Summer 2026 is almost here, and Brits have already made up their minds about where they’re going

Wish lists are in, flights are being eyed, and the search data doesn’t lie: this summer, Britain’s holiday heart belongs to Spain. Eight of the UK’s ten most-searched destinations for 2026 are Spanish, but it’s a Portuguese gem that actually tops the table.

Holidu, the holiday rental portal, has crunched the numbers behind this summer’s most-searched getaways, comparing how much a night’s stay actually costs from one hotspot to the next. The spread is bigger than you might expect: at one end sits Edinburgh, where £451 barely buys a single night, more than four nights in bargain-friendly Murcia. At the other, Albufeira, Britain’s most-searched destination of the summer, comes in at a far gentler £246.

Whether you’re chasing tapas in Andalusia or clifftop views in the Algarve, here’s everything you need to plan, and budget for your 2026 escape.

Spain dominates, but Albufeira takes the crown

Of the fifty most-searched destinations on Holidu.co.uk this year, twenty-four are in Spain, more than any other country by some distance. And yet the top spot doesn’t go to Spain at all. Albufeira, in Portugal’s Algarve, leads the entire ranking, drawing almost twice as many searches as second-placed Malaga, all while staying comfortably affordable at £246 a night.

The top 5: a distinctly Iberian podium

This year’s most-searched top five reads like a love letter to the Iberian coast. Albufeira (Portugal) leads comfortably, trailed by two Andalusian favourites, Malaga (£194) and Nerja (£182). Benidorm (£205), the Costa Blanca’s high-energy classic, takes fourth, while glossy Marbella (£297) rounds out the top five, proof that Brits are willing to pay a bit more for a touch of glamour.

Where to stay: Holidu Home in each of the top 5

Fancy following the search data straight to a booking? Here’s a genuine Holidu Home in each of this summer’s five most-searched cities.

• Apartamento Varandas Do Mar, Albufeira – a sea-view apartment just a short walk from the beach, with a private garden, terrace and access to a shared pool – rated “very good” by guests. From £172 per night.
• Cozy Home Malaga Paradise, Malaga – a central flat 550 m from the beach and the Antonio Banderas promenade, ideal for couples or small families wanting to combine city and coast. From £62 per night.
• Poolside Nerja, Nerja – a mountain-view apartment with its own covered terrace and access to a year-round shared pool, rated “fantastic” by guests. From £125 per night.
• Entreplayas Benidorm, Benidorm – a short walk from the beach with a private balcony, sleeping up to 6 – the best-value pick on this list. From £55 per night.
• Spacious, Central and Modern Apartment, Marbella – a 162 m² apartment near San Pedro de Alcántara beach and Puerto Banús, with a shared pool and garden, hosted by a Star Host. From £163 per night.

The takeaway

Whether you’re drawn to Albufeira’s clifftop views, Marbella’s glamour, or Murcia’s quiet affordability, this summer’s data makes one thing clear: where you choose to stay can be the difference between a holiday that stretches your budget and one that stretches your itinerary. Sometimes the most-searched destination and the best-value one are closer together than you’d think.

Methodology

Holidu analysed searches made by British travellers on holidu.co.uk for stays with check-in between 1 July and 31 August 2026. The most searched destinations were then ranked, and for each one the median price per night for a holiday rental for two to eight people was calculated, with statistical outliers excluded. Data was collected in June 2026.