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It’s going to a big year for travel. New research suggests that 84% of people plan to explore the world just as much as they did in 2025, if not more.
As for travel trends, 2026 is all about focusing on wellness through nature, train-hopping, and slow, meaningful experiences — and Europe is full of places that tick every box.
The Metro Travel team has rounded up the most beautiful Euro hotspots that have direct UK flights in 2026.
Skiathos
Skiathos, a Greek island in the Sporades archipelago, is best known for its association with the 2008 movie, Mamma Mia!.
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While a small portion was filmed on the island (the Old Port of Skiathos is where the dads meet and chase the ferry), there’s plenty more to explore.
The main drawcard is the island’s spectacular beaches. Lalaria in the north has crystal clear waters, towering cliffs and white pebble coves — guaranteed peace and quiet.
Koukounaries, in the southwest, boasts a long stretch of sandy beach and is popular for watersports. For buzzy bars, check out Banana Beach.Head inland for hiking trails (Koukounaries Beach Loop is one of the most popular), or to Skiathos Town for shops, bars, and traditional tavernas on every corner.
How to get to Skiathos and where to stay
On Saturday, May, 30, when temperatures average around 24°C, Jet2 is flying to Skiathos from London Luton. Flights cost £166, with a journey time of three hours and 30 minutes.
Where to stay
BONSAI is a rustic boutique hotel with rooms from £50 per night. From the airport, it’s an eight-minute taxi drive that costs €10 (£8.65).
The four-star Hotel Punta, with a private beach and a swimming pool, has double rooms for £101.
Bordeaux
On the banks of the Garonne River is the port city of Bordeaux — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s premier wine capitals with over 2,000 years of winemaking history.
It’s worth swinging out of town to Saint-Émilion, the most famous wine village in Bordeaux which is celebrated for its medieval charm and world-renowned vineyards.
This is France we’re talking about, so we can’t forget food.
Bordeaux is known as ‘Petite Paris’ for its high-quality dining. With multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and a recent boom in contemporary bistros, Bordeaux’s culinary scene helped it to clinch the crown for Best EuropeanDestination in 2015 (in an online competition that attracted nearly 250,000 votes).
Elsewhere, the city is famed for its 18th-century architecture (the elegant Place de la Bourse and Grand Théâtre are standouts). Traces of the Medieval and Gothic eras can be seen in the Saint-André Cathedral and Grosse Cloche, one of the oldest belfries in France.
In the fashionable neighbourhood of Chartrons, wander between the many ethical boutiques, boulangeries, and wine bars.
How to get to Bordeaux and where to stay
EasyJet flies to Bordeaux from London Luton on Tuesday, March 31, for £18.99.
Where to stay
On a budget? The quirky Eklo Hotels Bordeaux Centre Bastide has rooms for £46 per night.
After something bougie? The Hotel Konti Bordeaux is set in an 18th-century building in central Bordeaux. Rooms average around £119 per night.
Dortmund
Dortmund, a German city historically known as a coal and steel centre, will forever be linked to two things: its iconic football team and beer.
If you’re into the former, the German Football Museum is a non-negotiable. If you like a tipple — and are interested in the city’s brewing history — head to Brewery Museum Dortmund.
For culture, visit the Dortmund U-Tower, a brewery-turned-landmark art centre.
Fancy a stroll? Westfalenpark is one of the largest inner-city parks in Europe. At an impressive 70 acres, it’s home to the German Rosarium, where over 3,000 varieties of roses bloom during summer.
No trip to Dortmund is complete without trying the Westphalian cuisine, a hearty, rustic food scene rooted in North Rhine-Westphalia. Don’t leave without trying Westphalian ham and Pumpernickel bread.
How to get to Dortmund and where to stay
Wizz Air is flying to Dortmund from London Luton on Tuesday, March 31, for £20.
Where to stay
The budget NP Hotel Königshof is a two-minute walk from the Museum of Art and Cultural History. Rooms start from £62.
Moxy Dortmund City is close to the Dortmund U-Tower and Theatre Dortmund. Rooms average around £83 per night.
Rhodes
Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, a cluster of islets in the southeastern Aegean Sea, is the perfect mix of fly and flop, culture and history, warmed by a blissful Mediterranean climate.
The well-preserved medieval Old Town is UNESCO-listed and boasts the 7th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. It’s one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece.
The Street of the Knights is another historical location, made up of cobblestone roads and several 14th-century inns. If you fancy a hike, head to the Acropolis of Lindos, an ancient hilltop archaeological site that overlooks Cycladic houses and breathtaking beaches.
Speaking of, top-rated spots include the aforementioned Lindos Beach, a sheltered sandy bay with shallow, clear waters. For snorkelling, it’s Anthony Quinn Bay; to lounge around like locals do, Traganou Beach.
How to get to Rhodes and where to stay
On Wednesday, June 17, when temperatures average around 27°C, Jet2 is flying from London Luton to Rhodes for £92. The journey time is around four hours and 15 minutes.
Where to stay
The three-star botanical-inspired STAY Rhodes Hotel in Rhodes Town has rooms available for £136 per night.
Stay in the four-star family-friendly Kresten Palace Hotel for £119 per night.
Chania
Just beyond ancient Chania‘s stone walls, you’ll find golden beaches, winding alleys, and a 14th-century Venetian harbour.
As Crete’s second-largest city, it’s the perfect base for exploring other parts of the island.
But first, Chania itself. In the vibrant Old Town, discover a maze of narrow streets, separated into Topanas (Christian) and Venetian quarters. Here you’ll find boutiques, tavernas, and pretty bougainvillaea clinging to the buildings.
The Venetian Lighthouse is Chania’s most famous landmark and is reachable via a scenic 15-minute walk from the waterfront.
The harbour area is a nightlife hotspot, where restaurants serve Cretan cuisine. Raki, a strong grape-based spirit, flows long into the night.
Elafonissi Beach, crowned the best beach in the world last year, is a one-hour and 30-minute drive away, while Balos Lagoon, renowned for its shallow, turquoise waters and white-pinkish sand, is just 53km from Chania Town.
Hoe to get to Chania and where to stay
On Sunday, June 14, Jet2 is flying from London Luton to Chania for £92. The flight time is four hours.
Where to stay
Epavli Boutique Hotel offers a four-star experience with a sun terrace, garden, and a year-round outdoor swimming pool. Rooms start from £125 per night.
Neachora Beachfront Suites is an aparthotel with direct beachfront access and stunning sea views. Rooms start at £49 per night
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