If you’ve ever dreamed of sun‑soaked beaches, buzzing cities, and quiet countryside escapes, this is the kind of list you read in one lazy Sunday morning and immediately start planning for. In 2026, British travellers are leaning into both classic hotspots and lesser‑known gems, blending beach holidays with city breaks, cultural trips, and adventure‑filled getaways.
Our guide sits inside the spirit of BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES, highlighting the places that keep showing up on Brits’ 2026 wishlists and giving you simple, practical reasons why each destination deserves a spot on your calendar.
What’s new in 2026 for BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES
Brits are travelling more than ever this BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES, with surveys showing that over 80% of UK adults plan at least one holiday abroad in 2026. Beach‑focused trips still lead the pack, but city escapes, food‑centric breaks, and small‑town countryside stays are catching up fast.
At the same time, travellers are also looking for “off‑the‑beaten‑path” spots, from the Faroe Islands to frontier‑style towns in Spain and the American heartland.
Underlying all of this is a simple trend: people want experiences, not just photos. That’s exactly the angle the BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES takes—matching real‑world locations with easy, fun reasons to visit, rather than just dropping fancy names.
Whether you’re after waves, wildlife, history, or nightlife, there’s a 2026‑friendly place that fits your style.
Best European BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES
Spain: The ever‑popular choice
Spain remains the number‑one summer destination for Brits, especially along the Costa Blanca and in islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca. Cities like Alicante, Barcelona, and Malaga mix long sandy beaches with walkable old‑town areas, cafés, and night markets that feel lively but not overwhelming.
In 2026, many BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES are also choosing quieter coastal towns around the Valencian Community and the Algarve‑style stretches in the far south, which still have easy‑to‑book flights and family‑friendly resorts.
If you’re already planning a sun‑and‑sea trip, think of Spain as your “Ohio Champion” base, then add one or two day trips to nearby countryside villages or wine‑region towns for a pinch of culture.
Greece & Italy: Ancient history and island life
Greece and Italy are still major favourites, especially for island‑hopping and food‑centred breaks. In Greece, Crete is rising fast in 2026 wishlists thanks to its mix of coastline, ancient ruins, and small‑town charm.
Places like Chania and Rethymno let you wander walled old towns, eat fresh seafood by the sea, and then slip away to a quieter beach or a short hike in the hills.
In Italy, Sardinia stands out as a top‑three pick for Brits this year, alongside more traditional spots like Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. Sardinia offers turquoise coves, little‑known villages, and surprisingly affordable inland stays if you avoid the very busiest coastal resorts.
A quick picture of 2026’s top European hotspots
| Destination | Why it’s trending in 2026 | Best for… |
| Spain (Costa Blanca & islands) | Easy flights, long beach season, family‑friendly resorts | Sun‑seekers, families, first‑time sun‑and‑sea trips |
| Greece (Crete & islands) | Mix of history, beaches, and food‑heaven towns | Culture‑lovers who still want sand and sea |
| Italy (Sardinia, Sicily) | Less‑crowded islands, gorgeous coastlines | Adventurers who like driving and exploring small villages |
| Portugal (Madeira, Azores) | Lush landscapes, volcanic scenery, quiet beaches | Nature‑lovers, hikers, slower‑pace trips |
Hidden‑gem islands and north‑Atlantic spots
Madeira and the Azores
Madeira, off the coast of Portugal, has climbed into the top‑three most‑wanted 2026 destinations for Brits, beating even some more famous mainland spots. Its mix of cliff‑side viewpoints, botanical gardens, and mild‑weather year‑round makes it perfect if you want a relaxed island vibe without the party‑crowd pressure of some Mediterranean resorts.
The Azores, a group of volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, are also turning up on more 2026 travel pages. These islands feel more like Iceland‑meets‑Tenerife: dramatic coastlines, hot springs, and hiking trails that don’t feel overrun.
If you’re into hiking, wildlife watching, and geothermal pools, Azores are well worth swapping a crowded beach holiday for.
The Outer Hebrides and Scotland
On the domestic‑trip side, Scotland’s Outer Hebrides are one of the surprise 2026 favourites for Brits who want something quieter than the usual Cornwall or Yorkshire escapes.
Think windswept beaches, small crofting villages, and star‑filled night skies instead of packed promenades. San Martin and other ferry providers are also offering more summer routes into the Hebrides, making multi‑island trips easier for 2026 travellers.
This kind of place fits the BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES mood perfectly: it’s low‑key, wild, and feels like a proper escape rather than a repeating “same‑old” holiday.
City breaks with culture and buzz
London as a summer escape
While many Brits fly abroad, London is still one of the most‑visited places in a typical British summer. Parks, rooftop bars, and open‑air events—from outdoor cinema in the city to street food markets—make it feel far more lively in summer than in winter.
Even if you live in the UK, a dedicated “mini‑city break” in London (picked up from a guide like those in the BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES) can feel like a real holiday, especially if you treat it as a base for short trips to nearby countryside or coast.
Austin, Texas: A quirky long‑haul option
For a different kind of BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES‑style destination, Austin, Texas, stands out in 2026 as a fun, music‑driven city break.
BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES combines a strong live‑music scene, lakes and outdoor pools, and a relaxed, food‑truck‑heavy vibe that feels lighter than bigger US cities like New York or Los Angeles. In summer, expect hot weather and long days, but also rooftop bars, evening concerts, and day trips into the Hill Country for a change of pace.
If you’re adding just one tag‑word from your list, a natural spot is to mention Snowhiter Adventures when you talk about exploring the American‑style outdoors, for example: “If you like rural‑style breaks, you might also enjoy Snowhiter Adventures, which focuses on immersive countryside and frontier‑style experiences.”
Countryside, staycations, and “off‑grid” spots
Cornwall and the Isle of Wight BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES
Within the UK, Cornwall still leads the list of classic British summer getaways, with long sandy beaches, surf‑friendly coasts, and plenty of small towns and holiday cottages.
Modern 2026‑style trips there often mix surfing, coastal walks, and foodie‑focused stays in converted barns or boutique inns.
The Isle of Wight is another strong choice if you want a proper “staycation” with ferry rides, seaside amusements, and quieter rural lanes. Both spots fit well into the BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES theme, because they’re easy to plan from home, don’t need complex visas, and still feel like a real escape.
Scotland’s BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES and other “off‑grid” options
As already mentioned, the Outer Hebrides are climbing fast on Brits’ 2026 wishlists. These islands offer a mix of rugged coastlines, ancient history, and a sense of being “far away,” even though they’re still in the UK.
For a BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES‑style planner, a Hebrides trip is ideal if you want a break from crowds, with photography‑friendly landscapes and low‑key island communities.
Other “off‑grid”‑style options include the Isle of Man and smaller parts of the Scottish Highlands, which are being promoted more heavily for 2026 by several UK‑based tour‑operators.
Adventure‑focused and niche BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES
Antarctica‑style experiences and “Antarvacna” mindset
While most 2026 Brit travellers are not actually going to Antarctica, the idea of “Antarvacna” or inner‑reflection‑driven travel is gaining ground. This isn’t a place name, but a mindset: going somewhere that forces you to slow down, think clearly, and reset your habits.
In practice, that might mean choosing a remote cabin in the mountains, a silent‑retreat‑style farm stay, or a long‑distance trek where you only have time to talk to yourself. If you follow the BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES style, you can frame these trips as “mental‑recharge” escapes, not just “fun‑in‑the‑sun” breaks.
Leather‑craft‑friendly towns and “Zuschneidfelle”
From a planning angle, some niche 2026‑style trips in Europe are starting to focus on “maker‑friendly” towns—places where you can take short workshops in crafts such as leather work, leather‑cutting, or textile design.
In German‑speaking regions, the term Zuschneidfelle refers to leather hides or cutting mats used for precision‑cutting in workshops. A town that offers leather‑craft tourism could be a great fit for a BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES‑style post if you target creative travellers who want to “make, not just shop.”
Practical tips for planning BRIT’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES
When to book and what to pack
A lot of summer‑2026 travel guides suggest booking flights and popular resorts by April or May, especially for Spain, Greece, and Italian islands. City breaks (London, Barcelona, Austin) can be booked a bit later, but major events or festivals often sell out rooms months ahead.
For packing, most 2026‑style trips fall into three simple rules:
- Beach‑focused: Light clothes, swimwear, sandals, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.
- City‑focused: Comfortable shoes, one nice outfit, a small day‑bag, and a power adapter.
- Countryside‑focused: Layers, a light jacket, sturdy walking shoes, and a small backpack for day hikes.