Europeans plan to travel in greater numbers during autumn and winter 2026, with 76% intending to take at least one overnight trip between October 2026 and March 2027, according to new research from the European Travel Commission (ETC). The findings point to continued demand for European holidays, with city breaks, cultural experiences and lesser-known destinations attracting growing interest.
The figure represents a three-percentage-point increase compared with the previous year, according to the ETC’s latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel Autumn and Winter 2026/2027 report. The research suggests that Europeans are not only maintaining their interest in travel but are also considering more frequent trips, including holidays during months that traditionally attract fewer visitors.
The findings are based on an online survey of 6,000 respondents from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Poland and Austria. All participants had taken at least two overnight trips during the previous three years.
December is expected to be a particularly active month for European travel, with 23% of respondents planning a trip during the Christmas period. Visiting friends and family is a major reason for travelling at this time. Some 34% of those planning December trips identified family visits as their motivation, compared with just 10% during other months.
After a seasonal decline in January, travel intentions are expected to increase again in February and March, when 29% of respondents plan to travel. The stronger interest in these months could offer European destinations an opportunity to attract visitors outside the traditional summer and Christmas holiday periods.
Eduardo Santander, Chief Executive Officer of the European Travel Commission, said the increase in travel intentions for February and March was particularly encouraging. He also highlighted the growing interest in destinations away from Europe’s main tourist routes.
According to Santander, these trends could help reduce tourism congestion while creating additional opportunities for local businesses in established and developing destinations.
Despite the growing demand, most travellers still prefer to spend their holidays in one destination rather than move between several places. The report found that 60% of respondents favour single-destination trips. This preference is even stronger among those planning sun and beach holidays (69%), skiing holidays (67%) and city breaks (66%).
However, financial pressures remain a significant consideration for people planning European holidays. The survey identified financial concerns as the biggest potential obstacle, with 37% of respondents expressing concern. Geopolitical instability followed at 23%, while extreme weather and overcrowding were concerns for 10% and 9% respectively.
Safety is also an important factor when Europeans choose their holiday destinations. It was identified as the leading consideration by 20% of respondents. Safety concerns were particularly prominent among Polish travellers, with 45% identifying it as a priority. British and Spanish respondents followed, both at 43%.
Weather and affordability also influence destination decisions. Pleasant weather was important to 15% of respondents, while 14% considered attractive prices and 11% specifically looked for low-cost destinations.
France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom remain among the most popular countries for European travellers. Overall, 64% of respondents expressed interest in travelling within Europe during the autumn and winter period.
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Southern Europe and the Mediterranean continue to lead regional preferences, attracting interest from 53% of respondents. Nevertheless, other parts of the continent are gaining attention. Western Europe recorded positive interest from 23% of respondents, representing a five-percentage-point increase compared with the previous year.
The region appeals to travellers for several reasons, including sun and beach holidays, culture and heritage, and city breaks. These experiences attracted interest from 25%, 18% and 16% of respondents respectively.
One of the more notable findings concerns the growing interest in less-visited European destinations. The report found that 54% of respondents were interested in exploring remote or off-the-beaten-track places. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium and Austria ranked as the five leading countries in this category.
Among the 4,555 respondents who said they were likely to travel within the next six months, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany emerged as the most popular destination choices.
European travellers are also making arrangements earlier. The survey found that 38% had already partially arranged or fully booked their next trip, including accommodation and transport. This represents a five-percentage-point increase compared with the previous year’s findings.
Leisure remains the main reason Europeans plan to travel, accounting for 71% of travel intentions. Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands were among the leading destinations for leisure holidays.
City breaks, cultural and heritage experiences, and sun and beach holidays are also expected to feature prominently. City breaks attracted particular interest for October and November, accounting for 23% of preferences during that period. Cultural and heritage trips were more popular among those considering travel in February and March.
When asked about the experiences they most wanted from their next European holiday, 19% of respondents selected natural landscapes. Gastronomy followed at 16%, while 15% wanted to experience local culture.
Most travellers are planning relatively short holidays. Stays of four to six nights remain the most popular option, selected by 43% of respondents. Longer trips of seven to 12 nights have also become slightly more popular, increasing from 30% in 2025 to 32% in 2026.
The research also points to a possible increase in the number of holidays Europeans intend to take. Some 56% of respondents plan to take between two and three or more trips within Europe over the next six months. By comparison, the proportion planning just one trip has declined from 45% in 2025 to 38% in 2026.
Holiday budgets remain concentrated in the middle spending range. Around 27% of respondents expect to spend between EUR 501 and EUR 1,000 on their next trip. Meanwhile, the proportion planning to spend no more than EUR 500 has fallen by three percentage points to 13%.
Destination preferences differ across the ten countries included in the survey. Austrian travellers most frequently selected Germany (16%) and Italy (14%), while Belgian respondents favoured France (20%). Spain was the leading choice among British travellers at 12% and Dutch travellers at 16%.
French respondents showed the strongest interest in Italy (15%), while German travellers placed Austria first at 11%. France was the leading destination for Italian travellers at 14%, while Polish respondents most frequently selected Italy at 13%. Spanish travellers favoured France at 17%, and Swiss respondents were equally interested in France and Italy, both at 14%.
The findings offer an indication of how European travel preferences are developing ahead of the 2026/2027 winter season. While familiar destinations continue to attract the largest share of interest, the growing appetite for less-visited places, cultural experiences and holidays outside peak periods suggests that travellers are considering a wider range of options. For destinations and tourism businesses, attracting these visitors may depend on offering experiences that appeal beyond the traditional summer holiday market.
