Where are the Belgians going this summer ? Clever detours, new and more conscious desires

Where are the Belgians going this summer ? Clever detours, new and more conscious desires

28 July 2025

Summer is here. And with it, that universal question that comes up over iced coffees, in WhatsApp groups and on crowded terraces: « Where are you off to this summer ? »
But in 2025, the answer is more nuanced than a simple «Spain» or «Italy». Today, we're looking to travel differently : more slowly, more closely, for longer, or more intensely. And often, all at the same time.

So where are the Belgians going this summer ? Here's a closer look at the major trends, the top destinations and new holiday habits.

Far away... but not too far away: exoticism within reach of the train

There was a time when sunny destinations meant ‘taking a low-cost flight’. But in 2025, more and more Belgians are opting for destinations that are accessible by train, less saturated, but just as much a change of scenery.

Key trends :

• The return of the night train, particularly to Vienna, Berlin and even the Alps.
• Regions such as Slovenia, Puglia and the Spanish hinterland are gaining ground, offering sunshine, authenticity and a reasonable budget.
• Madeira and Malta remain popular, especially for those seeking a good balance between nature, culture and relaxation.

For example, rather than Barcelona, some people opt for Valencia or Girona, which are quieter, cheaper and just as sunny.

Real luxury ? Peace and quiet (and a good hammock)

Gone are the days when you come home more tired than when you left. Nowadays, luxury is measured in terms of peace and quiet, time to yourself and the absence of notifications.

What we're seeing :

• Well-being holidays in the Belgian Ardennes, the Vosges or even Iceland for the adventurous.
• Yoga retreats, spa treatments (Italy, Slovenia, Poland), or wifi-free locations for a real digital detox.
• A general desire to slow down, to ‘do less but better’.

Belgian wink: unusual accommodation in the Durbuy region or around La Roche-en-Ardenne is often fully booked... as early as January.

Workation, staycation, bleisure : flexible holidays

Since COVID, the boundaries between work and holiday have become increasingly porous.
Certains prolongent un séjour pro en mode « bleisure », d’autres partent avec leur ordinateur pour une workation à la mer ou en montagne.

What we're seeing this summer :

• Long stays with teleworking in low-cost countries (Portugal, Greece, Albania).
• Hybrid breaks: mornings at work, afternoons at the beach.
• Hotels that adapt: enhanced Wi-Fi, coworking spaces, and ‘special teleworker’ offers.

Note: according to Airbnb, almost 30% of summer bookings are for stays of more than 28 days.

Travelling differently (and often smarter)

Inflation hasn't stopped people wanting to travel, but it has transformed the way we travel. We are now looking to maximise the experience while limiting costs.

Up-and-coming solutions :

• Home exchange between Belgians and Europeans.
• House-sitting, to look after a house (and sometimes a dog) at the other end of Europe.
• Van holidays have become popular in France, Croatia and Spain.

A little bonus : the popularity of cycling holidays is exploding, with routes such as La Loire à vélo, EuroVelo 6 and tours of Flanders.

Soft adventure or discreet commitment

Not everyone goes to the other side of the world. But when we go, we want to experience something real: a moment, an encounter, a discovery.

New desires :

• Volunteering, solidarity travel or woofing (working a few hours in exchange for accommodation and meals).
• Theme trips : surfing, hiking, gastronomy, photography.
• Less traditional destinations : Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, or the mountains of Spain, for example: a Belgian couple travelled through Transylvania on foot with a local guide... and didn't see another tourist for a week.

Three practical ideas for those still searching

• A week in Slovenia, between Ljubljana, Lake Bled and the Postojna caves, a mix of nature, culture and slow life.
• A 10-day break in Albania, with its turquoise beaches, ancient ruins and small villages perched in the mountains.
• A road trip without planes, via Paris, Lyon, Annecy and then Milan... by train.

Conclusion : the real luxury is to choose (really)

In 2025, going on holiday is no longer ‘just going away’. It's often about choosing a way of life, even a temporary one. Less noise, more meaning. Fewer boxes to tick, more breathing space.
Some opt for the sea, others for the mountains or the countryside. And more and more Belgians are choosing to go at their own pace, without following the crowd.