Top 10 off-the-beaten-track destinations revealed for Canadian travellers

A new report has revealed some of the best off-the-beaten-track destinations for Canadian travellers this summer.

With gas prices soaring, travel may be off the table for some. Jet fuel prices, which have risen since the start of the Iran conflict, may impact flight costs this year.

Nearly four in 10 Canadians (39 per cent) say affordability is their biggest travel challenge this summer, according to a new report from travel app Skyscanner.

For more affordable trips, Skyscanner suggests the following destinations:

• Paris, France – Average summer flight price: $1,083, cheapest week to travel: Aug. 31 – Sept. 6, cheapest day to travel: Monday
• Tokyo, Japan – Average summer flight price: $1,205, cheapest week to travel: Aug. 31 – Sept. 6, cheapest day to travel: Tuesday
• Rome, Italy – Average summer flight price: $1,077,  cheapest week to travel: Aug. 3–9, cheapest day to travel: Monday
• Lisbon, Portugal – Average summer flight price: $910, cheapest week to travel: Aug. 31 – Sept. 6, cheapest day to travel: Wednesday
• Athens, Greece – Average summer flight price: $1,159, cheapest week to travel: Aug. 31 – Sept. 6, cheapest day to travel: Monday
• Dublin, Ireland – Average summer flight price: $723, cheapest week to travel: Aug. 24–30, cheapest day to travel: Wednesday

For Canadians looking for even more affordable options, shoulder-season travel periods in June and September can unlock further savings.

“Canadians are continuing to prioritize travel this summer, but we’re seeing travellers become much more flexible with when they travel,” says Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner travel expert. “Shoulder season in June and September is becoming increasingly appealing for Canadians looking to avoid peak-season crowds while still enjoying many of the same destinations and experiences.”

In addition to suggesting some lower-cost travel alternatives, Skyscanner has come up with its top choices to avoid crowds.

“We’ve uncovered destinations quietly waiting to be discovered when planning summer vacations full of character, lighter on crowds and ready to surprise you,” Skyscanner said.

Here are Skyscanner’s 10 lesser-known destinations for 2026:

1. Jeju, South Korea – Nicknamed the “Hawaii of Korea,” Jeju Island is South Korea’s largest island. It’s known for its subtropical climate and unique volcanic landscapes.
2. Zadar, Croatia – Zadar is Croatia’s oldest continuously inhabited city. It features Roman and Venetian ruins.
3. Bastia, Corsica, France – Known as the “Isle of Beauty,” Corsica is a Mediterranean island, located southeast of the French mainland.
4. Naxos, Greece – Naxos is a Greek island in the South Aegean. Features include ancient ruins and a port town filled with whitewashed, cube-shaped houses and medieval Venetian mansions.
5. Gdansk, Poland – A port city on the Baltic coast of Poland, which was reconstructed after the Second World War.
6. Cork, Ireland – Known for its lively art galleries, offbeat museums, pubs and an 18th-century food market.
7. Mykonos, Greece – Celebrated for its nightlife, dance clubs, beaches and whitewashed homes.
8. Perth, Australia – The capital of Western Australia boasts soft-sand beaches, scenic parks, small bars and creative restaurants.
9. Bologna, Italy – Renowned for its UNESCO-protected medieval porticoes (covered entryways or walkways) and the oldest university in the Western world.
10. Helsinki, Finland – Located in the happiest country in the world, Helsinki is a seaside city that blends Nordic design, a vibrant cafe culture and nature.

See the full summer 2026 report from Skyscanner here.

Lead photo of Mykonos, Greece: Oliver LOK