Summer 2026 is here, and the wish lists for favourite travel destinations are in! As Brits plan their summer travel, Holidu, the holiday rental portal (www.holidu.co.uk), reveals its price analysis of this summer’s most searched destinations. Not only has Spain won the World Cup but they’re winning the searches online when it comes to travel! 

With Edinburgh at a whopping £451 a night, the price of more than four nights in Murcia, and Albufeira, it’s no wonder Britain’s most searched destination at an average of £246 a night is located in these destinations.

If you’re thinking about where to go this summer, then look no further.

Below is everything you need to plan and budget your 2026 escape with confidence, and book the best holiday rentals before they’re gone. One thing is certain: a flight abroad can often work out cheaper than staying at home.

Holidu analysed searches made by British travellers on their site 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.

Chek out their findings below: 

Position	City	Country	Price per night for a holiday rental
1	Albufeira	Portugal	£246
2	Malaga	Spain	£194
3	Nerja	Spain	£182
4	Benidorm	Spain	£205
5	Marbella	Spain	£297
6	Palma	Spain	£324
7	Benalmádena	Spain	£192
8	Protaras	Cyprus	£336
9	Alicante	Spain	£175
10	Alcúdia	Spain	£377

 

Spain dominates – but Albufeira takes the crown

Eight of the top 10 and 24 of the top 50 most searched destinations on Holidu.co.uk are Spanish, more than any other country. Yet the top spot goes to Portugal: Albufeira in the Algarve leads the ranking with almost twice as many searches as Malaga in second place, at £246 per night.

 

The top 5 destinations for 2026

This year’s podium has a distinctly Iberian flavour. Albufeira (Portugal) dominates the ranking, followed by Malaga (£194) and Nerja (£182), both in Andalusia. Fourth place goes to Benidorm (£205) on the Costa Blanca, while Marbella (£297) completes the top 5.

 

The 5 most expensive and the 5 most affordable destinations

On the budget front, Edinburgh (Scotland) takes the title of most expensive destination, at £451 per night. It is followed by Pollença (£409), San Sebastian (£391), Alcúdia (£377) and Protaras (£336) (where we are holidaying this year)!

At the other end, bargain hunters will find their happy place in Murcia (Spain, £107), La Rochelle (France, £127), Torrevieja (£129), Paphos (Cyprus, £139) and Porto (Portugal, £139).

 

Staying at home costs more

The wider search data shows five UK destinations on British wish lists this summer, and the price gap is striking. Tenby and Saundersfoot, neighbouring seaside towns on the Pembrokeshire coast, offer the cheapest UK stays at around £200 a night. At the top end, Edinburgh commands £451 per night, the highest rate in the entire ranking and more than Marbella, Palma or any Mediterranean hotspot. Check out how pricey a staycation can be! 

 

UK destination	Region	Price per night for a holiday rental
Saundersfoot	Wales	£200
Tenby	Wales	£202
St. Ives	England	£273
London	England	£291
Edinburgh	Scotland	£451

 

Holidu is a fast-growing holiday rental technology company, driven by its mission to make hosting and booking holiday rentals free of doubt and full of joy. Its proprietary property management software (PMS) and expert local teams help holiday rental hosts and small property managers increase bookings with less effort. For travellers, Holidu offers a large, curated portfolio of holiday homes, ensuring confident and worry-free bookings. The company also equips destination marketing organisations (DMOs) with its Holidu Smart Destination software. 

Are you heading to Spain this summer?

Photo by Javier Del pino on Unsplash .