10 Most-Searched European Vacation Spots Travelers Want to Visit

These are the European cities travelers are searching for the most to visit this year.

Europe is always a popular destination to visit. There are so many gorgeous islands and so many Mediterranean villages to explore that it’s hard to choose exactly where to go.

When in doubt, follow what your fellow travelers are doing. The following 10 spots are the most searched-for places in Europe for a vacation. So, get booking!

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10. Crete, Greece

Fishing boat and the scenic village of Loutro in Crete, Greece

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Greece’s largest island was home to one of the Mediterranean’s most important ancient civilizations, the Minoans. Visitors can still see Minoan ruins around Crete, including Knossos Palace, which is tied to the mythical Minotaur.

Besides delving into fascinating history, you’ll find pink sand beaches, gorgeous seaside towns decorated with colorful houses and delicious food.

Where to stay: Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa

Note: The 2023 ranking was compiled by CV Villas from 12 months of Google searches from 185 countries around the globe.

9. Mykonos, Greece

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One of the most famous Cycladic Islands, Mykonos is known for its posh party scene. You’ll see people pulling up on their huge yachts for a night at one of the island’s famed clubs. But you don’t have to be part of the elite to have fun on this island, as there’s a party for every budget.

During the day, spend time recovering on the beach as the crystal-clear Aegean Sea lulls you to sleep.

Where to stay: Myconian Korali

8. Sardinia, Italy

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Sardinia seems to unexpectedly rise out of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its Medieval villages are perched on cliffs that tower over the sparkling turquoise sea — a sight you won’t get tired of even after weeks (or months!) here.

Because of its relative remoteness, it doesn’t receive as much tourism as mainland Italy, which means you get all of the country’s beauty without the unmanageable crowds.

Where to stay: Hotel Moresco

7. Antalya, Turkey

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Want a Mediterranean vacation that doesn’t leave you destitute? Skip the usual spots, and look for this gem that most travelers still make the mistake of ignoring.

You’ll get the same breathtaking views of cliffside villages next to alluring blue water, but you can add minarets to the background. Oh, and the price will be almost half what you’d pay in neighboring countries.

Where to stay: Akra Hotel

6. Kos, Greece

Flowers on shore with fishing boats in Kokkari port, Samos island, Greece

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This Dodecanese island is closer to Turkey than Greece, which is an advantage in many ways. First of all, you’ll actually find sandy beaches as opposed to the rockier ones found in other Greek Islands. It’s also less touristy and crowded, which means more space for yourself, even in the height of summer.

Besides the beach, you can spend time exploring ancient Greek and Roman ruins. Or get adventurous, and take a 30-minute ferry into the beautiful Turkish town of Bodrum.

Where to stay: Albergo Gelsomino

5. Corfu, Greece

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The most popular of Greece’s Ionian Islands, Corfu (and its neighbors) stands out because of its time under the Venetian Empire. You can still see this influence in the architecture of the oldest towns.

But while its history is interesting, Corfu draws in crowds with its arid mountain landscape and the almost too-beautiful-to-be-real sea that surrounds it.

Where to stay: Domes of Corfu, Autograph Collection

4. Sicily, Italy

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Sicily is located right next to mainland Italy, yet it feels worlds away. As the largest island on the Mediterranean, you’ll need to come back again and again to really get to know it. The center is marked by quiet villages that are so charming they manage to lure people away from the coastline.

And then there’s the food, which many claim is some of the best in Italy. That’s reason enough to book a plane ticket.

Where to stay: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa

3. Tenerife, Spain

Santa Cruz de Tenerife with iconic Auditorio de Tenerife concert hall shining in the sunlight against a backdrop of Anaga mountains, an oil rig and a tropical pool with palm trees in the foreground.

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Spain’s Canary Islands are closer to Western Africa than they are to the mainland. This gives them a unique culture, cuisine and accent. Tenerife is the largest of the group, and it centers around a dormant volcano that provides rugged landscapes and breathtaking scenery.

People come here to disconnect from the world while enjoying the beach and year-round balmy weather.

Where to stay: Sir Anthony Hotel

2. Ibiza, Spain

Landscape with Eivissa at sunset time, Ibiza island

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Ibiza needs no introduction. One of the rowdiest party spots in Europe, it attracts everyone from broke backpackers to Hollywood A-listers with its unbeatable vibes.

Come ready not to sleep a wink. Here, the party continues in the daytime with poolside concerts or boating excursions where Champagne flows freely.

Where to stay: Hotel Boutique Ses Pitreras

1. Santorini, Greece

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Santorini may just be the most scenic of all the European islands, which is why people around the world are dreaming of traveling here for their summer vacation. The island is best known for its whitewashed structures topped with deep blue domes. And while it’s gotten a bit crowded in the past few years, it continues to be absolutely worth the trek.

Skip the lines in popular spots to snap a picture, and spend your time visiting vineyards, hiking volcanic terrain, visiting black sand beaches and renting a boat to jump straight into the Adriatic Sea.

Where to stay: Hotel Thireas

For more about the most popular European countries, check out “How Affordable Are the Most Visited Countries in Europe?”