As solo travel continues to evolve from a niche trend into a mainstream way of exploring the world, Greece has secured a place among the top ten destinations for international travelers in 2026, according to a new report by FTLO Travel.

The ranking reflects not only where travelers want to go next, but also how solo travel is changing – with longer planning horizons, experience-led itineraries and a growing appetite for immersive destinations.

A modern boutique travel company catering to travelers aged 25-39, FTLO analyzed booking timelines and destination wish lists to offer an early snapshot of where solo travelers are setting their sights for the year ahead.

The findings suggest that many travelers are still in the inspiration phase, planning well in advance and prioritizing destinations that offer depth, culture and variety.

Greece ranked seventh on the list, surpassing destinations such as Thailand, Iceland, Peru and Switzerland, underscoring its growing appeal among independent travelers seeking a balance of history, landscape and authentic local experiences.

When it comes to bucket-list travel for 2026, two regions tied for first place: Australia/Oceania and Asia.

Europe followed closely in third place, with South America and Africa rounding out the top five.

According to FTLO Travel, the results highlight a strong interest in long-haul, once-in-a-lifetime journeys, alongside destinations that support slower, more meaningful travel.

This regional interest was also reflected in the most sought-after individual countries. Australia, Japan and New Zealand emerged as the top three destinations overall, followed by Argentina, Italy and South Korea.

What solo travelers are looking for

According to the report, solo travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences over nightlife and party scenes. Nightlife ranked last, with just 13 percent of respondents citing it as a deciding factor when choosing a destination.

Asked about their primary travel motivations, nearly 74.6 percent said their goal was simply to “see the world”.

Adventure followed at 44 percent, while fun (40 percent) and connection (35.5 percent) also ranked highly. By contrast, personal growth (20.2 percent) and rest (15.1 percent) were less influential, suggesting that many solo travelers are seeking active, outward-facing experiences rather than purely reflective or wellness-focused trips.

When it comes to travel inspiration, friends and word of mouth topped the list at 65 percent, closely followed by Instagram at 63 percent. TikTok ranked third, but at a significantly lower level, with just 22 percent of respondents citing it as a primary source of inspiration – reinforcing the continued influence of personal recommendations and visual storytelling over short-form trends.

Source: news.gtp.gr