European Countries Tourists Don’t Stay Long

• Belgium tops the list of European countries where tourists spend the shortest vacations, staying just 3.9 days on average. 
• The Baltic region sees some of the shortest visits, with tourists staying just 4 days.
• In Austria, tourists are most likely to stay only for three days or less, yet they are still very happy with their visits, giving their trip a satisfaction rating of 79.

In early 2025, short-stay rentals in Europe grew 4.8% year-on-year, showing tourists are increasingly taking quick, high-turnover trips instead of longer stays. A new study by CasinooftheKings reveals which European countries are seeing the shortest tourist stays.

The research analyzed two key travelling factors: the average length of stay, and the share of tourists staying just 1–3 days. They were combined into a short-stay score, with countries ranked in descending order. Tourist satisfaction ratings, accommodation occupancy rates, cultural accessibility, and safety were also looked at for additional context. 

Here is the summary of the findings:

Belgium tops the list for the European countries where tourists spend the least time, earning a perfect short-stay score of 100. As a key business hub, the country attracts many visitors on short work trips, reflected in an average stay of just 3.9 days. Its compact size and one of Europe’s smallest capitals also encourage brief visits, with 27.4% of tourists planning trips lasting only 1 to 3 days.

Lithuania follows in second place with a short-stay score of 97. Like Belgium, over a quarter of tourists (over 2M visitors) spend just one to three days in the country. The pattern is reinforced by the country’s small size, which keeps the average stay relatively short at 4.1 days. 

Estonia ties with its Baltic neighbor, Lithuania, for the shortest tourist stays in Europe, with a final score of 97. On average, visitors spend even less time in Estonia, with a 3.4-day stay, even shorter than Belgium’s. While it is the safest country on this list, 14.7% of tourists stay a maximum of three days. 

Slovakia ranks fourth with a short-stay score of 91. Around 3M tourists plan trips of three days or less, accounting for 21.7% of visitors. The average stay is just 4.2 days, largely because of easy weekend trips from neighboring countries. Most accommodations stay empty as a result, with only 39% occupancy. 

Czechia rounds out the top five European countries where tourists are visiting for the least amount of time, earning a final score of 84. Like Slovakia, its landlocked location and proximity to many neighboring countries make it easy for quick visits, reflected in an average stay of 4.1 days, matching Lithuania. Nearly 7M tourists spend just one to three days in the country, and most leave happy, with a satisfaction rating of nearly 50.

Latvia comes in sixth place, standing out as the final Baltic country in the ranking, with a score of 82. The average length of stay matches Slovakia, at 4.2 days. Out of 4.5M annual tourists, 11.5% plan trips lasting no more than three days, reflecting how quickly visitors move through the country. The country’s compact size plays a big role in these short visits, but the accommodations stay available, with an occupancy rate of only 36%.

Austria follows in close with seventh place among European countries where tourists spend their shortest vacations, earning a score of 81. A third of visitors, 33%, or 42M tourists, spend no more than three days in the country, three times the number in Belgium. Like Czechia and Slovakia, Austria’s location in central Europe supports quick weekend trips, keeping the average stay to 5.6 days.

The Netherlands comes in eighth place, with a short-stay score of 80. It records the second-highest number of tourists taking trips of just three days, 33M visitors, or 23.6% of all stays. The average visit is relatively brief at 5.1 days, half a day shorter than in Austria. Known for its cultural richness, the country leaves tourists the happiest, with a satisfaction score of 89, ten points higher than any other country.

Luxembourg comes next, tying with the Netherlands with a short-stay score of 80. It has the second-lowest average stay at 4 days, a whole day less than the Netherlands, reflecting its status as the smallest country in the ranking. Around 5.4% of tourists take short visits in Luxembourg, highlighting its appeal for quick trips.

Hungary secures tenth place among European countries where tourists spend the least time, finishing the list with a short-stay score of 77. The average length of stay is 4.4 days, nearly a day and a half shorter than in Austria. Around 2M tourists plan their trips around a three-day schedule, representing 7.6% of all visitors.

A spokesperson from CasinooftheKings commented, “Short visits aren’t just a statistic; they reflect how modern travelers experience the world. People are seeking quick, meaningful moments rather than long stays, balancing curiosity, convenience, and connection. Understanding this shift can help destinations rethink what makes a visit memorable, focusing on quality of experience over quantity of time.”