The top holiday destinations for 2026 have been officially revealed, with one Turkish hotspot crowned most popular for a third year running.
Despite rising costs at home, Brits are refusing to give up sunny getaways abroad, with nearly half (43 per cent) of holidaymakers planning to book trips for this year in January and February.
In fact, fresh research from On The Beach reveals 42 per cent are willing to spend more money than usual on their 2026 holiday, while a further 27 per cent plan on spending as much as they did last year.
As for the most popular destinations for 2026, Antalya is expected to take the top spot as the UK’s all-time favourite holiday destination for the third consecutive year.
The city, located on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey, has surged in popularity for Brits seeking sun, sea and value, so it’s no surprise it’s now been dubbed the ‘capital of tourism’ for the country.
Akin to the previous year, Spanish hubs continue to dominate the top 20, with Costa Blanca climbing to second place, Tenerife showing early signs of a comeback in third, Majorca falling two places to fourth, and Lanzarote placing fifth.
Dalaman remains the sixth most popular choice, joining Antalya in Britons’ sustained interest in booking Turkish getaways.
But beyond the leading six, one North African country is capturing the attention of both holiday experts and travellers.
New research from On The Beach reveals Antalya (pictured) as the UK’s all-time favourite holiday destination for the third consecutive year
Spanish hubs continue to dominate the top 20, with Costa Blanca (pictured) climbing to second place
Red Sea resorts in Egypt, such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, have rocketed up the rankings, with holidays to these hotspots up 30 per cent year-on-year in 2025.
The momentum is expected to continue into 2026, with both resorts now firmly planted inside the top ten in seventh and eighth place, respectively.
Experts at On The Beach are also tipping Tunisia to be one of the breakout stars of 2026 after the North African nation entered the rankings in last year.
Bookings are predicted to surge by more than 100 per cent year-on-year as bargain-loving Brits seek affordable beach breaks abroad without compromising on quality.
And for those truly watching the pennies, timing is crucial.
According to research, June continues to be the cheapest month to travel, with a fifth of British travellers planning on holidaying during this month to snap up better value.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On The Beach said: ‘Even in a challenging economic climate, holidays remain one of the last things Brits are willing to cut back on.
‘We’re seeing customers prioritise value and certainty, which is driving strong demand for destinations like Egypt and Tunisia, while classic choices such as Spain and Turkey continue to appeal because they deliver exactly what holidaymakers expect.’
Red Sea (pictured) resorts in Egypt, such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, have climbed up the rankings, with holidays to these destinations up 30 per cent in 2025
Both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (pictured) are firmly planted inside the top ten in seventh and eighth place, respectively
Further research from On The Beach revealed Benidorm as the most searched seven-night holiday in 2025, while a seven-night break in Tenerife is predicted to be early favourite for 2026.
Meanwhile, the cheapest destination for 2026 has been revealed – with average flights costing £105 from the UK.
In a new study by global travel app Skyscanner, which conducted research with OnePoll in November 2025 with 2,000 respondents, it unearthed the places where travellers’ money can stretch further.
France’s Lyon, a popular destination but without the exorbitant prices of such cities as Paris, was a clear winner for its low return flight cost, the research found.
