Top holiday destinations for 2026 from the UK
2026 is the year for adventure, and when you travel from London Luton Airport, you can fly direct to some of the top holiday destinations around the world. Whether you’re dreaming of a quick weekend escape or a once‑in‑a‑lifetime tour, this year is all about saying yes to new experiences and making unforgettable memories.
From ancient streets to dazzling winter breaks, these 10 holiday destinations are sure to have everything you need to inspire your next adventure. Let’s explore the top spots to inspire your travels in 2026!
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Milan, Italy
🕙 Flight time: 2 hours
✈️ Get there with: easyJet/Wizz Air
📆 How long to spend there: 4-5 days
🍂 Best time to visit: late spring and early autumn
⚽ Perfect for: sports fans and culture vultures
⭐ Holiday type: City | Lakes and mountains | Active
In 2026, Milan is the city where style meets sport. As the host of the Winter Olympics, it’s the perfect base for travellers who want to combine world‑class events with quintessential Italian culture. Experience the excitement of the games while revelling in the city’s cosmopolitan energy, and feasting on bowls of handmade pasta.
Or, if you need a break from the bustle of Italian city life, hopping aboard a train to Lake Como from Milan Centrale will deliver you straight to the iconic shimmering waterfront in just over an hour. Here, you’ll find tranquil villages and dramatic mountain backdrops, ideal for pressing pause and soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine.
Salzburg, Austria
🕙 Flight time: 1 hour 50 minutes
✈️ Get there with: easyJet
📆 How long to spend there: 3 - 4 days
❄️ Best time to visit: winter to early spring
🎿 Perfect for: skiing holidays and active explorers
⭐ Holiday type: Ski | Active | Adventure
Salzburg is a city that blends alpine adventure with historical charm. In winter, the surrounding slopes are ideal for skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings hiking trails, cycling routes, and lakes perfect for swimming.
Wander the cobbles of the old town with its Baroque architecture, enjoy hearty dishes in traditional taverns, and walk in the footsteps of Mozart for an Austrian adventure to remember.
Bucharest, Romania
🕙 Flight time: 3 hours 20 minutes
✈️ Get there with: Wizz Air
📆 How long to spend there: 2 - 3 days
🌤️ Best time to visit: late spring to early summer
😍 Perfect for: wellness seekers and mindful travellers
⭐ Holiday type: Wellness | City
Bucharest is emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting wellness destinations in 2026. Thermal spas and modern wellness retreats provide the perfect setting to recharge, while the city itself offers a fascinating mix of Belle Époque palaces, communist‑era landmarks, and contemporary galleries.
Stroll along leafy boulevards, discover hidden cafés, and enjoy the city’s growing culinary scene, which blends traditional Romanian flavours with modern innovation for a foodie sensation.
Tirana, Albania
🕙 Flight time: 3 hours 5 minutes
✈️ Get there with: Wizz Air
📆 How long to spend there: 2 days
🌤️ Best time to visit: spring to early summer
🔎 Perfect for: explorers and culture lovers
⭐ Holiday type: City | Cultural | Unique
This hidden gem of a city in the heart of the Balkans is home to colourful Ottoman buildings, a vibrant café culture, and a unique fusion of old and new, making it one of the most exciting holiday destinations for 2026.
Visit Skanderbeg Square, named after the national hero who resisted the Ottoman invasion, climb the 90 stone steps up the clock tower, and visit communist-era bunkers for a fascinating trip through history.
Skiathos, Greece
🕙 Flight time: 3 hours 30 minutes
✈️ Get there with: Jet2
📆 How long to spend there: 5 - 7 days
🍂 Best time to visit: late spring to early autumn
🏖️ Perfect for: sunshine seekers and summer holidays
⭐ Holiday type: Beach | Relaxation | Family
Skiathos may be small, but it’s packed with character. The island is home to over 60 crystal-clear beaches, lush pine forests, and a vibe that offers a glimpse into authentic Greek culture without the hordes of tourists. Take a stroll through the old town’s maze of cobbled lanes, complete with whitewashed houses and waterfront restaurants, or dance the night away around Old Harbour, with buzzing bars and tavernas for the ultimate upbeat nightlife scene.
And if you’re a film fan, you’ll know Skiathos played a starring role in Mamma Mia! back in 2008, so when you arrive, you might just find yourself singing “Here we go again” as you step into iconic film settings!
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
🕙 Flight time: 5 hours 35 minutes
✈️ Get there with: easyJet/Wizz Air
📆 How long to spend there: 7 - 10 days
☀️ Best time to visit: all year round
🤿 Perfect for: divers, sun-seekers, and families
⭐ Holiday type: Beach | Adventure | Active
With year-round sunshine, mesmerising desert landscapes, and an underwater coral paradise framed by the Red Sea, it’s no wonder Sharm el-Sheikh is topping everyone’s travel bucket lists in 2026. Whether you’re looking for a revitalising beach getaway, an adventure on a desert safari, or a foodie exploration of traditional Egyptian street markets, this hotspot has something for every kind of traveller.
Sharm el-Sheikh is also known for its diving spots, with trips for both intermediate divers and beginners along the Straits of Titan and SS Thistlegorm, where you can dive past the famous cargo wreckage!
Porto, Portugal
🕙 Flight time: 2 hours 25 minutes
✈️ Get there with: easyJet
📆 How long to spend there: 3 - 4 days
🍂 Best time to visit: late spring to early autumn
🍽️ Perfect for: foodies and city explorers
⭐ Holiday type: City | Cultural | Romantic
Located along the Douro River, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the perfect blend of sunshine and city breaks for 2026. Porto is famous for its winding streets, colourful buildings, and beautiful tile murals, with the Ribeira riverside ideal for strolling in the sun and sitting outside with a glass of traditional port wine.
Porto is also brimming with cultural delights on every corner, including galleries, street art, and one of the world’s most beautiful bookshops!
Inverness, Scotland
🕙 Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes
✈️ Get there with: easyJet
📆 How long to spend there: 2 - 3 days
☀️ Best time to visit: summer and early autumn
🌲 Perfect for: nature lovers and peaceful escapes
⭐ Holiday type: City | Lakes and mountains | Wellness
Inverness is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, a region packed with dramatic natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Whether it’s fairytale castles, whisky tasting, or historic Jacobite sites perched along the River Ness, this beautiful Scottish hub is the perfect addition to your 2026 travel plans.
Fans of Outlander can visit the Bronze Age burial site of Clava Cairns, a site that inspired the hit show, and if you fancy exploring the great outdoors, there are plenty of picturesque hiking trails, including the famous Great Glen Way.
Catania, Italy
🕙 Flight time: 3 hours 10 minutes
✈️ Get there with: Ryanair/easyJet
📆 How long to spend there: 3 - 4 days
🍂 Best time to visit: late spring and early autumn
🍝 Perfect for: food lovers and history buffs
⭐ Holiday type: City | Cultural | Unique
Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, the city of Catania offers unique natural scenery and a lively atmosphere, making it one of the best holiday destinations in 2026. With Greek roots and eye-catching Baroque features, history enthusiasts will marvel at the ancient theatres and 13th-century Castello Ursino fortress.
Or, if you’re looking for a taste sensation, feast on bowls of traditional Pasta alla Norma, crispy cannolis, and visit historic street stalls for a true foodie paradise.
Zante, Greece
🕙 Flight time: 3 hours 35 minutes
✈️ Get there with: easyJet/Jet2/Wizz Air
📆 How long to spend there: 7 - 10 days
🍂 Best time to visit: late spring to early autumn
🎉 Perfect for: families, beach lovers, and party-goers
⭐ Holiday type: Beach | Family | Nightlife
Zante is a destination that caters to every traveller, making it a popular holiday destination for 2026. From the iconic Shipwreck Beach to the dazzling Blue Caves, sun seekers and adventurers alike will find everything they need for an unforgettable Greek getaway.
Relax on postcard-perfect Ionian beaches, wander down the charming cobbled streets of Zakynthos town, or sip on cocktails and party the night away in the Laganas area, famed for its buzzing nightlife from sunset to sunrise.
Book your 2026 escape today
From alpine slopes and wellness retreats to sun‑drenched islands and vibrant cities, London Luton Airport connects you directly to destinations that promise unforgettable experiences around the world. With incredible places just a flight away, there’s no better time to start planning your 2026 getaway.
Explore our full list of destinations, book your flights today, and let London Luton Airport be the starting point for your travels.