As British summer draws to a close, Cirium has released this month’s most popular summer destinations along with the figures, which sees the UK scheduling a massive 92,549 flights to depart from its airports in the month of August, equivalating to 16.5 million passengers travelling around the world to resume business and leisure trips that were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Departures have increased by over 101% compared to August 2021 as post-pandemic recovery continues, with the most popular destinations being European sunny hotspots.
3rd most popular summer destination of August 2023
Morocco
Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday with family or friends or a new vibrant city to explore, there is no wonder why flights to Morocco have increased by 13% compared to August 2019.
Running along Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast, you will find the city of Agadir. Known for its sweeping crescent beach and lying in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, the promenade is lined with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants for everybody to enjoy. The city is also soaked in history, with the ruins of its Kasbah remaining on top of a hill for tourists to visit after it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1960s.
However, if you are looking for a more jam-packed break, Marrakesh is the perfect place to visit; filled with luxury restaurants, charming riads and unique alleys lined with market stalls selling local delicacies and traditional clothes and jewellery, you will not be short of things to do.
2nd most popular summer destination of August 2023
Greece
Beach destinations are always popular amongst Brits trying to escape the inevitable disappointment of UK summertime, and so there is no surprise that Greece is the second most popular destination this August, with an extra 1,278 flights departing from across the UK this August compared to 2019. While wildfires spread rapidly across the country and its islands this summer, resulting in some flights being cancelled and tourists getting evacuated, it still remained a sought-after destination for Brits.
The Greek islands are some of the most popular destinations in Europe for tourists, with islands such as Mykonos and Corfu attracting lots of young people due to their vivid nightlife and beautiful beaches.
However, on the mainland is where you will find Greece’s capital, Athens, which is soaked in rich history and culture, with it being Europe’s oldest capital city. It is also renowned for its incredible street food, with world-famous dishes such as gyros and baklava being widely available.
1st most popular summer destination of August 2023
Turkey
Up by nearly 50% are flights to Turkey, with 3,630 scheduled this August! Turkey has always been a popular destination for Brits seeking out the perfect beach holiday, with guaranteed sunshine across the summer months, making it a worthy top spot winner.
A gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, Antalya has a breadth of golden beaches and is home to the yacht-filled Old Harbour, dotted with great cafes and boutique stores. With many excellent food options and stunning hotels, Antalya is the perfect destination for a holiday getaway.
However, if the beach is not your thing, Turkey also has a lot more to offer; Cappadocia is a beautiful historical region of Turkey, known for its desert landscapes and offers of extensive hot air balloon rides to take in all the city truly has to offer, often considered a ‘must’ location to visit.
Portugal, the US and Croatia were also among the most popular destinations this year while the effects of the pandemic continue to be resolved, with the hope of even more flights to depart out of UK airports over August 2024.
What did you expect the most popular summer destination of August 2023 to be? Let us know in the comments!
