Long weekends 2026 around the world

Who gets the most public holidays in 2026

South Korea leads with 18, followed by Japan (17) and Sweden (16). At the other end, Mexico has 7.

Japan

SwedeniPhoto: Arild Vågen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The most efficient break of the year belongs to Singapore: 14 to 18 February, 5.0 days off for every day of leave.

Where people go on these long weekends

A first idea for every country, for the breaks above.

BaliiPhoto: Imadedana · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

CopenhageniPhoto: Julian Herzog (Website) · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

• Belgium: Belgians use long weekends for the Ardennes in autumn, the coast at Knokke and De Haan in summer, and Bruges and Ghent in any season.
• Brazil: Brazilians spend the feriadões on the beaches of Búzios, Paraty and Ilhabela in summer, which runs from December to February, in the mountain towns of Campos do Jordão and Gramado in winter, and at Bonito's clear rivers in the dry season.
• Denmark: Danes head to Skagen and the beaches of North Jutland in summer, Bornholm for cycling and food in late spring, and Copenhagen for a city break any time.
• India: From India, long weekends suit Goa's beaches in the cool dry months, the hill stations of Shimla, Munnar and Darjeeling in the summer heat, and Rajasthan's forts and palaces from October to March.
• Ireland: From Ireland, bank holiday weekends lead to the Wild Atlantic Way and Connemara in summer, Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula in late spring, and Kilkenny or Galway for festivals.
• Italy: Italians use the ponti for the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre in late spring, the Dolomites for summer hikes and winter skiing, and Tuscany during the autumn harvest.
• Japan: Long weekends in Japan suit Kyoto's temples in autumn and spring, the hot springs of Hakone and Kusatsu in winter, and the beaches of Okinawa in summer.
• Mexico: Mexicans spend long weekends in Oaxaca for food and culture, on the beaches of the Riviera Maya and Puerto Escondido in the dry season, and in San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato for colonial charm in any season.
• Netherlands: The Dutch use long weekends for the Wadden Islands like Texel in summer, the Veluwe forests in autumn, and the tulip fields in spring.
• New Zealand: New Zealanders spend long weekends in Queenstown and Wanaka for summer lakes and winter skiing, the Bay of Islands and the Coromandel in summer, and the wine regions of Marlborough and Hawke's Bay in autumn.
• Norway: Norwegians head to the fjords and Lofoten in summer, mountain cabins and ski resorts like Trysil and Hemsedal in winter, and the southern coast around Kristiansand for summer sailing.
• Poland: Poles spend the majówka in the Tatra Mountains around Zakopane, the Masurian lakes in summer, and Kraków or Gdańsk for a city break in any season.
• Portugal: From Portugal, long weekends lead to the Algarve's beaches in summer, the Douro Valley during the autumn harvest, and Sintra or the Alentejo in spring.
• Singapore: From Singapore, long weekends lead to Bali, Langkawi and Phuket for beaches, Penang and Malacca for food and heritage, and the islands of Bintan and Batam a short ferry away.
• South Korea: Koreans spend long weekends on Jeju Island in spring and summer, in Gyeongju for history in autumn, and in Seoraksan National Park for the autumn foliage.
• Sweden: Swedes spend long weekends in the archipelago around Stockholm in summer, on Gotland and the west coast near Gothenburg, and in Åre for winter skiing.