Beyond the Capital: Alternative holiday hotspots for Canadians in 2025

In 2024, Canadians packed their bags 38.7 million times for trips abroad, a 3.7% increase from 2023 and a clear sign that international travel is bouncing back post pandemic.

Of those millions of trips, the US and Mexico remain the top two most popular destinations for travel, with 23 million and 1.9 million visits respectively. They were followed by the UK (1 million), France (1 million) and Cuba (844,000).

These countries consistently rank high due to a variety of factors, such as warm beaches, familiar languages, historical ties or accessibility.

However, with rising crowds and costs due to overtourism, many tourists are feeling the squeeze in their capital cities and tourist hotspots. For example, New York City has begun enforcing legislation to limit short-term rentals in response to overcrowding, which has now driven up accommodation prices making visits less accessible.

That’s why more Canadians are turning their attention elsewhere, seeking destinations that might offer new experiences, affordability and fewer crowds. In fact, search interest for “off-the-beaten-path travel” has increased by 50% year-over-year and 200% in the past 3 months alone. So, where should you go next?

To help Canadians discover their next great getaway, Spin Casino has pulled together a data-driven list of 2025’s top alternative holiday hotspots. Experts at the online casino analyzed the search increase for each city, compared to number and cost of accommodation, exchange rates, average cost of meal and water and safety rating, to create an overall index score identifying alternative destinations on the rise for Canadian travelers this year.

The top alternative holiday hotspots in 2025

Seville leads the way as the best alternative holiday hotspot for Canadians in 2025, with an impressive index score of 490 out of 600. Located in southern Spain, the city is renowned for its rich flamenco culture, stunning architecture and delicious food. It’s home to a UNESCO world heritage site, which includes the Alcazar palace, Cathedral and General Archive of the Indies.

The Spanish city has experienced a 23% year-on-year increase in searches and has the highest number of hotels within a 2-mile radius, offering 3,412 hotels for $1,031 on average for seven nights. Meals can also be budget friendly, such as traditional tapas options, with an average cost of $18.75 at an inexpensive restaurant.

With a safety rating of 64.61, slightly above average, the affordability and beauty of Seville stands out as a perfect destination for Canadians seeking somewhere away from Spain's capital city.

European destinations dominated the top five rankings, with Istanbul coming in second (465), Sicily, Italy in tied third with Cusco in Peru (459), and Chania in Greece in fifth (454).

Istanbul recorded an impressive 49% increase in search interest over the past three months, reflecting a potential growing appeal among Canadian travelers for summer vacations. The city offers 2,417 accommodation options, typically at a slightly lower price to Seville. Whilst its safety rating is slightly lower, Istanbul is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with a deep history and a variety of beaches.

Tied in third, Cusco in Peru was the only city in the top five located outside of Europe, offering a starkly different appeal. Known as the gateway to Machu Picchu, Cusco attracts travellers in search of history, nature and beautiful hikes and a spiritual connection deeply rooted in Incan traditions.

Though it has fewer accommodation options than its European counterparts, it stands out for its affordability, averaging just $431 for seven nights accommodation, and meals at an inexpensive restaurant costing on average as little as $3.77.

Other high-ranking destinations include Kyoto in Japan (445), The Maldives (437), Kalamata in Greece (436) and Budva in Montenegro (433), which all offer a diverse mix of experiences. Kyoto stands out for its blend of traditional temples and emerging pop culture activities, while the Maldives offers tropical luxury and seclusion. Kalamata boasts sunny coastlines, and Budva brings a balance of Adriatic beach life and Old Town history at an affordable price.

Slovenia emerged as a standout, appearing more frequently than any other country in the top 20, highlighting a potential appeal among Canadian travelers seeking slightly less travelled to European destinations.

In 2024, Slovenia welcomed a record-breaking 6.6 million tourists, reflecting its increasing popularity, while still maintaining a relatively quiet atmosphere compared to other European hotspots. Bled (432), Novo Mesto (417) and Maribor (405) came tenth, thirteenth and eighteenth respectively.

Notably, Bled, known for its stunning lake and castle, boasts the highest safety rating overall, whilst Novo Mesto, a town with beautiful vineyards, Baroque architecture and peaceful river, saw a 122% year-on-year increase in search.

The most affordable accommodation overall was in Weligama, a beautiful surfing town in the south of Sri Lanka, which ranked low down in 39th. Tourists there can expect to pay just $159 for seven nights in accommodation. Meanwhile, the cheapest meal overall was Agra, in India and home of the Taj Mahal, at just $3.20 at an inexpensive restaurant.

As the data shows, there are a variety of destinations away from the capital cities and traditional tourist hotspots that offer rich cultural experiences, affordability, and a growing interest from Canadian travelers.

Whether you're seeking the experience of a new holiday destination or enjoying the thrill of online gaming, Spin Casino offers a rewarding experience to fuel your passion. Play responsibly and discover your next win.

Methodology

Spin Casino analyzed data from Google Keyword planner to find the cities with rising interest among Canadians. This was then compared to data from Booking.com to find the number of available hotels within a 2-mile radius of the city center, alongside the average price for a seven-night stay (Friday to Friday in August).

Spin Casino also found the average price of an inexpensive meal and water from Numbeo.com, exchange rates and safety ratings. Each city was then assigned an index score out of 600 based on their performance across these data points.

Data correct as of June 2025.