Americans Are Booking Europe in Record Numbers for the 2025 Holidays
Americans lean toward major cultural capitals and established winter city breaks as Allianz analyzes nearly 165,000 holiday itineraries.
Photo: Dmitry Vechorko / Unsplash
Americans are setting their sights on Europe for the 2025 holiday season, according to new travel insurance booking data released by Allianz Partners. The company analyzed nearly 165,000 round-trip itineraries departing from U.S. airports between Nov. 26, 2025, and Jan. 6, 2026, providing one of the clearest snapshots of where U.S. travelers are headed this winter.
London once again leads the list as the most-booked European destination, maintaining its long-standing position at the top of Allianz Partners’ European Holiday Destination Index. Paris and Rome follow, with Madrid and Dublin rounding out the top five. The rankings reflect continued demand for major cultural capitals during the peak festive period, supported by strong airlift and reliable winter tourism infrastructure.
Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Munich, and Lisbon complete the top ten, offering a mix of city-center winter experiences and milder southern climates. Zurich and Milan hold steady at positions 11 and 12, supported by established connectivity and proximity to Alpine regions.
The lower half of the list includes destinations that saw year-over-year growth. Athens and Edinburgh traded places, landing at #13 and #14. At the same time, Vienna climbed to #15—one of the more notable upward shifts—benefiting from renewed interest in Christmas market travel and historic city centers during the winter months. Copenhagen ranks #16, Manchester ranks #17, and Geneva remains at #18.
Venice appears at #19 as travelers continue to pair shoulder-season quiet with holiday travel, and Brussels closes the list at #20 after dropping four spots. Despite the shift, Allianz notes that the Belgian capital remains a draw for its Winter Wonders festival and established seasonal programming.
While the ranking reflects volume rather than traveler profile, the geographic spread offers insight into how Americans are planning cross-border holidays: concentrating on familiar metropolitan hubs while increasingly mixing in secondary cities with strong seasonal appeal.
“With holiday travel heating up, Americans are embracing Europe’s winter magic and protecting those plans with travel insurance,” said Emily Hartman, general manager at Allianz Partners. “From Christmas markets to New Year’s celebrations, travelers are seeking memorable, stress-free experiences, backed by coverage for delays, cancellations, medical emergencies abroad, and other unexpected disruptions.”
Allianz Partners distributes protection plans through major U.S. airlines, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines, and other travel sellers. The index’s full methodology is based on itineraries generated during the booking process for partners offering Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance.
