‘The Santorini of Spain’ and ‘Barrabados’: Lesser known holiday spots that could save you big in 2026
With another cold spell gripping the country, you might be turning your attention to the summer holidays.
But where to go that avoids crowds and doesn’t break the bank?
Airbnb has crunched the numbers on what it calls the best “destination dupes”. The short-term rental site explains:
“Airbnb’s data shows travellers are increasingly seeking destinations that deliver the same dose of culture, scenery, and experiences as the more famous hotspots – but with fewer crowds and more affordable price tags.”
So here’s Airbnb’s guide to your 2026 travel dupes:
‘The Santorini of Spain’
Swap the popular Greek destination of Santorini for a historic coastal town in Spain, Airbnb recommends.
Located less than 10 miles from Benidorm, Altea is described as a destination “rising fast among UK travellers”, worthy of the social media nickname “the Santorini of Spain”.
In Altea, it promises, you’ll get all the cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, blue-domed landmarks and sweeping sea vistas you’d want from a Mediterranean getaway.
A close-to-home surfer’s paradise
Golden sand, dramatic cliffs, perfect waves for surfing.
That may sound like a description of Bali, a surfer’s dream destination.
But Airbnb says it also fits the bill for Croyde, north Devon.
Describing the town as a “surfing crown jewel”, Airbnb says it “offers all the thrill of a tropical island like Bali, with a quieter, quintessentially British vibe”.
But it will definitely have colder waters.
The ‘on the rise’ Thai island
While some of Thailand’s more famous islands – think Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi – tend to take the headlines, there’s a new insider’s choice.
Koh Yao Noi is “on the rise”, Airbnb says, in part down to viral TikTok posts “that showcase the island’s clear blue waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and serene, uncrowded beaches, where adventure and relaxation is offered without the chaos of Thailand’s busier hotspots”.
A Slovenian ‘geological spectacle’
The Grand Canyon is an iconic and world-famous holiday destination.
But Airbnb says travellers could swap it for a Slovenian “geological spectacle”, avoiding the crowds, long flight and saving some money.
Tolmin is a “hidden gem” becoming more popular with holiday-goers.
Airbnb says its rivers, deep gorges and valleys offer an alternative to its more crowded US counterpart.
‘Barrabados’
While Scotland can’t quite offer the weather to compete with the Caribbean, it can offer the scenery, according to Airbnb.
The Isle of Skye or Mull are well-known destinations but the Isle of Barra is a “breathtaking Outer Hebrides gem” – and has been called “Barrabados”.
Adding to the allure, the island is home to the world’s only scheduled beach runway.
La Superba
Rome is up there with Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.
But if you’re after the same Italian culture and history at a slice of the price and crowds, Airbnb recommends Genoa.
In its pitch for the destination nicknamed La Superba, it says:
“From the black-and-white facade of San Lorenzo Cathedral, home to a treasury said to hold the Holy Grail, to Via Garibaldi’s Renaissance palaces filled with Caravaggio, Rubens, and other masterpieces, Genoa delivers an authentic, lesser-trodden Italian experience.”
A ‘budget-friendly’ Eastern European gem
Prague and Budapest are two popular European tourist cities, but Airbnb says there’s an alternative further east in Tbilisi.
The destination combines “world-class wine”, a thriving cafe and arts culture and rich history with “budget-friendly charm”.
New direct BA flights from Heathrow make it more accessible as well.