Maximising your annual leave is a fine art, with a few well-timed days off turning a public holiday into a proper long weekend that gives you enough time to jet off somewhere.
It’s not just us cramming in trips abroad over a short trip, either – according to booking platform Trip.com, short trips of four days or less are up 34% year-on-year.
Europe is leading the charge, with trips of this length quadrupling in the Italian market and more than doubling in the French and Spanish markets based on data between 1 January and 31 March this year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, as Italy is currently playing host to the Winter Olympics.
Both French and British travellers are prioritising international travel over staycations, with the proportion of foreign trips at 91% and 89% respectively. But for Spanish travellers, domestic travel accounts for nearly 40% of long weekends.
Wondering where Europeans are heading on their short trips? Wonder no more…
Barcelona, Spain
Catalonia’s capital is a perennial favourite for European travellers, with Barcelona among the top four destinations for short trips for Germans, Italians and the French.
It’s a big year for the city, with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the completion of his world-famous La Sagrada Família.
Appropriately, Barcelona has also been named UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture, with a programme of events and exhibitions planned throughout 2026 to mark the occasion.
While the city has frequently hit the headlines for anti-tourism protests, officials are hoping that by focusing on ‘quality’ tourists they can appease locals and change Barcelona’s image, and its cultural calendar is a big part of their plans.
Lisbon, Portugal
A number of Portuguese destinations are in the spotlight for 2026, with Guimarães becoming the new European Green Capital and Madeira named the top trending destination in the world.
Yet, it was the capital Lisbon that captured the bulk of bookings from British travellers, becoming the number one destination for short trips. It’s also proven popular among Spanish travellers and Germans, becoming the fourth most popular for the latter.
Visitors head here for its charming tile-covered buildings, its fantastic foodie offering and, of course, its sunny weather.
Istanbul, Turkey
While Germans love Lisbon, it is Istanbul that remains number one when booking a short trip, with Trip.com saying the city has proven popular thanks to its affordability and ease of travel.
The two countries have strong ties, with direct connections to Istanbul from many German cities including Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Leipzig.
Istanbul’s top sights include the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and the Topkapi Palace, while a night-time cruise along the Bosphorus is a must for first-time (or any time) visitors.
Algiers, Algeria
Heading further afield, French travellers’ number one short trip city is Algiers in north Africa, having been ninth most popular this time last year.
“With newly relaxed entry requirements for both full French-passport holders and dual nationals, French travellers are increasingly looking towards the Algerian capital as an entry point for wider winter sun exploration of the country,” a Trip.com spokesperson said.
Aside from lounging by the beach and going scuba diving, Algiers offers plenty for fans of architecture, including the UNESCO-listed Kasbah and the imposing Martyrs’ Memorial.
Reykjavik, Iceland
It might be Greenland that’s constantly in the news, but Iceland is one of the rising destinations for UK travellers, up three places compared to last year.
Icelandair launched a new route from Edinburgh to Reykjavik in 2025, with Jet2 adding new flights to the capital from Bournemouth and Liverpool over the winter season, too.
Thanks to the solar maximum, northern lights displays are set to be stronger than ever this winter, and we won’t see a return to levels like these for another decade.
Later this year, Iceland will also be one of the best places to see the total solar eclipse.
