With the Easter holidays fast approaching, travel company Expedia has a look at the most popular trips to take this spring.
ADVERTISEMENTSpring has well and truly arrived and we are only a few weeks away from Easter. As the flowers bloom and the temperatures rise, many of us plan to make the most of the season and take the trip of a lifetime.
This year's Easter holidays will run from March 29 to April 12 and if you're still not sure which destination to head to, we can help.
Travel company Expedia has released its annual list of trending trips – the Easter Travel Outlook – along with inside information on exactly when to travel and how to get the best value for your spring getaway.
What are the trending destinations in Europe?
While far-flung places like Bangkok, New York and Tokyo are officially the hottest places to visit this Easter, some of Europe's most iconic cities are also expected to be hugely popular.
Topping Expedia's list of seven hotels is the ever-popular Amsterdam. This is not necessarily a very encouraging reading for the Netherlands, which is trying to shed the image of the capital as a “party” city that attracts drunken British tourists.
Euronews Travel looked into the reality of the Dutch government's 'Renew Your View' campaign, which encourages tourists to see the city through the eyes of a local. Read about it here.
Nevertheless, the “Venice of the North” is still a popular choice for tourists in spring, with its mild climate, seemingly endless cultural offerings and millions of tulips growing at nearby Keukenhof.
Paris and Barcelona – two long-time favorites of European travelers
Ahead of this summer's Olympics in the city, Paris comes second on the list. Coming out of the cold of winter, the City of Lights comes into its own in spring. Whether it's enjoying a hearty onion soup at a boulevard café or seeing the ever-iconic Eiffel Tower through the branches of the nearby cherry blossom trees, Paris really is always a good idea.
It is, however, known to be a rather expensive city, although it can definitely be done on a limited budget. Read our suggestions for a budget-friendly visit here.
The third city on the list is Barcelona, undoubtedly the city par excellence for sightseeing. Temperatures will reach 10,000 by the end of March, which is perfect for the thousands of steps you'll undoubtedly take.
The Spanish favorite is inextricably linked to legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi thanks to his contribution to the city and tourists this year will be in for an even more Gaudi-themed treat. Barcelona recently celebrated its masterpiece, the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, by opening two new towers.
If you visit the structures dedicated to the evangelists Matthew and John, you will be one of the first to see them completed, approximately 142 years after construction began. Learn more about the process here.
What are the best places to visit in Rome and Malaga?
The Eternal City is perennially on the top lists of European destinations – and for good reason. Rome is considered one of the oldest cities in the world and boasts world-famous must-see sites like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum – but it has much more to offer than its architectural icons.
Last month, Euronews Travel spoke to historian Alexander Mariotti who gave his top tips for avoiding the crowds while still making the most of the Italian capital. Read all about them here.
Spain is the only country on Expedia's list that appears twice. This time, it is Malaga, in the south, which is presented as a flagship destination.
Situated firmly on the Mediterranean, its climate is ideal all year round, meaning visitors can expect year-round subtropical sunshine with warm summers and mild winters. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to go there, before the mercury rises too high.
Plus, with a recent proposal to extend a new train line from Malaga to Fuengirola along the Costa del Sol, visiting some of Spain's most popular seaside towns and villages could soon be even easier. Read our in-depth analysis of this possibility here.
Istanbul and Lisbon: two essential visits to Europe at Easter
Istanbul, which ranks sixth on Expedia's list, occupies a truly privileged position on the borders of Europe and is famous for being the gateway to Asia.
ADVERTISEMENTOffering a mix of culture and architectural icons from both continents, it is also known as “the only place in the world” where you can swim between the two, which is what we studied. here.
If you prefer to stay on dry land, head to the iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia. Now a mosque, it was previously a church and features an impressive 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics, both of which give you a sense of the diversity and fascination of this city.
Rounding out Expedia’s list is Lisbon. The Portuguese capital has always been popular, but the influx of digital nomads has made it even more popular.
With almost guaranteed year-round sunshine, it's still known as an affordable destination with something for everyone – from modern art centers to some of the best restaurants in all of Europe. Read more about Euronews Travel's favorite things about the city here.
It's also perfectly accessible on foot – despite its hills – and, fortunately for people who don't want to enter, public transport is particularly emblematic. Hop on tram number 28 and discover neighborhoods like Graça, Alfama and Baixa, as well as many historic sites.
ADVERTISEMENTWhen are the best times to travel over Easter?
Expedia predicted that the most affordable date to travel would be March 30, Easter Saturday.
This was also the case in 2023, when the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday recorded the cheapest average ticket price for international and domestic flights.
If you are indebted to School vacationwhere prices tend to skyrocket, there are still options for an affordable stay.
Expedia spokesperson says: “Avoiding the busiest travel days can save time and money. Wednesday departures are the most expensive, but Saturday departures are the cheapest for international and domestic flights, which tend to be 15% cheaper based on historical flight data.
They also advise avoiding Tuesdays if you don't like busy airports and flights, and explain that Saturdays and Sundays are the least busy days to travel.
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