Spain is set to remain the most popular holiday destination for Brits in 2027, according to a new report from travel association ABTA. The organisation's Holiday Habits report shows that 26% of Brits are planning a holiday to Spain in the next 12 months, putting it ahead of France and Italy, which both came in at 14%.
Spain leads despite regional challenges
ABTA's findings estimate that over 11.5 million Brits visited Spain in the first half of 2026, from the mainland to the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. The report also notes that city breaks and beach holidays remain the top two holiday choices for British travellers, compared with rail holidays, wellness breaks and cruises.
Spain's popularity marks a year-on-year jump. ABTA members, including travel agents, suggested that the Middle East conflict played a role, as people were unable to transit through that region. Short-haul alternatives including Spain and Portugal saw an increase in visitors as a result.
May 2027 expected to be peak travel month
May 2027 is expected to be the most popular month for travel, not only because of half-term dates. May typically sees temperatures warming up across European hotspots, and for those not tied to school holiday dates, there can be tempting bargains. While destinations like the Canaries enjoy year-round sunshine, May sees more mainland areas warm up; for example, the Costa del Sol starts to boast average temperatures of around 24C, warm enough for pools and beaches but avoiding summer heatwaves.
Top 15 destinations for 2027
The full list of countries set to be popular with Brits in 2027 includes Spain (26%), France (14%), Italy (14%), USA (13%), Greece (11%), Portugal (6%), Germany (6%), Australia (5%), Canada (5%), Japan (5%), Turkey (4%), Norway (3%), Croatia (3%), China (3%) and UAE (3%).
