Barcelona is crowned the world's most popular destination in 2025, ahead of Paris and Rome

According to eDreams ODIGEO’s A Year in Travel report, the Catalan capital has become the planet’s most popular destination in 2025, surpassing giants such as Paris, Palma, Madrid, London and Rome. The study, compiled from millions of bookings in more than forty countries, confirms what many travellers already suspected: the Mediterranean city remains a global magnet.

The analysis reveals a dual trend. On the one hand, Spanish dominance, with four cities in the country’s global top 10; on the other, South America’s meteoric rise, with Rio de Janeiro growing by 164% in bookings, followed by Santiago de Chile, Lima and São Paulo.

As for Spaniards’ habits, impulsiveness sets the pace: more than half book less than a month in advance, and a three- or four-day getaway is becoming established as the ideal format. Travellers are looking for a quick break and meaningful experiences rather than major planned trips.

2025 has also been the year of purposeful travel. Bookings linked to wellbeing, volunteering and local regeneration are increasing. At the same time, technology is redefining tourism: 96% of young people aged 18 to 24 use artificial intelligence to plan routes, design itineraries or discover hidden corners.

Looking ahead to 2026, forecasts point to an even more diverse map: Bangkok will lead bookings, followed by Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona and Rome. But for now, the throne belongs to Barcelona. In a world that changes direction with every click, Barcelona remains the destination everyone wants to experience, even if only for a few days.