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2026 travel predictions: The unexpected cities about to take off

Unexpected cities set to steal the spotlight in 2026 travel

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Krakow
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Global travel search engine, KAYAK, just released its 2026 Travel Trends forecast, analyzing millions of flight searches to uncover the biggest trends shaping travel in 2026. The data is showing that travelers are ready to make 2026 count — uncovering that travel to Eastern Europe is having a “major moment” and that large-scale pop culture, sports and global events are driving interest in unlikely cities. If you thought you knew where you’re heading in 2026, these unexpected cities might just change your mind.

Europe is the star of 2026

Budapest
Dominika Gregušová / Pexels

Popular European cities like Rome, London, and Paris always steal the show, but experts believe 2026 is the year Eastern European travel booms. European cities like Prague, Sofia, Krakow, Budapest, Tirana and Sarajevo are capturing the attention of travelers, offering affordable flights, vibrant food scenes, and lots of history to explore.

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As overtourism and crowding continue to be a major issue in many cities, some travelers are shifting their travel bucket lists to include cities like these with fewer crowds that Western Europe’s usual tourist spots. KAYAK’s Travel Trends forecast highlights increased search volume by travelers to:

  • Prague, Czech Republic: Data shows an 180% increase in search demand to Prague. Here’ travelers can visit the historic Old Town Astronomical Clock and explore a diverse food scene.
  • Sofia, Bulgaria: Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, has seen a 136% search increase for bookings in 2026. This capital city offers outdoor ski experiences thanks to the nearby Vitosha mountain.
  • Krakow, Poland: Up by 106%, travelers are showing an increased interest in Krakow, Poland as an unexpected travel destination. Krakow’s Main Market Square is the largest medieval town square in Europe.

In addition to these top 3, other unexpected cities expected to take off include Budapest, Bucharest, Split, and Tirana.

Events driving tourists to unexpected cities

Milan Italy architecture
Massimiliano Donghi / Unsplash

KAYAK’s data also shows a rising interest in traveling to unexpected cities to attend large-scale cultural events. Cities like Milan, Vegas, and Kansas City show that travelers are willing to book trips around sporting events, concerts, and other global events of significance importance.

Kansas City

For example, 2026 searches for flights to Kansas City are up 14% YoY, ranking among the top 50 trending destinations for the year. Rising interest in KC’s football team and their star tight end’s recent engagement news to Taylor Swift, and the city’s host status for the upcoming world soccer tournament has contributed to increased interest in Kansas City.

Milan

Meanwhile, flight searches to Milan, Italy are also up about 15% as Milan gears up to host the Winter Games in February. It’s not new that sporting events spike global travel interest, however, the combination of Team USA buzz and falling prices for flights to Europe has accelerated demand for travel to Milan, Italy.

Vegas

Even as reports of Las Vegas, Nevada coined the city as “dead” in 2025, experts expect Vegas to come back with a boom in 2026. Flight trends suggest an 18% YoY increase over 2025. With new residencies at The Sphere, major events and competitive domestic fares, Vegas is once again becoming one of the most popular U.S tourist destinations.

Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving… Read Full Bio
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