Romanians’ travel preferences continue to be shaped around accessible European destinations, and recent flight booking data confirms a stable trend, confirmed over the past five years. A well-known Romanian airline compiled a list of the most sought-after destinations for city-breaks and long vacations, based on bookings made last year.
Italy maintains, for the fifth consecutive year, its leading position in the list of preferred destinations for both city breaks and longer holidays, concentrating almost a third of all city break bookings made in 2025.
This constant popularity is supported by the attractiveness of cities such as Milan, Rome, Naples, Venice or Treviso, which offer a combination of cultural heritage, renowned gastronomy, lively nightlife and varied shopping opportunities, according to data centralized by the airline. In addition, the short duration of flights from Romania and the high frequency of flights make Italy an ideal option for all types of tourists.
New destinations and authentic experiences
Against the backdrop of high demand, air operators have begun to expand their offer to Italy, introducing routes to lesser-known destinations such as Brindisi or Pescara. This trend indicates a change in the behavior of Romanian tourists, who are increasingly looking for authentic experiences and less crowded destinations, beyond the big tourist centers.
Spain and the United Kingdom, on the rise
In second place is Spain, appreciated both for its vibrant cities – Valencia, Malaga or Seville – and for its holiday destinations in the Canary and Balearic Islands. With over 85 million international tourists annually, according to Eurostat data, Spain remains one of the most developed tourist markets in the world.
The United Kingdom takes third place and marks an important ascent, climbing two positions compared to 2021. London remains the most sought-after individual destination by Romanians and one of the most frequent air routes. At the same time, cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool are becoming increasingly attractive, offering diverse and affordable urban alternatives.
France and Germany, constant benchmarks for city breaks
The ranking of city-break destinations is completed by Germany and France, two countries that continue to attract tourists through their well-developed infrastructure and rich cultural offer. France, in particular, remains at the top thanks to cities such as Paris, Nice or Lyon, Paris being one of the most visited capitals in the world, with approximately 30 million tourists annually.
Greece, the star of summer holidays
For longer holidays, Greece enters the top five due to high demand in the summer season. Islands such as Corfu, Heraklion, Mykonos, Santorini, Zakynthos or Kefalonia continue to attract Romanian tourists in increasing numbers. Statistical data show a constant increase in the number of Romanians choosing Greece for their summer vacation, with double-digit advances being recorded in some seasons.
“We are seeing a clear and consistent trend in the way Romanian tourists choose to explore Europe, with Italy firmly maintaining its top destination position. Its consistent appeal reflects the high demand for destinations that combine culture, gastronomy, iconic sights and accessibility, whether tourists are planning a short getaway or a longer vacation”says Anastasia Novak, representative of the airline.
“At the same time, the data show that Romanian passengers are increasingly diversifying their travel options. Spain continues to perform very well thanks to its combination of lively cities and leisure destinations, while the UK has risen significantly in the rankings over the past five years. We are also seeing increasing seasonal demand for Greece as a holiday destination, particularly in the summer months“, she explains.
Air tourism in Romania, on an upward trend
The evolution of preferences is supported by the growth of the air transport market. According to the Romanian Airports Association, passenger traffic exceeded 24 million in 2024, and estimates for 2025 indicate an increase of over 10%. In parallel, the interest in city-breaks has grown significantly, driven by the development of low-cost companies and the expansion of direct routes.
Romanians travel more often and more diversely
The general trend shows that, although Italy remains the preferred destination, Romanians are becoming more open to exploring other countries and types of experiences. Whether they choose city breaks, cultural holidays or beach stays, tourist consumption behavior indicates a maturing market and an increasingly clear orientation towards diversity and accessibility.
