Expedia highlights rising European island destinations for 2026

Expedia has released a list of the European islands expected to become the most popular holiday spots in 2026. The rankings show a shift away from crowded coastal resorts toward lesser‑known islands offering authentic experiences. Portugal’s Porto Santo climbs to second place, with search interest up about 85 %. Greece’s Syros ranks fourth, seeing a 60 % increase in queries, while Norway’s Lofoten appears fifth after a 50 % rise. Overall online searches for island vacations have grown roughly 55 % annually, and social‑media mentions are up about 20 %. The list features ten islands across five continents, with three European locations in the top five, underscoring a broader trend toward quieter, nature‑focused travel.