Where Britons are travelling to in 2026 as holidaymakers become bolder and more spontaneous

Britons are no longer sticking to the same destinations and timings – instead, there has been a real shift in when we travel, where we go, and how long we stay away.

The rise of the mini-sun break is one of the most notable changes in holidays. While week-long trips remain popular, Britons have really warmed to shorter getaways to get a quick burst of sunshine to break up the routine.

Back in 2016, just nine per cent of holidaymakers booked three to five-night beach breaks, but that figure has now jumped to 34 per cent.

There has also been a clear move away from peak summer travel. June used to be the most popular month for jetting off, followed by May and July.

Now, the shoulder season is more popular as February, April and May are the most sought-after months for beach bookings. When it comes to destinations, British travellers have really broadened their horizons.

A decade ago, Spanish islands dominated the list of destinations – Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Mallorca made up four of the top five spots, with Portugal's Algarve completing the list.

Fast forward to 2026, and the list is quite different. Egypt's Red Sea has emerged as the most popular destination for British holidaymakers this year.

The current top five hotspots being booked include Costa Blanca, Tenerife, Amsterdam and Antalya, alongside the Red Sea.

This suggests Britons are feeling more adventurous and willing to venture beyond their traditional Mediterranean favourites. Holidaymakers have also become far more spontaneous with their bookings.

More than a third of trips booked so far this year are set to depart within 90 days, compared to 28 per cent during the same period in 2016.

All-inclusive packages remain a firm favourite, making up 46 per cent of bookings - only slightly down from 49 per cent a decade ago, with nearly a quarter now opting for five-star escapes, up from just 14 per cent 10 years ago.

Chief marketing officer at loveholidays, Al Murray, said: "With social media feeds full of holiday snaps from 2016, it's the perfect moment to look at how British travel habits have evolved a decade on. What we've found is a nation that's become more flexible and more adventurous in how it travels.

"While Spanish islands once dominated our travel plans, today Britons are broadening their horizons, exploring new destinations, travelling at different times of the year and embracing everything from short sun breaks to five-star indulgence."