Top Europe Travel Trends for 2025: Where Everyone’s Going Next

2025 is Europe’s comeback year—starting with its most soul-stirring landscapes.

Europe is having a bit of a renaissance moment—and it’s about time.

After years of record-breaking crowds, whirlwind itineraries, and Instagram overexposure, the continent is exhaling. In 2025, travel in Europe feels... different. More conscious. More curious. More you. Think slower trains, softer mornings, lesser-known cities, and meals that last a little longer than they should.

Here, we explore the top Europe travel trends for 2025—where wanderers, romantics, and passport-happy souls are going next (and why it might just change how we all travel, forever).

The Most Popular European Travel Destinations for 2025

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Spain, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, and Greece are still having their moment. And honestly, who could blame them?

They’ve got the coastal charisma, culinary excellence, and just enough ancient ruins to make your Google Photos implode. But there’s nuance here in 2025. These countries aren’t just popular—they’re evolving.

From Porto to the Peloponnese—Europe’s 2025 travel chart-toppers.

Trending Destinations in Europe 2025:

Spain – Still the queen of tapas and fiestas, but travelers are skipping Barcelona and dancing their way into Bilbao and Granada instead.

Croatia – Crowned Europe’s #1 travel destination for 2025, with sustainability creds, dreamy islands, and a coastline that looks photoshopped.

Portugal – A slow traveler’s paradise. Spend your days wine-tasting in the Douro Valley or bookshop-hopping in Porto.

Greece – Despite new tourism taxes, the islands remain as irresistible as a sun-warmed fig.

Italy – Always trending, but now with a focus on Tuscany’s farm stays and the cultural calm of Umbria.

According to Amadeus and Expedia’s 2025 reports, travel to Eastern and Southern Europe is soaring—proof that we’re all craving a little more sunshine and a lot more soul.

Overtourism Is Changing the Way We Travel

Here’s the not-so-fun part: Some cities are simply too popular for their own good.

In 2025, places like Venice, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Lisbon are taking a firm step back from mass tourism. They’ve introduced entry fees, cruise limits, and Airbnb caps. Not to be grumpy—but these cities are reclaiming their peace. And frankly, we respect it.

So what’s a thoughtful traveler to do?

You skip the selfie crowds and travel deeper instead of wider. Go off-season. Wander the next town over. You’ll find fewer people, better gelato, and probably a cat with strong opinions.

“Overtourism is making people question the way they explore. The new luxury? Feeling like you discovered a place no one else has.” (European Travel Commission)

The Rise of Detour Destinations and Hidden Gems

Welcome to the age of detours—and no, not the kind where your GPS fails in the Italian countryside (though... romantic, right?). In 2025, travelers are intentionally skipping the obvious and finding poetry in the lesser-known.

Skip the crowds. Discover Europe’s softer side through its underrated treasures.

Favorite Detour Destinations:

Český Krumlov, Czechia – The town looks like a Wes Anderson set, minus the pastel filters.

Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina – The bridge is iconic, but it’s the warmth of the people that will linger.

Kotor, Montenegro – Quiet fjord vibes. No cruise ships yelling in the background.

Bath, UK – Jane Austen meets Georgian flair, with just the right touch of Regency gossip.

Lahemaa National Park, Estonia – Forests so silent they might teach you to meditate.

These places are less chaotic, more cinematic. You’re not just checking them off a list. You’re becoming part of their story.

Expedia’s 2025 travel report shows bookings for small towns up by 22%. Translation? We’re all collectively tired of waiting in line for a photo.

Why Slow and Experiential Travel Is Taking Over

Somewhere between the fourth layover and the 17th museum selfie, people realized they weren’t feeling anything. So in 2025, travelers are slowing down. Way down.

Slow tourism is less about seeing everything and more about being somewhere. It’s sipping espresso in the same café every morning. It’s learning how to roll pasta in a Tuscan kitchen. It’s a picnic under a willow tree in Slovenia, followed by a nap you didn’t plan.

In 2025, travel isn’t rushed. It’s remembered.

How We’re Traveling Now:

Staying on working vineyards in Portugal and Italy

Taking art classes in Provence

Riding the scenic rails through the Alps, with actual window-staring time

Hiking the Scottish Highlands, with more tea breaks than summit selfies

Mastercard’s 2024 Value of Experience report says 38% more travelers are seeking “meaningful, immersive activities.” Which sounds like a fancy way of saying: we want to feel human again.

Wellness Travel & Nature Escapes Are Booming

Let’s be real. After what the 2020s threw at us, we all need a moment. Or seven.

In 2025, wellness travel isn’t a niche—it’s a necessity. We’re choosing places that heal us. Not just physically, but creatively, mentally, emotionally.

Wellness isn’t a retreat—it’s a return to presence.

What Wellness Looks Like in Europe:

Forest bathing in Finland (actual therapy, not just walking around with poetic intentions)

Digital detox retreats in Slovenia—bye, notifications

Thermal spas in Hungary where time floats as easily as you do

Eco lodges in Iceland and the Alps, where every window frames a painting

This is the year of soft mornings, herbal teas, and conversations with the moon.

“People don’t want an escape—they want a return. To their bodies. To quiet. To the present.” (2025 Eurail Wellness Report)

Budgeting & Booking Trends: Travel Smarter, Not Cheaper

Luxury is changing—and it’s no longer about five stars or infinity pools.

In 2025, value-driven travel is the new chic. People are spending money on what matters: staying longer, eating better, and experiencing more (without sacrificing their dignity on discount airline seats).

Smart Booking Trends:

Booking earlier, staying longer (hello, remote work sabbaticals)

Traveling with friends or multigenerational families—because joy multiplies

Choosing boutique stays over big hotels—think character over concierge

Splurging on experiences: wine tastings, pottery classes, local guides

According to Mastercard Economics, Gen Z and Millennials are “allocating more to memory-making moments than status symbols.” Same, Gen Z. Same.

Europe Travel by the Numbers

The numbers tell the story: Europe is having its moment.

In short: we’re traveling more, but we’re choosing better.

FAQ: What You’re (Actually) Wondering

What are the biggest Europe travel trends for 2025?

Overtourism backlash, detour destinations, slow travel, wellness escapes, and smarter spending top the list.

What is slow tourism, really?

It’s intentional, immersive travel. Fewer flights. Longer stays. More wine. Less burnout.

How can I avoid overtourism?

Go off-season. Choose lesser-known cities. Be flexible. And maybe skip that gondola ride at 2 PM.

What’s a good hidden gem in Europe?

Try Mostar, Bath, or Lahemaa National Park. Bring a journal and leave the crowd behind.

Is wellness travel worth it?

Yes—especially if your soul could use a soft place to land.

Conclusion: Your European Era Is Here

Let’s be honest: 2025 feels like the year we all start traveling like poets again. Not to escape life, but to meet it somewhere quieter. More beautiful. Less filtered.

Travel in Europe this year isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you feel when you get there.

Whether you’re sipping something strong in Lisbon, hiking under clouds in Slovenia, or letting a Croatian breeze rearrange your thoughts, just remember: the most unforgettable places are the ones that let you hear yourself think.