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Spring is soon coming to an end and as the sunshine of the warmer months approaches it’s time to start dreaming of your summer holidays.
With one of the busiest seasons in the travel calendar now on the horizon, Skyscanner has released its Smarter Summer Report.
Landing just in time to secure “sunny season” savings, the handy guide for British travellers reveals the best times to book and picks out Europe’s top destinations, including cheaper alternatives.
Dates for your calendar
Before even thinking about where to fly to, when are the best times to travel during the summer?
According to the flight comparison website’s data, the key dates for your calendar are 29 June to 5 July for the cheapest week of summer travel in 2026.
“If you’ve ever muttered ‘maybe I’ll just wait and see’, this is your cue to stop waiting and start scrolling,” Skyscanner said. “Your ideal travel window might be closer (and cheaper) than you think.”
The platform added that the cheapest day of the week to travel is a Friday, highlighting that “there’s timing a holiday – and then there’s perfectly timing a holiday”.
Where to go
Personal time off booked between 29 June and 5 July? Sorted. Now it’s time to decide where that much needed break will take you.
Skyscanner’s most popular destinations list for Brits was dominated by European cities, with Málaga topping the charts.
Flying to the southern port city in Spain, which is also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, will most likely set travellers back £178 (€205.46), with accommodation starting at around £200 (€230.96). Skyscanner data revealed that the cheapest week for a Málaga getaway was 31 August to 6 September and Tuesday was the cheapest day to travel.
The number two spot went to Faro in Portugal. Although flights and board are slightly more expensive compared to Málaga at £193 (€222.87) and £204 (€235.58) respectively, the Algarve region’s capital is a perfect destination for travellers looking for where to go in August, with the flight comparison site earmarking 31 August to 6 September as the cheapest time to fly.
Just under Bangkok and Orlando, Ibiza etched into the top five, with average flights starting at £181 (€209.01) and the daily price for hotels at £316 (€365).
Other European destinations in the top 10 include Corfu (6th), Milan (7th), Rome (8th), Split in Croatia (9th) and Lisbon (10th).
Spain was also popular in Tripadvisor’s Trending Destinations for Summer 2026 rankings, with Alicante, Playa de Palma in Majorca, Malaga and Sitges ranking first, third, fourth and seventh respectively in the top 10 European Trending Destinations list.
Destinations for the thrifty traveller
Skyscanner’s report also looks out for travellers on a budget.
“June and September are summer’s quieter overachievers. You still get the sunshine, but with lower prices, shorter queues and a much easier shot at that dinner reservation. It’s the best of summer, with a bit more breathing room,” Skyscanner wrote.
If you’re after cheap flights in June from the UK, the travel comparison site recommends Poprad in Slovakia, where the average ticket will be around £55 (€63.50). Other budget-friendly options in Europe include Szczecin and Lublin in Poland, with the flights expected to cost £59 (€68.12) and £62 (€71.59) respectively.
In September, which is slightly cheaper than in June, a flight to Poprad will cost £54 (€62.35) on average. Tickets to Dortmund in Germany will be around £58 (€66.97), while Lodz and Szczecin in Poland are £65 (€75) and £69 (€79.68) respectively.
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