Not long ago, TikTok and travel felt like an odd match. In 2020 the platform was still finding its global footing, and the pandemic had most people staying put. Fast forward a few years and travel content has exploded on the app, with TikTok saying that nearly half of users in the UK now search there when planning their next trip. The result is a new kind of travel inspiration that feels quick, candid, and often unexpectedly practical.
The big shift is that TikTok travel is no longer only about Gen Z party scenes and predictable beach staples. Alongside dreamy clips designed to spark envy, there is also a thriving corner devoted to mishaps and reality checks, including the wildly popular holiday nightmares genre. One scroll can take you from steam trains cutting through green valleys in Yorkshire to family tips for navigating Thailand with small kids, then straight to food creators hunting down viral bites in New York.
Hannah Bennett, TikTok’s travel lead, says the way people use the platform has changed dramatically. She told the Daily Mail that purposeful searching has surged, up 131 percent compared with the year before, and that 46 percent of users look up travel content weekly. Even with more AI generated material floating around online, she argues the app still wins people over with an honest behind the scenes feel. You get the glossy highlights, but you also see what went wrong, which makes the good moments seem more believable.
@odettestravels 10 places to visit in 2026✨ 1. Puglia, Italy 2. Matera, Italy 3. Lake District, England 4. Dubai, UAE 5. Tuscany, Italy 6. Amalfi Coast, Italy 7. The Cotswolds, England 8. Crete, Greece 9. Barcelona, Spain 10. Ibiza, Spain Save this and follow along for recommendations of things to do, where to eat and places to stay. #travel #2026travel #travelinspo ♬ Ethereal – Txmy
As for where everyone is eyeing next, TikTok’s picks for 2026 lean heavily into places that might not be on the usual wish list. Central Europe is rising as the go to region for city breaks, with Frankfurt tipped to draw more weekend visitors than Berlin, Hamburg, or Cologne. Tiny Liechtenstein is also having a moment, thanks to the growing appeal of slow travel and the promise of mountain views, castles, and a quieter Alpine vibe centered around Vaduz.
Italy shows up in two very different ways. Milano Marittima is gaining attention as a fresh alternative on a lesser known Adriatic stretch, while Bologna is pulling in travelers with its food scene, historic university legacy, and easy access through budget flights. Meanwhile, classic favorites like Malaga and the Costa Brava are still going strong, proving that not everyone is ready to give up the familiar.
TikTok also highlights Copenhagen, Budapest, Florence, and Naples as frequently searched city break ideas. In the UK, St Andrew’s Lakes in Kent is trending for its striking turquoise water, sauna sessions, cabin stays, and outdoorsy activities set in a former quarry landscape. After a 2025 marked by protests over overtourism in parts of Spain, Greece, and Italy, Bennett says “destination dupes” are part of the solution, with travelers swapping overcrowded icons for lesser known lookalikes.
Which of these 2026 destinations would you actually add to your list, and which one surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
