BERLIN, August 2026 — Nearly two-thirds of millennials (65 percent) say they travel in search of "a feeling of simpler times," according to new research from GetYourGuide. Whether reconnecting with a forgotten pop culture phenomenon or embracing pre-smartphone life, we’re dubbing this new trend “Y2K Travel.”
The survey of travelers across the US, UK, Germany, and France found the pull of the past isn't limited to one generation: 71 percent of both Gen Z and millennials say they're interested in a 90s/00s-themed travel experience.
It's a plot twist for a generation that spent years getting roasted by Gen Z over skinny jeans and side partings. In response. Now, Y2K nostalgia is officially a travel trend. 65 percent of all people surveyed said they were interested in booking a travel experience inspired by the 90s and early 00s, rising to 71 percent among both millennials and Gen Z.
- American millennials are the most nostalgic: At 83 percent, US millennials are the most nostalgic group in any market surveyed, with visiting locations from their favorite films, shows and music leading the appeal (64 percent).
- Yearning for simpler times: The top three aspects of a 90s/00s experience that appeal to travelers across generations include experiencing the feeling of ‘simpler times’ – number one and highest among millennials at 65 percent – reliving a childhood memory and visiting a pop culture location. One in three people also said that no smartphone/internet access would be an appealing factor.
- Nostalgic screentime sets the itinerary: TV shows and movies are the top theme travelers want nostalgic experiences built around (61 percent), followed by music (49 percent).
“Travel has always been about escape and right now, we see Millennials and Gen Z are using it to escape into the past, to a feeling instead of just a place. They're stepping into spots they only watched from the sofa, replaying songs they once burned onto CDs, or spending a weekend where no one can reach them. Y2K Travel looks different for everyone, but it's really about being present somewhere that once meant everything to you."
- GetYourGuide’s Trend Forecaster-in-Chief Anne Wallin.
Meet the Guide
In Rome, guide Kerem Dikman has built a nostalgic hit out of his Lizzie McGuire Vespa tour. Since its launch in January, bookings of Kerem’s tour have grown month over month, peaking in July. And Y2K Travelers are already booking for 2027.
"The tour is particularly popular with millennial women from North America,” Kerem said. “They imagined themselves on that Vespa as kids when they watched Hillary Duff. Now they're making the dream come true."
These tourists are here to spoil their inner teen with adult pocket money, driving around Rome with their own Paolo.
“They usually want a young male driver,” said Kerem, “like Paolo in the film. And, of course, a red Vespa.”
So grab your flip phone and pull on those low-rise jeans. Here's where to get your next 90s and noughties nostalgic fill:
90s and 00s nostalgia time travel
- Rome: The Lizzie McGuire Experience with a Vespa In 2003, Lizzie McGuire accidentally became Italy's biggest pop star while wearing a bucket hat. Retrace her cobblestone route by Vespa and live your own main-character moment.
- New York City: Sex and the City TV locations tour Charlotte’s dream proposal spot, the lake where Carrie and Big made an unexpected splash, 90 minutes, a Magnolia cupcake, and just like that, it’s the early 00s again.
- London: Harry Potter Movies Walking Tour Platform 9¾, the Leaky Cauldron, the ‘wobbly bridge’: three hours of pure Muggle magic. Kids under 16 go free.
- Amsterdam: Barbie The Dream Experience Twelve zones, six decades, one DreamHouse. 90 minutes of pure pink nostalgia.
- Tokyo: Nostalgic Anime and Retro Gaming Adventure Hunt vintage games in Akihabara, battle it out in an arcade, wind down at a Maid Cafe. Cartridge-blowing nostalgia guaranteed.
- Manchester: Music-Themed City Walking Tour Hacienda, Madchester, Oasis, the Stone Roses: 105 minutes of basslines and bucket hats. Mad for it.
- Tunisia: 3-Day Sahara Desert Digital Detox Tour Three days, zero signal, all the peace that used to just be called being outside.
Press Contact
press@getyourguide.com
About the guide
Kerem is available for interviews in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Photos of Kerem’s Lizzie McGuire Experience with a Vespa available for download here.
About the data
GetYourGuide’s micro-survey was conducted online by Bounce Insights, a leading agile research platform, in July 2026, among 845 adults aged 18 to 64 in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
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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