Aberdeen has emerged as a surprise summer holiday hotspot, according to fresh data released by travel giant eDreams Odigeo. The city is seeing a marked increase in international visitors as tourists seek refuge from southern Europe’s unprecedented heatwaves.
New figures show that searches for flights to Aberdeen from Spain alone surged 12% this summer, as travellers looked to swap the sweltering Mediterranean for Scotland’s noticeably cooler climate. July temperatures in southern Europe soared to up to 48°C, prompting holidaymakers to rethink traditional beach breaks and head north for respite.
The eDreams Odigeo poll found that two-thirds of 10,000 holidaymakers across seven countries would change their plans to avoid high temperatures, with northern Europe emerging as the big winner.
It’s part of a wider surge in interest for Scotland’s more northerly destinations. Searches from Italy to Inverness rose by 44%, while Edinburgh saw a 19% jump. Across the UK as a whole, searches from Italian travellers rose 13% year-on-year, with French holidaymakers up 10%.
Scotland’s summer highs peaked at a much more manageable 32°C, with Aberdeen often sitting several degrees cooler, offering welcome relief for visitors keen to swap sweltering beaches for fresh air, green landscapes and cultural city experiences.
Tourism leaders say the rise of so-called “coolcations” – trips designed to escape extreme weather – are reshaping travel patterns across Europe.
Tourist spending in the UK is forecast to exceed £3billion in 2025, with visitor numbers to Aberdeen and the wider region continuing to rise. Jennifer Craw MBE, CEO of Opportunity North East, said:
“These figures reflect the positive momentum in the region’s vital tourism sector, driven by the ambition and dedication of the people who work in the industry… The long-term focus on the sector’s growth, backed with action and investment, is paying dividends with more people choosing to visit and stay to enjoy the outstanding experiences on offer across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.”
Aberdeen welcomed 2.2million overnight visitors in 2024, contributing over £500million to the local economy. Chris Foy, CEO of VisitAberdeenshire, highlighted:
“The growth in visits is a clear indication that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is becoming an established destination for both leisure and conference visits. The attractors of our natural environment, cultural heritage, and welcoming communities are supported by high quality and abundant facilities from hotels and meeting venues to innovative visitor experiences.”
It is this influx of visitors which has prompted the city council to approve a new 7% visitor levy, to be introduced in 2027. Councillor Alex McLellan said:
“The income generated from the visitor levy, paid by those visiting the city, will provide a huge boost to our local economy and allow us to invest in bringing major events and conferences here on a more regular basis.”
