BERLIN, September 2026 – As shoulder season solidifies its position as travel’s sweet spot, GetYourGuide data shows a year-on-year jump of 210 percent in the number of experiences booked in European destinations and the northern hemisphere from late September through October.
Between the chairs, the beds and the porridge, Goldilocks fancied herself as a scrupulous reviewer of travel and hospitality – and knew exactly what she was looking for: not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Swap the porridge for peak season and it’s clear that travellers are following Goldilocks' example, trading the summer heat and the winter freeze for the weeks in between.
The allure of cheaper travel, milder weather and smaller crowds shows up in the numbers. Advantage Travel Partnership, a UK-based network of travel agents, has recorded a 28 percent increase in sales of UK customers travelling to mainland Europe in September to October, as travelers seek to benefit from lower prices for flights and accommodation, fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. Flight search platform Skyscanner found a similar pattern, noting in its 2025-2026 Travel Outlook that almost a third of travellers now say they “plan to visit popular places only in shoulder seasons.”
"Our data makes it clear: travellers aren't just chasing peak season anymore, they're chasing the best version of the experience. That's usually a few weeks after everyone else has gone home after summer, when the landmarks and locations are the same but the lines aren't."
- Anne Wallin, GetYourGuide’s global trends and experiences expert
What our GetYourGuide experts say
Beyond the beach in milder Mallorca
Cooler temperatures mean it’s the perfect time to hike the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore Mallorca’s beaches at a calmer pace, says Toni Bennasar, GetYourGuide’s regional manager for Spain and Portugal. Palma, the island's capital, is also an underrated pick for an autumn city break, says Toni, pointing to cultural highlights from Palma Cathedral to the Fundació Miró modern art museum – not to mention the city's great food and shopping scenes.
Don’t miss: local festivals like Es Vermar in Binissalem, the heart of the island's wine-growing. Keep an eye out for wineries offering tours, where you can discover an island wine whose reputation grows every year.
Cottage core in the Cotswolds, U.K
Autumn gives villages like Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold a completely different character, says Muhammad Iqbal of Velare Transport that offers a full-day Cotswolds guided tour from London. The atmosphere feels calmer, meaning that visitors can take their time walking through the villages and enjoying the scenery without feeling rushed by the heat of the summer. Broadway Tower is a personal favourite. Its elevated position provides beautiful panoramic views across the surrounding countryside, especially when the landscape begins to change colour.
Don’t miss: the local food scene by spending some time in traditional Cotswold pubs after a walk.
After the August exodus in Athens, Greece
Yiannis and Olivia of the Athen’s Living Museum recommend a visit to the open-air theatrical performances around the city, not to mention taking advantage of shorter queues at museums and archaeological sites. After getting your fill of historical culture, be sure to embrace the late summer evenings. Restaurants and bars with a backyard stay open late into the warm evenings, and pavements on quiet streets throughout the city center are filled with tables and music.
Don’t miss: Athens’ film festival Premiere Nights (Νύχτες Πρεμιέρας) runs from September 30 to October 11, presenting an array of films in various cinemas around the city.
Fall foliage in Boston, U.S.
Guide Ted Clark from Hub Town Tours describes Boston as the “gateway to New England leaf-peeping.” Think crisp air, warm sun, and colors everywhere! Often the first stop on visitor journeys to see beautiful fall foliage, Boston is abuzz with activity in Goldilocks season as college students settle into a new year and locals return to town after summer travel season. Through the heart of it all runs the Freedom Trail, linking 16 historic sites tied to Boston's primary role in starting the American Revolution.
Don’t miss: An autumnal stroll in favourite neighborhoods including North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, South End. Each is unique and worth a walk, says Ted.
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About the data
GetYourGuide analysed booking data for experiences in the ‘shoulder season’ between September 15 and October 31 in 2024 and 2025.
About GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is a leading global online marketplace to discover and book experiences worth traveling for. Travelers can use GetYourGuide to find things to do in more than 18,000 cities, including tours from local experts, exclusive access to must-see attractions, as well as immersive bucket-list experiences. More than 50,000 supply partners leverage GetYourGuide’s easy-to-use platform to grow their businesses, offering 200,000 experiences to travelers around the world. For more information, follow GetYourGuide on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok and visit getyourguide.com.
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