Demand for spontaneous trips around Europe is skyrocketing—bookings for certain destinations have nearly doubled over the past year. Cities in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and the Balkans top the list, attracting travelers with affordable prices and the absence of crowds. Learn more about the most popular destinations for last-minute travel

The Visit World travel guide is your key to safe and well-planned trips, where no document or life hack will be overlooked

GET THE GUIDE

European travelers are increasingly opting for last-minute trips, and booking statistics confirm this trend. As recently reported by UNIAN, according to the Travel Horizons report from lastminute.com, the greatest growth in demand is seen in destinations in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and the Balkans—cities and regions that have not yet been overwhelmed by mass tourism.

We’ll tell you more about which locations are leading in booking trends and what makes them attractive to tourists in this article.

Planning a spontaneous trip to Europe and want to get ready in a few hours?

The travel guide from Visit World is a step-by-step guide with all the documents, visa requirements, and tips for your destination country in a convenient PDF format.

Gdańsk and Kraków: why is Poland topping the list of spontaneous trips?

Two Polish cities made it onto the list of the most popular destinations for spontaneous trips. Gdańsk emerged as the clear leader—a port city on the Baltic coast where the number of bookings rose by 97% year-over-year. Tourists are drawn to the historic center from the Hanseatic era and the picturesque embankments of the Motawa River. Gdańsk remains a relatively affordable destination compared to Western European cities, making it particularly appealing to those planning a trip just a few days before departure.

Krakow/Photo: Tripadvisor

Krakow also made the list with a 58% increase in tourist traffic. The city is known for its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Europe’s largest market square, and Wawel Royal Castle. It is precisely this combination of cultural value and affordability that makes Poland one of the top destinations for budget European travel.

About the top 5 uncrowded Mediterranean resorts — read more at the link.

Bucharest: Romania’s capital with record-breaking visitor growth

Bucharest took second place in the ranking—the capital of Romania saw a 71% increase in visitors. The city is distinguished by a variety of architectural styles: here you can see Art Deco buildings alongside monumental structures from the communist era. A standout landmark is the Palace of Parliament—the largest parliament building in the world.

Photo: Depositphotos

Bucharest is gradually becoming an attractive destination for short city breaks. Romania’s capital offers a rich cultural program at significantly lower prices than traditional tourist hubs in Western Europe. The 71% increase in bookings indicates that travelers are actively discovering this destination.

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

The Albanian Coast: The Fastest-Growing Resort Destination

Among resort destinations in the ranking, the Albanian coast stands out, with its popularity rising by 53%. The beaches on the Ionian Sea—specifically the resorts of Ksamil, Saranda, and Dhermi—attract tourists with their clear waters and relatively few visitors. Archaeological sites are located nearby, and the evening and nightlife of the resort towns add an entertaining element to the vacation.

Photo: Albania Inbound

The Albanian coast is becoming a viable alternative to the overcrowded resorts of Greece and Croatia. Affordable prices for accommodation, food, and entertainment make this region particularly appealing for spontaneous summer trips that don’t require extensive budget planning.

Riga: a Baltic destination with a 40% increase in bookings

Riga rounds out the top five—the capital of Latvia has seen a 40% increase in bookings. The city is situated on the Daugava River and combines a medieval center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe. Riga offers a rich cultural program in a compact format—the main attractions are within walking distance.

The Latvian capital is well-suited for 2–3-day trips, making it a convenient option for spontaneous getaways. With fewer tourists compared to Stockholm or Copenhagen, you can explore the city at a leisurely pace without long lines or crowds.

The cheapest countries to travel to in 2026 — are listed here.

Why are lesser-known destinations topping the rankings?

A general trend noted by the Travel Horizons report is that travelers are increasingly choosing cities and regions for spontaneous trips that have not yet been overwhelmed by excessive tourist traffic. The main advantages of such destinations are affordable prices, rich cultural heritage, and the absence of hours-long lines at major attractions.

This trend applies to both urban and resort destinations. Eastern Europe, the Baltic states, and the Balkans offer a level of service and infrastructure sufficient for a comfortable vacation, while maintaining authenticity and reasonable prices. That is why these regions are becoming the top choice for those who book a trip just a few days before departure.

Discovering a new country without the help of travel agents or other intermediaries is very simple. All you need to do is use the travel guide from Visit World—a step-by-step guide that compiles all the necessary documents for obtaining a visa, information on visa-free travel rules, permitted lengths of stay, and much more. The guide includes step-by-step instructions for applying for a tourist visa, visa fees and processing times, rules for filling out the application form, a complete list of required documents, as well as useful tips for visiting your chosen country. Once you submit your request, all the latest information will be sent to your email address in PDF format in just a few minutes.

Order a travel guide from Visit World and set off on a spontaneous trip fully prepared!

Reminder! What documents are required for traveling abroad in 2026—we covered this in a previous article.

Photo: Unsplash

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.