Canadians seeking a Spanish vacation are flocking to this unexpected location in September: Skyscanner

Now that peak summer travel has slowed, we've entered shoulder season as popular destinations start to get less crowded. Looking at September travel trends, information provided to Yahoo Canada by Skyscanner revealed a 78 per cent year-over-year increase in flight searches to Palma, Spain, from Canadian cities.

"Access to the city from Canada has improved. Air Canada launched its first nonstop route between Montréal and Palma on June 18, 2026, marking the first direct air link between Canada and Mallorca," Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner's travel trends and destinations expert, highlighted. "This new connection arrives as Spain expects record international arrivals in 2026, with the Balearic Islands seeing early record bookings and a growing shift toward shoulder-season travel."

An aerial view of the Palma de Mallorca Cathedral and other buildings (Getty Images)

According to Skyscanner's 2026 Travel Trends, 44 per cent of travellers indicated that they picked a travel destination purely based on accommodation, a statistic that increases to 61 per cent among Gen Z and 56 per cent among Millennial travellers.

"Palma's Old Town is known for boutique hotels tucked into centuries-old palaces, convents, and merchant houses, making the city worth visiting for the hotel alone," Lindsay shared.

Palma is also a destination that offers visitors a variety of experiences, from exploring the medieval Sa Calatrava neighbourhood to escaping to the coast, taking in art at a museum, or experiencing the food culture and local markets.

"The destination is known for Mallorcan specialties like ensaïmada pastries and sobrassada, fresh Mediterranean seafood, and a dining scene that ranges from casual tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants, allowing visitors to experience the island's culture through food," Lindsay advised. "[With a] combination of hotels worth building a trip around, walkable historic architecture, easy beach access, and standout cuisine, Palma offers Canadian travellers a place to experience it all in one trip."

Spain Majorca, old town Palma de Mallorca with view of the famous Cathedral La Seu (Getty Image)

How much does it cost to go to Palma in September from Canadian cities?

Using Skyscanner search data, round-trip flights from Toronto to Palma in September can currently be found for as low as $763.

Flights from Vancouver to Palma currently start at $1157, or $861 from Montreal.

Check Skyscanner for up-to-date, live pricing for all flights.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain (Getty Images)

3 expert tips on what to do in Palma

Lindsay's first tip for travellers heading to Palma is to take in the Gothic landmarks, from the Cathedral of Mallorca to the hilltop Bellver Castle.

"For the best photo of the cathedral, go to Parc de la Mar for the classic view across the bay," she advised. "Inside, look for Antoni Gaudí's design details and one of Europe's biggest rose windows."

To have a slower afternoon, Lindsay recommends exploring the plazas.

"Start in Plaza Mayor, then wander through Plaza España and Plaza del Mercat, where you'll find cafés, restaurants and independent boutiques," she shared. "Come evening, make your way to Plaza La Lonja, which is one of the city's liveliest spots for bar-hopping."

And for beach lovers, Palma has a lot to offer.

"Ca'n Pere Antoni beach is a short walk from the Old Town. If you want turquoise water and a different vibe, you can take a bus to Illetas or Cala Mayor. If you have a whole day, Mondragó Natural Park is a great place to swim and enjoy the water," Lindsay recommended.

Es Princep is an elegant hotel that pays homage to traditional Mallorcan country fincas. You have views of Palma Bay and the historic city, and the hotel features the Coco Spa Oasis and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views.

The BQ Aguamarina Boutique Hotel is on the small beach of Cala Estancia in Can Pastilla, 12 km away from the centre of Palma. It has a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and panoramic sea view, offering entertainment for children and adults-only options.

Hotel Cap Rocat offers a secluded stay for visitors, with the structure originally built for the surveillance of the Bay of Palma before being transformed into a hotel. In addition to the property's fascinating history, and variety of unique rooms and suites, it has a beautiful spa and the Sea Club to gather with friends.

Skyscanner's Saved Feature: Save those deals to look at later

Skyscanner has a number of features to make sure you save as much as possible on your vacation.

Take advantage of the "Saved" feature. Start by browsing all the travel deals and when you see something you like, you can save it for later.

Step 1: Find your flights and hotel.

Step 2: Select the heart icon next to your top picks to save them for later. Make sure you're logged into your Skyscanner account.

Pro tip: Download the Skyscanner app to create separate Saved lists for all the different trips you're planning.

Tips for finding the cheapest flights

If flight costs are getting you down, there are a few things Canadian travellers can do to ensure they're getting the best deal possible for their next vacation, both on the Skyscanner platform specifically and when looking for flights more generally.

Beat the crowds: For flights that are filling up fast, you'll want to make sure you're looking at the monthly view on travel search sites like Skyscanner to see the best possible option available for flight dates.

Set up alerts: Prices are always changing, so if you're hoping to travel to a specific destination, or on specific dates, set up a price alert so you can be quick if a deal comes up. Skyscanner specifically has a price alerts system for any cost changes.

Consider "Everywhere": If you're hoping for a new adventure, or a little rest and relaxation, but you don't have a specific destination in mind, the "Everywhere" search on Skyscanner may be your new best friend to discover the most affordable vacation destination possible.

Flexible dates: There may be certain times where you need to travel for specific dates, but the best deals are really revealed when you open yourself up to some flexibility. Even changing your travel dates by a day, or a week, can result in significant savings.