The Canadian's Guide to Europe in 2027 — Where to Go and How to Stay Connected Without the Roaming Bill

Canadians are going to Europe in growing numbers -- and 2027 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet. Canadian arrivals to Europe are expected to grow at 4.2% annually through 2029, according to the European Travel Commission. Air Canada has announced one of its largest intercontinental expansions for Summer 2027, adding five new international destinations and seven new routes to a network that will include over 125 international routes with up to 169,000 weekly seats.

New direct connections to Oslo, Shannon, Nice, Basel, and Dubrovnik open in 2027. For Canadians who have already done Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, these routes unlock itineraries that were previously difficult to build without a European connection.

The redirection is real. Canadians who previously crossed the border into the US are booking European trips instead -- Air Canada and WestJet have both shifted capacity from US routes to European cities. The numbers back it up: Canadian flight searches to Europe surged 24% year-over-year, with Berlin seeing a 228% increase in interest and Milan and Zurich both posting significant gains.

Before you book, there is one number worth knowing: your Canadian carrier charges $18/day for international roaming in Europe. A two-week trip on a Rogers, Bell, or Telus plan costs $252 per person in roaming fees alone -- before a single euro is spent on hotels, food, or trains.

A Cellulo Europe eSIM covers the same trip for a fraction of that. Here is everything you need to plan the trip and stay connected without the bill shock.

Where Canadians Are Going in 2027

Portugal -- The Perennial Favourite

Portugal has been the top European destination for Canadians for three consecutive years. Lisbon's walkable neighbourhoods, Porto's wine caves, and the Algarve's clifftop beaches offer a range of experiences at price points significantly lower than Western European capitals. A week in Lisbon with day trips to Sintra and Cascais is one of the most compelling European itineraries available in 2027 -- and one of the most affordable.

Connectivity is strong in Lisbon and Porto. Rural Alentejo and the Algarve coast are well-covered but rural interior areas can be patchy -- download offline maps before leaving the city.

Italy -- Rome, Florence, and the Beats Less Travelled

Italy ranks consistently in the top three European destinations for Canadians. Rome and Florence remain the anchors, but Milan is surging -- Air Canada's expanded frequency to Milan and the city's fashion, design, and food scene are drawing a younger Canadian demographic. The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Lake Como continue to attract travellers willing to go beyond the standard itinerary.

5G coverage in Rome, Milan, and Florence is excellent. The Amalfi Coast and rural Tuscany are well-covered on LTE. Sicily's major cities are covered; remote interior areas are patchier.

Spain -- Mediterranean Demand Accelerating

Spain has overtaken Portugal in 2026 as the fastest-growing European destination for Canadian tourists, with a 15% surge in arrivals. Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville draw the most visitors, but the Basque Country -- San Sebastian, Bilbao -- and the Canary Islands are gaining traction as Canadians look for less crowded alternatives to the Mediterranean peak season crowds.

Spain's mobile coverage is among the best in Europe. Barcelona and Madrid have dense 5G. Rural Castile and remote Pyrenees areas run on LTE.

Greece -- Islands and the Mainland

Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, and Rhodes remain perennial draws for Canadian travellers seeking Mediterranean scenery and relaxed pacing. Athens is increasingly paired with island hopping as Canadians spend more time on the mainland rather than flying directly to the islands.

Athens has strong LTE and 5G coverage. Island coverage varies significantly -- Santorini and Mykonos are well-covered; smaller islands can have limited signal. A data plan with sufficient buffer for offline use is essential on island-hopping itineraries.

France -- Paris and Beyond Nice

Paris remains Canada's most-booked European city destination. But Air Canada's new direct route to Nice in 2027 opens the French Riviera -- Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and the villages of Provence -- to Canadians without a Paris connection. This is a meaningful change for travellers who want the south of France without adding days to the itinerary.

Paris has exceptional 5G coverage. Nice and the Riviera are well-covered. Rural Provence and the Dordogne run on reliable LTE throughout.

The United Kingdom -- London, Edinburgh, and Shannon

The UK remains a top-five destination for Canadians, driven by cultural familiarity, English-language ease, and direct flights from most major Canadian cities. Edinburgh in summer and London year-round anchor most itineraries. Air Canada's new Shannon route in 2027 provides a direct connection to the west of Ireland for Canadians with Irish heritage -- one of the most requested routes in Canadian travel for years.

London has some of the best 5G coverage in Europe. Scotland's major cities are well-covered; the Highlands and islands have variable LTE. Ireland's cities are covered; rural counties can be patchy.

Rising Destinations for 2027: Berlin, Oslo, Dubrovnik

Berlin has seen a 228% increase in Canadian flight interest -- the largest surge of any European city. Its combination of history, art, and affordability relative to London and Paris is drawing Canadian travellers who have already done the classics. Air Canada's new Oslo route opens Scandinavia to Canadians with a direct connection -- a market that has been underserved by Canadian carriers for years. Dubrovnik completes a Adriatic arc, pairing naturally with Split and a ferry itinerary through the Croatian coast.

What Carrier Roaming Costs in Europe

Rogers, Bell, and Telus all charge $18/day for international roaming in European destinations. This applies to every country in the list above.

Under the CRTC's Wireless Code, carriers cannot charge more than $100 per line per billing cycle without explicit consent. In practice, most travellers agree to continue when the carrier asks -- because they need their phone in the middle of a European trip.

What a Cellulo eSIM Costs -- EU + UK Plans

The EU + UK plan covers all European Union countries plus the United Kingdom on a single eSIM. For most Canadian itineraries -- Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the UK -- this is the right plan.

Browse all EU + UK plans at cellulo.ca/travel/european-union-uk.

What a Cellulo eSIM Costs -- Broader Europe Plans

The Europe plan covers a wider set of destinations including Switzerland, Norway, Croatia, Turkey, and more -- essential for travellers using Air Canada's new Oslo, Basel, and Dubrovnik routes in 2027.

Browse all Europe plans at cellulo.ca/travel/europe.

Which Cellulo Europe eSIM Is Right for Your Trip

Cellulo offers two Europe eSIM options and the difference matters depending on your itinerary.

The EU + UK plan covers European Union countries plus the United Kingdom on a single eSIM -- no swapping, no per-country fees. For the most popular Canadian itineraries -- Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and the UK -- this plan covers every destination. It is also cheaper than the broader Europe plan at most tiers, so if your trip stays within EU countries and the UK, this is the right choice.

The Europe plan covers a wider set of destinations including countries outside the EU -- Switzerland, Norway, Croatia, Turkey, Serbia, and more. For travellers using Air Canada's new Oslo, Basel, and Dubrovnik routes in 2027, the broader Europe plan is essential.

Quick rule: if every destination on your list is an EU member state or the UK, go with the EU + UK plan. If your itinerary includes Switzerland, Norway, Croatia, or any non-EU country, go with the Europe plan. Both are available on Cellulo -- see the pricing tables below.

If you are visiting only one country, Cellulo also sells individual country eSIM plans for most European destinations at cellulo.ca/travel. For multi-country trips however, the regional plans offer better value.

How to Set Up Before You Fly

Install the eSIM on Wi-Fi at home before your departure. It takes under two minutes. For best results, purchase your eSIM within two weeks of your departure date.

Before boarding your Canadian flight:

1. Turn off Data Roaming on your Canadian line -- Settings -> Cellular -> your carrier line -> Data Roaming off
2. Turn your Canadian line off completely -- Settings -> Cellular -> your carrier line -> Turn On This Line off
3. Use Airplane Mode on the flight -- safe once your Canadian line is already off
4. Turn Airplane Mode off when you land -- your Europe eSIM activates automatically

For OTP codes and two-factor authentication: turn your Canadian line back on briefly to receive the text, then immediately turn it off. As long as you do not make outgoing calls or send texts while the line is on and roaming, the $18 daily fee does not trigger.

One More Thing: Offline Maps

Download offline Google Maps for every city on your itinerary before you leave Canada. European train stations, Metro systems, and old-city navigation are complex enough with data. Without it -- especially in Lisbon's Alfama, Rome's historic centre, or Athens's Plaka -- you will be lost. Download the maps on hotel Wi-Fi as a backup even if you have the eSIM installed.

Browse Europe eSIM plans for 2027 at cellulo.ca/travel/europe and lock in your connectivity before the trip.