![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2197366552.jpg\")
\n\t\tThere are three other destinations that Brits are starting to favour over Spain (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tThere are three other destinations that Brits are starting to favour over Spain (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Spain<\/a> has long been a headline holiday destination for Brits, and in 2024<\/a>, 17.8 million of us flocked there for some sun, seafood, and sangria.<\/p>\n But according to the CEO of one popular airline, the days of the Spanish summer holiday<\/a> could soon be behind us, as UK residents are steadily flocking to three cheaper destinations instead.<\/p>\n It\u2019s little surprise, considering last summer<\/a>, thousands-strong crowds took to the streets of Barcelona<\/a> and Palma de Mallorca<\/a> to condemn overtourism.<\/p>\n The protests \u2014 part of the wider Southern Europe Against Touristification\u00a0coalition, which held similar demonstrations in travel hotspots Lisbon, Venice and Genoa \u2014 aimed to highlight the negative impact of mass tourism on local residents.<\/p>\n And given this increasingly-unwelcoming atmosphere, Brits are starting to dip their toes in other, equally sunny waters \u2014 more specifically, the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, according to Jet2<\/a> CEO, Steve Heapy.<\/p>\n \u2018North Africa<\/a> is performing well, with Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt standing out,\u2019 he told Hosteltur<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tBest of Metro Deals\t\t\t<\/p>\n Get exclusive\u00a0discounts\u00a0with\u00a0Metro Deals<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 save on getaways and spa days.\u00a0Powered by Wowcher<\/p>\n Bannatyne Spa<\/strong>: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco \u2014\u00a0save up to 57%\u00a0off.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Mystery Escape<\/strong>: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as \u00a392pp \u2014\u00a0save on worldwide holiday packages.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Beach Retreat (Lanzarote)<\/strong>: 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights \u2014\u00a0save up to 58%.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Greece is maintaining a good level, and Portugal is doing well. However, we observe that certain areas of Spain are not achieving the expected performance.\u2019<\/p>\n Morocco<\/p>\n At the moment, Morocco<\/a> is in vogue in the tourism world, welcoming a record-breaking million British visitors in 2024.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not exactly a hidden gem, as places like Marrakesh and Agadir are already popular with tourists (and for good reason).<\/p>\n \t\t But if you\u2019re looking for a more authentic experience, the Anti-Atlas mountain region is often missed, even by those who\u2019ve ventured to the likes of the Sahara Desert and the Higher Atlas Mountains.<\/p>\n The Anti-Atlas<\/a>, also known as the Lesser Atlas or Little Atlas, is Morocco\u2019s southernmost mountain range, bordering the Sahara. <\/p>\n Here, you can expect a dramatic and spectacular lunar-like landscape, with red granite rock formations with pretty red and pink hues. You\u2019ll find small towns and villages nestled in the valleys of the mountain, with the main one, in the central part of the mountains, being Tafraoute.<\/p>\n \t\t Interested in a last-minute getaway to Marrakech? Between February 19 and February 26, direct return flights from London Stansted to Marrakesh Menara via Ryanair are available for \u00a330.<\/p>\n Alternatively, head to Rabat, Morocco\u2019s capital, with \u00a344 return fares on the same dates, also with Ryanair and from Stansted.<\/p>\n If you want some more inspiration, Team Metro <\/strong>has extensive experience visiting Morocco.<\/p>\n Tunisia<\/p>\n Tunisia<\/a> is another big one for 2026.<\/p>\n Just like Spain, this North African country is absolutely peppered with beautiful beaches \u2014 776 miles<\/a> worth, to be specific.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just sunbathing Tunisia is known for though; the country has a rich history, which can be seen with a visit to the Great Mosque of Kairouan and the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem (famously featured in Gladiator).<\/p>\n \t\t There are also the islands, of which the most well-known is Djerba<\/a>, which due to its stunning white-sand beaches and azure waters, is often called the \u2018island of a thousand palm trees\u2019.<\/p>\n Howeber, Djerba also boasts a vibrant cultural and art scene, as well as being a melting pot of culture where Judaism and Islam coexist. <\/p>\n One of its main attractions is \u2018Djerbahood\u2019, an open-air art museum in the village of Eriiadh, and it\u2019s home to 350 mosques, including the Jama Fadloud and Sidi Yati Mosque.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t The island\u2019s capital, Houmt Souk \u2013 which translates to \u2018market district\u2019 \u2013 has plenty more for visitors to explore tool; its cobblestone streets are home to bustling markets, shops galore, and the imposing Aghlabid Fortress, which dates back to the 9th century.<\/p>\n If you fancy a trip to Tunisia, direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Tunis-Carthage through Nouvelair, departing on April 21 and returning a week later, currently come in at \u00a3105.<\/p>\n Egypt<\/p>\n \t\t If you\u2019re in search of some winter sun, Egypt<\/a> is the place to head. In January, temperatures average at 22\u00b0C, while March gets up to a positively toasty 29\u00b0C.<\/p>\n Summer is, naturally, absolutely boiling, with the mercury reaching 40\u00b0C in July. <\/p>\n And there\u2019s certainly not a shortage of rays here, as Egypt gets more than 3,800 hours of sun each year.<\/p>\n \t\t If you like snorkelling, there\u2019s 1,800 miles worth of coastline, and 2,361 square miles of coral reefs to explore in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n But Egypt is also inundated with sights for history buffs, including the Great Pyramid in Giza, one of the last remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses 50,000 artefacts from Ancient Egypt, as well as the iconic Great Sphinx.<\/p>\n Return flights from London Luton Airport to Sharm El-Sheikh, travelling with Wizz Air from March 9 to March 16 cost \u00a3181. So what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-1550958101.jpg\")
\n\t\tMorocco was visited by a million Brits in 2024 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Napoleon's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2256425859.jpg\")
\n\t\tTafraoute is an off the beaten track gem (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Sunset](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-1469799007.jpg\")
\n\t\tTunisia has 776 miles\u2019 worth of beaches (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2148948924.jpg\")
\n\t\tDjerba is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Pyramid](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2149210576.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe pyramids of Egypt are one of the last wonders of the world (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2020773259.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Red Sea has more than 2,361 square miles of coral reef (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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