Skip to main content
European Union flag
EU Tourism Platform

Exploring Europe in 2026: Emerging Travel Trends to Watch

News

07 January 2026

Exploring Europe in 2026: Emerging Travel Trends to Watch

Adventure tourism

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

Cultural tourism

+44 more

Login / create an account to be able to react

Mountain view

As we step into 2026, Europe's tourism scene is set to evolve with trends that embrace immersive experiences and meaningful connections. From literary escapades to Alpine retreats, here's a glimpse into how European travel is shaping up to captivate and inspire adventurers this year.

Publishing org

Euronews

Related Organisation(s)

Euronews

Topics
Geographical descriptors

Albania

Armenia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

EU-27

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Kosovo

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Moldova

Montenegro

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Türkiye

Ukraine

Other

Organisation Type

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

  • Specific types of tourism

    • Adventure tourism

    • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

    • Cultural tourism

    • Ecotourism

    • Education tourism

    • Festival tourism

    • Gastronomy tourism

    • Health and medical tourism

    • MICE tourism

    • Mountain tourism

    • Religious tourism

    • Rural tourism

    • Sports tourism

    • Urban/city tourism

    • Wellness tourism

  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Changes in tourism demand and opportunities

    • Coordinated information on travelling

    • Green Transition of Tourism Companies and SMEs

    • R&I on climate-friendly tourism

    • R&I on digital tools for tourism

    • Tourism strategies

  • Business activities

    • Activities of amusement parks and theme parks

    • Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism

    • Air passenger transport

    • Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks

    • Events catering and other food services

    • Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities

    • Gardens and nature reserves activities

    • Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation

    • Hotel and similar accommodation

    • Mobile beverage services

    • Mobile food services

    • Museums

    • Operation of historical sites

    • Other

    • Other accommodation

    • Other amusement and recreation activities

    • Other food and beverage services

    • Other holiday reservation services

    • Other tourism transportation activities

    • Rail Passenger transport

    • Recreational and sport activities

    • Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)

    • Road passenger transport

    • Tour operator activities

    • Travel agency activities

    • Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport

Share

Travelers are increasingly drawn to literary-themed journeys, exploring cities rich in story and history. Meanwhile, the appeal of the Alps extends beyond winter, with year-round visits promising stunning scenery and serenity. Families are discovering the joys of multi-generational trips, creating shared memories in vibrant destinations like Greece and Spain.

Sustainability continues to be a priority, with eco-friendly travel options gaining traction among conscientious explorers. Additionally, AI is transforming how trips are planned, offering personalized experiences that unveil Europe's hidden treasures.

These emerging trends underscore a shift toward travel that is more personal and thoughtful. Discover the full details of these trends and see how Europe reshapes travel experiences—follow the link to dive deeper into what's in store for 2026.

#Tourism trends #Sustainable tourism #Multi-generational trips #Adventure tourism #Wellness tourism #AI-driven personalization #Eco-friendly accommodations

Rating
No votes yet

Comments (0)

Related content

See also

-
Comment
0
  • News
  • 29 Sep 2025

Don't miss the 2nd EU Tourism Platform Onboarding Workshop!

Don't miss the chance to join the online EU Tourism Platform Onboarding Workshop on 30 September 2025, 15.00 CET! Whether you are registered already to...
Categories
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +64 more