Revealed: the destination where Brits are most likely to fly for a last-minute holiday

A last-minute holiday sounds appealing all year round, but there’s something about the approaching summer season that causes holiday daydreams to become more persistent. Knowing where to look can feel overwhelming, especially when you know everyone else has had the exact same thought.

Travel Supermarket has shared the top destinations for British tourists booking a last-minute trip and found that Portugal’s Algarve, with its gorgeous golden beaches and dramatic cliffs, won. And if you’re worried that booking a holiday the night before is a rogue thing to do, figures show that around one in 27 Algarve bookings (3.7%) are made just one to two days before departure.

Known for its peaceful landscape, with olive and cork trees, the Algarve has long been a family-friendly holiday favourite. There’s something to indulge everyone, and you can find water parks and golf courses, along with nightlife and culinary delights.

In a close second and third spot were Majorca, with 2.83% of bookings made in a 48-hour window, followed closely by Turkey’s Dalaman Area (2.81%).

When it comes to booking just a month ahead, Marrakech took the top spot, with nearly 40% of bookings made during that period. In contrast, Morocco’s vibrant “Red City” offers tourists a magical chaos, with sparkling trinkets in hidden-away alcoves and colourful markets. This was closely followed by Tunisia at 39.61%. and Gran Canaria (35.84%).

“We’re seeing more and more people book their holidays at the last minute, and there’s still plenty of time to bag a great break for May half term,” says Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket.

He explained that regardless of destination, whether you’re looking for a beach holiday or a “considered escape” to Marrakech, there are deals for a range of destinations. “Some of the best value we see all year tends to come in those final few weeks before departure, so if you’ve been putting off booking, now’s the moment,” he added.