40% of the trips that Spaniards have booked for 2026 are concentrated in short stays of between three and four days, while another 23% are trips of only two days. These data, from the annual report “A Year in Travel” prepared by eDreams, consolidate the pull of short getaways over traditional long trips.
The document, which examines the travel habits and trends of tourists, both national and international, throughout this year, also highlights the increasingly decisive role of social networks in choosing a destination. Specifically, 48% of Spanish travelers say that these platforms have served as inspiration for them to discover a new place, compared with 39% in the global average.
With these figures, Spain ranks as the European country where social networks exert the greatest influence on travel decisions, at a level very close to that of the United States, where the percentage stands at 49%.
Barcelona and Madrid lead the 2026 destinations
On the international stage, Barcelona leads the worldwide ranking of destinations for 2026, followed by Madrid, Paris and Palma de Mallorca. After them come London, Rome, Lisbon, Istanbul, Tunis and Málaga, so that four Spanish cities make their way into the ten most in-demand.
The report also focuses on the growth of other destinations among Spanish tourists. Thus, Santander saw a 42% increase in bookings compared with 2025, ahead of Oviedo, with 36%, and Edinburgh, with 34%. According to the company, these locations share the appeal of offering milder temperatures.
Major musical and sporting events drive bookings
The announcement of Shakira’s tour triggered a notable rebound in flight searches to Madrid coinciding with the dates of her concerts, with increases of 486% from France, 463% from Germany, 365% from the Netherlands, 345% from Spain, and 105% from the United Kingdom.
Likewise, Spain’s qualification to play the final of the World Cup for soccer boosted flight searches toward the New York area on the company’s platforms by 367%.
eDreams Travel Director, Pablo Caspers, has said that more and more travelers make decisions on the spot, inspired by major events and unique experiences, and he has highlighted flexibility as a key factor in how trips are booked.