Summer is here! Through analysing our data and search trends, KAYAK reveals three lists of European destinations that you want to check out for your 2018 travel to over summer. Here, you will find the Top Trending Europe Destinations, 10 Wallet-Friendly European Destinations For Your 2018 Summer Holidays and also learn about where Europeans themselves are travelling to.
Here, we’ve uncovered the top 10 trending summer holiday destinations for Indians along with some essential travel information.
Top 10 Trending Summer Holiday Destinations For Indians
10. Munich, Germany
Nestled in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Munich combines historical elegance with down-to-earth charm. View timeless masterpieces from the world’s great painters, take a stroll down one of Europe’s best shopping streets, and rub elbows with the locals at a beer garden. For centuries, Munich has been a major center of art and commerce. You’ll find splendid baroque churches in the Old Town neighborhood and masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, and Vincent van Gogh in the Museum District. The world-famous Maximilianstrasse shopping district has high-end fashion houses like Chanel and Ralph Lauren, and the headquarters of car manufacturer BMW are in the suburbs. Munich is a very friendly and approachable city. You can sing along with an Oompah band in a crowded beer hall, or, if your taste runs to quieter pursuits, sunbathe in one of Munich’s many parks. Plus, you are only a few miles away from some of the highest peaks in the Bavarian Alps.
9. Barcelona, Spain
The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona could well be the ideal destination for a European urban getaway. This historic, artistic, gastronomic, sporting hub is full of great food and attractions for everyone to enjoy. Barcelona is the kind of place where you can stroll arm in arm down elegant boulevards in Eixample, rub shoulders with street performers on Las Ramblas or take in the fresh sea air by the city beach. You can see some of the world’s most creative architecture at the Sagrada Familia or Parc Guell, take beautiful panoramic photos from Montjuic and descend into the city to dine on exquisite tapas at restaurants like Ouimet i Ouimet. If sports are your obsession, you can book tickets to the Camp Nou. If art is your passion, the world’s biggest collection of Picasso paintings is on your doorstep. Easily accessible from US cities and ready to welcome everyone, Barcelona is a destination that is tough to beat.
8. Athens, Greece
There aren’t many places in the world that can claim as much historical importance as Athens. The cradle of democracy. Home to the first theater. A center of philosophy. Athens has a lot to live up to, and it does so brilliantly. While you shouldn’t miss historical sights like the Agora or the Acropolis, modern Athens has much to offer vacationers, too. After taking a walking tour of the ancient ruins, you can dive into markets like Monastiraki, window shop at boutiques in Kolonaki, hop between galleries in Metaxourgeio, and dine out on healthy Greek dishes at wonderful neighborhood tavernas. Throw the vibrant nightlife and the chance to sunbathe at nearby resorts like Glyfada into the mix, and the result is a fascinating, dynamic, and hard-to-resist vacation destination.
7. Oslo, Norway
Norway’s capital city is industrious, elegant, and creative, with outdoor attractions, museums and galleries, and plenty of nightlife. It’s small enough to see by foot and has a superb public transportation system. Oslo is great if you want to blend cultural activities with sports, shopping, or fine dining. You can feast on artworks by Norwegian painters like Edvard Munch, learn about one of the world’s great writers at the Ibsen Museum, or catch a classical concert at the Oslo Konserthus. Lovers of the outdoors can catch a tram to ski slopes at Holmenkollen or cycle in forests like Sognsvann. History fans can tour sites like the Royal Palace, while in the evening everyone can enjoy Grünerløkka where bars like Ryes and Schouskjelleren serve fabulous food and drink all night long.
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland’s capital may be a city of 120,000 people, but it’s as busy and dynamic as places 10 times its size. This friendly, creative, and beautiful city punches well above its weight, and always leaves tourists wanting more. On one level, Reykjavik is made to walk around. Architectural highlights like the City Hall and the Hallgrímskirkja are a few minutes from bustling shopping streets like Laugavegur and cultural attractions like the National Museum of Iceland. At another level, Reykjavik is a feast for the senses. Treat your taste buds to gourmet beef and fresh seafood at incredible restaurants. Gaze on the northern lights or spend an afternoon recharging your batteries in geothermal pools. It may be compact, underrated, and hiding on a mid-Atlantic island, but Reykjavik is a fantastic place to visit and it’s all within a couple of hours of America’s Eastern Seaboard.
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark’s capital is a city of romance, culture, fine food, festivals and, above all else, pure fun. Regularly ranked as one of the world’s ‘happiest’ cities, Copenhagen will lift the spirits of everyone who visits. Just walking (or cycling) around Copenhagen’s cobbled streets and colorful neighborhoods is a pleasure in itself, but there are plenty of experiences to savor as well. Art lovers can lose themselves in the National Gallery of Denmark or discover a Danish national specialty at the Designmuseum. Fashion fans can shop at local labels like Bruuns Bazaar or Filippa K, while music lovers can time their visit for events like June’s Distortion Festival. There’s something special to discover for couples, solo travelers, families and groups to enjoy in Copenhagen – one of Europe’s most relaxed and welcoming urban tourist destinations.
4. Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital city is one of Eastern Europe’s most attractive destinations. It has a beautiful setting on the Danube River, stately palaces, castles and museums to visit, and a youthful population who love to hit the town’s bars and clubs. Budapest’s golden age came under the Habsburgs in the 18th and 19th centuries, and when you visit, you’ll be astonished by the beauty that remains. You can see ballet in the Drechsler Palace, climb to the citadel on Gellért Hill, or see how the Imperial royal family lived at Buda Castle. After the sightseeing’s all done, relax in thermal baths like Széchenyi, wind through the city’s nightlife districts, or spend the evening sampling the gourmet cuisine at restaurants like Borbiróság. At the end of it all, you’ll have fallen in love with this friendly, gorgeous European capital.
3. Prague, Czech Republic
The glorious city of Prague is one of Europe’s great cultural and artistic capitals. Experience immaculately preserved castles, churches, and synagogues, a rich musical tradition, and hearty food and drink. Prague was spared from bombing raids during World War II, which means that its medieval old town has some of the best-preserved architecture in Europe. The winding, maze-like streets reveal new sights and sounds around every corner, whether it’s a string quartet playing a Mozart concerto or vivid reminders of Prague’s once-thriving Jewish population. Despite Prague’s high-culture reputation, it is a modern city with a friendly populace and surprisingly affordable prices compared to other major European destinations. You’ll find cheap hotels, great prices on antiques and collectibles, and local restaurants that serve traditional rib-sticking Czech cuisine. Prague is a premier vacation destination that will appeal to both experienced and new travelers. You’ll find all of the art, culture, and fine dining of cities like Paris or Berlin only on a smaller, more accessible scale.
2. Istanbul, Turkey
History buffs, foodies, adventurers: Istanbul could be your dream destination. This huge city lies at the crossroads between East and West, and the influences of its geographic location can be felt everywhere. From the spectacular Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultan to the sublime domes and towers of the Hagia Sophia and the ruins of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman cites, the past is everywhere in Istanbul – and it’s fascinating. Beyond sightseeing, Istanbul offers much more to adore. From the color and energy of the Grand Bazaar to the exquisite fabrics at boutiques like Haremlique, Istanbul is a great place to shop. The taste and aroma of a traditional Turkish kebab from restaurants like Asitane and the option of dancing the night away at the bars in Galata make clear: Istanbul has it all.
1. Moscow, Russia
Topping our list of the most trending winter holiday destinations is Moscow – sometimes known as “The Third Rome” and it doesn’t disappoint. With the amazing architecture and history behind some of the buildings, it’s the perfect combination of contemporary mixed with historic. Everywhere from the Moscow Business District to the Red Square will have some beautiful building or park and a plethora of delicious Russian food options. You’ll be immersed in history everywhere you go, but you’ll also see the signs of modern-day tsars. The people of Moscow are welcoming and kind and can’t wait to show you everything their city has to offer.
*Note: These rates are based on search queries made on KAYAK.co.in on 3 May, 2018. The prices are quoted in INR. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
