For those who want to give it a try, the specialist advises paying attention to the Danube Delta and northern Greece.
Birdwatching is becoming a popular form of holiday — a new generation of travelers is joining this pastime, taking binoculars with them and setting off on dedicated trips, Euronews reports.
What used to be considered a niche hobby for nature lovers is now becoming an ever more popular reason for traveling. In its list of hidden trends for 2026, the travel platform GetYourGuide noted that birdwatching is “having its moment”, while videos with the hashtag #BirdTok are going viral on social media. Currently the company reports that from 1 January to 27 August 2026 the number of global bookings for birdwatching excursions grew by 65% compared with the same period last year.
“Birdwatching as a travel experience has long outgrown the category of hidden trends,” said Anne Wollin, an expert on global trends and travel experiences at GetYourGuide.
According to her, the popularity of such holidays is growing every month, as travelers rediscover ways to be closer to nature and to escape the daily bustle. This can be watching large flocks of flamingos in the south of France, or looking for rare birds in your own city.
The trend report from the travel company Voyageurs du Monde also notes that the world is entering the “era of birdwatching”, and that 2027 should become the year of birdwatching.
The company reported rising demand: the number of bookings for birdwatching tours for the period from July to October 2026 already exceeded the figure for the first six months of the year by 57%.
“Instead of asking clients where they want to go, we ask what they are passionate about. And more and more often we see growing interest in traveling for the sake of birdwatching,” Tom Barber, brand director at Voyageurs du Monde, told Euronews Travel.
According to him, against the backdrop of the popularity of slow tourism and a world in which a significant part of life passes at a fast pace in front of screens, the simple opportunity to go out into nature with binoculars and see which birds you can spot holds particular appeal.
Where to go birdwatching
For those who want to try birdwatching, Barber advises paying attention to the Danube Delta and northern Greece.
“Beginners who want to get to know this pastime should spend a day in the Danube Delta in eastern Romania. Here are located enormous wetlands and waterways that are among the most important in the world. They are home to more than 300 species of birds; in particular, numerous flocks of birds that nest or migrate gather here,” he explained.
North-eastern Greece this year also became one of the most popular European destinations for such trips. The region lies on an important bird migration route and is distinguished by a diversity of wetlands and forests.
Barber advises coming here in the shoulder season: then there are fewer tourists, while the conditions for birdwatching, especially by the lakes, remain excellent.
Cindy Brzostowski, an author of articles on birdwatching at The Explorer, which is published by GetYourGuide, names Portugal as one of the best places for watching seabirds.
“Thanks to its long Atlantic coastline and its position on the East Atlantic migration route, which stretches from the Arctic to southern Africa, Portugal is an excellent destination for watching seabirds,” she noted.
According to Brzostowski, Portugal’s Azores archipelago and Madeira are especially attractive for amateur ornithologists.
For those who dream of seeing puffins — seabirds with a characteristic bright beak — she advises heading to Iceland.
“On the Westman Islands off the country’s southern coast are located the world’s largest colonies of these birds,” the expert explained.
In the ranking of the 20 best places for birdwatching in the world compiled by the company AllClear Travel, only two European destinations made the list. The study assessed the number of recorded bird species, weather conditions, distance to the airport and daily travel expenses.
The Falsterbo peninsula on the south-western edge of Sweden took 19th place in the world ranking and first among European destinations. It is called one of the best places for birdwatching.
Another popular destination is the Titchwell Marsh nature reserve on the northern coast of the English county of Norfolk. It is one of the best-known places for birdwatching in the United Kingdom.
The best places in Europe for birdwatching according to AllClear Travel
- Falsterbo peninsula, Sweden.
- Titchwell Marsh, England.
- Fair Isle, Scotland.
- Kalloni salt flats, Lesbos island, Greece.
- Minsmere, England.
- Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece.
- Rutland Water, England.
- Slimbridge Wetland Centre, England.
- Bolingbroke Green Marsh, England.
- Ria Formosa Nature Park, Portugal.
- Camargue, France.
- Ebro Delta, Spain.
- Hortobágy National Park, Hungary.
- Monfragüe National Park, Spain.
- Loch Gruinart, Scotland.
The 20 best places in the world for birdwatching according to AllClear Travel
- Manú National Park, Peru.
- Tambopata National Reserve, Peru.
- Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.
- Pantanal, Porto Jofre, Brazil.
- Milpe Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador.
- Carara National Park, Costa Rica.
- Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica.
- Keoladeo National Park, India.
- Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, Argentina.
- Kruger National Park, South Africa.
- Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, Colombia.
- Dry Tortugas National Park, USA, Florida.
- Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.
- Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
- Moss Landing, USA, California.
- Cape May Point, USA, New Jersey.
- Chobe National Park, Botswana.
- Soberanía National Park, Pipeline Road area, Panama.
- Falsterbo peninsula, Sweden.
- Titchwell Marsh, England.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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