As 2026 begins, many keen travellers might be looking for new destinations to jet off to for their next getaway.
Europe’s most popular airline, Ryanair, has revealed the top locations for the coming year.
The budget carrier recommends Bratislava, Slovakia, for its ‘rich history and modern charm’.
Holidaymakers who opt to visit the eastern European spot can tour its medieval Old Town and take in the local culture.
According to Ryanair, which will offer 33 routes to Bratislava in the summer, the Slovakian capital ‘is quickly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting city break destinations’.
Tirana, the capital of Albania in the Balkans, made the airline’s list too.
It’s bursting with restaurants, intriguing architecture and is good value – the city was named Europe’s best-value city for British holidaymakers by the Post Office in 2021.
Ryanair says the destination offers an ‘unforgettable travel experience’ with its impressive ‘mountain backdrops’ and from April will run 450 flights per week from the Tirana’s airport.
Ryanair also recommends Pescara, Italy, describing it as ‘one of Europe’s most captivating destinations’ – and it’s not surprising.
Located on the Adriatic Sea, the Italian city boasts dreamy coastlines and historic cities to explore.
Another capital city, Rabat, Morocco, is name-checked by Ryanair.
The airline says it’s ‘an unmissable destination for affordable travel and authentic experiences in 2026.
Rabat was listed as one of the top 10 trending destinations in Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends Report and has seen an 87 per cent surge in searches.
Gdańsk made Ryanair’s list too and is described as ‘the jewel of Poland’s Baltic coast’.
It has a picturesque Old Town and rich maritime history for visitors to delve into during their stay.
Miley Adison, who works as cabin crew for Wizz Air, previously revealed her top festive destinations and Gdańsk made the cut as a real hidden gem.
Which European destination is at the top of your travel list for 2026?
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Another impressive destination that has recently been recommended for holidaymakers looking to get away this year is Guimarães.
Located in northern Portugal, the city boasts characterful cobbled streets and a lively culture.
It recently made the BBC’s ’20 best places to travel in 2026′ list, alongside destinations including Abu Dhabi and Montenegro.
The city is widely considered as the ‘birthplace of Portugal’ and was the country’s first capital.
The broadcaster praised Guimarães for its ‘beautifully preserved medieval core’ and range of restaurants and bars.
