The top ten European destinations Britons want to fly to this summer have been revealed – with sunny Majorca taking first place.
The ranking is based on hotel searches via Expedia.nl for holidays taking place between June and August.
Mallorca is one of four Spanish destinations to make the ranking, along with holiday hotspots in Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece and Turkey.
Scroll down to see all ten, in reverse order…
10. ISTANBUL
A Tripadvisor reviewer declared Istanbul, pictured, as a city that is both “ancient and modern.”
Istanbul is often referred to as a place where East meets West due to its geographical location. It is a city that spans both Asia and Europe.
It is also a cultural melting pot of more than 15 million people, as well as the 51 million tourists who visit it every year, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute.
Highlights listed by Tripadvisor are the Hagia Sophia Mosqueexploring the Sultanahmet district, catch a boat along the Bosphorus, and get lost in the Grand Bazaar.
“So many clichéd phrases are used to describe Istanbul – ancient and modern, where East meets West, old world mixed with new world – and they are all true,” wrote Tripadvisor user Sarikanarya.
9. SANTORINI
An Instagram lure spot on Santorini is the village of Oia (above). “You’ll struggle to find a more beautiful place in the Cyclades,” says Lonely Planet
Santorini sits on the edge of a ‘sea-drowned volcanic crater’ created thousands of years ago by a ‘massive’ volcanic eruption. Lonely planet explains.
The guide describes the island, one of the Cyclades, as ‘the supermodel of the Greek islands, an eye-catcher whose face is instantly recognizable all over the world’.
Once there, the tourist Office recommends exploring the island’s “wild, untamed” beaches and learning about its history at museums such as the Archaeological Museum of Fira.
One of the many Instagram lures is the hilltop village of Oia (above), where homes are carved into the crater’s volcanic rock. “You’ll struggle to find a more beautiful place in the Cyclades,” says Lonely planet.
8. LISBON
The Portuguese capital Lisbon is known for its bright yellow trams (above)
‘One thing is certain: all the time in the world will not be enough to enjoy everything there is to see and do in the capital. Take your pick and let Lisbon blow your heart away.’
This is the introduction to Lisbon from the city tourist Officewho recommends a visit to the ‘iconic’ Praca do Comercio square and lounging on the ‘idyllic beaches’ of Arrabida and Sesimbra.
The Portuguese capital is also famous for its bright yellow trams. Board the No. 28 tram, which takes visitors “through the most beautiful historic and residential areas of the city,” reveals the tourist office.
Tripadvisor reviewer ‘T Pour’who explored the city with his wife described the destination as “a beautiful, ancient city,” adding: ‘We are both avid walkers and we really enjoyed exploring this historic city, mostly on foot. The food, especially the seafood, is incredible.’
7. TENERIFE
Tenerife is an island of “outstanding beauty and diversity,” says Lonely Planet
Number seven on the list is the ‘standout’ island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, which attracts more than six million travelers each year, Lonely planet reveals.
The site says there are four ‘must-see’ places to visit: Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Puerto de la Cruz city; La Laguna old town; and Garachico, where you can swim in natural pools.
Tenerife’s most famous spots offer “British revelry and clubbing combined with white-sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts,” says Lonely Planet.
It continues: ‘Put on your explorer’s hat and step beyond the tourist traps and you’ll discover an island of outstanding beauty and diversity, with secluded mountain-ridge villages, cultivated harbor settlements and charming old towns.’
6. MALAGA
The coastline of Malaga offers 14 km of beaches. Above is the city’s Malagueta Beach
‘The 1960s may have brought mass tourism to the surrounding region, but Malaga is not a holiday resort’, says Rough Guidesadding that you will see more locals than tourists in this Spanish holiday destination.
The guide recommends visiting the historic center of the city, eating at the Mercado Central and walking along the ‘beautiful’ coastline, which offers 14 km of beaches.
Malaga is also where Pablo Picasso spent his early childhood, the Spanish tourist office reveals, and you can follow his steps with a walking route of the city.
5. RHODES
On Rhodes, Rough Guides recommends a visit to the ‘delightful’ village of Lindos, crowned by an ancient acropolis
‘Rhodes is rightly one of the most visited of all the Greek islands’, says Rough Guides.
The site recommends heading to Prasonisi beach – ‘one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe’ – and the ‘delightful’ hilltop village of Lindos, topped by an ancient acropolis.
Another highlight is the island of Symi, which can be visited on a full-day boat trip. TripAdvisor reveals.
reviewer’Lenny0911wrote on the site, “What an amazing island… the buildings in the city are so colorful and the view from the city harbor is spectacular. The beaches and coves are fantastic.’
4. AMSTERDAM
Explore the canals and tilting buildings of Amsterdam, which ranks fourth
‘Golden Age canals lined by tilting gables form the backdrop for Amsterdam’s museums brimming with treasures, shops brimming with vintage and hyper-creative drinking, dining and design scenes.’
So says Lonely planet of the popular Dutch city, which ranks fourth in the Expedia list.
The guide recommends exploring the Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of the painter’s work, and Vondelpark, a city park described as ‘Amsterdam’s favorite playground’.
A tour of the Anne Frank House is one of the city’s “most profound experiences,” while the Rijksmuseum is the country’s “top treasure trove,” Lonely Planet adds.
3. BARCELONA
Barcelona’s ‘must-see’ sights include La Sagrada Familia church and Park Güell (above)
In third place is the “enchanting coastal city” of Barcelona, which boasts “boundaryless culture, legendary architecture and a world-class food and drink scene”, Lonely planet reveals.
According to the guidebook, “must-see” sights include La Sagrada Familia church and Park Güell, as well as the “fantastic” beach of Barceloneta.
Tripadvisor reviewer “Resort Eye” described the beach as a “beautiful” stretch of sand with “room for long walks, people watching and sunsets.”
2. THE ALGARVE
‘Soaring cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, scalloped coves and sandy islands attract more than four million visitors to the Algarve every year,’ says Lonely Planet
The Algarve in Portugal is ‘refreshingly undeveloped’, says Lonely planetwhich may be why it ranks second in Expedia’s top 10 European destinations for 2023.
High cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, scalloped coves and sandy islands attract more than four million visitors each year.
The destination is “surrounded on two sides by the Atlantic Ocean” and is a “surfer’s paradise,” the guide adds.
1. MALLORCA
Discover Mallorca’s remote mountains and soulful hill towns (above)
Gold medal-winning Mallorca has been described as the ‘ever-popular star of the Mediterranean’ Lonely planet.
The guide continues: ‘Mallorca has a sunny personality thanks to its enchanting beaches, azure blue views, remote mountains and soulful hill towns.’
visiting, Time-out recommends stopping at the “enchanting” coastal town of Deia, hopping aboard the vintage train from Palma to the town of Soller, and going on a wine tasting tour of the island’s Binissalem region.
You can also check out the monumental La Seu Cathedral in Palma, which houses 61 stained glass windows. ‘Inside there are some lovely spots where the sun perfectly catches the color in the windows,’ wrote Tripadvisor reviewer ‘SB01‘.