Crete and Naxos are among the five international destinations showing the strongest growth in popularity among American travelers, according to a comprehensive study by the global vacation rental platform HomeToGo.

Based on the platform’s data — which aggregates over 20 million vacation rental listings worldwide — the ranking reflects the destinations with the highest year-on-year percentage increase in searches by U.S. users for travel in 2025.

Crete ranks second overall with a remarkable 390% surge in interest, while Naxos claims the fifth spot with a 327% increase. Leading the list is Alicante, a coastal city in Spain, followed by the Spanish islands of Lanzarote and Menorca in third and fourth place respectively.

Greek destinations also feature prominently further down the top ten, with the Ionian islands of Lefkada in ninth place (+189%) and Zakynthos in tenth (+175%).

“Europe continues to be a firm favorite for Americans seeking overseas travel,” the platform notes, highlighting the dominance of Spanish and Greek destinations in this year’s top results. “Crete remains a consistent draw, offering a wide array of experiences to suit every kind of traveler. Meanwhile, emerging Greek destinations like Naxos and several Ionian islands are showing strong momentum.”

Naxos is experiencing a surge in international popularity, attracting not only European travelers but also a growing number of visitors from the United States and Australia.

According to the Deputy Mayor of Tourism, the island’s broad appeal lies in its combination of affordability and diverse attractions — from unspoiled beaches and picturesque mountain villages to ancient monuments and a vibrant culinary scene. Its natural beauty also makes it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering everything from hiking and cycling to windsurfing and scuba diving.