2026 summer travel trends revealed

By Airbnb · May 8, 2026

Key Takeaways

Short-haul 'playcations' are driving US summer travel, as adults seek out unexpected destinations centered on active, hands-on hobbies.
A third of summer travelers are choosing to stay closer to home, and rural retreats offer memorable experiences at a lower price point.
The destinations that defined Millennial travel in 2016 are having a 2026 revival with Gen Z travelers.

Key Takeaways

Short-haul 'playcations' are driving US summer travel, as adults seek out unexpected destinations centered on active, hands-on hobbies.
A third of summer travelers are choosing to stay closer to home, and rural retreats offer memorable experiences at a lower price point.
The destinations that defined Millennial travel in 2016 are having a 2026 revival with Gen Z travelers.

This summer’s travel is shaped by three things: playcations, nostalgia, and the allure of what’s close to home. We’ve seen a notable increase in domestic travel this summer in the US—travelers are exploring nearby destinations to enjoy their favorite active hobbies, while hidden gems are offering budget-savvy explorers experiences at a fraction of the cost.¹ Globally, Gen Z is reimagining the iconic destinations of 2016 through a fresh lens, and gearing up to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026^™fever.

Play driven travel leads the way

Action-packed adult “playcations” are defining summer travel in the US, with travelers seeking out nearby destinations to partake in their favorite activities. Listings near golf courses, lakefronts, and surf spots have seen some of the highest booking growth, reflecting a growing desire to center travel around play and adventure.² This summer, surfers, golfers, sailors and boaters are putting these domestic adventure destinations on the map:³

For surfers: Holden Beach in North Carolina is a barrier island break that delivers mellow surfing conditions and a laid back vibe, while Nags Head boasts a deep local culture as one of the East Coast’s oldest surf towns. Kill Devil Hills rounds it out with steady swells and a classic Outer Banks surf scene.
For golfers: This summer, golfers are flocking to hidden gem courses across the Midwest and Rocky Mountains regions. Ann Arbor, MI is an under-the-radar golf destination with well-regarded public and private courses, while out west, Cheyenne, WY and Victor, ID have standout backdrops from high-plain vistas to the sweeping peaks of Teton Valley.
For boaters: In the Midwest, waterfront living thrives—from Saugatuck, MI with calm inland waterways and a charming marina culture, to Osage Beach, MO, with miles of shoreline and lively waterfront dining. Further west, Chelan, WA winds 50 miles through a glacier-carved valley surrounded by Pacific Northwest landscapes and crystal-clear waters.

A cheerful, flat-roofed beach bungalow pops with purple and turquoise accents — painted porch deck, shutters, and Adirondack chairs — facing an open sandy lot. — Boutique Surf Shack (Nags Head, NC)

A sleek, cedar-clad modern cabin glows at dusk with floor-to-ceiling windows and a neon yellow door, with a fire pit burning on the patio outside. — Luxe Villa 3 Blocks to Beach, Bikes! (Kill Devil Hills, NC)

A large, light blue coastal beach house elevated on pilings features wraparound multi-level decks and a bold boardwalk entrance under a brilliant blue sky. — Blue Horizon-Oceanfront 4BR+Beach Chairs+Sleeps 10 (Holden Beach, NC)

A white Spanish-style villa with a terracotta roof perches dramatically on a golden hillside above Lake Chelan beneath a breathtaking fiery sunset sky. — Scenic Views/Hot Tub/Game Room (Chelan, WA)

A striking modern A-frame with cedar and black exterior sits directly on a calm waterway with a private dock, hot tub, and spacious patio. — A-Frame Saugatuck (Saugatuck, MI)

A vibrant rooftop terrace bathed in pink neon lighting features a live plant wall with a glowing sign, lawn game, and sweeping twilight lake views. — Wow! Where Dreams Become Reality! (Osage Beach, MO)

A warm, craftsman-style dining room framed by a graceful white arch features cane-back chairs, a wood-plank ceiling, Southwestern rugs, and a forest-green hutch. — Gowdy House Avenues Perfection Let Us Spoil You (Cheyenne, WY)

A tidy, pale blue Cape Cod-style cottage with a red porch and white picket fence sits tucked under a canopy of mature summer trees. — Quiet A2 Home Close to Downtown (Ann Arbor, MI)

A compact two-tone tiny house with an orange front door and a bull skull mounted on its exterior sits on a raised wood deck against a backdrop of snow-capped Idaho mountains. — Big View Tiny House! (Victor, ID)

1/9

Short-haul travel opens the door to rural escapes

Travelers are looking for short-haul escapes, with a third of people choosing to stay closer to home.⁴ Airbnb offers access to affordable retreats across the US in hidden gem destinations that deliver similar character, natural beauty, and experiences as popular summer spots. It’s an option travelers are open to—86 percent of travelers, and 94 percent of Gen Z travelers—say they’re interested in rural getaways, according to a recent Focaldata survey.⁵From the rocky shores of Maine to the mountain passes of New Mexico, there are under-the-radar towns where the average nightly rates are under $250:⁶

Bellingham, WA – Bellingham has Seattle’s Pacific Northwest outdoor culture and craft beer scene, with kayaking, mountain biking, and easy access to ferries to the San Juan Islands.
Eastport, ME – As one of the easternmost cities in the US, Eastport marries jaw-dropping Bay of Fundy tides with a walkable, art-filled coastal town that makes for a calmer counterpart to Bar Harbor.
Marfa, TX – Marfa shares the same wide-open desert skies and unhurried pace as Santa Fe, with world class stargazing.
Westfield, NY – Westfield has a strong wine trail culture like the Finger Lakes, and sits along the Lake Erie shoreline with historic architecture and local vineyards.
Pinedale, WY – Pinedale shares Jackson Hole’s ranch culture, and is the primary getaway to the Wind River Range, the state’s largest mountain range, with plenty of outdoor activities.
Hot Springs, SD – Hot Springs provides similar Black Hills scenery as Keystone and offers outdoor activities like hiking, with an emphasis on wellness with natural springs and a historic downtown.
Cloudcroft, NM – Cloudcroft offers the cool mountain escape and charming village feel of Taos, perched high in the Sacramento Mountains above the White Sands desert.
Salmon, ID – Salmon carries the same mountain town feel as Whitefish, MT, and sits deep in the Idaho mountains with white-water rafting and fly-fishing.
Paonia, CO – Paonia offers orchards, mountain biking, and wine country scenery at a laid-back pace that fans of Boulder’s farm-to-table culture will enjoy.
Blanding, UT – Blanding offers the same red rock canyon country as Moab, but trades the crowds for ancient Puebloan ruins and dark sky stargazing.

A rustic log cabin glows warmly at dusk, nestled among white-barked aspen trees with a rocking chair on its small front porch. — Cozy Mountain Getaway (Pinedale, WY)

A bright, airy living space with white walls, rich wood-framed windows, colorful striped pillows, and eclectic Mexican-inspired furnishings. — Highland Ranch Artist Loft (Marfa, TX)

A large geodesic dome with a glass front panel sits on a wooden deck surrounded by dense Maine forest, seen from above. — The Dome at Four Pines Point (Eastport, ME)

A modern sage-green two-story home with a fresh wood pergola and patio seating sits under a brilliant blue summer sky. — Gorgeous New and Cozy Stay: Views, Walk Downtown (Paonia, CO)

A moody, amber-lit outdoor cedar courtyard features two lounge chairs, stone steppers, and an open-air shower or sauna entrance. — Forest Loft w/ Sauna & Outdoor Spa (Bellingham, WA)

A polished, honey-toned log cabin with a wraparound porch and red floral wreath sits against an overcast mountain valley backdrop. — The Ranch House at J&J Cabins (Salmon, ID)

A charming tan cottage with a wooden pergola, framed by blooming pink hollyhocks and purple sage beneath a bright blue sky. — Arbor House (Blanding, UT)

A sophisticated mid-century modern living room with a caramel leather sectional, walnut accents, and an elegant branching ceiling light fixture. — The Ben Potts Suite at The Evanston (Hot Springs, SD)

A tidy olive-green bungalow with flower boxes, a stone pathway, and an American flag flying proudly in a lush suburban yard. — Westfield Charmer (Westfield, NY)

A whimsical dark-wood cabin glows like a fairy tale at twilight, adorned with string lights, flowers, and folk art decorations. — Sonnie's Cloudcroft Shangri-La (Cloudcroft, NM)

1/10

Millennials’ most loved 2016 destinations are Gen Z’s 2026 summer must-visits

The destinations that defined Millennial travel in 2016⁷ are making a powerful Gen Z comeback—but this time, they’re being rediscovered through a whole new lens. Fueled by a wave of nostalgia travel, Gen Z travelers aren’t just returning to Millennial classics, but uncovering lesser-known pockets within them this summer. From Thailand, to Spain, these trending destinations are seeing an over 20 percent growth by Gen Z travelers and are inspiring a new generation of travel:⁸

Thailand: Surat Thani serves as a budget-friendly base for Gen Z travelers exploring some of Southeast Asia’s most iconic islands, offering easy access to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and beyond.
Greece: This summer, younger travelers are headed to hidden corners of Greece like Folegandros, a rugged cliffside escape with untouched hiking trails and a laid-back bohemian vibe, and Lefkada which is home to turquoise lagoons and a buzzing local beach scene.
Brazil: Brazil’s diverse coastline has something for every Gen Z adventurer. Ubatuba is a hidden coastal gem stretching along Atlantic Forest cliffs and pristine turquoise shores, while Fortaleza has vibrant nightlife, stunning beaches, and an authentic coastal energy.
Spain: With an upcoming eclipse in August, Spain’s rural destinations are seeing a surge in Gen Z bookings, as travelers seek clear skies in the countryside. Zaragoza is known for its grand Mudéjar architecture, rich Roman heritage, and lively tapas scene, while Santander offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with calm beaches, stunning Cantabrian scenery, and fresh seafood.
Tennessee, United States: The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the top trending destinations globally in 2026, especially with Gen Z travelers this summer. Sevierville is a charming town nestled in the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains, serving as a gateway to the national park.

A dramatic multi-level tropical villa glows at night with warm bamboo architecture, open-air pavilions, and a luminous turquoise pool surrounded by jungle. — The House of Samādhi (Surat Thani, Thailand)

An aerial twilight view of a glowing log cabin retreat surrounded by lush Tennessee forest, complete with a fire pit, barrel sauna, and wraparound deck. — Couple’s Cabin-Mtn Views, Hot Tub, Theater, Sauna (Sevierville, TN)

A minimalist glass-and-wood cabin elevated on stilts floats amid an impossibly lush Atlantic rainforest with palm trees and misty green mountains behind it. — Jaguatirica Jungle Cabin - Fazenda Ressaca (Ubatuba, Brazil)

A rustic Cycladic stone villa with sage-green shutters sits behind a low stone wall bursting with pink geraniums and purple lavender. — Stone House – Villa Overlooking the Aegean Sea (Folegandros, Greece)

A chic open-plan living space blends a crisp white sofa and modern kitchen with charming exposed wooden ceiling beams and a fresh bouquet of hydrangeas. — Stylish & Bright Apartment (Santander, Spain)

A sleek infinity-style pool terrace with limestone loungers perches on a sun-drenched hillside overlooking a sweeping panorama of forested Greek mountains. — Villa Maradato Two (Lefkada, Greece)

A sun-filled European living room with warm hardwood floors, colorful tribal wall masks, and elegant folding doors opening onto a wrought-iron balcony. — A Bright Apartment on Alfonso Street (Zaragoza, Spain)

A sleek, moody studio with warm wood ceilings, LED accent lighting, a ceiling-mounted TV above the bed, and a modern kitchen bar with leather stools. — Fortaleza Beira Mar Apartment (Fortaleza, Brazil)

1/8

Fans prepare for FIFA World Cup 2026™ travel frenzy this summer

With just over a month to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off across North America, the tournament is set to be the biggest event ever on Airbnb with millions of fans preparing for the trip of a lifetime. For fans looking to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ through a local lens without breaking the bank, 77 percent of available stays cost under $500⁹ a night and many experiences run less than $100 per person. To help travelers kick-start their plans, we’re highlighting available stays in some of the most affordable host city neighborhoods, as well as wallet-friendly, unique foodie experiences to add to their itineraries: