BERLIN  -  June 2, 2026  -  GetYourGuide, a leading global online marketplace to discover and book experiences worth traveling for, today reveals three defining trends shaping summer travel in 2026 -- drawn from booking and search data across its platform alongside tips from its GetYourGuide expert insiders.

Building on the platform's Hidden Trends 2026 report, this summer's patterns point to a fundamental shift in how people think about going somewhere: not farther, but deeper.

Must do's, done right: local landmarks the insider's way

The era of the multi-country sprint is giving way to something uniquely 2026: travelers visiting their own capital and its iconic landmarks. GetYourGuide data shows a 35% increase in UK travelers searching for London experiences year-over-year, while French travelers booking activities in Paris are up 17% year-to-date. In Paris alone, interest in iconic must-dos -- from guided Louvre tours and Catacombs entry to Seine river cruises -- has grown triple digits.

"The Eiffel Tower is a global treasure for a reason --  but we're seeing more people want to experience it with a real insider's view," said Lucas Glowinski, GetYourGuide's France Travel Expert. "My tip: try an immersive VR tour that goes deep into the tower's history and context, without the queues. Go with an open mind, and engage with the expert guide. You'll learn something new and finally experience top sights in an engaging way."

'Gran Turismo': the rise of wisdom-led travel

Travelers are no longer just seeking to learn skills while on holiday; they want to learn from people who've spent a lifetime mastering them. Workshops and hands-on classes on GetYourGuide have grown more than 250% between 2023 and 2025, and they're often led by "grandma" guides.

"People come to Italy for the food and sights, but one tip to really make memories is to learn about traditions from those handing traditions to the next generation: nonnas," said Francesca De Falco, GetYourGuide's Regional Manager for Italy. "One of our guides, Nonna Rosella grew up in a village outside Rome, moved to the city, and turned a lifetime of cooking into a way of meeting the world. Her guests leave with a local connection to give them advice about both pasta and life."

Dusking: the art of the evening out

Early risers now have a counterpart. As summer heat peaks, a growing share of travelers are shifting their experiences to the cooler, quieter, and often more beautiful hours after 5pm, a practice GetYourGuide is calling "dusking." The platform has recorded a nearly 40% year-over-year increase in activity bookings after 5pm.

"Dusk is genuinely one of the best times to explore, especially with older kids," said Chris Hohorst, GetYourGuide's US Travel Expert. "The heat drops, the light turns golden, and you discover a completely different version of a city. One tour that I'd recommend is this sunset bat-watching kayak tour. It's the perfect thing to do on a summer roadtrip: something active and nature-focused after a day of relaxation or driving. Doing activities at dusk is a great way to ensure balance between relaxation and being active." ***