Popular travel search engine KAYAK has just put out its 2026 Travel Trends report, and boy, oh boy… when it comes to Europe’s emerging destinations for the year ahead, to say we’re surprised would be an understatement.
Let’s just say, familiar favorites like Paris, London, Barcelona, and Lisbon are taking a back seat this time.
In with the under-the-radar, mid-size regional capitals, quaint medieval gems that look like a storybook scene come alive, and uncrowded islands in the Med that expose the likes of Santorini for the money grab cesspit they’ve become.
Here are 5 of the most unexpected European destinations featured on KAYAK’s Top Emerging Destinations travel map, and what you can expect if you plan on visiting in the near future:
Lamezia Terme, Italy
Keen on some pistachio gelato and beachside strolls that feel like the actual dolce vita from the movies? Ditch the Amalfi crowds and head further south instead to Lamezia Terme for your next sunny getaway:
The main hub, and ideal base for exploring the region of Calabria, is a laid-back coastal spot known since Ancient Times for its natural hot springs, paradisiacal beaches backed by dramatic cliffs, and arguably bold flavors.
If you think Napoli is the Italian food mecca, wait until you’ve tried the local hand-rolled fileja pasta, served with homemade tomato sauce and ‘nduja: a spreadable spicy pork salami Calabrians will have with everything edible.
For the white sands and turquoise waters, hop on the regional train to Tropea, roughly 47 min south—that’s where the iconic Spiaggia della Rotonda, a sandy strip at the base of a vertiginous sea cliff topped by rock-hewn buildings, is located.
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
One of the European highlights on KAYAK’s dot-marked map, Santiago de Compostela is one of the trendiest destinations across the pond right now:
The capital of Galicia, the northwesternmost region of mainland Spain, it is best known as a pilgrimate hotspot, as it is the end point of the Way of St. James: the local Cathedral is said to house the remains of the namesake Apostle.
In our book, that’s reason enough to go off-the-beaten-path and check out Santiago instead of jam-packed Barcelona this coming spring, but it has so much more in store if you’re planning to stay for the long weekend:
Think a stunner of an Old Town dotted with arcaded plazas, traditional tapas bars, and cobbled alleyways that seem to have jumped straight out of a medieval history textbook, and delicious food for about half of Mediterranean Spain’s prices.
Perhaps it’s a good time to mention that, starting May 27, Americans will be able to fly nonstop to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), without flying over it only to touch down in Madrid, and then catch a westbound domestic flight again.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
One of the smallest countries in Europe, and one that’s cozily squeezed between France, Germany, and Belgium, right in the heart of the continent, Luxembourg is rarely mentioned in American travel circles, yet it’s making quite a splash this year.
Its tiny capital city, also called Luxembourg, is the main reason why: with a UNESCO-protected Old Town, complete with historic ramparts and a canal-traversed medieval core, it is all the European fairytale you’ve been dreaming of.
Luxembourg (the city) has plenty of charm already, but you should definitely make an effort to explore the wider Grand Duchy, especially given the fact that… public transport here is completely free! All trains, buses, and intermunicipal shuttles are fair game.
Even as a tourist, you can just easily hop on board a train and explore the Rhode Island-sized nation at length, from the castle town of Vianden in the north, to the lush nature reserves in the vicinity of Esch-sur-Alzette in the south.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Eastern Europe’s Rising Star, Sofia is one of those love-it-or-hate-it kinda places that, in the very least, will leave a lasting impression on you. Its fiercest defenders love it for how architecturally diverse and rich in culture it is:
The cityscape is nothing short of a crazy mish-mash of Roman ruins, earth-swallowed, recently-dug out Byzantine churches right by communist-era apartment blocks, Ottoman mosques, and a monumental, golden-domed Orthodox cathedral to top it off.
Then of course, it’s probably the cheapest capital city to visit in Europe, alongside its faithful companion, Romania’s Bucharest: a tarator soup and Bulgarian moussaka meal deal might set you back just under $10.
As for the detractors, Sofia is far too gray and dreary on the eyes, with not much to do other than chowing down in the Yellow Pavement district and admiring Soviet-style architecture, but hey, to each their own! Eastern European aesthetics aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Zakynthos, Greece
If Santorini and Mykonos are the only two islands that come to your mind when you think of Greece, my friend, you’ve got some reading to do once you get to the end of this story.
We’ve got a soft spot for the Dodecanese and the sleepier side of the Cyclades, but as per KAYAK’s latest data, Zakynthos is stealing the spotlight as Greece’s emerging spot. Honestly, with those Gatorade seas, emerald hills, and a refreshing no-frills atmosphere, we definitely won’t be raising objections.
Sitting on the Ionian side of Greece—the same island group as the trendy Corfu—Zakynthos is best known for Navagio, a.k.a. Shipwreck Beach, which regularly goes toe-to-toe with Bali’s Nusa Penida for the top spot on those “Most Beautiful Beach In The World” lists.
Beyond the iconic cove with the rusting shipwreck (which you can only get to by boat, by the way), the island’s coastline is fringed by secret bays and laid-back fishing villages that look like your perfect Greek postcard.
Oh, and if you happen to base yourself in Zakynthos Town, the island’s capital and largest settlement, you can expect more of that breezy, slow-paced living—and may we add, no endless queues for dinner reservations.
Subscribe To Our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
