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2026 Travel Trends: Why Spain Is Leading the Slow Travel Movement
Every year, fresh travel trends promise to “reinvent the way we explore,” but 2026 feels different — more mindful, more intentional, and in many ways, more human. And at the center of this shift? Spain. This year, the country isn’t just topping travel lists for its sunshine and sangria, but for something far more powerful — its way of life.
After months of traveling through Spain — from sleepy coastal towns to vibrant city streets — I’ve noticed one shared truth: we’re tired. It’s not only the daily grind that’s wearing us down, but the way we vacation. We’ve turned holidays into high‑speed races, cramming entire cities into 72‑hour sprints and calling it “exploration.” Some even try to conquer a whole country in five days. It’s exhausting, unrealistic, and far from sustainable.
In 2026, travelers are waking up to this. Search data and studies show a clear movement toward slow travel — a shift away from checking boxes and toward genuine connection, cultural depth, and mindful experiences. Spain embodies this change effortlessly: long lunches in the sun, late‑night strolls through cobblestone streets, and a culture that celebrates the art of doing less but living more.
This evolution has sparked an important question: are we still enjoying travel, or are we just competing to see who’s seen more? Many travelers return home not relaxed but drained — overstimulated, stressed, and nursing sore feet that tell the story of doing too much. Spain’s emerging travel philosophy challenges that, offering something increasingly rare — space to actually breathe.
As 2026 unfolds, one thing’s clear: the next big travel luxury isn’t where you go, but how slowly you get there.
So collectively, it seems we’ve decided: the way we travel — especially in Spain — is changing. It’s reshaping, slowing down, and becoming more intentional. Here’s what 2026’s biggest travel trends in Spain look like.
1. Slow Travel: The New Luxury
Predicted to be one of the strongest travel trends of the year, slow travel in Spain has exploded across all generations. We’re collectively tired of itineraries that take five thumb-scrolls just to get through Day One.
More travelers, especially from the UK, are now booking longer stays in fewer destinations, choosing slow, meaningful trips where you actually get to know a place instead of rushing through it.
Slow travel gives meaning to your journey. It lets you talk about a city with real understanding — not just the famous sights, but the neighbourhood cafés, the quiet backstreets, the local people. You feel the rhythm and actually exist there, instead of just passing through.
We need time to walk, eat, breathe, explore… and yes, time to go to the loo without rushing.
2. Wellness & Organic Living: The Spanish Secret
Spain consistently ranks among the world’s top countries for life expectancy, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. The cultural approach to food and daily routine is on a completely different level from places like the UK.
In the UK, meal times are flexible — sometimes chaotic. In Spain, they’re sacred. People eat at set times, they sit together, they eat well. But it’s not just the Mediterranean diet — it’s the psychology behind it.
Meals mean conversation, decompression, and connection. They boost serotonin in ways a solo dinner in front of Instagram reels never could.
And sure, Spaniards aren’t saints — there are carajillos, endless coffees, and wine-with-lemon mixes — but these small rituals slow life down. Spaniards were romanticizing everyday moments long before it became a TikTok trend.
Food here is fresher and more organic too. Markets overflow with local produce. Streets are made for walking, not traffic. When people aren’t on the move, they’re sitting at a bar, chatting with friends, watching life pass by.
That’s the new wellness travel trend in Spain — living simply, slowing down, and enjoying what’s around you.
3. Small Villages & Hidden Spanish Towns
Big cities push you to rush. But Spain’s small coastal villages and artistic towns invite you to pause.
Places like Frigiliana, Altea, Peñíscola, Salobreña, Estepona, or even the quiet whitewashed villages of Andalucía, have a timeless beauty that modern life hasn’t touched. Altea’s cliffside old town feels like a painting. Peñíscola’s castle rises straight from the sea.
Up north, the tiny Asturian fishing village of Cudillero offers pure authenticity — colourful houses, local gossip echoing through narrow lanes, and no crowds.
Every corner tells a story. A faded mural, an old lady watering her plants, a café with checkered tablecloths that hasn’t changed since the 1980s — nothing looks copy-pasted. Everything has soul.
This “romantic realism” is trending on TikTok. People crave places that feel lived-in, soulful, imperfect — towns where kids still play in the plazas and neighbours talk across balconies.
That’s the heart of Spain’s 2026 travel movement: peace, authenticity, and art in daily life.
4. AI Travel Tools & Decision Fatigue
We’re overwhelmed. Choosing a holiday now feels like doing homework you didn’t want to start. Comparing flights, hotels, restaurants, weather — it’s too much.
That’s why AI travel planning tools and comparison sites have taken over. They do the thinking for you — no more 50 open tabs and overheating laptops.
Platforms like DoYouSpain make finding and comparing car rentals effortless, showing real-time deals from hundreds of suppliers at once.
AI recommendations remove the stress — personalizing itineraries, highlighting local gems, and leaving more time for actual travel. Ironically, the more we crave slow, mindful travel, the more we rely on smart tech to make that calm possible.
5. The Year of the Road Trip
2026 is the year of the road trip in Spain. Travelers are renting cars more than ever — choosing independence over crowded buses and delayed trains.
Road trips give you privacy, freedom, and the chance to see places public transport barely touches — wild beaches, remote mountain passes, and hidden villages frozen in time.
Car hire prices are currently some of the lowest in years, making road travel accessible to nearly everyone. With DoYouSpain, you can filter by car type, price, or destination and take charge of your adventure.
Maybe skip sticking your head out the window, but do blast your favourite playlist — from Sabrina Carpenter’s latest to classic Melendi vibes — and enjoy the scenic route just because it’s beautiful.
In 2026, travel freedom in Spain doesn’t mean going faster — it means moving entirely at your own rhythm.
Travel Trends for 2026
China and Türkiye are expected to become increasingly popular as travel destinations visitors from Southeast Asia and Europe. Global travel driven by entertainment is anticipated to grow, with more trips to amusement parks, concerts, and themed attractions Travelers are looking for nature, culture, and immersive experiences various sites. Today, Trip.com Group unveiled the key global travel trends for 2026, prominent destinations, noteworthy attractions and events, along with the changing motivations that shape travelers' choices worldwide.
Prominent Global Destinations
Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. According to Trip.com Group’s 2026 booking data, Japan is poised to be a leading choice for travellers next year, appearing among the top three outbound destinations for travellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. The major cities of Tokyo and Osaka are anticipated to experience significant tourist demand and are likely to rank in the top 10 cities international travellers plan to visit in the coming year. Other sought-after destinations expected to feature in 2026 travel plans include China, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Next year, Millennials aged 29 to 44 will make up the largest segment of travellers, accounting for nearly half of the total booking volume, followedby Gen Z travellers aged 15 to 28.
Destinations Rising in Popularity: China and Türkiye
In recent years, China has become a favoured travel destination, thanks to its diverse attractions, rich cultural heritage, and unique experience.s According to Trip.com’s latest booking data, China is to be one of the fastest-growing travel spots for Southeast Asian (SEA) travelers in 2026, with significant year-on-year growth in flight bookings across various SEA markets. Notably, travellers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand are projected to be the largest source markets for trips to China next year. While major cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu are predicted to be the most popular among SEA travellers, cities such as Beijing, Harbin, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Xi’an are also anticipated to see increased interest, with flight bookings from SEA expected to rise significantly. This trend is likely to extend to Europe, as travellers seek to explore destinations beyond the continent. Asian locations, including China, Japan, Thailand, and Türkiye, are anticipated to be top vacation choices for European tourists next year. Particularly, travellers to the United Kingdom (UK) are expected to rank among the top ten source markets for China in 2026, while Thailand and Türkiye are poised to be the leading outbound destinations for German travellers.
Entertainment Surge: Theme Parks, Immersive Experiences, and Concert Travel
In Asia, renowned theme parks like Shanghai Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Universal Studios Japan are set to remain major tourism drivers, ranking among the top attractions in travellers' itineraries for 2026. Fan-centric experiences such as Harry Potter studio tours and K-pop concerts featuring stars like Seventeen and Taemin are anticipated to draw significant interest from international visitors, particularly those arriving from South Korea. Attractions based on beloved global franchises, including Jurassic World: The Experience in Thailand and the EVANGELION Anniversary Exhibition in Tokyo, are also on track to be popular destinations next year. Moreover, travellers are increasingly seeking entertainment-focused experiences abroad, including immersive shows and performances. Globally acclaimed productions such as Aladdin the Musical, Broadway shows in New York, The Sphere in Las Vegas, and The House of Dancing Water in Macau are expected to captivate international tourists.
Attraction Trends: Nature, Culture, and Unique Journeys
A notable trend among travellers from Southeast Asia and Germany is the rise of nature and adventure tourism, with growing interest in destinations like Zealand and China. Stunning locations such as Milford Sound and the Glow Caves in New Zealand, along with Wulong Karst in China, are poised to become top attractions for these travellers next year. In addition, nature-based destinations in China, including Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou and scenic areas like Mount Siguni, Bipenggou, and Huanglong National Scenic Area in Sichuan, are expected to be in high demand among Southeast Asian tourists. In Europe, travellers will be eager to delve into the region's rich history, with cultural landmarks the Louvre Museum in Paris, Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and Grossmünster in Zurich anticipated to be among the most booked attractions for the upcoming year. Looking ahead, train and cruise journeys are predicted to gain popularity, recent booking data from Trip.com Group reveals increasing interest in scenic experiences the Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Trai,n among Vietnamese travellers. Luxury cruises, such as those offered by Royal Princess and Opulence Cruise, are also expected to attract German tourists.
Growing Appeal of Self-Driving Trips and Electric Vehicles
More travellers are conscious of their carbon footprint and are actively seeking sustainable transportation options. Data from Trip.com indicates a steady rise in electric car rental bookings since the introduction of carbon labels in April 2025, in Norway, Australia, and Japan, with travellers from Japan, Thailand, the US, South Korea and Australia leading this trend. This shift is likely linked to growing interest in self-driving trips. In Europe and Australia, Asian travellers, particularly those from South Korea, are opting for electric vehicles as their preferred means of transport,allowing them to explore at their own pace and convenience.
2025 Recap: Who Travelled Most This Year?
As 2025 draws to a close, Trip.com Group has released its travel summary, highlighting the most frequent travellers of the year. Recent data shows that the global traveller took 2.4 outbound flights this year, with an average flight duration of 4.6 hours. Travellers from Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, have emerged as some of the top jet-setters, averaging three or more outbound flights per person in 2025. Meanwhile, travellers from the UK and Germany have the longest flight durations, averaging 5.7 hours or more per person.
So what can we expect from 2026?
These are some of the travel trends likely to guide how we see the world in 2026.
1. Luxury train hopping
What's the trend?
The resurgence of luxury rail travel is rapidly gaining traction, with a year-over-year increase in demand for leisurely itineraries that venture off the typical path. While numerous new routes have been introduced globally, many operate for just a few days. For example, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express is set to unveil eight round-trip journeys from Rome in April 2025, each lasting between one to four nights. Wealthy travelers desire more than just a few nights of Gilded Age experiences; increasingly, they are combining multiple luxury rail journeys into romantic, multi-week trips that involve hopping from one train to another.
Why will it matter in 2026?
New routes to new destinations are driving the trend in 2026, with the demand for luxury train hopping. For the third year in a row, specialist travel agency Railbookers has brought back its headline-grabbing Around the World By Luxury Train trip, which visits nine countries in 60 days But due to demand, also launching four shorter month-long itineraries next year; these link beloved routes such as the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express and South Africa’s Rovos Rail with some of the new lines, including Belmond’s Britannic Explorer, which set out on its first UK journey in July 2025. with a new line of its Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train embarking in May 2026 from Paris to the Amalfi Coast.which will continue into 2027 with the long-anticipated launch of a new Orient Express train from Accor.
2. Ancestry travel
What’s the latest trend?
With shows like Who Do You Think You Are? and Long Lost Family captivating audiences, the to reconnect with one's heritage has evolved into a meaningful. Discovering your ancestors' origins helps you understand your own place in the world. In Italy, My Bella Vita Travel researches into travel experiences: this specialised tour operator creates family trees using government archives, conducts on-site investigations in towns, and designs itineraries that allow travelers to explore the streets their ancestors once walked. From genealogical cruises through Ances.com’s travel branch to hotels offering expert consultations, modern trips now begin with a family tree.
Why will this be significant in 2026?
In a overflowing with digital content and constant scrolling, travelers crave authentic experiences and a true sense of belonging that can't be replicated online. At Dromoland Castle in Ireland, resident genealogist Lorna Moloney assists guests their journeys with just a name or photo. Similarly, African Antry’s Family Reunions guide travelers to DNA-linked destinations for heartfelt ceremonies and reunions. As genealogy becomes more accessible through digital records and DNA tools, people are eager to translate their family history into tangible experiences and significant events. When someone discovers a connection, it's evident in their expression; it's not only about the past but also how it shapes their identity today. In 2026 ancestry travel will transform from mere escapism to a profound return home.
3.Astro-cruising
What’s the trend?
As the cruise industry continues to boom, each line strives harder to draw more travelers its way. One of-the-moment way of doing so is to accentuate rare spectaculars in the sky. More companies now showcase astro-cruising, with the northern lights and solar eclipses landing starring roles.
Why will it matter in 2026?
With the sun currently in a period of high solar activity, travelers are booking cruises that offer possible sightings of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, which occur between autumn and early spring in northern skies. This natural electrical phenomenon, a jaw-dropping light display caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with upper atmosphere gases, glows in waves, arcs and swirls of red, blue, green and pink.Another big event next year is the total solar eclipse on August 12. Ships possess an edge over viewing these phenomena on land as they can relocate if weather obstacles develop. Multiple cruise lines are crafting eclipse-themed itineraries in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
4.Five-star hotels at sea
What's the trend?
When you think of an ultra-luxury hotel, brands such as Mandarin Oriental or Bvlgari might come to mind. What you might not think of is a cruise ship—although that could soon change. Luxury cruises are continuing to grow in popularity, and major hotel companies are increasingly cashing in on the trend.
Why will it matter in 2026?
More high-end, cult-favorite hotel companies are launching their first cruise ships in 2026. First up is Four Seasons’ 679-foot-long, 95-suite Four Seasons I, which will debut in March 2026 with facilities such as an omakase restaurant and a “marina” with water toys
5. Period drama set-jetting
What’s the trend?
Bonnets and bustles at the ready: in 2026, set-jetting is going full period drama, with the UK’s coastline and crags likely to become the next fan pilgrimage sites thanks to a crop of literary adaptations by female directors. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is getting the Dolly Alderton treatment, with filming taking place in Deal, Botany Bay, Rye and the Peak District; while Daisy Edgar-Jones stars in the latest iteration of Sense and Sensibility, directed by Georgia Oakley and shot in Dartmoor and Devon. Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s tear-jerking Hamnet uses the Herefordshire village of Weobley to stand in for Stratford-upon-Avon; and Wuthering Heights’ iconic moors are being revived by Emerald Fennell, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi playing out Brönte’s tortured love story on the Yorkshire Dales to a twisted, suitably gothic soundtrack courtesy of Charli XCX.
Why will this be significant in 2026?
Those eager to explore blend of nostalgia and BookTok will a variety of new, heritage-inspired accommodations as their backdrop. The historic Dent Reserve is set to welcome Cathys with six newly opened Coachhouses and the four-bedroom Dunkirk Farm House overlooking the stunning moors of North Yorkshire. In 2026, they will also offer limited HX Luxe tours in Norfolk and Scotland along with a quarterly book club to bring their estates to life. Additionally, book lovers can enjoy a new reading retreat at the beloved University Arms in Cambridge, featuring a reading list, personal reading journal, and a “book butler” to inspire their next literary journey.
6. Bathhouses as social spaces
What's the trend?
When you touch down in a city you’ve never visited before, chances are the hottest place to meet and mingle will be a new wave of bathhouses and spas, which are repositioning themselves away from individualistic self-care to become alternative social spaces, with holistic programming and dedicated zones for striking up conversations. Gone are the days when bathhouses meant silent retreats or special-occasion spa visits. The new generation of urban bathhouses is designed explicitly for conversation and connection, with memberships creating a club-like atmosphere and major capital investments signalling a bigger shift.
Why will this be significant in 2026?
Many parts of the world have long-standing social traditions around communal bathing and saunas, which are not just fleeting trends. However, venues in areas without such customs highlight this evolution; for instance, Cascada in Portland, Oregon, exemplifies how bathhouses are becoming community focal points. Cascada offers wellness programming across multiple floors, featuring an underground sanctuary for quiet soaking complemented by ground-floor social areas with an indoor pool in a lush conservatory and an outdoor communal space. By early 202, Cascada will enhance this social experience with a new restaurant and bar overlooking the outdoor hot tub and sauna area. Its membership model fosters interactions between regulars and aparthotel guests, while access to popular fitness instructors and wellness classes creates a vibrant neighborhood hub rather than a traditional spa visit. Additionally, Rosewood has repositioned its Asaya brand as a “social wellness club,” launching at The Chancery Rosewood London in September 2025 and Rosewood Doha in October 2025, featuring heat rooms and bathhouses designed to promote social connections.
7.Viking wellness
What’s the trend?
The idea of Vikings might conjure up images of vicious warriors, but there were also peaceful Norse settlers who lived a life rich in mythology, ritual and wellness, rooted in nature and focused on the elements. These practices are alive and well in Nordic destinations such Eleven Deplar Farm, the remote hotel on Iceland’s Troll Peninsula, but they’re crossing the icy North Sea to the UK and even reaching unexpected hotspots such as St Barts.
Why is it significant in 2026?
Scandi-inspired wellness, featuring hot-cold therapy and hygge, has become mainstream. However Viking wellness elevates this concept by raw, elemental experiences. At Eleven Deplar Farm, guests participate in a Viking sauna that includes guided breath work, intense heat, cold plunges, and ritualistic chanting and birch twig tapping. “Guests breathe the same invigorating Icelandic air and drink the same pure water that nourished the Vikings, leaving them feeling grounded and connected to an ancient tradition,” shares general manager Kurt Berman. Similar wellness experiences can be found along the Göta River in Gothenburg, Sweden, once traversed by Viking traders. Meanwhile, at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa in St Barts, a trio Nordic baths made from red cedar wood also embraces Viking contrast therapy. Communal dining plays a significant role in this trend, featuring large tables and shared, like the hay-smoked sirloin cooked over open fires at Ekstedt at The Yard in London’s Westminster. Forget the horned and heavy mead; it's time to embrace a more elemental approach to wellness.
8. Sailing for serenity
What’s the trend?
Many travelers are rethinking their usual holiday plans to accentuate wellbeing. Cruise lines are rising to the challenge by adding more Eastern and holistic therapies to their spa offering and expanding the role of spas in voyages. Ships now offer day-long onboard wellness retreats and even entire wellbeing-themed cruises for the growing number of passengers seeking relaxation equally, if not more, than exploration and indulgence.
Why will it be significant in 2026?
Cruise lines have evolved to match hotels and other land-based retreats their wellness offerings. On Explora Journeys, guests indulge in a full-day ocean wellness retreat featuring sound healing, gong baths under the stars, guided reflection, and controlled breathing exercises. Scenic Luxury & Tours focuses on wellness-themed sailings that reduce port to enhance onboard rejuvenation, with two sailings in April and October dedicated solely to mind-body rejuvenation. Crystal’s Aurōra spa boasts a specialist in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, while its new Chariot of Light treatment utilizes LED light therapy to restore passengers’ circadian rhythm. By, Crystal will also host two wellness-themed voyages led by experts in longevity science, detox, yoga, and somatic therapy, and riverboats are joining this wellness trend as well.