Travel trends for 2026: these are the 7 very best
At the end of the year, we are a kind of fortune tellers: we are going to see what will be trendy next year. Which color will become popular? Which makeup products should we buy? And of course: where are we going on vacation? Well, besides ordering those oliebollen and planning your Christmas dinner, you will also have to think about that. Because those vacations need to be booked. Whether you want to play Indiana Jones or prefer to lie like a Sex and the City girl in a Hamptons-like wellness resort: it can all happen in 2026. So grab your sunscreen and carry-on, because the preparation starts now. These are the travel trends for next year.
1. Stay over destination
Were you more focused last year on the fact that your hotel had to be as cheap as possible because you wanted to save money for all the sights? Every Gen Z’er I know, at least, would sleep in a questionable neighborhood if necessary. You know, one of those neighborhoods where you’d rather not walk alone at night, but you choose it because it’s five minutes from the metro. Everything revolved around the city, the museums, going out, and especially the vibe outside the hotel walls. The stay barely played a role, but that is really going to change in 2026.
The hotel is no longer a side note, but the lead. According to the Skyscanner Travel Trend 2026 report.
travelers in 2026 are already choosing a special place more. Those budget spots are fading away and making room for French castles, cute cottages, or super-luxury retreats. 48% of travelers chose the destination based on the accommodation. Half of them find it really important which bed they sleep in. And those ‘unique stays’, like some cabin on the heath, have increased globally by 60 percent. That’s really a lot. Maybe this has to do with all those trending places going viral on TikTok. Everyone wants to go there, the city doesn’t matter as much anymore. We just go to every trending spot. @isobellorna_ I can’t get over the dining room… 🤩 #ritzparis #britishcountryside #hotel
#wedding
2. Adventurers are going on more extreme trips.
Now you’re not exactly Indiana Jones when you head into the mountains, but those active vacations? They have never been so popular. Whether you’re talking about the Dolomites or the Canadian Rockies: those mountain vacations attract people all year round. The search for a ‘room with a view of the mountains’ has increased by more than 103 percent. So there are really a lot of people who want to take that special photo. After small hikes, these daredevils decide to take a tent on their next vacation and head straight to the highest mountain in the country. Are you going cross-country skiing? Or are you going to climb such a mountain with a tour? Then I hope you have your lasso with you, Indy. Just in case. @sonjarojacz This cabin is the perfect gateway for your dream holiday in Tyrol, Austria. Maybe this is also the perfect gift for your favorite person? 🥰 #dolomitenhütte #dolomiten #lienzerdolomiten #lienz #tyrol #austria #dreamhouse #dreamholiday #hikingtrip #holidaytiktok #traveltok #holidaytips #traveltip
♬ IDK You Yet (Cover) – Bertie Newman
3. Like a real local foodie on the street.
In 2026, making reservations at the very best five-star restaurants will be passé. We don’t want perfect plates that are styled just like the photos on Instagram. You’re just going to hit the streets as a local food guide. In search of authentic flavors that tell a story. That means: scouring local markets, walking past mountains of herbs that smell better than your entire kitchen, and discovering snacks in neighborhood shops. Finding real local specialties is your goal, and I totally get that. Because yes: how do you really get to know a country? By sniffing around in the supermarket and at markets. @hoda_alzubaidi 🇮🇳 india street food! Full day of eating street food in mumbai. WOW!! 📍 paneer puri 📍 bombay sandwich 📍 pani puri 📍 jalebi 📍 gulab jamun 📍 vada pav 📍 kothimbir vadi 📍 samosa 📍 masala chai #india #mumbai #delhi #traveltiktok #travel #streetfood #indiatiktok #snack #indianfood #travelphotography #traveltok #traveling #varanasi #jaipur
♬ original sound – hoda_alzubaidi
4. The classic road trip with a twist.
@travels.lau Answers to @Milou Odijk This was our 9-day road trip route to Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and France 🚗✨ Disclaimer: This road trip was quite last-minute, and for a more relaxed vacation, I would recommend booking 2 nights instead of 1 night 🥰 Day 1: Bacharach 🇩🇪 Day 2: Lucerne 🇨🇭 Day 3: Bologna & Parma 🇮🇹 Day 4 & 5: Florence 🇮🇹 Day 6: Lucca, La Spezia & Cinque Terre 🇮🇹 Day 7: Portofino & Varese 🇮🇹 Day 8: Strasbourg 🇫🇷 Day 9: Back home 🏡 If you have any questions, let me know!!🫶🏼💕 • • • • #roadtrip #driving #road trip #Italy #route #Germany #France #Switzerland #fy
5. Unexpected destinations are coming back
Is this a trend? Yes, definitely, because according to Skyscanner, Booking.com, and ODIGEO, searches are being made for a few unexpected places. Did you know that since the beginning of this year, there has been a 498 percent increase in searches for the Swedish city of Trollhättan? Or that San Cristóbal has suddenly become popular? These places are really going to boom in 2026:
- Trollhättan (Sweden) – Want to get into nature? Then you need to go to Trollhättan. Here is the Trollhättefallen waterfall, and the Göta Älv river flows right through the city, so you won't lack for water here. In the summer, the locks in the waterfall are sometimes opened... And yes, you won't forget that wild water. Go cycling, walk along the canal, or visit the Åkerström nature reserve. Especially if you want to take it easy, you should come here.
- St. Moritz Samedan (Switzerland) – We stay in Scandinavia, we go to Switzerland. And then to St. Moritz Samedan. Recently, 418 percent more people have been searching here than the rest of the year. So this is also becoming a well-known destination. With those snowy mountains, you never have a boring view. Have drinks at Muottas Muragl, go skiing at the Schlittelweg Muottas Muragl point or in Survih. There isn't much après-ski in this quiet mountain village, but you can definitely enjoy winter sports here.
- San Cristóbal (Ecuador, Galapagos) – Not in the mood for the north? Then you can also go to Ecuador. You may have never heard of it, but there has been a 268 percent increase in searches for this island – so it is indeed popular. I get it: who can say no to such a beautiful place? Go snorkeling for free, walk the most beautiful hiking trails, and relax on the beach. Take a boat trip and spot some hammerhead sharks and orcas. Among the local Ecuadorians, this is one of the favorite islands. There are plenty of nice restaurants and enough space to backpack and surf. Perfect.
- Münster (Germany) – City trip? Look no further. Münster is here. In this ancient city, you can shop enough, walk through small streets, and party. Drink some Pinkus (aka organic beer that has been brewed here since 1816) and definitely stop by the Kreativkai. It doesn't matter what you do, but this is a must. In this old harbor, there are now trendy restaurants, clubs, and a theater. There's even a jazz club and a beach. You probably didn't expect that from a German medieval village.
6. Taking it easy during slow travel
Always busy, busy, busy is now a thing of the past. We are no longer trying to cram eighty places into one day. After the corona pandemic, we want more peace, so we will choose to consciously slow down a bit. While one traveler plays Indiana Jones, the other opts for silence. We will walk through nature reserves, cycle in cute villages, and linger at a sight longer than just one pit stop for an Instagram photo.
@laurenehalee bike with me on my morning coffee run 🫧🥥🐚 #eastcoast #eastcoastsummer #summer #coffeerun #coffeevlog #getacoffeewithme #newenglandsummer #nantucket #coastaltown #coastalgranddaughter #summeraesthetic
7. Glow-cations: we go to wellness with a touch of glamour
In the last hours before the new year arrives, more and more people are booking wellness vacations. And they want just one thing: to relax as if we are going to the Hamptons with Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda. Think: wellness retreats where smart mirrors analyze your skin before you even have time to touch up your mascara. Massages that knead you until you melt like a New York cheesecake in the sun. And everywhere that soft, golden light that makes everyone look just a little bit better.
You stroll in your prettiest bikini by the pool, an iced matcha in hand, while your friends giggle discussing which treatments they will try: the crystal facial or that high-tech body reset that immediately excites Charlotte. It's that feeling of not having to be anywhere else but right here, with yourself as the central guest. The vibe? Easy glamour. The dress code? Silky self-care. The side effect? You come home with a glow that should almost be illegal. So I understand why everyone wants such a vacation.
@sarahlovingly The most balanced and zen week at The Golden Door 🕊️🪷🙏🏼 #thegoldendoor #sandiego #wellnessretreat #spa #vacation #travel #vogue #voguechallenge #traveladvisor #sarahlovingly #sarahofferman #cliqapp #fyp #sd #travelbucketlist #traveltok #luxurytravel #design #aeathetic #fyp #travelphotography #luxuryhotel #yoga #health
Had enough inspiration? Then I suggest you open your laptop, grab your iPad, or open the VakantieDiscounter app on your phone. Because today? We are getting ready for summer. Good luck. May the best one win (and book the best vacation).
