Italy is a must-visit for summer 2026 (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Europe is hardly short of beautiful holiday destinations whether you’re eyeing up the likes of Rome or Barcelona for a city break, the Canaries and Greek Islands for sun-soaked beach holidays, or want to explore the breathtaking countryside in the likes of Italy and France.
However, the sheer amount of choice can be somewhat daunting. Luckily, travel agents are on hand to help, and given they book thousands of holidays every year, tailored to various budgets and Brits’ requirements, they know their stuff.
I spoke to four travel agents and asked them where they’re seeing the most interest for summer 2026 – and there were three clear winners. Check out the insiders’ recommendations below…
Italy
Italy is proving particularly popular with intrepid travellers this summer. Katie North tipped Puglia as one to be an emerging hotspot thanks to its “great beaches”, while Amanda said that it’s “not just for city breaks” but great for “discovering new destinations”.
She herself recently found a new spot that’s firmly becoming a favourite along the Emilia-Romagna coast. “I was in Ravenna last year and absolutely fell in love with it,” she said, highlighting the history and food as two of the best parts of the experience.
I’ve had so much fun sort of like looking at at the east coast of Italy; we’ve been recommending that a lot to our clients because they’re looking for something a bit different. They love Italy, they love the food, they love the culture, but they’ve been to Rome, they’ve done the Amalfi Coast, they’ve done the lakes. Yeah. So, that’s brilliant.”
Exploring new regions in Italy is set to be a trend too. In fact, Ashley Quint at TravelTime World says that there’s been an increased interest in rail holidays – and Italy is one of the best spots as “there’s so much to be discovered in Italy by rail and it’s so reasonably priced”.
He explained: “The great thing there is they have competition. So, particularly on the main line routes, you can get ridiculously cheap tickets, even in First Class to somewhere like Rome or Florence.”
It’s not just the big tourist hotspots either; Ashley explained that Calabria doesn’t get as much hype as the likes of Puglia, but has beautiful scenery and is easy to navigate on public transport. “You can get the train around Calabria really easily and go to Tropea, depending whether you fly out of Reggio or Lamezia,” he said. “It’s a very easy network, or you can get the train across to Sicily.
Crete has some beautiful spots to visit (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Greece
Greece isn’t a hidden gem, and its popularity isn’t waining any time soon, according to the experts. Katie North at the Atlantis Travel Group, told the Express that “Greece mainland and all many islands” is where they’re seeing the most interest for summer 2026.
Meanwhile Amanda Mollentze at Triangle Travel said that Greece’s decision early on to waive the EU’s EES rules. Under the latter, Brits heading to the EU need to undergo biometric data collection (fingerprints and facial scanes), which have been causing delays in airports across a number of hotspots, due to long queues.
She told the Express: “A lot of people are looking at Greece, and Greece is great value for money.” Her top tip? Consider a trip to Crete. “There’s a hotel called Elounda Beach Resort and its sister Elounda Bay Palace,” she added. “I love those hotels, it’s an absolutely brilliant area. You can catch the ferry across to Spinalonga, which is the old leper colony, or take a 20-minute cab ride into Agios Nikolaos, the main town. So there’s lots to do”.
The Rock of Aphrodite (Image: Getty Images)
Cyprus
There’s been a somewhat reluctance from Brits to visit Cyprus after a British military base on the island was hit by an unmanned drone strike in March, as well as its proximity to the Middle East. However, at the time of writing the Foreign Office doesn’t advise against travel – and insiders are saying that there’s still plenty to explore.
Richard Slater at Henbury Travel said that over the Easter holidays, the agency saw families wanting to change their bookings from Cyprus to the likes of the Canaries. However, he added that older generations, specifically travellers aged 50+, have been “booking Cyprus without an issue, and in some cases even asking to extend holidays or upgrade”.
Amanda echoed the sentiment that the island is very much open for business, describing it as “really, really good at the moment”, an “all-year-round destination” and recommending Paphos specifically for those who want to explore.
She recommended: “You can take a car up into the Troodos Mountains where you can get the real feel of the the little villages. That’s how the real Cypriots live. It’s got so much archaeological stuff. There’s the Tombs of the Kings, there’s the shipwrecks, there’s Aphrodite’s Rock, especially if you’re into the Greek Gods. The legend is that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was created off the foam of this rock just outside Paphos Harbour. You can go up to the baths where apparently if you splash yourself, you’ll get eternal youth.”
As for an unexpected perk? She quipped: “They drive on the same side of the road as the UK, so that’s a benefit!”
If you are eyeing up a European holiday, make sure to check the entry requirements and passport rules before heading abroad.
Emma Brennan, from ABTA – The Travel Association, explained: “Europe remains hugely popular with UK travellers, with many people continuing to look for holidays that offer good value, culture, great food and reliable sunshine.
“As travellers prepare for trips this summer, it’s important they’re aware they will have a different experience at passport control with the Entry/Exit System (EES) in operation across participating European countries. Travellers should expect biometric checks at the border, including facial image and fingerprint scans as well as questions about their stay, both when arriving and leaving. ABTA advises people to factor EES into their travel plans and give themselves plenty of time to go through passport control, as it is likely to take longer.
“It’s also important to make sure passports meet the validity requirements for travel to the EU. Passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry and be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the EU.
“Holidaymakers should also take out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as they book, making sure it covers any planned activities, so they are protected both before and during their trip overseas.
“ABTA’s travel checklist lays out the key things travellers should do in the weeks leading up to their holiday, and booking with an ABTA member can also provide additional reassurance, particularly when booking a package holiday, as it comes with financial protection and support if things do not go to plan.”
