Summer 2026: Less distant exoticism, more play, nostalgia, and nearby trips
If you've been wanting to escape somewhere but don't crave a complicated journey to the other side of the world, the summer trends of 2026 might appeal to you. Airbnb highlights three main moods of the season: active trips for favorite activities, a return to familiar destinations, and short escapes close to home.
Travel where the main thing is not to lie around
One of the most noticeable trends is called playcation — a vacation built around play, movement, or hobbies. Adult travelers are increasingly choosing not just a beautiful city or beach, but a place where they can play golf, go boating, surf, or spend time by a lake.
This is a good option if you find it hard to relax "without a plan." Instead of a long list of sights, you have a clear goal: find the waves, get on the water, play on the field, or spend a day in nature. And around this, it's easy to add local food, walks, and evening relaxation.
Airbnb reports a noticeable increase in bookings for accommodations near golf courses, lakes, and surfing spots. So if you have a favorite active pastime, this summer you should be looking not for "where to go in general," but for "where to do what I love."
Closer doesn’t mean boring
Another big theme of the summer is short trips and vacations closer to home. According to Airbnb, a third of summer travelers are choosing such routes. The reason is clear: less time on the road, simpler planning, and the opportunity to discover places that previously seemed like just "passing by."
Rural locations and lesser-known destinations are becoming particularly attractive. They can offer nature, tranquility, and vibrant experiences at a lower price than popular summer resorts. If you want to recharge without crowds and exhausting logistics, this format may turn out to be the most successful.
Try to look at the map more broadly: a small town, a lake, a country house, or a natural area just a few hours away can sometimes provide a sense of a real vacation. Especially when you're not going to "check off a box," but to live for a few days at a slower pace.
Nostalgia returns, but in a new way
Airbnb also notes the return of destinations that were particularly popular among millennials in 2016. In 2026, Generation Z is turning to them — already with their perspective, new formats of relaxation, and different ways of sharing experiences.
It's not just the desire to see famous places that drives this. Nostalgic destinations attract with their atmosphere, familiar images, and the feeling that travel can be part of a larger cultural story. At the same time, younger travelers are reinterpreting them: seeking local experiences, unusual activities, and less obvious ways to spend time.
So should you plan such a trip?
Yes, if you want a vacation without unnecessary complexity. Choose an activity that truly brings you joy, find a place nearby, and don’t try to cram everything into a few days. And if you’re drawn to a popular destination from past years, view it not as a museum exhibit, but as an opportunity to rediscover a familiar place.
Summer 2026 seems to suggest: a good trip doesn’t have to be far, expensive, or maximally packed. Sometimes all you need is water, nature, a favorite pastime, and a few days without haste. Which format appeals to you more — an active playcation, a quiet country retreat, or a nostalgic trip?