These are 5 new European hotspots that will become increasingly popular in 2026

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Popular travel search engine KAYAK just released its 2026 Travel Trends report, and boy oh boy… when it comes to Europe’s emerging destinations for the coming year, to say we’re surprised would be an understatement.

Let’s say, well-known favorites such as ParisLondon, Barcelona and Lisbon are this time taking a back seat.

Hidden, mid-sized regional capitals are where quaint medieval gems that look like a scene from a storybook come to life, and tranquil islands in the Mediterranean expose the likes of Santorini to the money-grabbing cesspool they have become.

Being here 5 of the most unexpected European destinations on KAYAK’s Top Emerging Destinations travel map, and what to expect if you plan to go there in the near future:

Lamezia Terme, Italy

I love pistachio ice cream and beach walks that feel like the real thing dolce vita from the movies? Leave the hustle and bustle of Amalfi behind and head further south to Lamezia Terme for your next sunny holiday:

The main hub and ideal base for exploring the Calabria region is a relaxing coastal spot known since ancient times for its natural hot springs. paradise beaches surrounded by dramatic cliffsand perhaps bold flavors.

If you think Naples is the Italian food mecca, just wait until you try the local hand-rolled fileyes pasta, served with homemade tomato sauce and ‘nduja: a spreadable spicy pork salami that Calabrians enjoy with anything edible.

For the white sand and turquoise water, hop on the regional train Tropeaabout 47 minutes south, which is where the iconic Spiaggia della Rotonda, a stretch of sand at the foot of a vertiginous sea cliff topped with rock-hewn buildings.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

One of the European highlights KAYAKs on the dot-marked map, Santiago de Compostela is currently one of the trendiest destinations across the pond:

The capital of Galicia, the northwesternmost region of mainland Spain, is best known as a place of pilgrimage, as it is the terminus of the Road from St. James: the local cathedral is said to house the remains of the apostle of the same name.

In our book, that’s reason enough to get off the beaten track next spring and visit Santiago instead of busy Barcelona, ​​but it’s true that So lots more in store if you plan to stay for a long weekend:

Think of a blast The old town is dotted with arcaded squarestraditional tapas bars and cobbled alleyways that look straight out of a medieval history book, and delicious food for about half of the prices of Mediterranean Spain.

Perhaps this is a good time to mention that starting May 27, Americans can fly nonstop to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) without having to fly over, then land in Madrid and then take another domestic flight west.

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest countries and snugly wedged between France, Germany and Belgium, right in the heart of the continent, is rarely mentioned in American travel circles, but is making quite a splash this year.

The small capital, also called Luxembourg, is the main reason for this: with a UNESCO-protected Old Towncomplete with historic ramparts and a medieval core crossed by the canal, it’s the European fairy tale you’ve been dreaming of.

Luxembourg (the city) already has a lot of charm, but you should definitely make the effort to explore the wider Grand Duchy, especially considering that… public transport here is completely free! All trains, buses and inter-municipal shuttles are fair game.

Even as a tourist, you can easily hop aboard the train and explore a country the size of Rhode Island in depth, from the castle town of Vianden in the north to the lush nature reserves near Esch-sur-Alzette in the south.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia, the rising star of Eastern Europe, is one of those love it or hate it places that will at least leave a lasting impression on you. Its fiercest defenders love it for its architecturally diverse and cultural richness:

The cityscape is nothing less than one crazy mishmash of Roman ruins swallowed up by the earth, recently excavated Byzantine churches close to communist-era apartment buildings, Ottoman mosques and a monumental Orthodox cathedral with gold domes to top it all off.

Then of course it’s probably the cheapest capital to visit in Europe, along with its faithful companion, Romanian Bucharest: a meal deal with tarator soup and Bulgarian moussaka might cost you just under $10.

As for the opponents, Sofia is far too gray and gloomy on the eyes, and there’s not much to do other than stroll around the Yellow Pavement district and admire the Soviet-style architecture, but hey, to each their own! Eastern European aesthetics are not everyone’s cup of tea.

Zakynthos, Greece

If Santorini and Mykonos are the only two islands you think of when you think of Greece, my friend, then you have some reading to do when you get to the end of this story.

We have a soft spot for the Dodecanese and the sleepy side of the Cyclades, but according to the latest data from KAYAK: Zakynthos steals the spotlight as the emerging place of Greece. Honestly, with those Gatorade seas, emerald green hills and a refreshing, no-nonsense atmosphere, we certainly won’t object.

Located on the Ionian side of Greece – the same archipelago as trendy Corfu – Zakynthos is best known for Navagio, also known as Shipwreck Beach, which regularly competes with Bali’s Nusa Penida for the top spot on this “Most beautiful beach in the world” lists.

Beyond the iconic bay with its rusting shipwreck (which you can only reach by boat, by the way), the island’s coastline is lined with secret coves and laid-back fishing villages that look like your perfect Greek postcard.

Oh, and if you base yourself in Zakynthos Town, the island’s capital and largest settlement, you can expect more of that breezy, slow-paced life – and might we add: no endless queues for dinner reservations.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.