Tourists flock to Spain for best view of solar eclipse with clear skies and balmy temperatures
DARK skies tourism is set to be one of the defining travel trends this summer, as holidaymakers prepare to flock to parts of Spain to catch the solar eclipse.
On August 12, hotspots like Valencia, Palma Mallorca, and Ibiza are expected to see a surge in visitors.
Travellers are set to combine their love of sun-soaked getaways with a rare celestial spectacle, according to The Great British Holiday Audit by easyJet and easyJet Holidays.
These parts of Spain are perfectly positioned in the path of the solar eclipse, and benefit from long summer days and typically clear skies.
The trend has been driven by Gen Z, TikTok, and a growing fascination with astronomy and astrophotography.
This is a continuation of 2025’s wave of interest, which saw Brits witness phenomena such as the Northern Lights from the UK for the first time in decades.
The report also highlighted that longer short-haul flights of five to six hours are fast becoming the new norm.
Tunisia, and its lesser-known island of Djerba, continues to grow in popularity, with the airline seeing a 12 per cent increase in flights to the country, while the Georgian capital of Tbilisi is gaining traction as a city break destination.
There has also been a 21 per cent rise in travel to longer-leisure hotspots such as Morocco, Turkey and Cyprus.
A spiritual revival is also taking shape among younger generations, as Gen P travellers – those in their formative educational years during the pandemic – embrace pilgrimage routes across Europe, including Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes.
Holidaymakers are increasingly opting to ‘try before they fly’, using vlogs and VR experiences to explore destinations before booking, according to the report.
Technology is breaking down language barriers and giving travellers the confidence to explore new places.
The report, which also surveyed 2,000 travelling adults, found 22 per cent are now using translation technology while abroad.
Travel writer Nigel Thompson, who co-authored the report, said: “We’re seeing travellers plan around passions and purpose – whether that’s spirituality, culture, sport or nature.
“It looks like 2026 is about meaning as much as mobility, but value remains a key factor.”
Screen-led travel is also set for a resurgence, with the return of The White Lotus to Europe expected to drive fresh interest in destinations across the south of France.
Meanwhile, ‘canon country tourism’ will see travellers flock to locations made famous through classic literature and modern retellings – from Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Pamplona.
The findings show 28 per cent of holidaymakers would choose a destination based on TV, books or film.
Sport is also shaping travel habits this year, and despite the World Cup taking place across the Atlantic, many fans are opting to soak up the atmosphere closer to home, saving time and money by travelling to local fan zones across Europe.
At the same time, the padel phenomenon is fuelling a new wave of sports-focused holidays, particularly in Spain, where its popularity has overtaken tennis.
The research found 10 per cent of holidaymakers are now trying padel or pickleball while on holiday.
Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s CEO, added: “We’re always looking at ways our customers plan, book and holiday.
“We can already see some shifts in customer behaviour, like longer short-haul routes growing in popularity and technology playing a greater role both in making unfamiliar destinations feel accessible and helping us operate efficiently to keep fares low and journeys seamless.
“It is great to see more people exploring new destinations, using new technology in innovative ways and seeking out alternative experiences.
“I am proud of the part easyJet continues to play in helping to shape how each generation travels, while always aiming to make travel easy and accessible for all.”
The report also highlights how travel is being shaped by generational differences and life stages.
Parents with pre-school children are making the most of flexibility, travelling more before term-time restrictions begin.
Whereas ‘Home Alone’ parents – whose adult children stay behind to house-sit or pet-sit – are rediscovering the freedom to travel again.
Garry Wilson, CEO at easyJet Holidays, said: “In 2026, there’s a clear desire to make holidays count.
“We’re seeing customers become far more intentional about how and when they travel, whether that’s getting away before everyday routines take over, switching off from screens, or planning trips around meaningful moments you simply can’t recreate at home.
“From community organised trips to experience-led breaks, people are prioritising connection, wellbeing and memories that last, not just time away.”
THE 15 TRENDS THAT WILL DEFINE HOW BRITS TRAVEL IN 2026:
1. Longer short haul – Bringing destinations that blend distance with convenience into easy reach
2. Try before you fly – Utilising immersive technology like VR, or short-form video platforms to experience the destination first through someone else’s eyes
3. Translation Exploration – Embracing adventure and veering off the beaten track with the confidence of strong language translators including AI instant translate
4. Pre-School’s Out – Parents with younger children cram holidays in before term time constraints take their toll
5. Dark sky tourism – European dark sky spots to enjoy their day in the sun as Gen Zer’s travel to pursue newfound interests in astronomy and astrophotography
6. Take your pickle… or padel – Booking holiday destinations based on new sporting activities on offer, including pickleball, padel or paddleboarding
7. Wardrobe wanderlust – selling clothes on sites such as eBay, Vinted or Depop to put towards travel budgets, decluttering at the same time
8. The White Lotus effect – set to return to Europe in 2026, travellers will look to replicate the luxury seen on the silver screen
9. Canon country tourism – Visiting historic towns and landscapes rediscovered through classic literature or their modern retelling, from Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Pamplona
10. Sun – without – screen – Exploring inventive or classic ways to reduce screentime whilst on holiday, but prioritising an analogue way of life
11. Community influence – Taking the online travel community off-line by joining on group travel trips organised by travel content creators, experts in their own rights
12. Wealth of experience – Prioritising experiences within travel, culture and personal enrichment over assets
13. Home alone – Taking more holidays as a parent of adult children with a live-in house or pet-sitter (your adult children)
14. Gen-P – Exploring historic religious pilgrimages as a reason to travel, from Santiago de Compostela to Lourdes
15. Putting the world in cup – Using major tournaments like the 2026 World Cup as a reason to travel to teams’ home countries, watching iconic matches surrounded by local fans