Easter travel trends: off the beaten track, ski adventures, senior getaways

With the first day of Spring upon us and the Easter weekend just around the corner, Airbnb is seeing a shift in Easter travel trends for Brits this year* – with seniors leading the way, family getaways on the rise, ski trips gaining even more popularity, and off the beaten track locations captivating the adventurous spirit of British travellers. 

Rural travel on the rise this Easter 

This Easter, rural destinations are proving most popular in particular – from Betws-y-Coed in Wales to Buxton in Derbyshire – with Airbnb seeing a 17 per cent increase in rural bookings in the UK over the Easter weekend, compared to last year.¹ 

The top trending destinations in the UK this Easter include:² 

• Penrith
• Fort Augustus 
• Caernarfon
• Stratford Upon Avon 
• Betws-y-Coed
• Canterbury 
• Filey 
• Portstewart 
• Rye
• Buxton 
• Brecon
• Harrogate 
• Keswick 
• Shrewsbury 
• Glencoe

Family travel gaining momentum

As Easter approaches, families are eagerly planning their getaways to create cherished memories together during the long weekend. It comes as no surprise that Airbnb has witnessed a remarkable surge of 35 per cent in searches for British family trips during the Easter holidays compared to last year.³ Farms and Countryside stays, as well as National Park and Cabin stays, have emerged as the top category choices for families this Easter,⁴ reflecting the growing desire for family-friendly adventures amidst beautiful landscapes and nature .

Here is a roundup of the most wishlisted Farm and Countryside stays, as well as National Park and Cabin stays on Airbnb, perfect for an unforgettable family getaway:⁵

• Most Wishlisted Farm Stays in UK 
  • The Willow, Pembroke 
  • Private room in beautiful converted barn, Cumbria
  • The Orchard, Maidenwells 
  • Bumble Barn, Canterbury 
  • Shepherd’s Hut, Brecon 
• Most Wishlisted Countryside Stays in UK 
  • Unique and secluded Airship, Drimnin
  • Scottish Highland Castle, Ballintuim 
  • Cosy woodland lodge, Maidstone 
  • Idyllic Cottage, Haslemere 
  • Beautiful timber cabin, Irton 
• Most Wishlisted National Park Stays in UK 
  • The Granary Rustic Modern Barn, Lindfield 
  • Off-grid Shepherd’s Hut, Brecon  
  • Pine lodge lakeside retreat, West Wellow
  • The Beekeeper’s Bothy, Newburgh 
  • The Pond and Stars cabin, Abergele 
• Most Wishlisted Cabin Stays in UK
  • Beautifully Eclectic Cotswold Cabin, Woodmancote 
  • The Den Cabin, Cumbria 
  • Rectory Farm Hideaway, Oxfordshire
  • Traditional Log Cabin, Kent 
  • Stargazer Cabin, Monmouth 

Ski trips trending thanks to an early Easter 

This year, Easter has arrived early in March,  opening up a unique opportunity for ski enthusiasts to hit the slopes. According to Airbnb data, top trending destinations for Brits this Easter include ski resorts and cities close to the Alps such as Morzine, Chamonix and Val-d’Isere. Further afield, Tokyo, Japan, continues to lead the way in 2024 with Brits looking for a big travel adventure post-covid and Spring being the perfect time of year in Japan to see the cherry blossoms. 

Some of the top trending international Easter destinations for Brits this year include:⁶

• Milan, Italy
• Morzine, France
• Istanbul, Türkiye
• Val-d’Isere, France
• Tignes, France
• Rome, Italy
• Chamonix, France
• Dubai, UAE
• Tokyo, Japan
• Geneva, Switzerland

Senior travel making a comeback

With the return of normalcy to travel, seasoned adventurers are reclaiming their wanderlust with Airbnb witnessing an inspiring resurgence in senior travel. In fact, the Easter holidays are seeing a remarkable 37 per cent surge in nights booked by travellers aged between 60 and 90, compared to last year.⁷  Airbnb data shows that seniors in the UK are eyeing up the sunny Southern Hemisphere this Easter with Melbourne, Sydney and Perth coming out top, alongside Cape Town in South Africa. Closer to home, senior guests are also exploring around the British countryside with Norfolk, Pembrokeshire, Scarborough and the New Forest piquing their interest.⁸ 

“Easter is the perfect moment to take some time with your loved ones, and there’s no better way to spend the long weekend than in the hidden gems of  beautiful, rural destinations around the UK. , offering a setting to reset and rejuvenate this Spring. With the hectic pace of life, and the rising cost of living – it’s no wonder that this year we’re longing for getaways in tranquil places closer to nature, where we can pause and  recharge, Whether you’re seeking a memorable getaway in the UK or venturing further afield, Airbnb has something for everyone to create unforgettable memories this Spring.”

Amanda Cupples, General Manager of Northern Europe

For guests who are booking their travel plans this year and need help finding the cream of the crop, Airbnb has launched Guest Favourites, a collection of the 2 million most-loved homes on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews, and reliability. Guest Favourites have excellent reviews and are rated above 4.9 stars on average. These homes also receive high marks for ease of check-in, cleanliness, listing accuracy, Host communication, location, and value. Whether guests are travelling domestically or internationally, Guest Favourites make it easy for guests to find the best place to stay to make the most of their trip. Head to Airbnb to explore the Guest Favourites filter further when planning your next trip.