Lower temperatures do not curb Europeans’ desire to travel; some dream of a journey among distant cities and villages to escape the busiest routes, others dream of markets and festive decorations, but there is also a portion aiming for warmer destinations. While the big capitals continue to attract visitors, a different trend is taking shape, made up of lesser-known destinations, more frequent stays and itineraries in search of authentic experiences.
To capture the travel intentions for the coming months, the report “Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel Autumn and Winter 2026/2027”, published by the European Travel Commission (ETC). According to the survey, 76% of Europeans expect at least one overnight trip between October 2026 and March 2027, three percentage points higher than last year.
The Destinations Europeans Favor for Autumn–Winter
The Mediterranean retains its appeal even in the coldest months. 53% of the Europeans surveyed are looking to the southern part of the continent for autumn and winter holidays, seeking milder temperatures and art cities to visit without the summer crowds. Among the destinations attracting the most traveler interest are France, Spain and Italy, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom.
But something is changing. Western Europe is gaining ground, capturing 23% of preferences, five percentage points more than 2025. And curiosity about places less frequented by mass tourism is also increasing.
Interest in the less-traveled destinations is rising. 54% of respondents look to remote or distant destinations away from traditional tourism circuits. A trend that highlights the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium and Austria. However, choices vary from market to market.
For Italians the preferred destination remains France, indicated by 14% of respondents, followed by Spain with 12%. More distant are the United Kingdom, Austria and Germany, all at 7%. From France, instead, there is a focus mainly on Italy, which collects 15% of preferences. Spaniards aim for France (17%), while Italy sits at 13%.
How Winter Holidays Are Changing
Travel isn’t solely about seeking more pleasant temperatures. City breaks account for 19% of preferences, followed by stays dedicated to culture and historical heritage (18%) and holidays in the sun and by the sea (18%). October and November are the preferred months for city breaks, while between February and March interest grows for museums, monuments and cultural itineraries. In the middle is the Christmas period, destined to concentrate a significant portion of departures: 23% of respondents plan a trip during the holidays. December is also the month for family gatherings. For 34% of travelers departing during this period, visiting friends and relatives represents an important motivation.
In addition to the desire to travel, travel frequency is rising: Europeans tend to travel more often during the year, but budget remains a decisive issue. 37% identify economic difficulties among their main concerns, followed by geopolitical instability (23%). For 20% of ETC’s respondents, safety is the primary criterion when choosing a destination.
