Social Media Analysis: These Are The Most Popular
Holiday Destinations on Instagram

  • Online marketplace Traum-Ferienwohnungen analyzes 400 million posts and 800 vacation hashtags on Instagram
  • Most vacation pictures on Instagram are taken in Paris
  • Baltic Sea most popular vacation region in Germany ahead of Berlin and Barcelona

The holiday season has begun and many families are off on vacation. But which holiday destination is the most popular on social media? We had a look at the favourite destinations of German travelers according to Instagram. Therefore, we analysed over a hundred places and regions in Europe as well as almost 800 hashtags related to holidays and travel. Turns out that not only Europe’s most famous holiday spots are at the top of the list: also Germany has many scenic places and regions to offer for vacationers.

Paris, the city of love, by far secured the title of the most popular holiday destination: with over 316,000 mentions, the French capital ranks first in our analysis. In case you were thinking about it, that is just one more reason to go to Paris! Not only the shining Eiffel Tower or a boat trip on the Seine are worth a trip but also this accommodation in the heart of the city:

Ferienwohnung Hollmann in Paris
Ferienwohnung Hollmann in Paris
Ferienwohnung Hollmann in Paris

You can book the accommodation here: Ferienwohnung Hollman, Paris

The second place goes to the Baltic Sea, the most popular travel region in Germany (150,000 posts). The coast up in the north is thus able to stand its ground against Barcelona and Berlin, which are mentioned 126,000 and 103,000 times respectively.

Regarding the most popular island, Mallorca is unsurprisingly at the top of the list with 47,000 mentions. After all, who would say no to sun, beach and fincas? If you’re heading south to explore the island and its nature soon, we warmly recommend the Finca Molinet, where relaxation by the pool is guaranteed.

Finca Molinet auf Mallorca
Finca Molinet auf Mallorca

You can find the accommodation in picturesque Son Carrió here: Finca Molinet, Mallorca

With the northern island Sylt, another destination in Germany makes it into the top 20 as well: The Frisian island is ranked number 15 with 7,000 posts. If you’re in the mood for a fresh breeze and a good book in a beach chair, book your accommodation quickly and take the train up north. You can find some inspiration here:

Ferienhaus LeuchtTurmSeele auf Sylt
Ferienhaus LeuchtTurmSeele auf Sylt
Ferienhaus LeuchtTurmSeele auf Sylt

You can book the accommodation here: Ferienhaus LeuchtTurmSeele, Senhoog

Even though the Alps are Germany’s highest mountain range, they don’t stand a chance against the following German mountain area: With 13,000 posts on Instagram, the Harz is more popular than the mountains in southern Germany and ranks eleventh. A must-see on any visit to the Harz is a hike to the Brocken, the highest mount of the region. From the Ilse Valley you can make your way directly to the natural monument. For those of you who like it more relaxed, the so-called Brockenbahn, an old train, runs from Wernigerode through the forests to the highest mountain in the area.

You can find the perfect accommodation for a weekend in the mountains here:

Sport-Chalet im Harz
Sport-Chalet im Harz
Sport-Chalet im Harz

You can book the accommodation here: Sport-Chalet Nr. 19, Ilsenburg

Further south, Lake Constance is another region that is quite popular online. The lake, which stretches across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, counts almost 5,000 tags on Instagram earning the 20th rank in our analysis. Holidaymakers often go on a bike tour on the well-known Lake Constance cycle path, which runs for around 260 kilometres along the water through forests, fields and small villages. Fancy a ride? We have already arranged for a holiday flat next to the lake:

Ferienwohnung See-Loggia am Bodensee
Ferienwohnung See-Loggia am Bodensee
Ferienwohnung See-Loggia am Bodensee

You can book the accommodation in Öhningen here: Ferienwohnung See-Loggia, Öhningen

You can find out how all holiday destinations do in the social media comparison in this graphic:

This is how the destinations perform depending on the hashtag:

This is where Germans prefer to holiday according to Instagram:

This is how it looks with regard to the buzzword travel:

This destination is at the forefront of the travel buzzword:

About the research

To determine the most popular holiday destinations on Instagram, around one hundred selected locations within Europe were researched using seven different hashtags relating to the keywords holiday, holiday, trip, travel and travel, as well as the general mention of the location. These include cities as well as regions, mountains, inland seas and islands (as of 8 October 2021).