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France and its Eiffel Tower, Italy with the Roman Colosseum and Venetian canals, and England with its Victorian-era Big Ben may all be among Europe’s most sought-after countries, but they’re not the ones travelers fly thousands of miles to get to. this year…
Not according Airbnb.
Based on their latest data, 5 other European countries are leading booking trends this year, and surprisingly three of them are lesser-known Eastern gems that received only a small share of Europe’s record-breaking tourism.
Without further ado, here are the 5 countries rising in popularity:
5. Czech Republic
Located somewhere between Central and Eastern Europe, depending on your geopolitical views, the Czech Republic (or Czech Republic, call it whatever you want) is a culture-rich nation best known for its beautiful capital, Prague:
One of the most beautiful on the continent, the ‘City of a Thousand Towers’ along the fast-flowing Vltava River, and it is filled with stately buildings and well-preserved monuments, including a 14th-century Charles Bridge, an astronomical clock, and St. Vitus Cathedral.
Outside the capital, there are countless smaller, equally charming towns just begging to be explored, from Český Krumlov, with its picture-perfect cobbled streets, to Karlovy Vary, a colorful spa town, to Kutna Hora, home to a haunting ossuary church.
According to Airbnb, the Czech Republic belongs to Europe fifth fastest growing destination This year, and if you go there, you should know that the baroque Lysice Castle, a short 2h30 drive from Prague, recently restoredand it is now open all year round.
4. Germany
It doesn’t quite have the novelty factor, but Germany will continue to attract millions of visitors in 2025, while tourism spending is expected to increase. increase by 6% this year and A host of iconic destinations to his name, starting with Berlin:
Both an open-air museum littered with sights from the Second World War and The cool capital of EuropeWith laid-back beer gardens and edgy techno clubs galore, this is the Old Continent at its most liberal, but if you’re looking for medieval charm, you should add these to your list:
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, with city walls and half-timbered housesQuedlinburg, dominated by a UNESCO-protected collegiate church and Old Town, and Freiburg im Breisgau, on the edge of the Black Forest, criss-crossed by postcard-like alleys.
However, if you ask Lonely Planet, Germany trendiest destination before 2025, the state of Bavaria will be the largest in Germany, with the publication highlighting the romantic Neuschwanstein Castle and vibrant Munich Biergarten as you must have seen.
3. Hungary
Formerly one of Europe’s most overlooked countries, Hungary has freed itself from the shackles of 20th-century communism, and it is now as safe and open a destination as can be. very low levels of crime and stunning architecture everywhere.
Budapest is a bustling metropolis on the scenic Danube, with a red-domed parliament on the riverbank, a hilltop Fisherman’s Bastion with fairytale towers offering panoramic views of the cityscape, and a 13th-century Matthias Church with a colored roof.
In addition to its material heritage, so is Budapest very popular because of the thermal bathswhich will surely keep you warm in anticipation of the next scorching Central European heat, as well as the boisterous nightlife, with a youth-frequented Király Street with a high concentration of bars.
Budapest is probably where tourists will spend most of their time, but it is wise not to underestimate Hungary as a country. country: For something unconventional and an authentic Hungarian experience, head to Lake Balaton full of resorts in the summer.
2. Norway
Ranked second on Airbnb’s list, Norway is the land of winding fjords, rugged coastlines and breathtaking mountain landscapes that you won’t soon forget, whether it’s Ålesund and the adjacent Geirangerfjord or the interconnected islands of the Lofoten archipelago .
For the quintessential Norwegian experience away from the crowds, take a detour to the sleepy village of Flåm at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, where you can dine in a Viking-style dining room, and take the Flåmsbana train to Myrdal. one of Europe 4 most beautiful train journeys.
Not far from Flåm is the port town of Bergen with brightly painted houses on the harbor side, its own cable car with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, and Norway’s infamous Magic Ice Bar, a sub-zero location where (almost) everything inside can be found. is cut from ice.
Of course all roads lead to Oslo modern, eclectic Norwegian capital and a destination in its own right, thanks to its timeless streets, imposing palaces and the bohemian Grünerløkka district, full of shops and lively bars.
1. Poland
Poland, the fastest growing destination across the pond this year, with a 29.9% increase in demand, will appeal to tourists eager to beat the growing crowds of France and Italy and enjoy a monocultural side to Europe:
Poland is not as culturally diverse as its counterparts, as despite the rapid globalization of this century it has retained a staunch Christian character and age-old traditions, which is exactly what makes the country so intriguing.
Warsaw is a sprawling capital that never sleeps, centered around a reconstructed, post-war Old Town, Krakow has the continent’s largest medieval square, Gdańsk has pastel-colored buildings flanking narrow paths, and let’s visit the brick, 8th-century Toruń:
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a hidden gem in what is already an underrated country. It was once part of the legendary Hanseatic League, and unlike several Polish cities, it was largely spared the destruction of World War II.
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