection, with a new dark sky observatory due to open next summer.
Advantage Travel Partnership
UK-based travel consortium Advantage Travel Partnership named Albania as a destination to watch for 2027, with its beaches and relatively good value helping to drive interest. The country is increasingly attracting holidaymakers looking beyond Europe’s more established summer hotspots.
The organisation’s booking data also revealed that Spain remained the most popular short-haul choice for British travellers in summer 2026, with Tenerife, Mallorca and the Costa Blanca leading the way – and that’s likely to continue into next year.
Looking ahead, major sporting events including the Ryder Cup in Ireland and the Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia are expected to influence travel plans in 2027.
Fora Travel
Fora Travel's 2027 Hot List features 10 destinations, including three from Europe: Malta, Slovenia and Finland. According to the travel agency’s global data, bookings for all three nations have seen "significant growth" for next year, with Malta up 129%, Slovenia 152% and Finland 138%.
Malta was highlighted for Valletta’s Baroque streets and medieval walled city of Mdina, which visitors can explore before “heading to the coast”. Slovenia offers a “different way to see more in one trip”, with hikes in the Julian Alps, a few days on Lake Bled and a stop in the vineyards of Goriška Brda. Meanwhile, travellers going to Finland can enjoy “long summer evenings by the lake” and winter stays in Finnish Lapland, where “new glass igloo properties are adding more ways to experience the Northern Lights”.
Virtuoso
According to the Virtuoso Luxe Report, Greece was named the world’s most popular honeymoon destination for 2027, ahead of traditional spots like Bali and the Maldives. Italy came fourth and France eighth, putting three European countries in the top 10.
While iconic cities such as Rome, Florence and Paris remain popular, affluent couples are increasingly looking for quieter alternatives, from Ischia and Puglia to Provence, Burgundy and the Dolomites.
