Indian travellers are showing a renewed passion for European holidays, with Schengen visa applications surging by 29% compared to last year, according to visa platform Atlys. The spike signals growing interest in Europe’s cultural, scenic, and leisure offerings, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, who have contributed to a 23.5% rise in visa requests for extended vacations. Southern European nations—Portugal, Greece, Spain, and Italy—remain top choices due to their vibrant cultures and tourism-friendly infrastructure. While metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru lead in applications, tier-two cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh have shown a 17.8% rise, highlighting Europe’s growing appeal across India. Atlys also notes increasing demand for luxury travel to France, Italy, and Switzerland, while adventure seekers are gravitating towards Austria, Slovenia, and northern Spain for alpine activities. With ideal Mediterranean weather and streamlined visa services from platforms like Atlys, Europe is set to welcome a strong wave of Indian tourists this summer.
