Italy leads French winter travel choices for 2026–2027, ahead of Spain and Portugal, as European travellers show growing interest in cultural breaks, less-crowded destinations and flexible holiday planning. The findings point to a winter travel season shaped less by traditional beach tourism and more by historic cities, local experiences and alternative destinations.
The figures come from the European Travel Commission’s Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel survey, conducted from 15 to 30 September among 6,000 people in 10 European source markets. A market assessment published by Turismo de Portugal on 13 November 2026 analysed the results and highlighted changing preferences for the period from October 2026 to March 2027.
Italy tops French winter destination preferences
Among French respondents, Italy was the most preferred European destination for winter travel, receiving 15% of destination preferences. Spain followed on 11%, while Portugal ranked third with 7%.
Greece and the United Kingdom each recorded 6%, completing the top five choices. These figures represent intended destinations among surveyed French travellers rather than confirmed bookings, arrivals or final tourism figures.
- Italy: 15%
- Spain: 11%
- Portugal: 7%
- Greece: 6%
- United Kingdom: 6%
Italy’s lead reflects the appeal of historic cities, regional food, cultural attractions and winter city breaks. Spain and Portugal also offer a combination of heritage, coastal scenery and milder seasonal conditions, although individual destinations may experience very different levels of demand.
European winter travel demand remains strong
The wider survey found that 76% of respondents intended to take an overnight trip between October 2026 and March 2027, up from 73% in the previous comparable survey. Travel intentions were highest in Poland at 87%, followed by Spain at 82% and Germany and the Netherlands at 79% each.
France recorded 71%, still indicating substantial interest in travelling during the winter period. Around 64% of intending travellers expected to visit another European country, underlining the importance of cross-border travel within the region.
Southern Europe accounted for 53% of regional destination preferences, compared with 23% for Western Europe. This suggests that Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece may continue to attract visitors seeking culture, food and comparatively warmer conditions outside the peak summer season.
Quieter destinations are gaining attention
One of the clearest trends is the interest in less-visited locations. The ETC found that 44% of respondents preferred less-popular destinations, while a further 10% favoured remote or off-the-beaten-path places. Combined, these groups represented approximately 54% of preferences.
That does not mean travellers are abandoning famous cities. Established destinations still accounted for 47% of preferences. Instead, many visitors may be looking for different ways to experience familiar countries.
A winter itinerary could combine a major city with smaller towns, heritage villages or nearby countryside. For example, travellers visiting Italy, Spain or Portugal may choose to add regional excursions rather than spending the entire trip in a heavily visited capital.
Culture and city breaks compete with beach holidays
City breaks represented 19% of intended winter trips, while cultural and heritage holidays accounted for 18%, matching the share for sun-and-beach travel. Nature and outdoor activities represented 14%.
These figures show that winter tourism is not limited to festive markets or coastal resorts. Museums, historic districts, regional cuisine, walking routes and cultural events are also central to how European travellers are planning their holidays.
December leads, but March 2027 is attracting more interest
December was the most popular month in the survey, accounting for approximately 23% of travel intentions. Family visits were a major factor during that month, representing 32% of travel motivations.
March 2027 accounted for 18.6% of intentions, six percentage points higher than in the previous comparable period. This may create additional opportunities for travellers seeking cultural breaks or countryside trips outside the busiest festive period, although lower prices and quieter conditions cannot be guaranteed.
Short and medium-length trips were particularly common:
- 43% preferred stays of four to six nights.
- 32% preferred stays of seven to 12 nights.
- 56% planned to take two or more trips.
Flexible bookings could shape final destination choices
When the survey was conducted, 55% of intending travellers had not yet booked their winter holidays. That leaves room for airfare, accommodation prices, availability and cancellation terms to influence the final decision.
Approximately 49% expected to spend between €1,000 and €2,500 per person. Cost remained a significant concern, with 37% identifying financial pressure as a major obstacle to travel.
Travellers comparing European winter holidays should therefore assess the full cost of a trip rather than focusing only on flights. Accommodation, airport transfers, rail tickets, meals, attractions and travel insurance can substantially alter the final budget.
Portugal combines popular cities with lesser-known regions
Portugal’s third-place ranking among French winter preferences contrasts with softer recent French accommodation demand. Turismo de Portugal reported 25.8 million accommodation guests and 66 million overnight stays between January and September 2026, while September overnight stays increased by 2% year on year.
However, French visitors accounted for about 1.5 million guests and 4.2 million overnight stays in Portuguese tourist accommodation in 2025, with both measures below 2024 levels. French overnight stays also fell by 5.5% in September 2026.
Lisbon represented about 26% of French overnight stays in 2025, followed by the Algarve and Northern Portugal, each at around 22%. Travellers seeking a slower itinerary could consider destinations such as Évora and the Alentejo, as well as rural areas in Central Portugal. Crowd levels vary by location, events and accommodation demand, so smaller destinations should not automatically be assumed to be empty.
Porto receives additional winter connections
Porto’s 2026–2027 winter schedule includes 24 additional route offerings compared with the previous winter, according to airport operator ANA. The programme comprises 10 new connections and 14 services extended from the summer season.
Destinations listed include Clermont-Ferrand, Hamburg, Granada, Brussels and Milan. The schedule may improve access to northern Portugal, but travellers should confirm operating dates, ticket availability and onward transport before booking.
Practical advice for planning a winter trip
Travel planning tools are becoming more influential. The ETC found that 40% of intending travellers use artificial intelligence for inspiration, planning or booking-related research, rising to 56% among those aged 18 to 34.
AI can help compare itineraries, but it should not replace official information. Before travelling, check:
- Airline and rail schedules for the exact travel dates.
- Accommodation cancellation and change conditions.
- Seasonal opening hours for attractions and restaurants.
- Weather forecasts and local transport arrangements.
- Official travel advice and safety information.
- The complete cost of the trip, including transfers and insurance.
Safety was the leading destination-selection factor at 20%, followed by stable weather at 15% and attractive deals at 14%. These priorities show why flexible reservations and reliable information may be as important as the destination itself.
What the winter trend means for travellers
The survey suggests that European winter travel is becoming more varied. Italy leads French winter travel choices, but Spain, Portugal and Greece remain strong alternatives, while demand for smaller towns and regional experiences is growing.
For travellers, the opportunity is to look beyond the most famous landmarks without assuming that every lesser-known destination will be cheaper or quieter. Comparing dates, checking transport connections and budgeting for the complete journey can help turn a popular country into a more individual winter escape.
Italy leads French winter travel choices, but the broader message is that European visitors are seeking flexibility, culture and better-value experiences across the full winter season. The most useful next step is to compare destinations and dates carefully, then verify every booking and travel detail with the relevant operator before departure.
