Summer Travel Shifts: Why Europe's Off-Season is Heating Up

People are no longer just flocking to popular spots like Barcelona and Florence during the summer. Instead, they're spreading out their visits throughout the year.

Why the Change?

• Avoiding Crowds and Heat: Many travelers want to steer clear of the summer rush and scorching temperatures.
• Flexible Schedules: More people are retiring and have the freedom to travel whenever they find good deals.

The Data Speaks

• Florence: Short-term rental demand shot up over 40% in February 2025, but dropped nearly 6% in August.
• Southern Europe: Searches for flights to Greece, Portugal, and the Canary Islands in the fall were up over 50% in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Off-Season Travel

• Barcelona: Searches for fall travel in 2025 were about 40% lower than for summer travel.
• Lesser-Known Destinations: Searches for lodging on the Greek island of Naxos went up 50% year over year.

If you're looking for a good deal and a less crowded trip, consider traveling in the off-season.