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Best Time to Visit Europe: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Home » Blog » Europe » Best Time to Visit Europe: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Europe is a year-round travel destination that boasts turquoise beaches, jagged mountain peaks, and endless diversity. We put together this guide to help you choose the best time to visit Europe and what you can expect during each season.

Recognized globally as a “ jack-of-all-trades ” travel destination, Europe is idyllic for any and all types of travelers.

However, the diversity of Europe’s geography and climate is boundless.

From azure coasts in the south, high-altitude peaks towering above quaint mountain towns, and metropolitan cities filled with fascinating architecture, endless history, and next-level cuisine, there’s a lot to consider when planning an ideal time to visit the continent.

The weather throughout Europe is influenced by many different factors, like the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Alps/Pyrenees Mountain ranges, and even the Sahara Desert. 

So although visiting year-round is possible, you’ll still want to plan your trip around specific times of the year depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing to have the best experience.

In this article, we’re going over exactly what to expect in each region of Europe by season so you can choose the best time to visit Europe for you .

When is the best time to visit Europe?

Generally, the best time to visit Europe is from May to October, when the weather is favorable, daylight is plentiful, and everything is accessible. 

However, the answer to that question may fluctuate depending on where you’re going and what your preferences are.

Answer these questions to get started:

• What country(ies) do you plan to visit?
• Are you easily bothered by crowds?
• Do you prefer a cold weather or warm weather vacation?
• Do you prefer to spend your time outdoors?
• Are you planning to do more city exploring with lots of restaurants and museums?

Thinking about your answers to these questions is going to help you start to determine when to visit Europe.

Not sure where to where to go? Our guide to the best cities to visit in Europe is jam-packed with inspiration!

Article contents

Our experience, europe geography overview, weather in europe, summer in europe, fall in europe, winter in europe, spring in europe.

Overall BEST time to visit Europe

Want a quick recommendation? Jump down to see our personal advice for the best time to visit Europe. Plus, we’ll share what times of year we’d avoid visiting!

• Our Recommendation…

We’ve visited Europe in all seasons

When: spring, summer, fall, winter

Where: Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, France, Netherlands, UK, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Malta

Our experience:

• We’ve spent quite a bit of time traveling in Europe, and we’ve been during all seasons .

Our favorite times of the year in Europe:

• September is probably my favorite month to travel in Europe because you avoid the crowds of the summer but still have great weather. You can find some good deals during this month as well. 
• I also love October for fall foliage and crisper temperatures. (Autumn is my favorite season, so I’m biased!)
• We’d also highly recommend traveling in the wintertime as European Christmas Markets are magical! Plus, you can find amazing deals on cozy, fire-warmed Airbnbs in mountain towns during the winter months.

Our least favorite times of the year in Europe

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t love traveling to popular places in mainland Europe during the summer. 

The crowds and prices are insane. And they seem to be getting worse each year.

Additionally, climate change means summer temps are very hot across much of Europe , and AC can be hard to find in some areas. 

All that said, you can’t deny the magic of European beaches, hiking, and festivals in the summertime . Plus, summer is often the easiest time for families to travel. Also, there are some destinations, like Iceland, where summer is truly just the best time to visit.

So if you still think summer is when you’ll travel to Europe, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Summer in Europe Tips

• Go to lesser-visited countries , like Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc. Trust me when I say they are just as amazing, yet you’ll find far fewer crowds. We love getting off the beaten path at all times of the year (I’m very much anti-crowds), but it is even more important to find the hidden gem places during the summer unless you don’t mind the chaos.
• Examples: In Montenegro, for instance, we loved the mountain town of Žabljak, and found it far less crowded than touristy Kotor. In Croatia, the crowds of Dubrovnik felt like Disney world, but we truly loved the island of Korčula, which we explored by bicycle. 
• Limit your time in popular tourist cities during the summer. This is especially true of the smaller tourist cities, where the crowds seem amplified because there’s just not enough space. 
• Our advice? We LOVED Sziget festival , which takes place in Budapest each August. Can’t wait to go back!

Europe has a massive amount of diversity within its borders: pristine beaches, alpine meadows, rugged mountain peaks, sunny coastlines, vast seas, metropolitan hubs, we could seriously go on and on…

To put it into perspective, the continent stretches from Iceland in the west, Greece and Malta in the south, the Ural Mountains of Russia in the east, and all the way up to the Svalbard archipelago in the north.

With that said, it’s best to divide Europe into a handful of key regions so you can get a better lay of the land for narrowing down where and when to go.

Note: The definition of these regions varies depending on your source, but for the purposes of this article, we’re laying out which countries we are considering to be part of each region. 

Western Europe

• Countries : (British Isles) Scotland , England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands 

Most of Western Europe is in the North European Plain, so you can expect mostly valleys, sweeping plains, and scenic coastlines, plus rocky mountains dotted in some areas .

Many countries have irregular coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the North, Baltic, and North Mediterranean Seas. 

Central Europe

• Countries : Germany , Austria, the Czech Republic , Poland , Hungary , Slovakia, and Slovenia

The countries of Central Europe are flanked by the North European Plain, North and Baltic Seas in the north, and the Italian Peninsula in the south. 

This region is filled with dramatic snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, fairytale castles, and serene lakes .

The Alps and the Pyrenees in the southernmost part of this region separate the cool climates of the north and west from the warm, dry climate of the Mediterranean region in the south.

Southern Europe

• Countries : Spain, Portugal, Italy , Malta, Andorra, Monaco

Southern Europe is the prime coastal area of Europe made up of three key peninsulas: Iberian, Italian, and Balkan (which we’ve included in Southeastern Europe).

Almost all of its countries have the Mediterranean Sea as a natural border, so this region boasts pristine beaches, beautiful islands, and crystalline waters edging lowland plateaus .

Psst! If you’re planning a trip to Italy, find out the best time to visit Italy based on seasonal weather patterns in each region and your personal travel style.

Eastern Europe

• Countries : (The Baltics) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania

We like to think of Eastern Europe in 2 parts – there’s Eastern and Southeastern. Eastern Europe is essentially every country that borders Russia. 

Some even consider Moscow to be part of Eastern Europe as Russia is technically part of the European continent. 

Southeastern Europe

• Countries : (The Balkans) Croatia , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Montenegro , Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria , Greece, Cyprus, Turkey

A part of southern Europe, but with more “eastern” cultural influence. 

Most of these countries were under Soviet-supported communist governments. There is a notable cultural difference between the Balkans and the non-communist countries: Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. 

The geographical focus of southeastern Europe is on the Balkan peninsula, which is framed by the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas. This area is characterized by crystal clear waters, rocky coastlines and mountainous backdrops. 

Northern Europe

• Countries : (Scandinavia/Nordic) Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland  

Northern Europe is (roughly) recognized as everything above the Baltic Sea.

It’s partly mountainous with rolling hills, glaciers, and volcanic islands, as well as temperate, coniferous forests . 

In general, all of Europe experiences all 4 seasons, but some areas tend to have more extreme variances due to their location and terrain. The difference is primarily notable between Northern and Southern Europe.

Western, Central & Eastern Europe

All of these regions have comparable landscapes and experience an equal amount of all four seasons with varying rain patterns from east to west . The exception to this might be the British Isles, which tend to see more rainfall year round, and more moderate winters.  

You can expect the mountainous regions with high altitude to be the last to warm up in the summer and the first to cool down heading into winter.

Southern & Southeastern Europe

This region has a very different climate from the rest of Europe as it’s mainly subtropical . 

It stays warmer than everywhere else nearly all year due to the hot winds blowing up from the Sahara Desert and the Alps/Pyrenees preventing cool northern winds from reaching the coast.

Northern Europe consists mainly of sub tundra and tundra climates as well as coniferous/temperate forests, so this region’s weather is much cooler than the rest of Europe.

The seasons, especially summer and winter, are much more extreme in this region.

During the summer, the midnight sun (21+ hours of daylight) is in full swing around and above the Arctic Circle.

In the winter, everywhere is blanketed in snow and daylight hours are limited to as little as 4-5 hours a day. 

June, July, August

Across Europe, the summertime welcomes the local summer break, peak daylight hours, hot daytime temperatures (especially along the coasts), and a laundry list of celebrations happening across the continent.

Major events : Tomorrowland (Belgium), Bastille Day (France), Fringe Festival (Scotland), Tour de France (multiple countries), Midsummer (Sweden), and Yacht Week (Croatia).

This is the busiest season in Europe with high prices and large crowds, even more so around major events listed above. We recommend booking everything well in advance.

• Western Europe : temperatures can reach over 32°C (90°F); cooler temperatures in high elevations, possible afternoon showers.
• Central Europe : average daytime highs of 24-27°C (74-81°F); wetter along the Atlantic coast, spells of sweltering heat aren’t uncommon.
• Southern Europe : 29°C (84°F) is considered the average daytime temperature, but it often exceeds 32°C (90°F); hottest and driest months with little to no rain.
• Northern Europe : afternoon temperatures can range from 10-29°C (50-84°F) depending on where you are; occasional rain and sunny skies.

Summer months at a glance:

• June is the start of peak season in Europe with hot, sunny, and busy days. Expect varied temperatures in the western and northern regions, but overall favorable weather. We recommend booking in advance. 
• July is warm and sunny across Europe with near-peak summer crowds and prices. Expect to wait in lines and pay higher costs for flights, accommodation, and tours. 
• August is the busiest month of the summer in Europe, as locals and tourists both are enjoying vacations virtually everywhere. Most festivals, celebrations, and sporting events take place during this month. 

Tours, accommodation, and transport should be booked well in advance and will be at a premium price.

Best places to visit during summer in Europe

• Amalfi, Cinque Terre, Sardinia, Capri, and Salento
• Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Toulon, Saint-Tropez, and Èze
• Mallorca, Andalucia region, Ibiza  
• Azores Islands, Porto, Algarve region, Madeira, and Nazaré
• Iceland : for some of the best outdoor adventures in the world
• Ireland, Wales, Scotland , and England
• Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway

Best things to do during summer in Europe

• Go hiking in the Swiss Alps
• Hike the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland
• Explore the Isle of Skye in Scotland
• Attend Tomorrowland , the largest music festival in the world
• Get off the beaten path in the Faroe Islands
• See the lavender fields in Provence, France
• Celebrate midsummer in Sweden

September, October

Expect fewer crowds and slightly cheaper prices during the autumn season since it marks the end of the summer holiday. September is a great month to squeeze in some last-minute outdoor adventure before everything cools down significantly in October.

Major events : Fall Wine Harvest (multiple countries), Halloween (multiple countries), changing of the leaves (multiple countries), Oktoberfest (Germany), and Festival of Lights (Germany).

Once the weather starts to cool, golden fall foliage pops up around the continent. Alternatively, you can hold onto that last bit of summer sunshine in Southern Europe.

• Western Europe : temperatures range from 4-21°C (40-70°F); expect significantly cooler temperatures in mountainous regions and bring layers to adjust to varying weather.
• Central Europe : expect average daytime temperatures from 5-18°C (41-64°F); chances of rainfall decrease slightly.
• Southern Europe : peak daytime temperatures average from 20-28°C (69-82°F); rainfall increases (especially along the coast), but sunny days are still common.
• Northern Europe : temperatures range from 0-15°C (32-52°F); wind, rain, and cold are all common, you might experience the first snowfall of the season.

Fall months at a glance:

• September in Europe is the end of the summer holiday when locals and tourists tend to leave. Prices and crowds decrease significantly and the weather is still optimal. Daylight starts to decrease and chances of rain increase in the north, east, and west. 
• October is a varied month with a mix of sunny days and cool, rainy ones. A lot of great deals are available on flights and accommodation. The weather in the north is significantly cooler and the south remains quite warm with relief from summer crowds.

Best places to visit during fall in Europe

• Split & Dubrovnik : to avoid the summer crowds along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast
• Cotswold : for fall foliage among fairytale English villages
• Romania : for fall foliage and Halloween in Transylvania
• Hallstatt, Austria : for fewer crowds and fall foliage
• Edinburgh, Scotland : for fall foliage and fewer crowds
• Greece : for island hopping with fewer crowds

Best things to do during fall in Europe

• Soak in hot springs in Iceland
• Take an unforgettable Scotland road trip
• Oktoberfest in Germany (October)
• Slovenia , France, Italy, Georgia, Germany , Portugal, Greece, and Spain
• Hike in the Dolomites, Italy (September)
• Land’s End to John o’ Groats to travel the length of the United Kingdom

November, December, January, February

Moody skies and dreary weather cover Europe along with the bitterly cold temperatures of winter. Most of the continent is quiet, although it’s lit up with the spirit of the holidays and the northern lights in some areas. 

Major events : Up Helly Aa (Scotland), Hogmanay (Scotland), Venice Carnival (Italy), New Years (multiple countries), Carnival of Binche (Belgium), and the Northern Lights (Northern Europe), 

Winter is generally the cheapest time to visit Europe as long as you plan around major holidays like Christmas and New Years.

• Western Europe : dress warmly for 0-5°C (32-41°F) temperatures; snow is rare but not unheard of outside of mountainous regions.
• Central Europe : just slightly cooler than fall, ranging from 0-5°C (32-41°F), but can dip for short spurts; rainfall decreases, snowfall is frequent but not abundant.
• Southern Europe : average daytime temperatures range from 9-15°C (48-59°F); it’s the warmest region this season, but rainy, especially along the coast and at the base of mountainous regions.
• Northern Europe : the coldest temperatures are in this region, averaging -4-5°C (24-41°F); rain picks up and snow is blanketing the region.

Winter months at a glance:

• November welcomes dreary skies, rain, and cold temperatures across Europe. There are significantly fewer daylight hours (especially in the north) this month, and you can expect closures and shorter operating hours. Snow is beginning to blanket some regions.
• December dives deeper into the winter season with cold and wet days. Although the weather is dreary, many countries are lit up with holiday lights, markets, and celebrations, so tourism will pick up this month slightly. Mountain ranges and northern regions will be snowy.
• January is the least crowded and the cheapest time to visit Europe, but it’s also the coldest month of the year. Get a slight break from the bitter cold in the south, or embrace the edge of the winter sports season by hitting the slopes.
• February stays rather quiet, unless you’re here for peak skiing and snowboarding season. The sun begins to peek out, but you can still expect cold, wet, and snowy days. Prices are much cheaper this month.

Best places to visit during winter in Europe

• Krakow, Poland : for winter markets and snow-capped mountains
• Chamonix, France : for world-class winter sports
• Finland : for dog-sledding and winter wonderlands
• Hallstatt, Austria : a dreamy Bavarian village blanketed in snow
• Norway : for northern lights, snow sports, and outdoor adventure
• Sweden : for northern lights
• Slovenia : for a wintertime hidden gem

Best things to do during winter in Europe

• See the northern lights in Iceland
• Strasbourg, Zurich, Heidelberg, Vienna, Tallinn, Prague , Colmar, Nuremberg, Glasgow
• Visit the North Pole in Finland
• Experience the Carnival of Venice , Italy (40 days before Easter)
• Sip on mulled wine in Berlin
• Escape the winter in the Canary Islands, Spain

March, April, May

Everything begins to thaw during the Spring in Europe. Winter lingers in Northern Europe into April, but many other places are experiencing the season in full bloom as more people get outside to enjoy the mild daytime weather.

This is one of the best times to visit Europe if you’re on a budget. It’s outside of the winter and summer holidays, and the temperatures are nearly ideal. Late April and May are good times to visit the south before the summer crowds.

Major events : Northern Lights (multiple countries), St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland), Easter (multiple countries), and various Flower Festivals (multiple countries).

If you’re planning on visiting during this season, note that some hotels, venues, and attractions are still closed for the winter due to low demand, so your options may be limited.

• Western Europe : temperatures increase going into the season, ranging from 5-15°C (41-59°F); snow is still melting in mountainous regions while valleys have mild days, late spring showers can be expected.
• Central Europe : expect typical springtime weather averaging 8-16°C (46-60°F); irregular seasons that can have dramatic shifts in weather day to day.
• Southern Europe : The beginning to end of the season averages 15-25°C (59-77°F); rain decreases and it mirrors summer by May.
• Northern Europe : much of this region sits around 1-11°C (33-51°F) until May; temperatures and rain vary depending on Gulf Stream influences and latitude.

Spring months at a glance:

• March welcomes the beginning of spring with longer daylight hours. It’s still relatively cold and wet across Europe, with snow only falling in the higher elevations. It’s another cheap time to visit with good flight and accommodation deals.
• April brings full-blown spring to the east and west. Parts of the north are still defrosting, while the south is starting to feel like summer. Chances of rain and cold fronts are lower, but not unexpected, so bring layers. 
• May has pleasant and warm weather that’s perfect for getting outside before the hot summer months. If you’re headed east, it’s on the wetter side this month, and the south basically feels like summer. 

Best places to visit during spring in Europe

• Paris, France : for fewer crowds and cherry blossoms
• Barcelona, Spain : for favorable weather
• Budapest, Hungary : for spring festivals
• Montenegro : for nice weather and fewer crowds
• Bruges & Brussels : for wildflowers, cherry blossoms, and Easter
• Norway : for fjord cruises and rushing waterfalls
• London, England : cheaper prices, fewer crowds, and drier weather

Best things to do during spring in Europe

• See the Dutch tulip fields in Keukenhof, Netherlands (mid-April)
• Walk the Camino de Santiago
• Experience the cherry blossoms in Bonn, Germany (late March to end of April)
• Explore the Venice canals
• Watch the F1 Grand Prix in Monaco (late May or early June)
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland (March)

Best time to visit Europe in our opinion…

In our opinion, the best time to visit Europe depends on what you prefer to do. 

If you plan to explore coastal regions, relax on the beach, and soak up the sun, summer is the best time of year to visit. Note, this is the most popular time to visit almost everywhere in Europe, so expect hot weather, high prices, and crowds.

If you want milder weather and fewer crowds, but still want access to virtually everything in Europe, visit during spring (March to May) or fall (September and October).

If hiking and exploring the outdoors is your goal, July through September is best, as you’ll have the best chances of dry weather and maximum daylight.

For snow sports, holiday markets, and budget travel, visit Europe in the winter from November to February, outside of holidays.

You may also like…

• Best Cities to Visit in Europe
• Why You Should Visit Eastern Europe Now
• Places to Visit in Eastern Europe You Can’t Miss
• Travel Insurance: Never Travel Without This!

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We want to hear from you!

After reading through this article, have you decided on the best time to visit Europe for YOU? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!

Comments (2) on “ Best Time to Visit Europe: When to Go & When to Avoid! ”

Great blog you guys! Great information in here. I plan on going to Europe next year and I was curious to know when it would be the best time to visit and you guys have everything I needed to know and more! Thanks for the suggestions on what to do as well.

I think May-June Or September -October Is best time for travel Europe

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When is the best time to visit Europe?

• Month-by-month

The best time to visit Europe is from late March to early June (spring), or between September and November (fall). You’ll avoid the busy summer period and see your money go further.

Vibrant Easter celebrations across southern Europe create a particularly interesting time to visit, while a September or October trip will coincide with the grape harvest.

However, Europe makes a good year-round destination. Northern Europe is generally warm and dry between May and September, while farther south, temperatures can reach 97°F between July and August.

Winter in northern Europe is cool and wet, while the south is mild, making it a good time to explore the cities.

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Month-by-month guide for traveling in Europe

Visiting Europe in January

The mild Mediterranean winter is a good time to visit the cities of Southern Europe. You’re rewarded with quieter streets and museums, better value for money and availability, and less waiting in line to enter popular attractions. Although temperatures are cooler, and some regional attractions may have limited opening hours, the sense of seeing a city at a more relaxed time more than compensates.

Events & Festivals

• In Iceland, chances of seeing the northern lights are best between November and February, when the sun sets before 6pm and the nights are longest.
• The Icelandic Þorrablót winter festival is celebrated from mid-January to mid-February. Þorrablót is an old pagan festival originally celebrated by Iceland’s early settlers over 1,000 years ago. Revived in the 1800s, it brings local people together to eat, drink, dance and sing traditional songs.

Visiting Europe in February

In February, much of Southern Europe gears up for a pre-Lent party with carnivals in many cities, such as Nice and Venice. Temperatures are still cool, and some attractions may be closed or have reduced opening hours, but many make exceptions for carnival time when they open for special events during the large-scale local festivities.

• Europe’s largest carnival is held in Nice over two weeks in February, when the city erupts in a series of parades, dancing and flower battles.
• Expect elaborate masks and costumes, masquerade balls and full-on revelry at the Carnival of Venice held in the two weeks before Lent.

Visiting Europe in March

By March, temperatures are beginning to warm up in Southern Europe, though there may still be some rain. Depending on when Easter falls, you can find elaborate celebrations for Holy Week (the week before Easter) taking place. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, 17th March sees parades and plenty of street parties for the national feast of Saint Patrick’s Day.

• Holy Week is a time for religious processions across Spain and, to a lesser extent, in Portugal and Italy.
• Saint Patrick’s Day on 17th March is the culmination of week-long celebrations in Dublin.

Visiting Europe in April

Spring blooms, warmer temperatures and generally blue skies arrive in Southern Europe in April, at a time when most hotels re-open and attractions switch to summer opening hours. Although Northern Europe is a little further behind, the weather is drier and warmer than earlier in the year, as the days become noticeably longer. You might also catch Holy Week celebrations across Southern Europe in the week before Easter.

• If Holy Week falls in April, you’ll see religious processions in many Spanish cities, as well as in Portugal, and Italy and Greece.
• The Istanbul Tulip Festival, running from April into May, pays homage to one of Turkey’s most cherished flowers.
• Seville’s annual fair in the two weeks after Easter, brings carnival rides and dancing to the Spanish city.

Visiting Europe in May

By May, Europe’s gardens are looking their best, bright blooms cascade from window boxes and the summer crowds are yet to arrive, in one of the best months to visit Europe. Southern Europe is pleasantly warm, making it a good time for exploring historic sites or cities, while Northern Europe, though cooler, has long days and generally settled weather.

• The Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Horticultural Society’s biggest event of the year, takes place in London in late May.
• The Reykjavík Arts Festival takes place for three weeks each year in May or June. This is a major event in the capital that invites hundreds of artists from around the world to showcase their work.
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur Chamber Music Festival takes place in the summer (month varies) in southern Iceland, on a magnificent lava-field landscape.

Visiting Europe in June

Clear blue skies and rising temperatures see the beach towns of Southern Europe burst into action. It’s a good time to tour the Mediterranean, laze on a Greek island or explore major cities without the summer crowds. In Northern Europe, daylight stretches long into the evening, temperatures are pleasant and, ahead of schools breaking up, attractions are generally quieter.

Visiting Europe in July

Higher temperatures, long hours of sunshine and the school summer break signal July as the start of Europe’s busiest travel season, with larger numbers of visitors across Europe. The lavender fields in Provence are at their best, and beachgoers are rewarded with glorious sunshine. Many festivities and events take place, including concerts in historic buildings.

• On 14th July, Bastille Day, the French national holiday is celebrated across the country with military parades, fireworks and concerts.
• Open-air performances and concerts take place in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, and in Sicily’s Greek theaters in Syracuse and Taormina.
• The Palio, a historic horse race between the city’s contrade (districts), takes place in Siena on 2nd July.

Visiting Europe in August

It’s holiday season in Europe, with many locals flocking to the beaches to escape the heat inland, particularly in the south. Much of France closes down for the month, and the Mediterranean beaches and cities can feel crowded. Northern Europe is quieter, and the fair weather and long days make it a good time to explore England, Scotland and Ireland.

• The Palio, a historic horse race between the city’s contrade (districts), takes place in Siena on 16th August.
• The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest arts festival with comedy, dance and theater performances held over three weeks in August.
• Menningarnótt (Culture Night) is celebrated in Reykjavík in August. This is a major event, with roads closing for street performers and fireworks in the evening.
• Fiskidagurinn Mikli (Great Fish Day) takes place on the first or second Saturday of August in the fishing village of Dalvík, in north Iceland. This is a big social event, with outdoor seafood buffets, and free fish soup offered in locals’ homes.
• Síldarævintýri (Herring Adventure Music Festival) is hosted in the town of Siglufjörður, in north Iceland, over the early August public holiday. In the past, the festival has featured a broad range of Icelandic music, from folk singing to Sigur Rós.

Visiting Europe in September

As schools go back, temperatures decrease and the summer crowds dissipate, September proves a great time to visit Europe. The temperatures are still pleasant, the sea is at its warmest, and there are fewer people at major attractions and on the coast. It’s also harvest time, with food festivals and events celebrating the wine, cheese, truffles, oysters and olives of the region.

• The Regata Storica takes place in Venice on the first Sunday in September, with gondola races, gondoliers in traditional dress and waterborne pageantry.
• The grape harvest begins across Southern Europe toward the end of September, and some wineries invite visitors to see the process take place.

Visiting Europe in October

Cooler temperatures make October a good time to visit the cities and explore on foot. Seasonal foliage brings the countryside to life, and regional harvests and their associated festivals continue. While the south is pleasantly warm by day, nights are cooler. By the end of the month, Northern Europe is noticeably colder and wetter but can still see periods of warm, settled weather.

• Held on the first Saturday in October, Nuit Blanche (White Night) is an all-night arts festival in Paris, where museums and galleries stay open, and street performances and art installations liven up public squares.

Visiting Europe in November

November is one of the quietest months of the year to travel to Europe. Many hotels and attractions close, and cooler temperatures lead to far fewer visitors on the streets. It’s also a time when you can benefit from better value on flights and hotel reservations. Major museums, galleries and historic sites are quieter, and you can photograph Europe’s landmarks at their most tranquil.

Visiting Europe in December

Christmas dominates the European cultural calendar in December, as festive markets and lights brighten up the cities. Although rural areas are much quieter, the countryside under a dusting of frost or snow can look magical in the north. New Year’s celebrations are another good reason to visit, when you’ll experience street parties and fireworks in most major cities.

• In the 13 days before Christmas in Iceland, troll-like Jólasveinar (‘Yule lads’) are said to visit children one-by-one in the days leading up to Christmas. Formerly, they tried to play tricks on people, but now they leave children small gifts. You might see the Jólasveinar projected onto buildings in Reykjavík, and they visit some hotels to leave small tokens for guests.
• New Year’s Eve is the biggest party of the year in Iceland, when bonfires and fireworks are lit, and Icelanders gather to share the warmth and sing. Belief in elves (huldufólk) is widespread in the country and they’re said to be most active at New Year, so it’s common for Icelanders to reference them in songs at this time of year.
• New Year’s Eve celebrations (Hogmanay in Scotland) see London, Paris and Edinburgh lit up with fireworks and festivities.

Our recommendations for when to visit Europe

• Not recommended
• Winter season

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Home » Europe » Best Time to Visit Europe – MUST READ • 2024 Guide

Best Time to Visit Europe – MUST READ • 2024 Guide

You have not travelled until you have traveled in Europe. The rich history, variety of cultures and natural abundance make Europe a rightfully highly popular travel destination.

This wealth of sites to see reaches from the highest peaks of the Alps to the idyllic coastline of the Mediterranean. Explore. It spans the architectural wonderment of Barcelona, the artistic riches of Renaissance Florence, and thriving vibrant cities like London and Paris.

The real beauty of a trip to Europe is that distinctly different destinations are within easy reach of each other. A vast network of train routes crisscrosses the continent making it almost effortless to get around. Not to mention that you watch the changing landscape as you make your way.

But with, very distinct seasons, you may be wondering WHEN should you visit Europe? Choosing the best time to visit Europe that checks all your boxes.

This guide will hopefully illuminate the finer details of the various seasons in Europe and the experience that they offer.

Best Time To Visit Europe – April and May, September and October

Best Time To Go To London – April and May, September and October

Best Time To Go Interrailing – Autumn (September and October)

Best Time To Go To Paris  – September and October

Best Time For Sightseeing – Spring (April, May)  and Autumn (September, October)

Cheapest Time To Visit Europe – January

When is the Best Time to Go to Europe?

When to visit europe – a month-by-month breakdown, faq about the best time to visit europe, final thoughts on the best time to visit europe.

Europe covers a vast area of varied landscapes, so picking the best time to take a trip to Europe isn’t quite as simple as picking a season. There can be large variations, say, between northern and southern Europe that might impact your decisions.

The general rule of thumb is that high summer (between May and August) is the best time to go for hot weather and long days, but will come at a premium as this is the most popular time to visit. Expect long queues, crowded attractions, and higher costs.

In many European countries, August is a holiday month for locals which means that cities are often inundated with tourists, but also that some attractions and businesses are closed altogether. Do bear this in mind.

Winter is significantly more affordable, but it’s cold and mostly wet (sometimes even snowy) and the daylight hours are short. It does mean that you’ll avoid the crowds though. The exception at this time would be the ski resorts and lodges as this is their peak.

Spring and autumn are generally seen as the Goldie Locks seasons where it’s not too hot, or too cold. This is the best time to visit Europe when there aren’t too many other tourists, and prices are not as high as during the peak season. 

Northern Europe experiences much cooler temperatures all round. Their summers are shorter and cooler, and their winters freezing. Even if you visit in high summer, it’s advisable to pack for all seasons.  Of course, the Nordic countries also make very popular winter destinations on account of their picture perfect wintry landscapes – if you want to know we have an epic Scandinavia Backpacking Guide on this incredible site.

Southern Europe offers milder winters and hot, humid summers which attract hordes of tourists to the idyllic beaches along the Mediterranean. Eastern Europe can get very hot during the summers but this doesn’t preclude the occasional shower. 

Western Europe is popular in the hot summer months, attracting crowds of tourists, while in the winter, the ski resorts are busiest. The major business centers and big cities don’t see dramatic seasonal fluctuations in costs as they’re busy (and pricey) all year round.

Finally, if you fancy taking a trip around Eastern Europe , then note that the winters can be seriously frigid so do prepare.

Best Time to Go to London

London is a vibrant metropolis that is great to visit at any time of year. The weather in London has a reputation for being rainy and miserable, and while you can expect rain throughout the year, it isn’t as constant as you’ve been lead to believe. 

Summers in London are warm and mild, rarely getting stiflingly hot. It’s peak season, so expect crowds of other tourists and elevated pricing. If you’re willing to brave the crowds, you’ll be rewarded by a variety of festivals and outdoor events. The sun sets as late as 10:00 PM so you’ll have plenty of time to explore before it gets dark. 

If you’re wanting to visit Buckingham Palace or any of the Royal residences, the summer months are the time to visit. Tours are only available when the Royals are away on their summer holidays which usually occur between late June and September. The popular Changing of the Guard only takes place between April and July. 

The winters in London are cold, damp, and rainier than in the summer. The prices are lowest at this time of year, and the tourist numbers are fewer, but there aren’t as many events as in the warmer months. It’s a great time of year to catch a show on the West End and visit the many museums and galleries, particularly in January and February. 

The shoulder seasons of spring (March and April) and autumn (September and October) are arguably the better times to visit. These seasons offer mild and pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and some good deals on London accommodation and flights. Springtime is my personal favorite season in the UK.

Best Time to Go to Paris

Paris is an extremely popular destination. As such, it’s rarely ever not inundated by large numbers of tourists packing out the top Parisian attractions.

The summer months, between May and July, are the busiest times. During this period, tourists and backpackers flock to Paris , so expect large queues and longer waiting times at all the major sites. In August, locals head off on their summer holidays, leaving the city to the tourists. This is a mixed blessing – whilst it is a bit quieter, some business are closed and the city does lose a bit of authenticity.

The summer season offers a wide range of events, festivals, and concerts, as well as sporting events such as the Tour de France and the French Open tennis tournament.

Winter is slower in Paris, fewer visitors and lower prices make it more appealing to travelers. However, the weather at this time is cold, grey and wet, and certain attractions won’t be operating at all. 

The Eiffel Tower is heavily weather dependant – the winter months are a bit hit-and-miss for a trip to the top as the view may be obscured by clouds. Festive markets and décor cover the city at this time, as do skating rinks, completing the holiday wonderland. 

Spring and autumn offer mild weather and off-peak pricing. Tourist numbers are high but not as overwhelming as during the high summer. The many city parks and gardens are at their best from spring until late October when they transform into their autumn shades. 

Best Time to Go to Interrailing

An Interrail or Eurorail pass is a ticket that allows travelers to explore Europe by train and ferry. Choose a single country to explore or purchase a Global Pass that covers 31 countries for a predetermined duration of up to three months.

This mode of getting around is highly recommended if you plan to travel extensively through multiple countries without planning too long in advance. An Interrail pass also offers travelers reduced rates at other participating business which include selected hostels.

The pass does cover night trains, which are a great way to cover long distances so you don’t waste precious daylight travelling instead of seeing the sights.

The best months for Interrailing would be the spring and autumn months when the trains aren’t overcrowded, and the major attractions aren’t inundated with other tourists. It’s also not as hot at these times.

The summer months can be expensive, crowded, and the trains can be stifling. The cold winter weather makes travel at this time much less appealing. Although, it’s much cheaper to travel in the colder months and much less crowded.

FYI – one pretty good alternative to Interrail is taking a trip on Flixbus – they cover a fair bit of Europe.

Best Time for Sightseeing in Europe

Europe, and its many attractions, is a year-round destination that’s perennially popular with tourists from around the world. 

This means there’s rarely a time in the year when there aren’t tourists visiting the many museums, galleries, monuments, and historic sites. There are, however, times when the crowds are significantly larger. 

This usually falls over the peak summer months between May and August. If you’re visiting at this time, you’ll be blessed with excellent warm weather and long days ideal for sightseeing. 

But, you won’t be doing it without long queues and having to shoulder your way through crowds of other tourists. There’s also a cost implication of traveling at this time. 

Conversely, winter is cheaper and offers relief from the crowds and queues, but your sightseeing may be cut short by adverse weather and earlier sunsets. It’s likely to be cold and grey and rainy. 

Of course, the harshness of the winters increases the further north you travel. You may also find shorter operating hours at attractions, or that they’re closed altogether for maintenance. 

Spring and autumn offer a sweet spot in terms of weather – this is arguably the best time to visit Europe. Sightseeing at this time is quieter, the weather is mild, and you can still snag the occasional bargain on accommodation and flights. 

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Cheapest Time to Go to Europe

Because Europe is such a firm favorite destination for travelers, it can be quite a costly destination to visit. Of course, planning your visit around the peak summer seasons can help you to find a good deal.

The cheapest time to go to Europe is during the winter. Between November and March, accommodation and flight deals are easier to come by. You can, if you’re bold enough, wait until the very last minute to snag some even bigger deals on accommodation and flights.

The same strategy is not advised for travel during the peak season. For peak season travel, it’s best to book well in advance.

Busiest Time to Visit Europe

Depending on where in Europe you’re heading, the busiest time is generally the summertime. The months between May and August attract the most tourists, resulting in higher pricing and longer queues. 

August is generally when Europeans enjoy their summer vacations, so the Mediterranean coastline can see an influx, of not just tourists, but locals too. Accommodation can be hard to come by, and will certainly come at a premium. 

With most locals departing the cities in droves during August, you would be forgiven for thinking that this would result in the cities being less crowded. Instead, this is when the tourists really descend on the cities, meaning even longer wait times and large bustling crowds devoid of the local personality and charm. 

Most festivals, celebrations, concerts, and sports events take place in Europe during the summer months, so if you’re planning to attend, it’s best to book your travels well in advance. 

The winter months are usually quieter, however, the Christmas and New Year holidays can see a spike in visitor numbers. If you’re planning on a ski trip in the mountains, the months between December and March are the busiest. 

Northern Europe, particularly Finland, Sweden and Norway, will see a spike in the winter months (October to March) as tourists come to experience the magical northern lights and soak up the winter wonderland vibes. Of course, some other European winter destinations also see a spike.

Wexather in Europe

Overall, Europe’s weather is mild and temperate. But, because of the various topographies that make up this continent, it can vary dramatically from one place to another. 

For this reason, it’s easier to split Europe into broader regions and take an average, specifically when talking about the weather. 

Northern Europe experiences a cooler climate with dramatic variations between winter and summer. Generally, the winters are long and harsh. In the sub-arctic far north, winter is extremely dark with only a few hours of daylight. The summers are lovely and mild, if a little long in the coming. The days are long, sometimes extremely so in places such as Iceland.

Western Europe features a pleasant sub-tropical climate with plenty of moisture. The winters are cold and wet, while the summers are mild and humid. Precipitation isn’t seasonal and can occur at any time of year.

Southern Europe features a classic Mediterranean climate – hot and dry summers ideal for a beach holiday between May and July. The winters are mild and wet.

In Central and Eastern Europe, winters are colder with higher precipitation and more chances for snow. The summers here can get very hot. In fact, when I was backpacking the Balkans in May 2019 I was taken aback by the sheer heat.

Where is the Best Weather in Europe?

When it comes to sightseeing and travelling around Europe, the best weather usually falls over the spring and the autumn periods. These times are characterised by milder weather and can still offer relief from the high season price spikes, and are regarded by many as the best time to visit Europe.

That said, the northern countries in Europe experience spring conditions slightly later than countries further south, and similarly, autumn settles in a lot earlier too. The winters here are bitterly cold and dark, and the summers, while short, are lovely and mild. Countries in the far north typically have a very short tourist season as a result.

If you’re planning to visit museums and galleries, then the winter months are ideal. In addition, you won’t be waiting in long queues or fighting your way through jostling crowds of tourists at this time. Accommodation and flight prices are significantly cheaper during the winter too.

The exception here would be the ski resort and anywhere further north that offers tourists the chance to see the northern lights. In these instances, the winter months are the peak season.

A Mediterranean beach holiday is recommended for the spring and the autumn periods rather than the high summer. August in particular is very busy along the southern coast of Europe when tourists and locals descend upon resort towns and beaches.

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Festivals in Europe

With the rich cultural heritage of the countries throughout Europe, there’s no shortage of commemorative days, festivals, and celebrations throughout the year. Europeans also love to get outdoors during the summer months, so you can expect a flurry of music concerts, food and drink festivals, and just about any excuse to have a good time in the fresh air.

• Carnevale, Italy :

This last hoorah before the sombre religious observance of Lent is held in Venice each year, usually in February. The cobbled streets are overrun with costumed, masked revelers having a grand time despite the less-than-balmy weather at this time of year. 

• White Night, Russia:

This annual summer festival is held in Saint Petersburg. The city’s location within the arctic circle means that the summer months are characterised by ‘white nights’. The nights at this time of year never get fully dark as the sun barely dips below the horizon, thus the skies seem white and dusky instead of dark. 

Celebrations are held to make the most of the extended twilight and include balls, music concerts, carnivals, and firework displays. 

• Roskilde Festival, Denmark :

A popular rock festival, the largest of its kind in northern Europe, takes place over June and July annually. Featuring top rock bands from around the world and attracting an eclectic mix of international partygoers, Roskilde is a highlight on the European summer music festival calendar. 

• Bastille Day, France :

A celebration of national unity and patriotism at its best. French towns and cities burst into celebration with street parades, balls, processions, and fireworks displays, not to mention loads of that famous French food and wine. 

• Notting Hill Carnival :

The Notting Hill Carnival i s the largest outdoor carnival in Europe. With roots dating back to the late ’60s, the carnival is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean music, culture, and food. 

The carnival takes place over two days annually and highlights the West Indian community in Britain. 

• Oktoberfest, Germany :

The legendary Oktoberfest is held annually in Munich. Contrary to what the name would have you believe, the festival actually begins in mid-September and concludes in early October. 

Tourists from all over the world come to attend the celebrations and raise a stein or two (or three or more) of beer at this authentically German party.  FYI – There are plenty of other similar autumn beer festivals in Germany that are cheaper, quieter and perhaps more authentic. 

• Christmas Markets:

Over the Christmas holiday period, festive markets spring up right across Europe. Many are renowned and attract visitors from far and wide, in particular, those in Germany and Austria, as well as the Czech Republic.  Christmas in Europe is particularly a magical time to visit.

These festive markets are a great place to pick up gifts or simply get into the spirit of the season. 

You probably have an idea of when you’d like to visit Europe, but if you’re still in two minds, this month-by-month breakdown might help you weigh up the time of year that best fits your schedule, your budget, and your preferences in terms of crowds and climate.  

Europe in January

January is generally the coldest month of the year in Europe. As a consequence, it’s also the cheapest time to visit, and far less crowded. 

Northern Europe experiences snow and freezing temperatures as well as very short daylight hours, sometimes as little as only five hours of daylight. Temperatures only occasionally rise about 0°C.

January is much milder in southern Europe, with temperatures never really dipping below zero. Rainfall is common but the snow only falls in the mountains. 

This is the best time of year to hit the slopes for a skiing holiday at a reasonable cost before the peak ski season hits in February. 

Europe in February

Temperatures and daylight increase steadily throughout February. It’s still fairly uncrowded and affordable to travel at this time unless you’re planning to go skiing. 

The weather is still cold and rainy across most of Europe, warming significantly the further south you travel. In southern Europe, the sun is making more of a regular appearance, while snow is still expected in the north.

Europe in March

Daylight savings kicks in across all of Europe, so the days will feel significantly longer. 

In northern Europe during March, things are warming up, with snow only falling at the higher elevations. 

Eastern and Western Europe start to feel the first stirrings of spring. The mercury can reach highs on average of around 10°C, and there’s still a chance of rain. In the south of Europe, lovely warm weather can be expected, with highs reaching into the high teens. 

This is a good time to travel, especially in the south, as the weather is pleasant, other tourists are fewer, and you can find good deals on accommodation and flights. 

Europe in April

Spring makes its presence felt in the northern countries of Europe. Temperatures reach highs of around 10°C, making it less unpleasant to be out of doors. There’s still the chance of light rain, and it’s probably best to dress in layers. 

The Mediterranean region starts to feel distinctly summery, with warm weather and reduced rainfall. This comfortable weather makes it ideal to travel at this time. But, along with the mercury, visitor numbers are also rising. 

Eastern and Western Europe are enjoying full-blown spring. Temperatures are in the mid-teens, days are lovely and long, and there aren’t too many other visitors. Rain can still be expected, so pack some warmer items. 

Europe in May

Over most of Europe, May is characterised by weather that is pleasant and warm, but not too hot. Sunny skies are plentiful, although not without the occasional shower.

Northern Europe finally feels like spring, with temperatures climbing to the mid-teens. Southern Europe is feeling more like summer than spring, with average temperatures reaching the high 20s. 

The eastern and western regions of Europe are not as warm as the south, but offer mild, pleasant weather with the occasional cooler day in between. Eastern Europe is rainier at this time, so make sure to pack for all seasons. 

Because the weather is improving, tourist numbers are beginning to swell, and prices start their climb to their peak summer highs. Any outdoor pursuits, like hiking and cycling, are best enjoyed in May before it gets too hot.  

Europe in June

The peak summer season is characterised by warm weather, higher tourist numbers, and elevated pricing. 

The southern parts of Europe will experience hot weather, averaging at around 30°C, but with high humidity that can make it feel much hotter. It’s mostly hot and sunny and busy with tourists.

In the east, the temperatures are milder, averaging around 24°C with the occasional downpour to cool things off. The weather is more variable in the west, with more rain likely, and milder temperatures.

The northern regions are warming up, with highs reaching the 20s. It can still get cloudy, rainy and cool, so pack some warmer items.  

Europe in July

July is warm and sunny across the board, with temperatures increasing dramatically the further south you go. The Mediterranean region will see temperatures in the low 30s, while the far northern regions will peak in the low 20s. 

Rainfall should be expected in the eastern and western countries – bring a light jacket as it can still get quite chilly. 

If you’re traveling at this time, you’ll pay peak season rates for flights and accommodation. You’re also likely to spend a fair amount of time in queues and shouldering your way through crowds of other tourists. 

Europe in August

Traditionally, August is when Europeans take their summer vacations. Schools are closed and locals head to coastal regions for a beach break. 

Along the Mediterranean coastal lodgings will come at a premium, and beaches will be packed to capacity with tourists and locals in their droves. The now-vacated cities fill up with tourists jostling each other in the stifling heat for a glimpse of attractions.

In northern Europe, tourists are flocking to make the most of the very short tourist season while the weather is pleasant and mild. 

The east and west are a mixed bag of lovely warm days and rainy ones.  

Europe in September

The European school holidays are over, locals return to the cities, and life returns to normal. This is also when most tourists head home and temperatures start to become milder again. 

This is the best time to visit Europe as the weather is still great, but the crowds are thinning and prices returning to normal. 

Autumn starts to settle in, especially in the north where daylight hours start to decrease significantly. Rain is common in the north at this time, as well as in the east and west. The south remains warm and dry. 

Europe in October

The weather in October is cooling noticeably. Daylight savings ends towards the end of the month. Tourist numbers continue to decline resulting in some great offers on accommodation and flights. 

Maximum temperatures in the north reach the low-teens, while in the south, the mercury still reaches the mid-20s. Overall, the weather in Europe in October is variable, with sunny days punctuated by rainy, cooler weather. 

Eastern and Western Europe are still quite mild, but not as warm as the south. Rain is frequent and nights can get quite cool.  

This is also the start of the Northern Lights season i n the Nordic territories.

Europe in November 

The grey skies of winter settle in throughout Europe. Shorter days, colder temperatures and higher rainfall mean relief from high tourist numbers. The winter months can mean shorter operating hours at main attractions, as well as closures for maintenance. 

The south offers much milder winter conditions, while in the north the mercury is dropping steeply towards the single digits and below. Rain is common, with snow falling in certain regions. 

High rainfall and single-digit temperatures are common in the eastern and western countries of Europe. 

Europe in December

Cold, wet, and grey weather is common across most of Europe in December. The days are short, but the nights are largely lit up by festive décor.  Christmas cabins in Europe are obviously a vibe.

Tourism picks up slightly over this period, so you may see a rise in the number of tourists and in pricing. 

It’s bitterly cold in the north with temperatures rarely reaching as high as 0°C. Snow is common. Higher elevations across Europe will see snow, but generally, precipitation falls as rain. 

Eastern and southern Europe will see milder temperatures, reaching the mid-teens, with the occasional sunny but chilly day.  

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When is the Best Time to Visit Paris

Paris is the quintessential year-round destination, offering something for everyone at any time of the year. Choosing the best time to go to Paris will depend largely on what you’d like to experience when you’re there.  Ideally, spring (March and April) and autumn (September and October) offer mild weather that’s perfect for outdoor exploring. Because this isn’t peak season, and there aren’t hordes of other tourists, you might be able to pick up a great deal on accommodation.   While summer offers great weather and a host of outdoor festivals and celebrations, it’s peak season, so prices will reflect that. Add to that the influx of large numbers of tourists, and it can get quite unpleasant.  If you’re planning to visit the myriad museums and galleries, winter is a great time to do this. Yes, the weather is cold and rainy, but the city is blissfully devoid of large crowds of tourists, long queues, and higher prices. 

When is the Rainy Season in Europe?

Europe encompasses over 50 countries falling within a number of climatic zones, so the rainy seasons differ from region to region.  Generally, rain can be expected throughout the year. The southern regions of Europe experience distinct seasonality with regards to rainfall, with summers being much drier than anywhere else in Europe. The highest rainfall can be expected over the winter months between October and January. Western Europe is impacted by warm ocean currents bringing moisture and so precipitation can fall throughout the year. The rainiest months are March and June.  In the east, the most rain falls over October and December, while in the north the highest rainfall is in June, August, and October.

When is the Coldest Month in Europe?

December and January are the coldest months throughout much of Europe. Of course, the severity of that cold increases with the latitudes, so the further north you go, the colder it gets.  While southern Europe rarely drops below zero at this time, the northern regions rarely peak above zero. This means being outdoors in the south is fairly chilly, but in the north, it’s uncomfortably cold and requiring warm gear.  In the east and west of Europe, the temperatures peak in the single digits (Celsius) and are usually accompanied by rain and grey skies.  The colder months are the best time to visit Europe for museum-hopping, gallery visits, and theater. 

When is the Worst Time to Visit Europe?

Throughout most of Europe, August is a holiday time for locals. This means that cities become overrun with tourists, and coastal regions become crowded and expensive.  Of course, a peak season to visit (May to August) is always more expensive and much more crowded. If long queues in the heat aren’t your thing, then definitely plan to visit outside of this time. In northern Europe, the winter months are brutal. Some places only receive a few short hours of daylight, and it’s icy cold.  In the rest of Europe, the high summer months are the busiest and consequently can get very expensive. 

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Europe is such a varied and rewarding destination to visit. While some seasons are better than others for certain experiences or activities, generally you’re guaranteed a memorable time no matter when you choose to visit.

Planning well enough in advance for a peak season trip can help ensure you get the experience you’re wanting to have, and possibly save you some money in the process. Out of peak season, you may find some really good last-minute deals if you’re bold enough to hold out for them.

There’s no shortage of unique experiences to be had in Europe, and we’re confident that one trip will most certainly lead to more.

• Begin your travels by staying in one of  Europe’s best hostels .
• Plan your visit to France with our  backpacking France travel guide .
• Pack accordingly and properly using our  Europe packing list .
• Relax, recharge and reset at an  Airbnb in Lisbon .
• Head up north and visit one of  Scotland’s national parks .
• Prepare for your travels by getting a  sim card that works in Europe .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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The Backpacker Network

Best Time to Visit Europe: A Season by Season Guide

If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Europe, you’ll be pleased to learn that there isn’t really a bad time to go! 

Nonetheless, it’s smart to devise a prioritization system to figure out where to go and when. Separating destinations based on seasons, weather patterns, and your budget can help narrow things down, and knowing what to expect from different regions at different times of year will also help you choose where to go. 

To help you get started, we’ve outlined a season-by-season guide to Europe, with climate information, peak season mapping, and general information on what the best activities are in each season. 

Related: (opens in new tab)

• Top Festivals and Events in Europe
• Best Places to Backpack in Europe
• Cheapest European Cites

A Season by Season Guide to the Best Time to Visit Europe

Climate in europe.

The climate in Europe can vary wildly depending on where you go, from Arctic winter conditions in northern Norway to summertime in southern Spain, affectionately called ‘the frying pan of Europe’. 

Western and Eastern Europe generally have fairly temperate climates, though the inclusion of Russia can lead climate averages to skew a bit colder in Eastern Europe, and it also gets quite hot in the summer. 

Northern Europe can have very chilly winters for sure, but the summers are some of the best in the world: mild and breezy, optimal for outdoor activities. Conversely, Southern Europe can be a fantastic off-season destination due to its balmy winters but can be overwhelmingly hot in the summertime peak season.

While of course, it would be ideal to visit Europe when the weather is best, it’s not a coincidence that this is usually the most expensive time to visit. A winter visit is a great way to save some money, and in fact, winter in Europe may be comparable (or maybe even warmer!) to winter where you live. 

Even winters in Scandinavia aren’t quite so bad if you’re accustomed to some snow and ice back home. This can definitely be a case of rumors overstating the actual conditions, as temperatures often stay above freezing during the day and can feel quite mild if there’s no wind. 

Overall, if you’re concerned about being too hot or too cold, shoulder season is often the best time to maximize both budget and weather conditions. Most things are still open, but with fewer crowds and lower costs, and the weather hovers somewhere in the middle of the heat/cold spectrum. 

Relatedly, it merits mentioning that weather patterns are not as set in stone as they used to be. Wherever you choose to go, you’re much more likely to experience unanticipated weather due to climate change. 

This can mean warm days in the middle of winter, snow in early summer, or random thunderstorms during typically dry seasons… but it can also mean dizzying heatwaves and freak blizzards that can easily take a turn for the dangerous, as climate change has also led weather patterns to become much more intense in recent years.  

It’s best to be prepared for a variety of situations, and visitors to Southern Europe, in particular, should be prepared for fierce heat in the peak summer season. Be sure to stay hydrated, and remember that many Airbnbs or local accommodations may not have air conditioning! 

While becoming more of a necessity due to high temperatures, air-conditioned homes are still not a particularly common occurrence in Europe. This is definitely something to consider splurging on if you’re visiting in July or August!

Visiting Europe in Summer 

• Northern Europe Average Summer Temp: 13°C – 22°C (55°F – 72°F)
• Eastern Europe Average Summer Temp: 22°C – 27°C (55°F – 80°F)
• Southern Europe Average Summer Temp: 24°C – 38°C (75°F – 101°F)
• Western Europe Average Summer Temp: 20°C – 27°C (68°F – 80°F)

👉 Best European Destinations for Summer ☀️

Summer tends to be the favorite time for many to visit Europe due to across-the-board warm and sunny temperatures. This includes Europeans themselves who take advantage of regional tourism in July and August, as well as students and families on summer holidays around the world. 

There may also be some holidays that you aren’t familiar with during this time, such as celebrations of Corpus Christi in countries like the Netherlands and Germany . Keep in mind that most shops and restaurants will be completely closed on those days. 

Again, remember that Southern Europe (along with most of Western and Eastern Europe) gets very hot in the summer. This is a plus for those seeking sunshine and beach destinations, especially along the epic coastlines in Italy , Greece, the south of France, and Croatia.

It’s a great time for water sports like surfing or sailing, soaking up that vitamin D, and relaxing by the shore on the Côte d’Azur or ‘on island time’ in Mykonos or Ibiza. Outdoor pools and baths in Reykjavik and Budapest are a great way to spend an afternoon, and the cities come alive as well, with great opportunities for nightlife, outdoor dining, and picnics in local parks, lush and green with summer leaves. 

It’s a great time to see lavender fields in full bloom in Provence or the lesser-known (but equally gorgeous) sunflower fields in the Dordogne region in France. Edelweiss are in bloom in Switzerland and Austria in July, but remember that these only usually appear at high altitudes – perfect for hiking enthusiasts. 

There is a wide variety of multi-day, European music festivals in the summertime, like Sziget in Budapest, Glastonbury in the UK, or Tomorrowland in Belgium . Also look out for film festivals like Cannes or food and wine festivals, which take place all over the continent. 

However, for many, the heat can be a deterrent, and everyone traveling during peak season should be aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion. The UV rays can be intense for those sensitive to the sun, and it’s good to keep in mind that these temperatures are steadily rising – sometimes shattering records 100 years in the making. 

It’s not unusual for temperatures to surpass 40°C (104°F) in the southern parts of Greece and Spain, with Athens consistently clocking in as the continent’s hottest city. High temperatures and humidity can make outdoor activities like hiking extra-strenuous, or perhaps just a bit too sweaty to be fully enjoyable. 

Relatedly, peak season also means peak crowds! Expect to pay more for accommodation, dining, and activities, and to fight large crowds for everything you want to do, from museums to boat excursions or even just walking around an outdoor attraction like the Roman Forum or the Acropolis. It’s really worth getting up as early as you can before the sun is too high in the sky and to avoid the waves of tourists trying to do the same things you are. 

If you’re seeking to avoid the combination of peak crowds and peak heat, consider saving Southern Europe for a shoulder season visit (in fall or spring) and checking out Northern Europe in the summertime instead. The comparatively milder weather equals a hiker’s paradise, and the long hours of daylight make for great nightlife in cool urban locales like Stockholm, Helsinki, or Oslo. 

While the mosquitoes can be a bit vicious, the comparatively cooler temperatures make for a much more comfortable stay while still experiencing some of Europe’s best tourism options. Some areas of Scandinavia are actually only reachable in the summer, like parts of the Westfjords in Iceland , though it’s still a good idea to double-check that a given place is accessible before visiting.     

Visiting Europe in Autumn 

• Northern Europe Average Autumn Temp: -1°C – 15°C (30°F – 60°F)
• Eastern Europe Average Autumn Temp: 1°C – 21°C (33°F – 70°F)
• Southern Europe Average Autumn Temp: 15°C – 28°C (59°F – 82°F)
• Western Europe Average Autumn Temp: 13°C – 20°C (55°F – 68°F)

👉 Top European Destinations for Fall 🍂

Autumn is typically known as ‘shoulder season’ in Europe, sandwiching the peak summer season and the winter off-season. This is a great time to visit Europe! In many instances, you’ll find that you get the best of both worlds: prices are often lower, but the weather hasn’t gotten too chilly yet, and while some attractions have limited hours, they are largely still open. You may have to plan a bit in advance to make sure you can do what you want to do, but you’re unlikely to have any issues. 

In early autumn, swimming is still possible in warm places like Sicily, Sardegna, and Cyprus. Fans of fall foliage will love visiting the mountainous areas of the continent, like the Alps, Caucasus Mountains, or the Dolomites. Switzerland, Scotland, Slovenia, and Georgia, among other places, are also wonderful destinations to visit during autumn. 

If you’re not a fan of the heat, consider visiting hotspots like Paris, Athens, or London during the fall instead of the summer. Crowds will be fewer, and temperatures will be lower. Fall is said by many wine enthusiasts to be the best time to visit wineries, with a variety of harvest festivals occurring in European wine regions in Portugal, France, and Italy.    

One con of visiting in autumn is that several places, like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, can already start to get quite rainy and gray during this season. Relatedly, the sun will start to set progressively earlier after October, with sunsets well before 5pm in some places by November. 

However, packing layers can definitely mitigate this, especially a thin waterproof layer and comfortable shoes. It is also recommended that you check the forecast to plan indoor activities like museums for rainy days. If you visit before the time changes in October, it will still be light out until past 7 or so in the evening as well.  

Visiting Europe in Spring

• Northern Europe Average Spring Temp: 4°C – 10°C (39°F – 50°F)
• Eastern Europe Average Spring Temp: 11°C – 20°C (52°F – 68°F)
• Southern Europe Average Spring Temp: 15°C – 22°C (59°F – 72°F)
• Western Europe Average Spring Temp: 8°C – 20°C (46°F – 68°F)

👉 Amazing Destinations in Europe for Spring 🌸

Spring is also considered ‘shoulder season’ in Europe, preceding the peak summer season. Spring can offer the best bang for your buck in terms of weather and activities, with summer-adjacent temperatures, progressively later sunsets, and longer opening hours. 

Flower lovers will adore visiting Europe during bloom season, which, of course, occurs only in the springtime. Places like the world-famous Keukenhof tulip gardens in Lisse, Holland, cherry blossoms in Obidos, Portugal or Bonn, Germany, and wildflower valleys filled with poppies in Val d’Orcia, Tuscany all bloom between March and May. 

In April, festivals like the Feria de Sevilla and Zurich’s Sechseläuten take place, and courtyards and patios come alive in May for Fiesta de los Patios in Córdoba, Spain. Some hikers also love seeing the progress of the spring thaw in the mountains of Scandinavia, and while conditions can be a little muddy, spring is a great time for outdoor activities of that nature.   

Visiting in the springtime can have similar cons to an autumn visit – it can also be quite rainy, with somewhat unpredictable weather. It’s not at all uncommon to have a snowstorm here or there and blasts of wintry temperatures, or unseasonably warm temperatures as well. 

Again, packing layers is essential, especially that thin rain layer and something toasty for the evenings. The later in the spring you visit, the more stabilized temperatures and conditions often are (but not always).  

Visiting Europe in Winter 

• Northern Europe Average Winter Temp: -15°C – 4°C (5°F – 39°F)
• Eastern Europe Average Winter Temp: -4°C – 4°C (22°F – 39°F)
• Southern Europe Average Winter Temp: 10°C – 18°C (50°F – 65°F)
• Western Europe Average Winter Temp: 2°C – 12°C (35°F – 53°F)

Winter visits are a total gem, and are still somewhat under-the-radar which leads to cheaper airfare, among other things! With way fewer visitors around, you’ll have tourist hotspots all to yourself, which is always a perk when visiting popular European museums like the Louvre, the Prado, or the Vatican. Outdoor places with long wait times, like Saint Peter’s Basilica or the Mezquita de Córdoba, will be virtually empty, and you’re sure to have a much more relaxed visit, along with better photo opportunities. 

While not everything will be open, if you’re willing to be a bit flexible and plan ahead, Europe in winter is a fantastic destination. Most notably, keep in mind that many activities and transportation options, such as trains and water ferries, run on reduced schedules during the winter. Just be sure to buy tickets ahead of time and check opening times.

Things are often much cheaper in the wintertime, especially in terms of lodging and dining. Many restaurants in tourist hotspots, such as the lakes region in Italy or the French Riviera, will even have seasonal menus, with way cheaper prices for the same items in the winter. 

Also read: A Winter Guide to Visiting Lake Como, Italy.  

Winter is a more common time for local tourism, which results in a more laid-back and relaxed vibe, rather than the hustle and bustle of other seasons. While activities like swimming and sunbathing may be a no-go (unless you are particularly intrepid!), numerous winter activities take their place. 

The Alpine regions of Switzerland, France, and Italy have some of the best skiing in the world: a major bucket list item for a lot of folks. There are also options for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding available as well, or just relaxing in the quaint and picture-perfect lodges. You can go dog-sledding in Norway, ice fishing in Finland, and of course, the winter is statistically the best time to see the awe-inspiring Northern Lights throughout Northern Europe. 

Germany’s towns and villages are aglow with adorable Christmas markets and New Year festivals , and scorching summer destinations in Southern Europe, especially on islands like Ibiza or the Azores, are balmy and lovely this time of year. 

Much-reduced daylight is often a concern for those considering a winter visit, but there are ways to maximize this as well. You may have heard horror stories about places in Scandinavia only getting a few hours of daylight per day, but in most cases, these calculations only take hours of “full sunlight” into account. When you add in sunrise and sunset times, you’ll find that it’s not so bad after all – the sun is still out, it’s just not fully overhead yet. 

The only other thing to note is that February is often school break time, which leads many Europeans to seek a break from cold and gray winters in places like Tenerife or Mallorca. If you’re planning an island getaway, try to book flights and hotels well in advance. 

When to Visit Europe FAQs 

When is the high and low season in Europe?  

High season in Europe technically runs from June to September, with July and August being the busiest months. Keep in mind that many Europeans take extensive holidays in August, often to the same popular places you may be interested in visiting. 

Where is the hottest place in Europe?  

The hottest parts of Europe include much of the southern part of the continent, including places like Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Montenegro, Sardegna, and Greece. Athens is often ranked the hottest city in Europe, but Rome, Sevilla, and Podgorica are not far behind. 

Where is the coldest place in Europe?  

The coldest places in Europe are mostly in Scandinavia (Norway, Finland, Iceland) and Russia, with Russia definitely dominating the coldest cities list. 

Are there any hot European countries in December?  

December is a great time to visit Europe’s island locales, which are pretty reliably warm year-round. Some options include Madeira, the Canary Islands, or the Azores. If you prefer the mainland, the south of Spain and Portugal stay quite warm as well, including Lisbon, Málaga, and Córdoba. 

What are the rainiest countries in Europe? 

The wettest cities in Europe are Podgorica (Montenegro), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Tirana (Albania), in terms of total rainfall per year. However, keep in mind that countries like Scotland, Norway, and the Netherlands are known for fairly consistent drizzle in fall, winter, and spring, which may affect your day-to-day more than a downpour from time to time. 

When is it safest to visit Europe?

Europe is overall a remarkably safe continent to visit, no matter what time of year you go. However, dangerous weather events such as flooding, avalanches and mudslides can happen, especially in the winter months. Check out this list of the safest cities in Europe if you are worried.

Read more: What are the safest countries in Europe?

What is the cheapest month to travel to Europe?  

The cheapest time to travel to Europe is between January and March. Here, the winter holidays are over, but the spring weather hasn’t hit yet, which leads to significantly lower prices. Next-cheapest is between September and November, which is often called ‘shoulder season’. 

Top tip: Weekday flights (particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays) can also often be cheaper. 

Read more: What Are the Cheapest Countries in Europe to Visit? 

Ultimately, there is truly no bad time to visit Europe. Traveling in the low season may bring less favorable weather, but still comes with plenty of advantages: fewer crowds, cheaper accommodation, and ticket prices, and a more relaxed, ‘local’ vibe. 

While a few activities (like swimming or skiing) can be more seasonal, many bucket list destinations are doable year-round. As you prioritize where you’d like to visit most, it’s never a bad idea to see if it’s doable in the off-season. 

If what you’d like to do truly can only be done in peak season, planning ahead is your friend – try to book your flights 2-6 months ahead of time, and track prices on Google Flights or Hopper to get the best deals on airfare.

Tegan George & Alex McKenzie

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When is the Best Time to Visit Europe? (Not when you think!)

When is the best time to visit Europe? The answer is not one size fits all! Truthfully, Europe can be visited year-round and the time to travel to Europe depends on what you hope to do while you’re there and your travel style and budget.

Between the two of us, we have spent months traveling in Europe and have visited during all of the seasons.

Collectively, we’ve visited Europe 15 times and have spent time in 20 European countries. We both love Europe and each time we visit, realize we will spend our lifetimes exploring new places on each visit.

The traveling year in Europe is divided into three seasons for travelers: peak season, shoulder season, and off-season. Each one of these varies depending on what region you plan to visit.

What might be a high season for one country, can actually be a shoulder or a low season for another.

As you’ll quickly learn when you start planning your trip, each season varies from the other and offers its own pros and cons for travelers.

The best time to visit Europe will really come down to your own preference and the country you are visiting.

So, When is Your Best Time to Visit Europe?

Table of Contents

The short answer? Anytime is a good time to travel to Europe but for most people, the shoulder season will be the best time to visit.

We are lucky enough to have flexible jobs and lifestyles to pick when we discover Europe, others do not have that chance. You can easily travel to Europe 365 days a year and each season will offer different experiences and adventures.  

While we love to visit Europe in the summer, you cannot beat the weather, we openly admit the crowds are tough to deal with.

This makes early Fall, in our opinion, the best time to visit Europe. No matter when you decide to visit though, you’ll enjoy amazing sites and culture.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each season in Europe so you can figure out the best time to plan your trip.

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Europe (Travel Guide)

The Best Time to Visit Europe – Regional Breakdown

To break down the best time to visit Europe we have split the continent into 5 different regions including Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe.

Each region has its own best time to visit and even though you may be visiting Southern Europe in May or let’s say October because it’s the best time to visit, it does not mean it’s the best time to visit Eastern Europe.

Below we will highlight the different travel seasons based on high, low, and shoulder seasons hopefully giving you enough information on when is the best time for you to visit Europe to pick the best time for you.

Before we get into things we also want to highlight what it means when we say high season, shoulder season, or low season.

• High Season: This is when things are the busiest and things cost the most. 
• Shoulder Season: This is when tourism is just starting up again or it is slowing down. Things tend to be a little quieter and a little less expensive.
• Low Season: This is when tourism is at its slowest, there are fewer visitors, and things may cost less but not all attractions may be open.

The Best Time To Visit Northern Europe

Northern Europe is a lot like most of Europe – it is extremely popular to visit during the summer.

The weather is enjoyable, yes it can be hot, and it will be extremely busy everywhere but travelers who visit during this time of the year can take advantage of the long daylight hours and the nice weather.

We love to visit Northern Europe in the shoulder season because the weather is a little cooler and there are fewer travelers. It is also the best time to enjoy many of the outdoor activities across Northern Europe.

Winter in Northern Europe can be very cold, so if you are visiting Northern Europe in the winter, be sure to pack extra warm clothing.

Many locations adjust their hours to the shortened daylight hours and a few may even close their doors until spring.

Northern Europe Quick Highlight:

Northern Europe includes the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Luxembourg .

• High Season: June-August
• Low Season: November-April
• Shoulder Season: May, September-October

Average temperatures per season:

• Summer (June-August): High 22°C, Low 13°C
• Autumn (September-November): High 11°C, Low 6°C
• Winter (December-February): High 1°C, Low: -4°C
• Spring (March-May): High 11°C, Low 2°C

The Best Time To Visit Western Europe

Summer in Western Europe is when the weather is enjoyable, however, it is extremely busy. We strongly suggest booking everything several months in advance when traveling during the high season in Western Europe.

Traveling during the shoulder season is a shake of the dice, you could have amazing weather, or it could be wet and miserable.

If you’re willing to take the chance on the weather, the crowds in Western Europe start to thin out during the shoulder season.

Expect to get great deals on accommodation and flights during the off-season in Western Europe. 

Many tourist attractions and shows close down over the winter months during the off-season in Western Europe.

Beyond the Christmas Markets in December, it is not the most popular time to visit but people do. Honestly, January and February are probably the only times you can visit Western Europe and not deal with the crowds these days.

It is best to make sure if you have your heart set on something that you triple-check if it is running or that it is open during this time of the year

Western Europe Quick Highlight:

Western Europe includes England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland , Northern Ireland , and France.

• High Season: Mid-June-August
• Low Season: November-March
• Shoulder Season: April-Early June & September-October
• Summer (June-August): High 24°C, Low 14°C
• Autumn (September-November): High 14°C, Low 7°C
• Winter (December-February): High 5°C, Low 0°C
• Spring (March-May): High 14°C, Low 5°C

The Best Time To Visit Central Europe

Central Europe is one of those places where they get a full range of the four seasons throughout the year. Not everywhere in Europe gets that.

Just like all the other places in Europe, the weather during the summer is amazing making it a high season along with an added high season during the Christmas Market time of the year (middle of November- end of December).

Visiting Central Europe in the spring or fall will offer cooler weather in the early mornings and at night with the middle of the day being warm.

There will be fewer travelers in many of the popular cities during the shoulder season but expect wet or cool days.

During the winter months, the popular places in the summer flip from historic cities to mountainous ski villages.

Central Europe Quick Highlight:

Central Europe includes Germany , Switzerland, and Austria.

• High Season: June-August & End of November – December (Christmas Markets)
•  Low Season: January-April
• Shoulder Season: April-May & September to Early November

The Best Time To Visit Eastern Europe

Visiting Eastern Europe in the summer is extremely popular, summers are nice and warm. Many locals head out of town to the countryside to escape the extreme heat.

This makes even the most remote places busy besides the popular cities. We have found that on our last couple of visits, visiting Europe without crowds is more of a fantasy these days.

Traveling during the spring or fall is a great option since this is the shoulder season. Many visitors take advantage of this time of the year but keep in mind spring comes late in Eastern Europe and Fall comes early.

In Winter, the daylight hours are limited, and many popular places adjust their times due to the lack of travelers but also to match when the sun goes down.

So be sure to check all opening hours while visiting Eastern Europe during this time of the year. The weather can also be extremely unpredictable and cold during this time of the year, so make sure to pack warm clothing.

Eastern Europe Quick Highlight:

Eastern Europe includes Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, and Russia.

• High Season: July-August & End November – December
• Low Season: January-Early April
• Shoulder Season: Mid April-Mid June & September – October
• Summer (June-August): High 25°C, Low 14°C
• Autumn (September-November): High 13°C, Low 5°C
• Winter (December-February): High 0°C, Low:  -6°C
• Spring (March-May): High 14°C, Low 4°C

The Best Time to visit Southern Europe

One magical thing about Southern Europe is that it’s a great place to visit year-round. The problem is that means it’s harder for a traveler to take advantage of the seasons since the weather is always nice.

Summer in Southern Europe is stunning and that means lots of locals and tourists enjoy the weather.

This means large crowds and long queues everywhere, so we suggest taking the road less traveled and try finding yourself a hidden spot. The last time we visited Italy and Greece, though, this was very hard.

Both of these countries are absolutely bursting with tourists, and while I won’t say you shouldn’t go, definitely manage your expectations for both.

Shoulder season in Southern Europe can be as popular or busier than summer because the weather is a bit more enjoyable, you don’t get that extreme heat during this time of the year.

We love visiting Southern Europe during the spring and fall. There is bright green in the spring, with cooler mornings and nights.

During the fall it’s a bit dryer and is a great time to go hiking or enjoy the outdoors.

Winter in Southern Europe is amazing. Many big cities are quieter since locals and visitors head to the mountains for winter activities like skiing.

Southern Europe Quick Highlight:

Southern Europe includes Spain, Portugal, Italy , and Greece.

• High Season: Mid June – September
• Low Season: October – March
• Shoulder Season: April – Early June
• Summer (June – August): High 30°C, Low 17°C
• Autumn (September – November): High 20°C, Low 10°C
• Winter (December – February): High 7°C, Low 0°C
• Spring (March-May): High 18°C, Low 7°C

Best Time to Visit Europe – Seasonal Breakdown

Visiting europe during the summer.

Arguably, visiting during the summer is one of the best times to visit Europe. This also makes it the peak season running from mid-June to late August.

With iconic monuments, sunny weather, and long days all added together this time of year, it’s no wonder that travelers flock to Europe in the summer.

It goes without saying that you can expect large crowds of travelers and temperatures high enough to melt that scrumptious scoop of gelato right off the cone. 

Expect long lines, full restaurants, and photographs with lots of people in them. These things alone can make traveling during peak season unpleasant and at times, unenjoyable.

Unpopular opinion: We do not enjoy traveling in Europe during the summer anymore. It is SO crowded and expensive. It is hard to find hotel bookings, seats at restaurants, and day trips are sold out. We generally tend to avoid summer in Europe when planning our own travels. If you see us there during these months, it is solely for work.

Summer calls to all types of travelers and it is not uncommon to see the entire spectrum walking down the street at one time, backpackers, families, students, and couples alike.

With all of those travelers it can be hard to avoid the large crowds but here are our tips to help avoid large crowds in Europe during the summer peak season.

Europe Summer Travel Tips

• Allow for extra time while traveling during peak season
• Head to the iconic places as early or late as you can each day. It makes for early or late days but it’s so worth it to enjoy a place without crowds.
• Avoid the places that run summer promotions or deals. It’s great to save money but they are likely tourist traps and will be very crowded.
• Make your plans far in advance for the best rates and availability. Last-minute bookings will cost you a fortune and probably end you outside the best areas.
• Rent a car and spend the night in the cities that people normally just visit on a day trip. You’ll be shocked at how quiet the places become when the buses pull out around 5 pm each day.
• See Europe by train with a Eurail pass. No long wait times at the airport and no overpriced taxi rides. The trains run, for the most part, between the city centers saving you time and money. Be sure to make reservations early if required for your chosen route to ensure a seat during peak season.
• Buy snacks from the grocery store to make your own sandwiches and have a picnic outside, away from the crowds.

Need to book a car for your road trip adventure? We use Discover Car Hire for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Be Prepared for Summer Showers

Do not forget your rain jacket and be ready for rain in Europe in the summer. We have had the most rain in three years of travel while traveling in Europe during the summer.

Don’t let the rain ruin your trip, just plan for it and wait it out. There were many times when we waited out the rain and it eventually passed into a beautiful sunny day.

Be Prepared for Crowds

Yes, there may be horrible crowds at some destinations but viewing iconic places during their ideal season cannot be rivaled by any other experience.

Peak season offers the best weather and longest days possible to maximize your sightseeing and vacation days during your travels. Perhaps summer is the best time to travel to Europe for your travels, you’ll just have to decide for yourself.

Hours of Daylight in Europe during Summer

10-14 hours depending on how far north you get.

Hot and Rainy

Essential Items to Pack

• Rain Jacket
• Waterproof shoes
• Long sleeve shirts
• Short sleeve shirts
• Water bottle

Pack like a pro! Ultimate Europe Summer Packing List

Visiting Europe During the Shoulder Season

Shoulder season is typically from April to mid-June and September to early November. Shoulder season varies by destination throughout all of Europe and is a good choice if you have time during these periods.

The advantages come with decent weather, long-enough daylight, and a dramatic decrease in crowds.

Although on our latest shoulder season visit in November 2022, we were in Rome and there were so many people (see photo above). The streets were literally full of people and there were huge lines at every site.

We asked several locals if this was tied to a special event, local days off, etc and the answer was overwhelmingly, no. This is the new normal in Europe post-pandemic.

So while we might get some relief going in the non-summer months, it feels like the shoulder season has merged with the high season in many places.

Is traveling to Europe in Spring or Fall better?

You will have to consider your destination. Both weather and crowds can be the same throughout Europe this time of year.

Europe is generally dark green in the springtime with lots of flowers however it can be wet and cold. In the fall, plants start to brown up.

For outdoor lovers like us , the fall is the best time to discover places like the Alps since many hiking trails are covered with snow throughout late spring. In the fall you can also get crisp blue skies for some great photography. For example, we hiked the Alta Via 1 in the Italian Dolomites in late September.

Money Savings in Shoulder Season

No matter your budget, traveling during the shoulder season will be kinder on your wallet. You’ll find more deals and better availability than traveling in peak season.

The trade-off is sometimes cold hotel rooms, so pack something warm to sleep in, and shortened restaurant hours.

Hours of daylight in Europe during Shoulder Season

10-11 hours

Prepare for a wide spectrum of weather with cool days that can peak hot and generally cold evenings and nights.

Pack for hot, cold, and wet weather. Packing with layers of clothing is key to enjoying the shoulder season.

This includes long sleeve shirts and pants. Bring a rainproof jacket, bring only a few pairs of shorts, waterproof shoes and don’t forget an umbrella.

You’ll have to ask yourself, is shoulder season the best time to visit Europe for me after reading this information? That’s the best way to decide what you’re willing to compromise on.

Visiting Europe During the Winter

Traveling in Europe in the off-season may be the best option for the traveler who does not want to deal with the large crowds or the high prices. With the exception of the Christmas Market season, of course.

Winter in Europe lasts from November to late March, peaking in December before the holidays due to the Christmas Markets , and is the cheapest time to visit Europe.

Expect to spend less while traveling in the off-season as airfares are normally hundreds of dollars cheaper and with the crowds thinning out you will find many of those expensive hotels drop their prices too.

Keep in mind that many bed and breakfast places or small boutique hotels may be closed, those that are still open will be empty and more comfortable than in the peak season. The same can be said for restaurants.

Many of the busy top tourist locations will be empty and you will enjoy taking your time in the museums without being pushed between rooms. Again, after the Christmas market season ends.

Winter travelers in Europe will be spoiled with walk-up service at shops and tourist sites, unlike traveling during the peak and shoulder seasons.

Although there is a risk that popular tourist-oriented parks, shows, and tours will be closed so make sure you check in advance.

It will get dark early and light later, so your days are shorter. The weather can be a gamble and maybe at times be downright miserable, cold, windy, and drizzly.

Packing can be hard because of the different types of weather. Dress warmly for cold weather, since most iconic sites are outdoors.

Most hotels are not equipped with great heating systems so in the off-season, it can be cold in many hotel rooms. Smaller towns can turn into ghost towns during the off-season and may be shut down to tourists.

This can lead to frustration so it is very important that you confirm all your plans ahead of time. The off-season can be the best time to travel to Europe for the right traveler and offer many rewarding experiences and a unique look at many iconic cities and sights.

Worth Noting

While it will be cold and you’ll certainly have snow, the off-season can be the best time to visit Scandinavia for dog-sledding and Northern Lights viewing.

Hours of daylight during the Winter

Cold and damp.

Pack for cold and wet. Wear layers of clothing, bring a rainproof jacket, gloves, a stocking hat, long johns, good socks, long sleeve shirts, a good jacket, pants, waterproof shoes and don’t forget an umbrella.

Related Article:  Ultimate Guide to Eurail Pass Train Travel in Europe

How to Decide The Best Time to Travel Europe

Here are a few questions to consider as you start planning your European getaway.

• What countries am I going to visit?
• What activities are most important?
• Do I want fewer crowds or better weather?
• Do I plan to spend time at the beach?
• Do I want to ski or visit Christmas markets?
• What is my budget?

Answering these questions will help you get clear on the best time to plan your trip to Europe. If you want the best weather for sunbathing or swimming, you’ll definitely want to plan a summer getaway.

If your goal is to avoid large crowds, look to the shoulder season. And if you want Christmas markets and snow, the winter is your chance!

Europe Travel FAQs

It will depend on what you want to do but in general, May and September are the best months to visit Europe. The weather is usually good, most things are open, and there are fewer crowds.

November to February is typically the cheapest time to travel to Europe, with the exception of the few weeks around Christmas and the ski resort towns.

July to September is the best time to visit Europe if you want a beach vacation. June is okay as well but the water is still very cold. Good for sunbathing but not so much swimming!

The shoulder season is typically the best time to visit the cities. You won’t have to deal with the big crowds and things tend to stay open even during the off-season in the big cities.

December is definitely the best time to head to Europe for the Christmas markets, though some do begin to open up in November and stay open through the first week of January.

You might also like:

• 10 Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
• The Only Europe Packing List You Need (For Any Season!)
• Train Travel in Europe: Ultimate Eurail Pass Guide
• 15 Best Cities in Europe to Visit
• Travel Insurance for Europe Vacation: Do You Need It?
• Viking River Cruises in Europe: What to Expect
• 10 Adventures for Your Europe Bucket List

Did you enjoy this story? Share it!

Travel planning resources, about david stock.

I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. And yes, Lina and I have a naked dog.

12 thoughts on “When is the Best Time to Visit Europe? (Not when you think!)”

Wow! You speak my life! Thank you for posting… I am in tears just can’t believe I came upon this website!

Too cold or too many tourist. Europe is a tricky place to plan a visit. We’ve planned our travels to Europe around events like Oktoberfest, etc or have begun to seek out secondary cities. Yes you’ll run into crowds at major festivals, but you know what you are getting yourself into. With secondary cities you can avoid most of the crowds during the high season.

I agree with you. The amount of tourists in the summer season, in major cities, is exhausting. Secondary cities is a great way to soften that up a little. 🙂

We will be traveling Europe in mid April(17 Apr thru 14Mzy) mid May 2018. We my wife and I Fly into CDG and start our Eurail Global Pass good for one month.The question is our baggage?We are on WOW Airline and they are not much on baggage at all. I tried shipping our bags to the hotel in Paris we will spend our first night. That was not possible. So would like some words of wisdom.

The best advice I can give you is to pay the excess baggage fees with the airline. Once you get to Europe you will have no problems bringing your luggage on the train, as long as you aren’t packing too much. There are places to do laundry in Europe, so I would recommend really cutting down on what you bring- just bring a few outfits and plan to do laundry. This will reduce the amount of luggage you bring too. Best of luck and enjoy your travels in Europe!

I was recently in London during January. At first I was concerned that rainy London would be even more gloomy during the winter, but it actually turned out to be a fantastic time to visit! A lot of what you mentioned was true, plus there were more bonuses for traveling in the off season. Accommodations were cheaper. I never waited in a line. Photographs weren’t cluttered with strangers. Sometimes I was the only person in an exhibit! Best of all? There were plenty of beautiful, sunny days.

Weather, costs and the amount of daylight have been my biggest considerations for when to visit Europe. Based on all that there’s not a bad time it’s just weighing the pros and cons of each season and specific location. You do a great job of this. Bookmarking this for when we actually make it out there. Cheers!

Great to hear, Mark. Yes, it really comes down to your preferences when you travel. Traveling around Europe in all seasons can be rewarding and of course it depends on what countries you want to visit. Each region having different high/low/shoulder seasons from others. Cheers!

This was very helpful. Great info.

Great to hear! Thanks for stopping by.

Wow! What an amazing amount of information you’ve shared! I will pin this so I can refer back if I ever get to Europe!

Thanks Jennifer! That is our aim, to provide useful information to help people travel more! Thanks for sharing and feel free to reach out if you ever need help planning an itinerary. Cheers-Lina

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100+ Europe Travel Tips for First Timers & Must-Knows Before You Go

Last Updated: November 6, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

Headed to Europe for the first time and trying not to cry?

I get it. You’re probably a hot mess of emotion right now. Between the excitement of ticking off bucket list moments and the anxiety of getting pickpocketed or (possibly worse) getting side-eyed by cool European youths, there’s a lot of potential for stress carbs and sheer overwhelm.

Don’t worry though – I have all the Europe tips you need in this post to keep those first time jitters at bay, and ensure you’re fully prepared for your big European adventure.

So, what are some must-knows before you travel to Europe for the first time? Read on for a full of my best Europe travel tips, after over a decade of travelling around/living on this gorgeous and delicious continent.

NOTE: As an aggressively apologetic Canadian, I must first clarify that these European travel tips are written from a North American perspective, and there are some culture shocks that (while seemingly basic) can really confuse a 1st time visitor, so… yes, this is just me covering all the bases. Enjoy!

Save this list of Europe Travel Tips for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Europe Travel Planning Tips

Let’s start with some planning-related Europe tips to help you with flights, booking hotels in Europe, choosing dates, the best times to visit Europe, etc. to get you from armchair travel to your real-life dream trip.

Steal my step by step guide to planning a trip to Europe from scratch

This post is full of random Europe travel tips, but if you are looking more for step by step guidance, be sure to check out my step by step guide to planning a Europe trip.

Also be sure to check out my free Europe trip planner book , as well as my free International Travel Checklist for a list of things to do before you travel abroad.

Avoid peak travel times

If you have the luxury of flexibility, I’d avoid visiting Europe between mid-June to the end of August.

Simply put, this is when prices and crowds are at their highest, and (depending on where you go) temperatures during this season can reach a point of salty, sweaty discomfort.

Instead, consider going in the Spring , Fall or Winter!

Avoid European holidays

In addition to avoiding North American holiday periods, be sure to also consider popular European school holidays too.

Generally, speaking longer European school holidays will take place during Easter/Christmas, a very popular time for European families to travel around the continent too.

Yes, Europeans can be avid tourists too. Don’t forget that!

Go for Christmas markets!

Okay, this may be a direct contradiction to what I said above, but one exception I’d make for “peak season travel” in Europe is going to Christmas markets.

This is one of the most magical times to visit Europe, and if you plan your visit for earlier in the season (late November, rather than close to Christmas), you’ll usually be able to avoid the bulk of the crowds.

Here are my top must-knows for visiting Christmas markets in Europe if you want to learn more.

Consider getting a travel credit card

I’m going to level with you: no matter how you plan it, even if you stay in hostels and subsist solely on hummus and bread scraps, you will end up spending a lot of money on your Europe trip.

… so you might as well try to reap as many rewards from it as possible!

Getting a travel rewards credit card before booking all your hotels and flights is one of my favourite underrated Europe travel tips.

There’s a million options out there, so I’ll leave the research/choice up to you, but just make sure you’re booking everything on a card that maximizes the amount of benefits you get.

For me personally, I have the Amex Platinum , which yes has a really high fee but at least for the first year it’s super worth it because you get travel credits, travel insurance, lounge access, and most importantly, enough bonus sign-up points to get you a roundtrip flight to Europe from North America! It’s not for everyone, but definitely worth looking into.

Bonus sneaky point hoarding tip: Travelling with friends? Especially if they don’t collect points of their own, offer to book for everyone, then have them pay you back. Whee – free points without needing to spend all the money!

Get a Wise card

If you’re not interested in getting a travel credit card, a handy and free alternative I can highly recommend is a Wise card.

Having a Wise card allows you to “send and spend money around the world at the real exchange rate”, avoiding hidden fees in the process.

It is SO handy for travel, because you can use it for over 150 currencies around the world, and you even get 2 free ATM withdrawals per month with it overseas.

And because your card is linked to your Wise account, you can simply load it up with a minimal amount of money so you don’t have to risk your normal credit/debit cards while walking around.

You can use my referral link here to transfer your first $500 fee-free.

NOTE: I’ve also had a good experience with Revolut when I lived in Germany, but they don’t offer services for Canadians so I can no longer use them.

Focus on one or two countries for shorter trips

Unless you have a lot of time to work with, I would recommend getting to know one or two countries well rather than trying to visit too many countries in one go just for the sake of checking them off your list.

While travelling between European countries can be affordable and quick, hopping around too much can be a sure recipe for burnout and time lost commuting.

Plus, the more you see of one country, the more you’re able to get more off-the-beaten path and find spots you hadn’t heard of before!

Check out my list of 1 week itineraries for Europe if you need inspiration.

Learn all about the Schengen Area

An important must-know for all first time visitors to Europe is that border-free travel doesn’t exist across the continent (as is commonly believed).

Rather, border-free travel apples only between countries in the Schengen Area, this group of 27 countries (accurate as of 2023):

• Liechtenstein
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland 

When crossing borders outside of these countries, you will need to clear passport control as normal.

Understanding this distinction will help you plan how long you can stay in different countries, as well as Europe in general, and give you some insight into logistics like when you’ll need to clear passport control, and which visas you might need for where.

Use your understanding of the Schengen Zone to legally stay in Europe longer

For most tourists, the maximum amount of time you can spend in the Schengen Zone is 90 days out of 180 days .

Simply put, if by the time you leave, you can look back on the past 180 days and say you stayed less than 90 days total, you’re good.

BUT if you want to stay in Europe for longer than that amount of time, you can utilize your Schengen Area understanding to stay longer, simply by including travel to non-Schengen countries.

For example: Let’s say you can only spend 90 days in the Schengen Zone, but you’re allowed to spend 180 total in the UK. You can easily make your European trip longer than 90 days by adding time in the UK, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania or any other non-Schengen country.

Consider more off-the-beaten path destinations

Another benefit of visiting non-Schengen countries is they’re often lesser visited, and filled with some truly amazing hidden gems.

For example, I’m a HUGE fan of Bulgaria. (Here are some of the coolest things to do in Bulgaria that you probably haven’t heard of.)

While I totally understand the desire to see the most popular and best-known destinations on your trip, sometimes visiting these lesser known spots can bring amazing surprises that end up being the highlight of your vacation!

Of course, there’s a middle ground too – you can easily get the ‘best of both worlds’ by combining a hugely popular destination with some side trips to other lesser known places in the same country. These posts might help with that:

• The Best Places to Visit in England (Besides London)
• The Best Places to Visit in France (Besides Paris)

Offset pricey destinations with more budget-friendly ones

If you’re hoping to visit Europe on a budget, but still have some pricier destinations on your bucket list (e.g. Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, UK, Germany, etc.), then a great way to cut costs is to round out your itinerary with more affordable stops (e.g. Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Montenegro, Lithuania, etc.)

This of course makes more sense on longer trips where you’ll be covering a lot of ground, but just remember than some European destinations are MUCH rougher on the budget than others, so mix it up if you’re looking to give your wallet a break.

Alternate between busy and chill destinations

On a similar note, you should make sure your Europe trip itinerary also includes a mix of busy and relaxed places.

One of the biggest mistakes I made during my first backpacking trip was I crammed SO many huge cities into my itinerary, one after another.

But when your itinerary is nothing but European heavyweights like Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome and Florence… yikes, you’ll be sightseeing your eyeballs off daily with zero chance for breaks.

So, here’s a very important Europe travel tip when planning your itinerary: try to space out the “big” cities with chiller destinations, maybe nature or beach breaks so you have time to rest up before sightseeing like the Energizer bunny once more.

Learn the tricks to getting cheap flights TO Europe

Not sure how to get the best flight deals for your big Europe trip? Be sure to check out my guide on how to get the cheapest flights to Europe .

I promise it’ll save you hundreds of dollars, if not more.

Take advantage of free stopovers

Certain airlines have a free stopover program where you can have a long layover for no extra cost, meaning you get two destinations for the price of one plane ticket!

Here are some Europe-based airlines that offer this:

• IcelandAir: Free stopovers in Reykjavik for 1-7 days
• Iberia: Free stopovers in Madrid for 1-6 nights
• TAP Portugal: Free stopovers in Lisbon and Porto for 1-5 nights

Steal my step by step process for finding the best hotels

If you’re overwhelmed by the prospect of booking all your own places to stay, I have just the resource for you.

Here’s how to find the best accommodation in Europe every time.

Book hotels far in advance

And if you don’t have time to check out my whole step by step process, then here’s the #1 piece of Europe accommodation wisdom I can give you: book your hotels as soon as possible.

In many of Europe’s most popular destinations, good value accommodation books out quickly, so your biggest defense against outrageous prices and poor quality hotels is booking early.

Even if you’re not going in peak season, you never know when an unexpected event (e.g. a big concert, sports game or conference) will send hotel prices soaring, so the sooner you book, the better.

I know that committing to a hotel early can feel scary, but if you use  Booking.com , you can find hundreds of hotels that offer free reservations and free cancellations up until a certain point.

I’ll often hop on Booking.com to make a placeholder / “just in case” reservation in the early stages of my planning just to ensure I have a Plan B in case prices skyrocket.

The European hotel star system is different to North America

I grew up with a North American hotel system where 5* meant opulent luxury and 1* meant run for the hills, unless you want to lose your kidneys.

The star ratings in Europe are a bit different. Instead of stars coinciding to quality on a scale of 1-5, the stars actually correspond to a checklist of amenities/requirements.

SO, you can get some amazing 2* properties that are simply smaller and don’t really have things like a spa or pool, while also finding crappy 4 or 5* properties that have that rating just because they’re big and have amenities like fitness centers and valets (i.e. many chains).

Learn more about the criteria for star ratings here.

Avoid airport hotels unless flying in or out

Tempted by a cheap hotel deal near the airport? Run.

Unless you are flying into your destination late and need a place to crash or are flying out early in the morning, do NOT book a stay at any airport hotels.

With Europe travel, you want to ideally be close to the sights or at least in a scenic neighbourhood, not next to a motorway. Adding in the time and cost of commuting to/from the city centre, it’s rarely worth it so keep that in mind the next time you’re tempted by the siren’s call of an airport Ibis.

Learn the options for free accommodation in Europe

Hoping to find places to stay for free in Europe? There are indeed options for that!

Here are a few ways you can potentially find accommodation for free:

• Couchsurfing:   Crashing with someone within a community of travellers where people offer to host each other in their homes free of charge
• House Swap: Trading homes with someone (like in The Holiday). Many sites facilitate these exchanges, including  HomeExchange  and  Kindred
• House and Pet Sitting:  Looking after someone’s house/pets in exchange for free accommodation. One of the most popular platforms for this is  Trusted Housesitters
• Workaway:  Volunteering your time/services in exchange for accommodation

Don’t forget travel insurance

I personally believe that travel insurance is a must for every trip. Trust me, the peace of mind is worth the cost!

Click here to check rates with WorldNomads.

Make sure you’ll have Internet access

This tip goes without saying, but if you’re old school and prefer to travel without Internet, don’t.

Really, as romantic as it is to disconnect during your travels, having an Internet plan for your phone is crucial. It allows you to navigate with Google Maps, use translation apps, do research on the go, etc.

Without it, your trip will be infinitely harder. No joke – some places these days even require you to have data to scan menus!

Luckily, roaming within the EU is free, and it’s wayyyy cheaper than what we have in Canada.

Download helpful apps before you go

On that note, once you have a data plan set up, you can take advantage of all the helpful apps for Europe travel available.

Some of my favourites include…

• Omio : Great for comparing and booking transport options (including buses, trains, and flights) from Point A to Point B.
• Google Translate : A must for translating signs and menus if you are in a country where English isn’t the main language
• Splitwise : Helpful for tracking expenses split between friends, great for minimizing awkwardness when dealing with trip finances
• Too Good to Go : Perfect for buying discounted meals at the end of the day to save food from going to waste

Download TripIt to keep track of all your travel bookings

Speaking of helpful Europe travel apps, another one I can recommend is TripIt.

This app works like magic to organize your hotel bookings, flights, tickets and all in one place… the best thing is, it does it automatically through scanning your inbox for confirmation emails.

If you’re planning a long trip with multiple stops, hotels, modes of transport, etc. to worry about, then TripIt is a great tool for organizing everything in one neat place.

Ensure you have proof of onward travel

“Proof of onward travel”  is a very important consideration that many first-time travellers forget about.

In sum, it’s proof that you’re leaving your destination before your visa or allowance expires.

Usually this proof is provided in the form of a ticket back home, or a ticket elsewhere to prove that you’ll be leaving at some point.

A lot of people dismiss this requirement as a myth, but trust me: it’s not.

I was once almost barred from boarding a flight to Germany because my return flight was after the 90 day Schengen Zone allowance, and I didn’t have proof I would be leaving the Schengen Zone before the 90 days was over. I intended to spend some time out of the Schengen Zone to ensure I never overstayed, but they demanded proof… so yes, they do check!

Want to learn more?  I have a full article if you want to read more about  proof of onward travel  and my experience lawyer-ing myself out of that (very awkward) situation.

Steal my pre-made itineraries

Lastly Europe travel planning tip: I know that making itineraries can be exhausting, but luckily there are Type A laptop gremlins like me who adore doing it.

So, here are some itineraries for you to steal in case you need them:

• My 1.5 month Western Europe backpacking itinerary
• My 40+ one week in Europe itineraries

Europe Travel Tips for Transport & Getting Around

Getting around Europe can be really daunting for a first-time visitor, so here are all my best Europe tips related to transport and getting from one place to another.

Public transport is abundant and amazing

Don’t be afraid of using it!

I’m always shocked when I hear travellers who think that they’ll need to rent a car for their Europe trip.

Oftentimes, you really won’t need to, especially if you’re mainly visiting big cities.

On that note…

Avoid renting a car

Unless you are doing a trip that focuses heavily on natural sights or smaller remote villages, odds are you won’t need a car.

Public transport (as I mentioned above) is a solid option, and involves a fraction of the stress often unleashed by car rentals.

… But beware of hidden costs if you do rent a car

When it comes to car rentals in Europe, often the first price you see isn’t indicative of what you’ll have to pay in the end.

Some hidden/additional costs might include…

• Age or nationality based surcharges
• Additional driver fees
• Multiple country fees
• Extra miles
• Extra insurance
• One way fees
• Tolls/vignettes

So if you still want to rent a car, here is a post to help you figure out how much renting a car in Europe really costs .

Renting a car? You might need a vignette 

One of the pains of car rentals is the additional fees. In many European countries, you need to pay for a vignette (a sticker you put on your car) to use their motorways.

In Switzerland for instance, this costs 40 francs… and yes, you need to make sure you have the vignette BEFORE you drive into the country, as there are automatic scanners at the border that can pick up your details and send you a ticket later (which we learned the hard way).

Do a lot of research before committing to a Eurail pass 

Many first time visitors to Europe think of a rail pass as the cheapest option, but very often, booking your train tickets in advance will work out to be cheaper than a Eurail pass, especially if you aren’t taking that many trains and don’t need full flexibility (i.e. you are okay to book the trains advance).

Eurail passes can be great value, but not always. If you need help figuring out whether they’d make sense for you, read my full Eurail review for more details.

Look into scenic European train rides

I’ve already made my allegiance to European public transport pretty clear, but one of the main reasons is simply how beautiful it can be.

Sure, trains aren’t always the cheapest way to to travel Europe , but they’re often the most scenic and beautiful.

So if you’re into the idea of travel as an experience, then be sure to read my post on the best scenic train rides in Europe , and the best scenic train rides in Switzerland .

Familiarize yourself with Europe’s most famous budget airlines 

One of the cheapest ways to get around Europe is hopping around on budget airlines… where sometimes an international flight is cheaper than a 6 pack of nuggets.

Of course, the epic prices come with their own set of drawbacks, usually in terms of the flight experience, customer support, and additional add-ons (which always come at an extra fee).

You can learn more specifics about Europe’s top budget airlines through my reviews here:

• Honest RyanAir Review
• Honest easyJet Review
• Honest WizzAir Review

Consider bus/coach travel if you’re on a budget

In addition to planes and trains, Europe is very well connected by an extensive bus (AKA coach) network.

One of the main contenders in this space is Flixbus, but depending on the country you’re visiting, there’s often local companies offering affordable bus travel between cities as well.

Again, I’d recommend using Omio so you can quickly compare buses, trains, and flights at the same time, but just know that bus travel in Europe can be a really cheap, safe, and easy way to get around.

Although there are of course some downisdes as well. You can read my full Flixbus review for more details.

Book an airport transfer for minimal stress

I love navigating Europe with public transport but if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage or as a big group, one of the more cost effective ways might actually be to just book a private transfer or taxi.

Of course, depending on where you go, taxi scams can be a real possibility, so for the least stressful option, consider booking a Welcome Pickups transfer, which is a set price, includes an English speaking driver who monitors your flight arrival time, and offers free cancellations up until 24 hours before.

This saves you the hassle of trying to get a taxi/navigate the language barriers to do so.

… Plus they pick you up with a cute little sign that has your name on it!

Do research on how trains work in your destination

I have to say, one of the most overwhelming things for me in Europe was getting used to how trains work. I come from West Coast Canada, where passenger rail from city to city is very limited.

SO if you’re new to train travel, it might be helpful to do some research on how the train system works in your destinations, paying attention to particularities like…

• Where to find the right platform for your train
• Where to stand in order to find the right section of your train
• Whether you need to buy and validate tickets before you get on board

Train stations are chaotic and stressful places, so you’ll ideally want to know these main things before you get there, otherwise you may have a lil mental breakdown on-site.

Use train station lockers

If you’re looking for a stress-free way to explore a city for the day, or if you need a place to dump your bags before check-in or after check-out, a convenient solution can often be found at your destination’s train station.

At larger train stations in Europe, there will usually be paid lockers or a ‘left luggage’ office for you to leave your bags for a small fee. Be sure to take advantage of these so you can explore without hauling all your lively possessions with you.

Order taxis or rides through apps whenever possible

Of course, this isn’t possible everywhere, but taxi scams are so widespread in certain European countries that you should definitely use an app when you’re able to.

The most popular ones in Europe include Uber, or FreeNow which is like Uber except you’re ordering an official licensed taxi.

Ordering through an app helps ensure you get a fair rate, and is also (in most cases) more convenient than waiting at a taxi stand or trying to wave one down in the street.

Always look for deals with public transport

If you’re relying on public transportation to get around during your trip (which I highly recommend), then doing a bit of research on ticket types and discounts can really save you a lot of money.

Most major European cities offer some kind of discount for day tickets, group tickets, or multiple trip bundles, so be sure to look into those rather than buying single tickets every time.

Always validate and hold onto your ticket

When it comes to navigating public transportation in Europe, most times it’s not enough to simply buy a ticket – you must usually a) validate it properly and b) keep it on you in case of inspection.

Who’s checking you ask? Well, most major European cities have random ticket controllers who periodically go around to make sure you’ve paid for and validated your fare correctly.

Sometimes (like in Paris) they’ll even ask to see your ticket after you’ve left the train platform, so be sure to hold onto your ticket until you’ve left the station.

Avoid public transport during rush hour… and during big events like sports games

When you’re a care-free tourist, it can be easy to forget the woes of mundane daily life like trying to get home during rush hour. Well, don’t forget: no matter where you go, they have a rush hour too, so be sure to avoid it whenever possible.

Ideally, you should aim to avoid public transport during times that locals are commuting to/from work. Pay special attention as well to big events like huge concerts or sport games, which can also make public transport a nightmare.

Easily rent bikes or scooters

Most major European cities now have e-bikes and e-scooters that you can easily rent on-the-go through an app. This can be a fun way to quickly and cheaply get around the city.

Options will depend on your destination, but keep an eye out upon arrival! If they are available, odds are you will see them everywhere.

Europe Tips for Attractions

Odds are, if you’re visiting Europe, your plans involve a lot of sightseeing. So, here are some of my best Europe travel tips related to attractions and itinerary planning.

Prepare yourself for scaffolding and restorations

Europe is an amazing destination thanks to its history.

… But the flip side of that is that it is old and so are many of its most famous monuments.

So, mentally prepare yourself for the possibility that the amazing church or landmark you’ve seen a million times on social media is covered in scaffolding, or doesn’t look as you hoped due to restorations.

For example, the first time I went to Rome, I was devastated to see the Trevi Fountain completely covered with scaffolding, and drained of water.

And most travelers have similar stories. There’s no way around it, but just keep in mind that it’s possible!

Look into age-based discounts

Oftentimes, whether you’re looking at train tickets or attraction tickets, there will be enticing discounts available based on your age, so be sure to look into those for additional savings, especially if you’re considered a child, youth (often this goes up to age 27!) or senior.

Get an ISIC Card if you’re a student

Here’s a very important Europe travel tip for students: if you are a student, the good news is you’re eligible for a wealth of additional discounts and offers.

The bad news is, often European institutions won’t recognize or accept student IDs from abroad, since they’re all so different.

An easy way to get around this though is by getting an  ISIC Card , which is an internationally recognized student ID that costs about twenty dollars, but will save you at least that much in discounts. 

I’d recommend getting one if you plan to travel around Europe for a longer time.

On a budget? Prioritize free museums and sights

This is one of my top Europe backpacking tips – do not sleep on the many free things to see and do in Europe.

Everywhere you go in Europe, there will be free things to do and see, ranging from free museums to beautiful architecture and street art.

So, be sure to research beforehand and see what free things there are to do at your destination.

NOTE:  A lot of museums across Europe offer free admission on particular days of the month. Take advantage of these offers!

Book tickets for attractions in advance whenever possible

This is usually cheaper, and can save you a lot of time on the day of your visit because at major attractions, there’s usually a separate line for people who already have tickets.

Skip the line tickets are usually worth it

If you’re visiting a busy destination, then I’d highly recommend looking into Skip the Line tickets for major attractions, which will allow you to get in quicker.

Remember, during your trip, time is money, so paying a bit extra to skip the line is definitely a good use of funds.

Visit attractions shortly before closing time

While most guides advise that you visit the main sights early, another sneaky hack that works quite well is visiting right before it closes.

I did this once with the Vatican Museums, entering about 1.5 hours before closing time and it I practically had the place all to myself!

In contrast, one time I did an early morning tour of the Vatican and it was already quite busy because other tour groups were starting at the same time. 

Book special tours that are before or after public opening hours 

Many busier destinations will offer this now, and it’s a magical way to experience the top sights with a fraction of the crowds.

I once did a sunrise tour around Venice and it was incredible to see all the main sights and feel like I had them mainly to myself.

Seek out fun and unique tours in general

Gone are the days that destinations offer just your old standard tours that cover everything generally.

These days, in most major European destinations, there are special tours you can book based on interest, with tours focusing on everything from history and food to street art and photography.

I usually like to have a quick search on GetYourGuide to see what’s available.

For touristy cities, research on local blogs 

In big cities like Paris or London, sure there’s a lot of tourists, but there are even more locals, who live there and call it home.

This means there’s a whole other side to the city that many tourists miss out on, from cool pop-ups and restaurants to special cultural events. I always try to look up fun events/updates on local blogs before every trip, and have gotten some really fun travel memories out of it.

You might find my guide on  How to Find Cool Stuff to Do Near You  helpful.

Seek alternate viewpoints to main landmarks

If you ever find yourself in a place wanting to get THE photo of a major landmark (e.g. the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Coliseum in Rome, etc.) then a great way to get an amazing photo away from the crowds is by seeking out alternative angles and perspectives.

Remember, landmarks are big, so odds are you can find some cool places to get your photos without having to cram with everyone else. Simply walk a few blocks away and try to find unique views!

Always search for information on the official websites of attractions (even in the local language)

These days, hours/entry requirements can change quickly and third party guides (yes, even Google Maps!) may be inaccurate. 

So, if you’re trying to find information on how to book tickets or what opening times are, make sure you always go straight to the source rather than other sites or blogs (even mine!)

For example, on my most recent visit to Rome, the Pantheon had changed its policy to be open only for reserved time slots on weekends, which would have been really unlucky because I saw no information about this anywhere else.

Don’t spread yourself too thin

An ideal itinerary should have a mix of sights, experiences & relaxing. Don’t burn out by forcing yourself to see everything. I personally always ensure that there’s a relaxing or chill activity on each day, whether that be a picnic or just a relaxed coffee/cake afternoon.

If you’re not interested, don’t force yourself just because it’s a must do

I think too often, first-time visitors in Europe get caught in this trap of needing to see all THE most famous things, but remember: at the end of the day, this is your vacation, so don’t force yourself to see something just because a random person on the Internet told you to.

I personally love museums but they’re not for everyone, so just remember it’s your vacation and there’s no need to do something just because it’s famous.

… but psst – if you ARE into museums, don’t wait until your trip to go! There are tons of really cool virtual museums you can check out when you’re bored. Pro tip from one hopeless nerd to another.

Safety Tips for Europe (And How to Not Get Scammed!)

Is Europe dangerous to travel? This is one of the most common questions that first-time visitors ask. Honestly, so long as you keep the following Europe safety tips in mind, you will be fine.

Be wary of petty theft and scams when you visit Europe

Certainly in more touristy cities like Paris and Barcelona, opportunistic crime is abundant.

You can learn the most common pickpocket techniques and how to avoid them in my post about how to avoid pickpockets in Europe , but overall, the key is to always be vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings.

Pickpockets thrive on distraction, and tend to operate in high-traffic areas that have a lot of people/tourists (e.g. train stations), so be especially careful to not let anyone get too close.

Look into theft-proof bags and accessories

There are a lot of amazing theft-proof travel accessories out there these days. The bad news is they’re not always the cheapest.

If you’re willing to splurge a bit on something high-quality and designed to thwart pickpockets, here are some options:

• PacSafe’s  products are all made to be theft-proof, including their signature backpack  here  and day bag  here
• Secret passport scarves  like these  are a great way to stash THE most important things in a subtle and discreet way 

Research the pickpocket hot zones for your destination

Most major cities have certain areas that are particularly well-known as pickpocket destinations.

In Rome for example, there’s Termini Train Station where I got pickpocketed, and Bus 64 AKA the Pickpocket Express.

Knowing where pickpockets tend to operate can help provide some ease of mind, and help you figure out when to be on guard.

Keep valuables out of sight

Leaving your phone on a terrace table, or your purse hanging on your chair are both easy ways to get your valuables stolen!

Sure, it’s easy to let your guard down when you’re trying to relax, but remember that keeping your valuables out like that can be an easy way for them to get snatched.

Whenever I’m dining anywhere, I always keep my bag between my feet so they’re hard to access, and make sure to not leave my phone out on the table (on my lap, under a big napkin is often a safer bet!)

Don’t take “free stuff”

A very common scam in touristy European places is people will offer you something for free “as a gift”, but then demand you (or one of your travel buddies) pay for it.

Some examples include…

• Friendship bracelets

Generally, they will set up shop in busy, touristy areas, so remember to be especially cautious in these areas.

Don’t sign any petitions

Another common scam is the petition scam, usually run by groups of young women.

They’ll come ask you to sign a petition (often first breaking the ice by asking if you speak English) and then either demand a donation from you, or distract you as someone else picks your pockets.

… So if someone asks you to sign a petition, just ignore and walk away. Better safe than sorry!

Rudeness is the way to get rid of scammers

On that note, if you find yourself in a situation where you are being followed or confronted by one of the aforementioned scammers, the best thing to do is ignore them and walk away.

They can be very persistent, but will give up eventually when you ignore them.

Limit the amount of cash you bring out with you

I always say to plan for ‘worst case scenario’, so another one of my top Europe safety tips is to not bring around more cash than you’d stand to lose.

Once upon a time, my friend was carrying around hundreds of euros in her bag (at the start of her trip) and was pickpocketed in Nice on her very first day! Pickpockets work quickly and unexpectedly, so don’t bring out more than you’d be okay losing.

Store your cards separately

On a similar note, make sure to not carry all your cards in one wallet, so that (in case you are pickpocketed), you have a back-up.

I would recommend keeping one card in your suitcase, or in a separate bag.

Don’t make yourself appear to be a good target for robbery

Sometimes when I’m travelling I’ll see people doing photoshoots posing with their designer shopping bags, completely oblivious to the fact that they’re making themselves targets.

Worse, sometimes they just leave the bags on a bench or on the stairs while they’re occupied on their phone.

If I were to write a “how to get robbed in Europe” article, these are the types of behaviours that would make the list, so make sure you’re not making yourself a clear target, and don’t wear unnecessarily flashy outfits or accessories which might catch a thief’s eye.

Keep your phone out of reach

Phone snatchings are becoming a really common crime, especially in big cities like London, so avoid having your phone haphazardly out, or at least be sure to pay more attention when you do, especially…

• If you’re standing close to doors on public transport
• If you’re walking along a bike lane or road

Be careful of bike lanes

Speaking of bike lanes, here’s another important (physical) Europe safety tip: be mindful of them.

If you’re like me and come from somewhere that they’re not overly common, it’s way too easy to accidentally walk onto them and potentially get yourself run over (or more likely, make yourself an annoyance to a cyclist just trying to get home).

Beware of strangers asking you to go for drinks randomly

This is a scam that’s more prevalent in famous party cities, but if a random person (usually an unreasonably attractive woman) comes up to you off the street and asks you to grab a drink, odds are rather good that they’re not just a friendly local looking to grab drinks with a stranger.

This is a common scam where people (again, usually beautiful women, but not always) will bring targeted tourists into bars they’re working with to get a few drinks, only for these tourists to get charged extortionate rates for these drinks, because you never question how much stuff costs when you’re trying to flirt.

Extreme stories even say that bar staff will block the door until the tourists pay up.

Moral of the story: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

And beware of children

A general rule of thumb is this: if a kid is confidently coming up to you and/or getting close unannounced, keep your valuables close and watch your pockets. This is often a distraction tactic used by pickpockets, and sadly some kids are also trained to steal from a young age too.

I almost lost my wallet in Bratislava this way, when a woman asked me to take her photo and her kid started running around me as a distraction.

I realized pretty quickly what was happening and caught my pickpocket literally with her hand in my purse. Luckily, I was able to swat her hand away just in time.

Buy some small locks to put around your zippers

Another great travel hack I’ve picked up over the years is simply buying a set of small cable locks  like these  and keeping one in each bag.

That way, you can quickly lock your zippers together in crowded situations and prevent anyone from randomly opening your bag.

Simple, but effective.

Look up common taxi rates and scams before arriving

While I’m a firm believer that public transport is the way to go, sometimes you might need to take a taxi, whether it’s because you’re arriving late, running late, or just want to splurge a little.

While this varies depending on the country, taxis are often prime scam zones! I’ve personally been scammed by taxis in  Prague  and also in  Sofia.

Particularly if you are leaving from busy areas like airports or train stations, some opportunistic drivers will take advantage. This is how I got charged 4x the usual fare in Sofia, mainly because I didn’t know better.

So, if you plan on taking a taxi, make sure you search up how much that route should generally cost, and also familiarize yourself with common scams.

Know the emergency numbers

In North America, 911 is the go-to when you have any kind of emergency, but the numbers are different in Europe.

Within the EU (and a handful of other countries), the general emergency number is 112, and most countries will have other numbers for more specific emergency services as well.

So, be sure to take note of what these are before your trip, although I’ve heard anecdotally that 911 should reroute to emergency services as well.

Avoid sketchy EuroNet ATMs

If you’re going to an ATM, try your best to find one that’s connected to an actual bank.

There are a lot of ATMs (especially around tourist areas) that charge huge fees, or make currency conversion more confusing than it needs to be so you can get charged more.

As a general rule, don’t use any of those Euronet ATMs – they’re the worst!

Have a plan in case of a worst case scenario

This isn’t just a good Europe travel tip, but a good tip for travelling anywhere – make a plan for the worst case scenario.

Imagine your bags get stolen with your passports and all your cash/cards – what would be your backup plan? What would you do if you lost your phone?

Having a plan in place can minimize stress in the event that anything does happen, and having that peace of mind is very important for any vacation!

Get a good VPN

If you plan to be travelling longer-term, getting a reliable VPN is a must.

In short, VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) mask your IP address and encrypt your data so that you can protect your identity online, browse anonymously, and even change the geographical location you’re browsing from.

This can be helpful in a lot of backpacking situations. In the past, I’ve used a VPN to…

• Access streaming for my favourite TV shows that weren’t available in the country I was travelling in
• Visit sites that were blocked in the country I was travelling in
• Access important sites (e.g. banking portals) that flagged my visit as suspicious because I was in a new country
• Securely browse the Internet with public WiFi knowing my data/identity was protected

As a real cheapskate (especially in my earlier travel days), I’ve tried every free VPN under the sun, and always found them to be unreliable or buggy.

After doing lots of research, I decided to splurge on  Private Internet Access , which I’ve been using for the past few years, and I’ve been loving it. It’s super easy to use, very reliable, and actually (when you break it down) not expensive it all.

Subscribe via  this link  and you can get it for under 3 bucks a month.

Food & Drink Tips for Europe

When in Europe, eating and drinking well is a must! Here are some of my best tips for making the most of Europe’s varied food culture.

Visit grocery stores to save big

Not only is visiting supermarkets abroad just a fun cultural activity in general, you can save a great deal of money by buying snacks/drinks there vs. from vendors as you’re out and about.

If you have cooking facilities at your accommodation, making some of your own meals can also be a huge money-saver, even if you’re just swapping out a sit-down lunch for a picnic one.

Beware that you might need to weigh your own produce

Of course, visiting supermarkets abroad can come with its own healthy dose of culture shocks, one of the main ones being that most countries have their own different method of handling produce.

Should you weigh it? Print a sticker? Just bring it as-is?

The answer will depend, so observe what others are doing before you get caught awkwardly at the cashier with a woman shouting at you in Bulgarian because you didn’t weigh your tomatoes (true story).

Have a quick search of regional specialties before you go

European cuisine is SO diverse, and even within one country, you’ll have all kinds of different regional dishes to try, so I’d recommend doing some research beforehand about the top must-tries, so you can keep an eye out for them.

For example, you might think you know what Italian food is but when you go to actual Italy, you’ll realize that every region has their own special dishes, so be sure to look into what those are before just getting pizza everywhere.

Dine far away from tourist attractions

A general rule of thumb is that any restaurants right next to major tourist attractions are probably gonna have a poor price to quality ratio, since they cater more to tourists who are flush with cash and unlikely to return.

My tip? Just walk a few blocks over before starting your food hunt, or d some research beforehand to find well-rated restaurants near you.

Learn how to spot a tourist trap restaurant

Tourist trappy restaurants are a dime a dozen in Europe’s more popular destinations, so make sure you work on your tourist trap radar.

A few red flags include…

• Big pictures
• The menu being translated into a million languages
• The words “TOURIST MENU” over it
• A really persistent person out front beckoning you to come inside

Double check that places have prices on display before ordering

This may be the oldest scam in Europe’s “let’s extort tourists” playbook, but any restaurant with fair pricing will be transparent with their pricing.

If you come across a restaurant that doesn’t list prices upfront, then run for the hills.

Never assume “it can’t be that bad” because odds are they’ve omitted their prices for a reason and plan to charge you an extortionate amount, like  this place  which went viral for a 500 euro lunch bill.

A quick check of reviews is a must

While I don’t believe reviews are accurate 100% of the time, I do think they’re very helpful for establishing patterns, especially when there’s a bunch of reviews all saying the same thing.

A quick search of the restaurant (even on Google Maps Reviews) can help prevent you from getting scammed or being subject to mediocre food/service.

Lunch specials are usually cheaper

If you’re gonna splurge and treat yourself, lunch might be the time to do it. Many places will offer special deals for lunch, so keep an eye out for those!

Usually the bill won’t come until you ask for it

Generally speaking, the ultra-friendly and proactive customer service you get in North America doesn’t really exist in European countries.

Very rarely will you have servers come up to constantly check on you and ask how you’re doing, so if you’re wondering why nobody has brought the bill around, just get their attention because they don’t tend to drop it off until you ask (doing so without asking is actually considered a bit rude in itself).

Don’t shy away from food tours

If you’re running on limited stomach space but want to try as many local specialties as possible, then food tours are a really fun and delicious option.

Most big destinations in Europe have them these days, and they’re a great way to sample a lot of local foods while also getting a local guide’s perspective and expertise.

Context is key and learning about food (while eating it!) is the best.

Take a cooking class 

Another foodie activity that’s now offered in most European destinations these days is cooking classes.

There’s no better souvenir than learning how to prep your favourite foods once you get home, so definitely consider adding one to your itinerary.

Get used to sparkling water

Sparkling water is a lot more common in certain European countries than in North America, to the point where sometimes it’s the default if you ask for water.

If you’re not a fan of spicy H20, then make sure to specify Still when you order water.

Don’t pay extra for hotel breakfast

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good hotel breakfast when it’s included in the room rate, but if you’re given a choice, you can save a lot of money by going out to get breakfast at a bakery, which is also more fun in my opinion.

When weather permits, picnics are a much better option

I love picnics. They’re such a romantic and affordable way to enjoy a meal, especially when you have a great backdrop.

Make sure you picnic at least once during your trip – I promise you’ll love it! And your wallet will too.

Generally speaking, Europeans eat later than North Americans

After living in Germany for a few years, making dinner plans with friends at home almost put me in a coma. Dinner at 5:30 or 6pm? Wayyyy earlier than most European countries, especially Spain where dinner time is often after 9pm.

Of course, you can take advantage of this cultural difference by getting a table at popular restaurants simply through booking as soon as they open.

Be openminded with trying new foods

I hated beer until I had it in Belgium. I hated cheese until I tried smoked cheese in the Netherlands.

I don’t know how to explain it, but certain food and drink items just taste different, and frankly, better in Europe than they do in North America.

So before you write something off as a food you don’t like, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised, especially if it’s the regional specialty.

Get takeout for super cheap with Too Good to Go

One of my favourite (little-known) Europe travel apps is called  Too Good to Go.

They service many major European cities, and basically, it’s a free app that restaurants use to sell their leftover food at the end of the day (sometimes at lunch too).

This helps minimize food waste, and means you can pick up an entire take out meal for less than 5 euros.

Sure, you don’t get to choose what you get, but it’s an excellent way to eat cheap and help reduce waste at the same time.

Culture & Etiquette Tips for Europe

Tourists can often have a reputation for being rude… but not you! Not on my watch. Here are some culture and etiquette tips to keep in mind for your trip to Europe.

Culturally, Europe is a million different entities

One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to Europe travel advice is when books or sites tell you “In Europe, tipping is like…”, “In Europe, locals are…”

… Which I know is kind of ironic in an article simply called “Europe Travel Tips” but shhh just go with it.

Long story short: Europe is composed of dozens of countries, each with their unique cultural nuances and norms, so be sure to research culture tips specifically for where you’re going, because things like tipping, queuing, meal times, etc. can vary considerably across the continent.

Learn at least hello and thank you 

While visitors can often survive just fine without learning the local language, i’s generally good manners to know basics such as hello and thank you for every country you visit.

… So be sure to practice that a bit before you go!

Do not tip by North American standards

As I previously mentioned, tipping in Europe does vary from country to country, but never would a 20% tip be considered the bare minimum like in North America sometimes.

So, be sure to research tipping culture in your destination before you go. In many countries, tipping involves simply rounding up.

Try to not speak too loud

In Europe, North Americans generally have a reputation for being… loud. Sometimes obnoxiously so.

So if you’re out in public, try to lower the volume of your voice to closer match what’s around you (easier said than done, I know, but something to be mindful of).

When in doubt, mimic the locals 

Cultural norms can vary widely from place to place, so your best bet is to just observe the status quo and try to imitate that.

If nobody is chatting on the train, it’s probably a good sign that you shouldn’t either. If everybody is lining up in an orderly queue, maybe you should join that queue instead of barging in the front.

Remember, tourists can have a reputation for being disrespectful and annoying, so try your best to shatter that stereotype wherever you go.

Look into festivals and folk events to attend 

One of the most amazing things about Europe as a continent is that it is so deeply rooted in heritage and tradition, with some cultural traditions dating back thousands of years.

For a truly unforgettable experience, I’d recommend looking up some fun festivals or events to enjoy. 

Here are some of my favourites I’ve been to:

• September: Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt (the world’s largest wine festival)
• September/October: Oktoberfest in Munich (the world’s largest beer festival)
• February: Crazy Days at Cologne Carnival
• March – April: Starkbierfest in Munich (unique strong beer festival)
• March – May: Keukenhof (the world’s largest flower garden)

Packing Tips for Europe

Not sure what to wear and what to pack for Europe? Here are my top Europe packing tips.

Steal my pre-made packing lists

If you’re overwhelmed with what to pack, I’ve already made some packing lists that you can use as a starting point!

Download them, print them, mail them to all your friends and exes! I hope you get tons of use out of them:

• My Europe winter packing list
• My Europe summer packing list
• My versatile minimalist packing list
• My toiletries packing list

Don’t bring any suitcases you can’t carry

I’ve always been an advocate for packing light, but a good rule of thumb is to not bring any suitcases you aren’t physically capable of carrying yourself.

There’s a million and one scenarios where you might have to end up carrying your suitcase in Europe, like…

• Your hotel or accommodation unexpectedly has no elevator
• The elevator you were counting on at the train station is out of order
• You need to carry your bag up some ancient staircase to get to your accommodation
• You need to lift your suitcase on/off the train you’re taking

So yes, whatever bag or suitcase you bring, make sure you’re able to carry it yourself.

Good walking shoes are a must

I cannot explain to you how much walking you’ll end up doing, so comfortable shoes are much more important than cute stylish ones.

That said, if you’re able to find comfortable walking shoes that are a bit dressier, opt for those over beat up runners.

Generally speaking, casual wear in Europe is more dressed up than what we’re used to in North America, so packing a nice pair of white sneakers or comfy leather boots would definitely be a more versatile choice over hole-filled running shoes.

Buy AirTags to track your suitcases

With airlines losing baggage all the time these days, I’ve finally caved and bought an AirTag to track my checked bag.

And honestly? I regret nothing! I love the ease of mind it provides, and should a thief ever nab my bag one day, I feel very smug knowing I’ll be able to track them down.

Pack an emergency outfit in your carry-on

On a similar note, one Europe packing tip I live by is always having an emergency set of clothes in your carry-on bag.

Checked bags get lost all the time, so having extra clothes with you is key for ease of mind. I usually bring all the top essentials with me in my carry-on. Better safe than sorry!

Pack clothes with hidden inner pockets rather than a money belt

While many travel experts tout the the benefits of money belts, I’ve honestly never been able to get on board with them. They’re awkward, sweaty, and reaching under your clothes to get change for an ice cream is just… not my idea of fun.

Instead of a money belt, I always have either:

• A backpack with a zippered pocket in the back, which makes it inaccessible to anyone else when worn
• A crossbody purse with a pocket on the backside, again making it inaccessible to anyone so long as I hold it close to me 
• A jacket with inner pockets so it’s impossible to reach in without getting super super close

These anti-theft methods are a LOT more comfortable to me than a money belt… so remember: a money belt isn’t the only way!

Bring a universal adapter

Power sockets in most European countries have two round holes and if you’re visiting from overseas, odds are you’ll need an adapter for your plugs to fit.

I’d strongly recommend buying a universal adapter  like this one  if you don’t have one already. Not only is it good for the standard round hole outlets, but it can also work for the three prong plugs in the UK, Malta, and Cyprus.

It’s cheap, can be re-used for every trip, and covers you in all situations. Definitely some of the best money I’ve ever spent!

Use packing cubes to organize and compress your clothes

I am such a packing cubes fangirl.

These beauties are a magical way to keep all your goods organized, while saving space in your bag as well. Gone are the days that you rummage through your entire pack for a particular t-shirt!

Not all packing cubes have to be expensive either. There’s plenty of affordable options on Amazon, like this blue set from  Amazon Basics , but you definitely get what you pay for.

PS: I’m a total packing cube nerd and once bought a bunch of different brands to compare. See my full  packing cube showdown  for more.

Pack a re-usable bag for purchases

Single use bags are slowly getting phased out in Europe, so I find it’s always a good idea to bring an extra bag or two whenever I travel, whether to stash my souvenir haul for the day or to carry around snacks.

So, when in doubt, pack a tote or two! They can be such lifesavers.

DIY your own travel sized toiletries

This is a very basic  packing tip  I always recommend, but rather than buy the bottles of toiletries which give you like, three good squeezes of shampoo, I find it’s easier (and more eco-friendly) these days to buy small reusable bottles that you can fill with your own toiletries of choice.

This allows you to bring your favourite products with you, and saves needless one-use toiletries from ending up in the landfill.

Need help picking the right one?  Read my guide to  reusable toiletry bottles  for more info.

Final Europe Travel Tips to Know Before You Go

Alright, before I let you get back to… your real life, friends, and family, here are some final random Europe travel tips to keep in mind.

Having cash is important

With the exception of Northern Europe and some parts of the UK, cash is still important to carry around, whether for small purchases or for essentials like using the washroom. Keeping coins is also a good idea.

So, don’t forget that cash is still king in many parts of Europe!

Claim VAT refunds at the airport

Taxes are generally built into the price in Europe, so many travellers don’t realize they are paying up to to 20% in VAT (Value Added Tax) for everything they purchase.

The good news is, when it comes to goods that you are buying and taking home (e.g. clothes, gifts, etc.), non-residents of Europe are eligible for a refund on this VAT that you pay.

VAT refund rules vary from country to country, but usually there’s a minimum spend amount in one single location (around 175 EUR in most cases).

So, keep this in mind and you can get a good chunk of change back. To get the step by step process, Google your destination + VAT refund, as the process does differ country to country.

Floors start at zero so don’t get confused 

If you’ve seen Emily in Paris you’ll already know this one.

The floor system in European buildings tends to differ from North America.

Whereas in North America, the ground floor is often the 1st floor, the ground floor is considered its own separate entity in most countries (i.e. Floor 0) and then the next one above that would be the 1st floor.

Prepare for beds to be different

Bed sizes in Europe tend to be smaller, and doubles can often just be two single beds pushed together (so romantic, I know).

Depending on where you go, the pillows and comforters can be different as well, like in Germany where they’ve randomly decided that the optimal shape for a pillow is square. *shudder*

Beware of words you know that may mean a different thing in other languages

For example, a menu for North Americans is a list of dishes you can order, but a menu in France means a set meal or combo.

Similarly, entrées in North America are the main course, when in France, it means appetizer.

Use Google Maps to save spots you want to see

Google Maps is an amazing resource not just for navigating a new city, but also for saving spots you might want to visit in the future.

One of my favourite  travel hacks  is starring every location I deem interesting on Google Maps. You can do this by pressing the Save button when you search up that spot.

This allows you to have a visual map of all the cool cafes, street art murals, attractions, restaurants, etc. that you’ve saved during your research, which means you can easily organize your itinerary/sightseeing.

I love doing this because I’ll often end up in new areas during my explorations, and I can just look at my map to see if anything interesting I read about happens to be nearby. Saves a lot of planning!

Need customer support? Hop on Twitter

Don’t ask me why this is, but if you need to get ahold of customer support during your trip (e.g. an airline, a train company, etc.), usually the quickest response time will be through Twitter.

The best way to tell if you’ll get a reply on Twitter is by checking the official accounts’ replies – if there are recent replies to Tweets, odds are good that there’s a dedicated staff member monitoring the account.

This of course works in non-travel settings as well!

Get crowdless photos by using this cool photo hack

For iPhone users, there’s a super easy way to get cool photos in crowded places without getting a bunch of people in the shot.

Simply follow these steps:

• Turn on Live photo
• Pose for your photo, making sure to stand still
• Get your photographer to snap a few photos of you standing still
• Edit the photo by going in the upper left corner, click on the LIVE button with the downwards arrow, and turn on Long Exposure
• The crowds walking around you should now be blurry, with you still in focus

Binge on movies set in your destination before your visit

You know, I could binge travel quotes all day but nothing will put me in more of a wanderlusty mood that a good movie set somewhere beautiful.

So, if you binge travel movies set in your destination, I promise your trip will be 1000000x times more enjoyable when you recognize the sights that you’re seeing. Trust me.

Consider learning the Cyrillic alphabet

If you are travelling somewhere that uses the Cyrillic alphabet, it can be very beneficial to learn how to read it.

This is because sometimes destination names at train/bus stations are written only in the local alphabet, which can lead to a lot of confusion if you’re unfamiliar with it.

European countries that use the Cyrillic alphabet include…

• North Macedonia

Remember: Europe is more about the experience than it is about seeing a million sights

Last but not least, I have to say… Europe is beautiful, yes. It’s packed to the brim with gorgeous museums, architecture, natural beauty, etc. BUT at the end of the day, what you need to focus more is on the experience of just being present and enjoying every moment.

Don’t stress yourself out too much with a heavy itinerary and trying to cram as much as possible in.

Enjoy it! Because your trip will go by far quicker than you think.

I hope this list of Europe travel tips was helpful!

If you’ve made it this far, wow. I applaud the stamina. And patience! This ha admittedly been a VERY long list of tips for Europe, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments… and be sure to read my list of unconventional travel hacks if you’re eager for more.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Best Time to Visit Europe – Understanding the Travel Seasons in Europe

Last Modified: October 8, 2023 //  by  Anda //   21 Comments

Trying to figure out the best time to visit to Europe can be confusing. Everyone wants to travel when the weather is nice, without fear of cold or rain getting in the way.

Choosing when to go to Europe will have a large impact on your trip. It can easily break your experience if you don’t know what to expect. There is a consensus that summer is a good time to go on vacation, but it’s not necessarily the only good time tie of year to travel to Europe.

Table of Contents

How to Choose the Best Time to Visit Europe

Advantages and disadvantages of traveling during the high season, advantages and disadvantages of traveling during the low season, advantages and disadvantages of traveling during the shoulder season, tips for traveling in europe.

I was born and raised in Europe, so I can tell you there is not a single ‘best’ time to travel to the old continent. In this post I’m going to break down the travel seasons in Europe based on climate and regions. I will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of visiting Europe in each season. One thing to keep in mind though is that deciding when to go to Europe depends a lot on your itinerary .

Weather wise, Europe stretches over a few climate regions, so depending on what countries you want to visit, you may have a very different experience. Countries like Greece for instance, are best visited in fall , while the Baltics are at their best in summer.

Travel Seasons in Europe

There are basically three travel seasons in Europe: high season, low season and shoulder-season. There are benefits and pitfalls to each one, so here is what you can expect during each season:

High Season (June to August)

Hot and humid. Temperatures may reach 35ºC (95ºF) and beyond. More crowded and long lines everywhere. Prices are high. Requires booking ahead, with plenty of planning.

Shoulder Season (September to November)

Autumn and spring are the perfect time for strolling and sightseeing. Days are warm, with temperatures around 12ºC – 18ºC. Evenings are cold. More chances of rain. Fewer tourists.  Lower prices.

LOW SEASON (December to February)

If you choose to visit Europe in winter you should be prepared for snow, rain and wind. You’ll spend less time outside. Very few tourists. Great deals for airfare and hotels.

Summer is the most popular time to travel, especially because of the children’s summer vacation. The advantages of visiting Europe in summer are:

• restaurant patios and beer gardens are open
• great time for beach going and swimming
• trees are green and flowers are in bloom
• days are long, allowing for lots of outdoor activities

With the exception of Christmas, summer is considered the highest of high season in Europe.  

The pitfalls of going to Europe in summer are :

• hot and humid weather
• high prices
• long queues at the attractions
• packed hotels
• busy trains and crowded public transportation

Depending on what part of Europe you visit, you may be baking in temperatures of 35ºC (95ºF) and beyond. Countries in Southern Europe are not a good choice for July and August, unless you plan to spend all your time at the beach. 

On the other hand, Northern European countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, UK, Ireland, are a good choice for summer. The weather is pleasantly warm, but it doesn’t get hot enough to keep you off the streets during the daytime.

The low season  is the perfect time to visit Europe if you want to get more bang for your buck. ‘Tis the season” to have Europe all for yourself, as most places are blissfully quiet and devoid of tourists. You should be prepared to spend more time inside, visiting museums, attending concerts, opera, etc. The advantages of traveling during the low season are:

• plenty of vacancies
• great deals on hotels and airfare
• better service everywhere

If you choose to visit Europe in winter you should be prepared for:

• rain, wind and snow
• less time outside and more time inside
• it can get bitterly cold
• some resorts close down completely
• local transportation may go on winter schedule (shorter)

For many people however the promise of snow, cozy fires and mulled wine makes winter the best time to visit Europe. December is particularly a great month to go if you want to experience Christmas markets, sparkling lights, and rich delicious foods.

Whether you choose to spend the Holidays in London , or in cities like Münich, Vienna , or Budapest , you’ll have a blast in Europe in December! Winter is also wonderful for skiing in Europe as most ski resorts open in late November and close in mid-April. 

Let’s talk about the shoulder season, which is my all time favorite time to travel to Europe. If you don’t want to boil in summer or shiver in winter you are left with the in-between time which is called the shoulder season in Europe.

There is basically a fall shoulder season (from late September to mid November) and a spring shoulder season (from late March to the end of May). So which one should you pick: fall or spring ?

Fall Time in Europe

I love autumn in Europe, when summer heat fades away and beach going shifts to strolling and leaf-peeping. Advantages are:

• fall is perfect for walking and sightseeing
• children go back to school, so you’ll encounter less crowds
• airfare and hotel prices start dropping
• many food and wine festivals take place in fall

The pitfalls of traveling in fall:

• restaurants close their outdoor patios
• trees start loosing their leaves
• the weather may be a hit or miss

Spring Time in Europe

Spring is my number one choice for traveling to Europe. There is a feeling of freshness and optimism everywhere. Winter is gone and sunny days are coming. Advantages of traveling in spring:

• flowers are in bloom
• city markets come back to life, bursting with colors and fragrances
• weather is nice, sunny and warm
• days become longer
• prices are not at their peak yet
• not too many crowds

• Start your days early
• Buy tickets in advance
• Check for free admission days at the museums
• Use budget airlines
• Avoid eating at the restaurants in tourist areas
• Don’t assume water and bread are free in Europe
• Book your accommodations way in advance
• Carry cash with you
• Don’t exchange money in the airport or tourist areas
• Wear comfortable shoes

For more information about how to dress like a European , check my packing list for Europe guide .

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

October 3, 2018 at 11:59 pm

I will definitely give Europe a miss in July & August because of the queues! I love autumn therefore Oct/Nov sounds like a brilliant idea. I’m OK with wet weather coz this gives me the chance to spend more time in museums 🙂

Barbara Cacao

September 12, 2018 at 3:13 am

Anda, great post, thanks for sharing! I think if you visit continental European countries with more extreme temperature changes – such as my home country Austria – choose places offering a proportionate amount of indoor and outdoor things to do if you are weather sensitive. Vienna in the winter can be freezing cold – but who cares if you have splendid museums and cosy coffeehouses aruound every corner? For the rest, many Austrians say ‘there isn’t such a thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong clothes’. 🙂

Anda Galffy

September 12, 2018 at 4:34 pm

Yep, you are right, Barbara.

California Globetrotter

September 10, 2018 at 2:09 am

Couldn’t agree more with all of these tips, Anda! I prefer to always have friends and family visit in off season, especially the shoulder seasons! We’re getting to a point where in summer, we don’t want to travel to big touristy cities anymore. It’s just too much. I’d rather find unknown towns to visit! #TheWeeklyPostcard

Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)

September 9, 2018 at 7:07 am

Great breakdown, Anda. I guess coming from a very hot area has some benefits: Everyone complains about how hot it gets in the summer, but (so far) I’ve never found it unbearable. But then, I live with 100+(F) in summer at home. All the same, we love fall in Europe as much as in the U.S. Spring is a very close runner up, though. We’ve been lucky enough to avoid too much fall rain, but always seem to find those spring showers. Either way, we’re happy to be in Europe no matter the season!

September 9, 2018 at 11:25 am

You most likely didn’t get into a serious heat wave in Europe, Rob. I can tell you that one time we traveled to Bucharest and Budapest in August and the heat was so unbearable that wave spent most days inside, in front of a fan. Keep in mind that most hotels, homes and businesses in Europe don’t even have AC. They only have coolers, if they are in tourist areas.

Mary {The World Is A Book}

September 8, 2018 at 11:08 pm

Wonderful tips and season breakdown, Anda. You know we love Europe in all seasons. It’s harder for us to go during shoulder season now as the kids are older with all the activities and school. Unfortunately, we travel along with everyone else during school breaks. One of our favorite times to visit is Thanksgiving here in the US. We’ve found some great deals. Totally agree on the Scandinavian region during the summer.

September 8, 2018 at 11:21 pm

Yea, I know parents with children don’t have too many choices when it comes to traveling times, Mary. We’ve been there too.

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

September 8, 2018 at 9:18 pm

David and I try to travel in shoulder seasons whenever we can. Crowds are usually a bit thinner and providing we don’t get unlucky the weather is usually pretty good. My advice is though to do your research. Don’t just rely on average temperatures, they can be quite misleading. Look at actual temperatures for the time of year you are considering.

September 8, 2018 at 11:23 pm

You are right, Lyn. Weather has changed pretty dramatically in Europe in the past 20-30 years. When we lived there, we never had such heat weaves as the ones we see these days.

Donna Janke

September 8, 2018 at 5:29 pm

Great post. Each season has its pluses and minuses and can be a great time to travel if you’re prepared. I personally prefer the shoulder seasons, but am happy to visit Europe in any season.

September 8, 2018 at 8:51 am

I agree with you, I think spring is the best time or even summer if you are lucky and find a deal. I love to see everything in bloom. I do make an exception for winter travel if it is for a Christmas market.

Jessica Norah

September 8, 2018 at 5:35 am

Hi Anda, Yes, this is a really common question so many people ask and helpful info. Although most people (from the U.S. anyway) visit in the summer, the other months can be really nice as well and cheaper. But it does vary a lot by destination. One of our favorite times is September/October for lack of crowds and cooler weather in hotter countries, but it is often rainy in many places as well. So always some pros and cons!

September 8, 2018 at 7:04 pm

You are right. There are advantages and disadvantages to each season. In the end it all depends what’s more important for you when you travel.

Rhonda Albom

September 7, 2018 at 11:58 pm

I was in Spain and France in the summer and it was hot. I think I like the shoulder season best because of the more moderate temperatures and the smaller crowds. It’s too cold in winter so I avoid travelling to a country during its winter time.

Jill Chapman

September 7, 2018 at 9:29 am

Great tips, Anda! I have only been to Europe in the winter but I’m about to make my first trip there in the fall. And who knows? I may try spring and summer soon!

September 7, 2018 at 9:33 am

Spring is a great time for Europe, Jill.

September 7, 2018 at 9:16 am

This is a first for us – we are coming to Europe (Slovenia) at the end of September this year. We normally have visited Europe in summer, so it will be interesting to see how the different time frame shapes the dynamics of our trip. I am looking forward to less crowds and cooler weather, but am a little nervous about the potential of rain. We have plans in place for rain days (I am sort of a travel planning nerd), so I think it will be fine. Thanks for putting together this valuable information!

September 7, 2018 at 9:35 am

You shouldn’t be worried about the rain, Shanna. September is a great month in Europe and unless you are very unlucky, it may not rain at all. But Europe is beautiful even when it rains.

Debbra Dunning Brouillette

September 7, 2018 at 6:15 am

Great post, Anda! I’ve only visited Europe in the summer months and since I like warmer weather, that suits me. I love the photo of Big Ben in the reflection of the puddle! I am assuming you took it? You are a great photographer; I always enjoy the photos you include with your posts. Happy travels!

September 7, 2018 at 9:37 am

Hi Debbie, thanks for taking the time to read my post and thank you for the compliment. No, that picture is not mine, I wish I was that good, hahaha!

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Best Time to Visit Europe (+ Where to Go When)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 2, 2023

Spanning more than 40 countries, a visit to Europe gives you the opportunity to explore everything from snow-capped mountains to warm and sandy beaches, along with historical sites and archaeological ruins. And whilst one place is experiencing its low season with few tourists and little to do, another may be at its liveliest.

If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Europe, there is not one straightforward answer. Every season can be a good time to visit Europe; you just have to know what to expect and where to go.

The weather is not consistent across the entire European continent at the same time. Southern parts of Europe are significantly warmer than the northernmost parts throughout the year. So the best time to visit Europe depends on what you want to see and do during your visit, your budget, and the temperature range with which you’re the most comfortable!

In this article, you can find an overview of what to expect in different parts of Europe in different months of the year. We also suggested some of the best places to visit in Europe in every season, special events to look out for, and a few tips to help you make the very most of your experience. Find out!

TIP: At the end of this article, you can find a short overview of the best times to visit Europe depending on your interests.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Plan a Trip to Europe (step-by-step guide and tips)

When to visit Europe – OVERVIEW:

• January – February
• April – May
• June & September
• July – August
• October – November
• FAQ – best time to visit Europe based on your interests

Europe in January – February

With average temperatures ranging from around -5°C to 5°C (20-40 °F), January and February are the coldest months of the year in Europe.

This means that – in many areas – you can expect high winds, snow, rain, or sleet (a rather unpleasant snow/rain combination that chills you to the bone and soaks you at the same time!). Even the typically warmer Mediterranean region will be cold and wet at this time of year.

That said, winter is not a bad time to visit Europe and there are some pros as well as cons – see below.

Because of the weather and little to no school holidays, January and February are usually the quietest months to visit Europe. This is also by far the cheapest time in most European destinations.

Rather than fighting your way through the crowds to catch a glimpse of a famous attraction, you can usually view the sights at your leisure.

Flights and accommodation prices are usually lower, so it’s a great time to see Europe if you’re on a budget.

The lower visitor numbers mean that some attractions may have limited visiting hours, or may be closed altogether.

January 1st is a public holiday in Europe, meaning that – in addition to attractions and historical sites – some shops and restaurants may be closed too. Many seasonal businesses at the coastal destinations will be closed during this period too.

This simply means that you will need to plan your winter trip to Europe a bit more carefully. Check ahead of time that you will be able to see everything you want to.

Best places to visit

January and February is the season for winter sports and winter activities in Europe. It’s the busiest time of the year in some destinations in Scandinavia and also in the Alps. Most ski resorts in Europe open in December and close in late March or April.

That being said, January is actually a fairly quiet month even for winter activities. It’s the best time to go skiing if you want to get away from the crowds and spend less money. Things tend to pick up again in February when many European children are on their school holidays.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Skiing in Engelberg, Switzerland Mount Titlis, Switzerland Gornergrat, Zermatt Skiing in Grindelwald-Wengen, Switzerland

These months are also good for taking a real winter holiday in destinations north of the Arctic Circle . January is great if you want to experience a polar night and February often comes with beautiful blue light.

But while this is a good time to see the Northern Lights and do some fun winter activities, you should be prepared for many hours of darkness and freezing cold weather. If you don’t mind some darkness and the cold, February can be a magical time in the Arctic!

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Svalbard in Winter

If you can bear the wet weather, January and February is also good time to visit European cities – particularly if you like to shop! January is the best time for fashion sales. Many European cities like London, Paris, Rome, or Madrid offer some great opportunities for bargain hunting.

Away from the shops, though, most cities will be extremely quiet at the beginning of the year. It’s a good time to visit museums, theaters, and attend concerts. And you will have a largely uninterrupted (although rather gloomy) view of the major landmarks.

Facilities in the cities are geared up for the cooler weather. So you will often find restaurants, for example, with covered outdoor areas warmed by patio heaters. These can actually feel very cozy and are ideal for a romantic break!

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Strasbourg, France Milan, Italy Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Despite the frigid temperatures in most parts of Europe, it is still possible to find some sunshine and warmer temperatures at this time of year!

Here are some European destinations that all enjoy some relatively warm and sunny days during these months: Malta, the Portuguese Algarve region and Madeira Island, the Canary Islands (including Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria), Cyprus, and Crete Island in Greece.

The Canary Islands are an especially good choice at this time of the year if you want to have more certainty about warm and sunny weather.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Hiking in Madeira Most Beautiful Beaches in Algarve

Special events

Many major cities hold parades on New Year’s Day and one of the best parades is in London, England (more info here )! Featuring thousands of performers and eye-catching floats from across the world, it marks the perfect way to celebrate the New Year.

Many places across Europe have ice sculpture festivals and carnival celebrations during this time of the year.

One of the most famous carnivals in the world – the Carnival of Venice – usually starts at the end of January and ends mid-February (more info here ). You can enjoy elaborate, beautiful costumes, street performers, and concerts throughout the carnival, culminating in an unforgettable finale where hundreds of gondolas float down the main canal in a candlelit parade.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Venice

Europe in March

March is somewhat of a shoulder month between winter and spring weather. If you are not looking for beaches and summer weather, this is a great time to visit many places in Europe.

In northern Europe, you can now experience the ‘sunny’ winter with more daylight and more bearable temperatures. March is also one of the best months to see the Northern Lights.

This is also the top season in most European ski resorts. And in southern Europe temperatures are usually already very pleasant for sightseeing.

Visitor numbers are still relatively low in most European destinations. Very few parts of Europe have school holidays in March unless Easter falls early or ski holidays fall later than normal.

Flights and accommodation prices in most major European destinations are still significantly lower than later in the year.

In many destinations, March still has very unstable and changing weather. This is particularly the case in Western Europe. It might be quite wintery and even snowing one week and nice, warm, and sunny the next (or vice versa if the winter returns unexpectedly again). So you never know in advance what kind of weather you’ll get.

March is one of the best months for those who want to experience a true winter wonderland in the Arctic regions ! Northern Norway, Svalbard, Iceland, Finland, even Greenland – all are wonderful winter destinations.

But the month of March is particularly good for these places! The days are longer so you can do some sightseeing, your chances to see auroras are really good, and temperatures are usually not as cold as in December, January, or February.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Tromso in Winter Iceland in Winter

March is also a great month to enjoy winter sports in the Alps ! The resorts are nice and quiet after all the hustle and bustle of the February crowds. Furthermore, the weather is usually much better than in winter and you can often enjoy beautiful sunny weather in the mountains.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Jungfrau Region (Switzerland) in Winter Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe

March is also a nice month for European cities and historic sites . Especially if you want to visit them without the crowds. Paris, Amsterdam, or Rome can be magical in March!

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Barcelona, Spain Rome, Italy Lisbon, Portugal Madrid, Spain Ypres and WWI Sites in Belgium Amsterdam 2-day Itinerary

17th of March is St. Patrick’s Day , when Irish culture is celebrated across much of Europe. To make the most of the festivities, head to Dublin and enjoy the four-day festival and parade! More info here .

March is also the time of one of the loudest festivals in Europe, Fallas Valencia (Spain). The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and usually takes place around mid March and lasts several days. With giant paper figures, floral parades, and fireworks, the entire city center is very festive.

In many parts of Europe, March is a good time to see spring blossoms .

READ ALSO: Spring Break in Europe: Best Destinations to Visit

Europe in April – May

April – May is the time when spring finally arrives everywhere in Europe and temperatures start to warm up. April can still be quite wet, with rainfall gradually tapering off towards May.

Good to know: The better weather and Easter Holidays in April cause visitor numbers to rise quite significantly. If you can, avoid visiting major European destinations around Easter.

Spring is also the time when cruise ships start repositioning from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean. From April onwards, coastal destinations tend to see surges in visitor numbers on the days when the cruise ships arrive. Cruises in the Baltic and Nordic regions also begin operating at around this time, although the number of visitors to these areas is still quite low.

TIP: Many destinations have a cruise ship schedule published online. So if you do some advance planning, you can plan your trip in such a way that you avoid the busiest days.

By May, temperatures in many parts of Europe become very pleasant and the days get longer. If you’re lucky, you can even experience summer weather!

May is one of the nicest months to visit Europe – you are able to enjoy the smaller crowds and reduced prices of the quieter season, alongside some beautiful warm weather!

That being said, May can already be quite busy. This is particularly the case in large cities around Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day, and Pentecost. Many European countries have public holidays around those days, so people take a few extra days off and plan weekend getaways. This is the most popular time for European city breaks!

Spring weather is often perfect for sightseeing, particularly in southern Europe where it gets too hot in the summer. Furthermore, visitor numbers are still relatively low (if you can avoid the Easter holidays and a few long weekends in May).

Prices of accommodations are also lower in April and May than in the summer months. This is especially the case outside the main cities.

The Easter Holidays and public holidays in May often result in large crowds. Main landmarks and attractions in the major cities and family attractions like amusement parks can get particularly busy.

Also, some destinations are just starting to ‘wake up’ after the winter and many places in the more rural areas are still closed in April.

The spring months are ideal for visiting Europe’s major cities and southern European countries . Although the number of visitors increases as each month goes by, this is still a relatively quiet time compared to summer.

Spring is the best time of the year to visit London , Paris , Rome , Brussels , Amsterdam , Barcelona , Vienna, Salzburg , Athens, Venice , and many other cities all across Europe.

Western Europe, in general, is also great at this time of the year. Not just for the cities, but also the rural areas and nature destinations. One of our personal favorite European countries to visit this time of the year is Portugal (for more info see our guide to Portugal in April ). Because it’s not too hot yet, it’s also a great time to truly explore Lisbon !

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Salzburg City Break – Itinerary for 2 Days One Day in Venice One Day in Florence Hallerbos in Belgium One Day in Amsterdam Dutch Countryside Best Cities in Romania Kinderdijk Windmills in the Netherlands Best Things to Do in Edinburgh, UK Rome Hidden Gems London with Kids Best of Bruges, Belgium

If you’re hoping for the maximum amount of warmth during your European spring trip, then head to southern Europe or the Balkans .

Places like Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia, or the Spanish or Portuguese islands are great this time of the year. There, the season is slowly starting but the number of visitors is still fairly low.

The exceptions are Spain and Italy where many destinations are very busy at Easter and also throughout May. But there’s a good reason for that – this is a wonderful time of the year here!

All the ski resorts tend to stay open until just after Easter. By May, it’s already a good time for hiking at the lower altitudes.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Croatia Itinerary Bellagio, Italy Best Villas & Gardens of Lake Como, Italy Portugal Itinerary Best Places to Visit in Italy

April is the best time to see the tulip fields in the Netherlands . From the end of March until the beginning of May, you can visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens and Lisse tulip fields .

The Cannes Film Festival in southern France also takes place in May. It’s Europe’s counterpart to the American Academy Awards.

Andalusia region in Spain is world-known for its Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations. There are impressive parades all over the main cities in the region and they attract huge crowds. If you decide to visit Sevilla, Cordoba, or Granada around Easter, make sure to book your accommodation long in advance!

Madeira Flower Festival takes place 4 weeks after Easter. Many other places all over Europe have all kinds of flower shows and festivals in spring. Also, Labor Day (May 1st) celebrations are quite elaborate in some places in Europe.

Europe in June & September

June and September are the best months to visit Europe for those who want to experience all the advantages of summer but without the huge crowds.

The very best time to visit pretty much any place in Europe is the first half of June and the second half of September.

Some of the larger cities and attractions are already getting busy in June and remain busy until mid September. But step a bit off the beaten track and you will find that other areas are still very quiet.

Good to know: In most European countries, school holidays don’t start before July. In some countries, kids go back to school by mid August already, some others – beginning of September. In some places, universities only start their school year towards the end of September.

June and September is the shoulder season in Europe. The weather is very pleasant (which is a big advantage if you struggle with extreme heat) and prices are somewhat lower than in peak season. This is particularly true at the beginning of June – before European schools break up for the summer – and at the end of September when kids have returned to school.

The most popular destinations are busy and it might be too hot to explore the cities in southern Europe.

Everywhere! Both – June and September are amazing months to travel in Europe. If you are looking for beaches and a relaxing vacation, Southern Europe is the place to be.

For sightseeing, Western Europe, Central Europe, and also Eastern Europe are very pleasant this time of the year.

This is also a good time of the year for outdoor activities, exploring the mountains, or hiking.

In the Nordics, you can experience the midnight sun in June and see the Northern Lights in September.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Lake Garda, Italy Iceland in September Icelandic Highlands Algarve, Portugal Emilia Romagna, Italy San Marino Scotland Whisky Tour Edinburgh, Scotland Funchal, Madeira Best Towns in Tuscany, Italy Italian Riviera Belgium Itinerary Day Trips from Amsterdam Cinque Terre, Italy Amalfi Coast, Italy Best UK Cities Best Things to Do in Krakow, Poland

Many places higher up north in Europe (Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, etc.), celebrate Summer Solstice / Midsummer at around June 21st-24th. The longest days of the year are a big deal in the Nordics and one of the best times to visit.

Bordeaux Wine Festival in France – one of the best annual wine festivals in the world – also takes place in June. You can attend wine workshops, tour vineyards, and, of course, taste wines produced in the region. More info here .

September sees the beginning of Germany’s Oktoberfest (despite its name suggesting otherwise). This event – held in Munich, Bavaria – brings together beer, German sausage, games, and amusement rides. Children are welcome too and special ‘family days’ are organized. More info here .

Almabtrieb , the traditional cattle drive from the mountains back into the valleys usually takes place in September. You’ll find these celebrations in many places in the Alps, mostly in Austria and Switzerland. Every region has different dates, usually on the weekends throughout September. Here you can find more information about Almabtrieb in Tyrol, Austria .

Europe in July – August

July and August is an absolute peak time to travel in Europe. These are the warmest months and temperatures can soar into the 30s (90s °F) in many areas.

If you want to visit beaches or go hiking in the mountains, this is the best time of the year to visit Europe. It’s also the best time to explore Nordic countries !

In July and August, the sun is high and the weather tends to be hot and sunny, although – being Europe – rain is still possible in some parts! It can even snow in the mountains.

The beginning of July and the end of August are a bit quieter, though still busy. Mid July to mid August is the absolute peak travel season in Europe.

The summer months are the best time for sporting events, outdoor festivals, and all kinds of cultural events across the continent. Whilst it may be a good time to visit if these events appeal to you, it might be better to avoid specific dates if you are not coming for the celebrations. It’s always a good idea to research if there are any special events going on prior to booking your trip.

This is the best time of the year to be in Europe in terms of weather. Everything is open and there are lots of nice local events that will make your trip more special.

Also, the days are long, sometimes not getting dark until 9.30 to 10 pm, or even later if you go further north. This makes it possible to enjoy long, sultry days on the beach, followed by warm relaxed evenings that extend well into the small hours.

The crowds can become quite overwhelming in places, to the point of making it difficult to see or do everything you plan. Summer events and holidays can add to the problem – some places are heaving with people and the cost of accommodation skyrockets.

Furthermore, many places in southern Europe experience very high temperatures that make sightseeing really uncomfortable.

In addition, as demand is high, many activities/ tours/ tickets cost more and sell out long in advance. So if you are planning to visit Europe in summer, it’s essential to plan ahead!

Best places to visit in summer

If you love beautiful summer weather and beaches, this is the best time to take advantage of the searing summer temperatures in the Mediterranean ! Head down to the beaches of Nice or Cannes in Southern France, visit the Spanish Islands such as Ibiza or Mallorca, or go island-hopping in the Greek Islands.

For somewhat cooler temperatures, the coastline of Algarve is a great choice for a beach holiday with your family. You’ll find many water parks , kayaking possibilities , and countless stunning beaches and amazing restaurants.

Summer is also a good time for visiting Belgium , the Netherlands , UK , Ireland, or Eastern Europe . It enjoys good weather at this time of year but is not as hot as southern Europe.

Eastern Europe is less expensive and less crowded than the other parts of the continent. From the sunny beaches of Bulgaria to city trips in Poland or the Baltic States , Eastern Europe has lots to offer its visitors, with much still waiting to be explored!

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Best Cities to Visit in the UK Isle of Skye, Scotland Best Things to Do in Lithuania Krakow, Poland Sao Miguel, the Azores Curonian Spit, Lithuania Brac Island, Croatia Auschwitz, Poland Best Day Trips in Yorkshire, UK Best Places to Visit Near Luxembourg Cornwall, UK

If you are looking for an adventure holiday or enjoy hiking, July and August are great to visit the mountains in Europe. The Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Dolomites are especially nice at this time of year!

If that’s a little beyond your budget, then consider the mountains of Albania or Montenegro in the Balkans or Slovakia in Eastern Europe.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Best Hikes in the Dolomites, Italy Zermatt, Switzerland Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Switzerland Stubai Valley in Austria Tyrol with Kids, Austria Schynige Platte, Switzerland Trentino Region, Italy Grindelwald, Switzerland Trübsee, Switzerland Top of Tyrol, Austria Mt Pilatus, Lucerne

July and August are also great months to travel in Scandinavia or visit other Nordic countries , such as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, or Greenland.

Don’t expect beach weather though. Most of these places hardly ever get temperatures of over 20°C (68°F) and some even much lower than that. But the days are long, everything is accessible, and you can explore the beautiful nature of the Nordic regions to the fullest.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Best Places to Visit in Iceland Lofoten Islands, Norway Greenland Travel Tips & Itinerary Faroe Islands Itinerary Norway Itinerary Iceland Ring Road Northern Norway Road Trip Svalbard Travel Guide

There are so many events and celebrations in Europe in summer that it’s difficult to mention even a small part of them.

France, Switzerland, Belgium, and many other countries have their National Day celebrations in summer. There are also lots of music festivals , such as Tomorrowland in Belgium that attract people from all over the world and always sell out in no time.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe , the world’s largest arts festival takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland , in August. Tour de France bicycle race, Brussels Flower Carpet , and many, many other events take part all over Europe in July and August.

Europe in October – November

In October, travel slows down in Europe. However, the weather often remains quite nice, especially in Southern European countries. Also in Western Europe, it’s still possible to have some warm and sunny days in early to mid-October.

In general, the first half of October is a very good time to visit anywhere in Europe. It’s not nearly as busy as in September, the prices are lower, and the weather is still good in many places. In the south, it usually remains nice and warm throughout the entire month and even at the beginning of November. In the north, winter usually hasn’t arrived yet.

After that, the weather can be quite unpredictable, with the potential for lots of rain and autumn storms in many places. Visitor numbers are down, with November being one of the slowest months in Europe.

Cheaper flights, accommodation, and tickets for attractions make this a good time to visit Europe if you’re prepared to wrap up and risk the rain!

Prices are lower but there is still the possibility of good weather, particularly in October. The crowds of summer have gone and even the most popular places are quieter now. Also, the weather is not too hot and you can truly enjoy exploring cities like Rome, Athens, or Barcelona.

Some attractions may now be closed and bad weather is a possibility. In many areas that live of tourism in the summer, everything starts to close down in late October – early November. This is especially the case in the small touristy places in Greece, Croatia, or Italy, but not really an issue in bigger towns or major cities.

Southern Europe can be great this time of the year! It’s often possible to enjoy a relatively warm beach holiday in the Mediterranean in October, but this is by no means guaranteed.

If you are more interested in sightseeing rather than the beach, then October – November is an excellent time to explore places like Italy, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, or Greece.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Paris in October Italy in November Rome in November Albufeira & Lagos in Portugal Best Cities in Portugal Barcelona, Spain Hidden Gems of Madeira

If you don’t mind the lower temperatures, October is also a good time to visit Eastern European cities such as Prague, Krakow, Vilnius, or Bucharest. While the weather is colder and wetter already, it’s usually quite ok for a city break.

You can also enjoy visits to cities in Northern and Western Europe without the crowds of summer. But be prepared for grey days, chilly temperatures, and the possibility of rain.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Milan, Italy Best Places to Visit near London, UK Manchester, UK Bucharest, Romania Antwerp, Belgium Sintra, Portugal Amsterdam, the Netherlands Paris, France Best Things to Do in London Greenwich, London, UK

October is, of course, the time for Halloween. And whilst European celebrations are not as extensive as those in the US, you will often find parties and lots of dressing up.

To really get into the spooky spirit, head over to Romania and visit Dracula’s Castle. There are even themed Halloween trips throughout Romania . Ireland organizes the Spirit of Meath Halloween Festival , which includes events right across the country (more info here ).

On the 5th of November, head to London to celebrate Bonfire Night , also known as Guy Fawkes Night . This celebration dates back to the early 17th century, with Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The event is now marked by large bonfires and spectacular fireworks in many different locations throughout the city. More info here .

October and November are also popular months for all kinds of food- and drink-related festivals throughout Europe. The end of November is also the time when Christmas markets start to open throughout Europe (more about it below).

Europe in December

December is a month of two distinct halves. The first half of December is very quiet and very few people travel. Whereas the second half, when the school holidays start, is extremely busy.

Many Europeans head to the mountains in search of a white Christmas, others – to the Spanish islands in search of some winter sunshine. And even those who stay home for Christmas are usually visiting cities for Christmas markets, theaters, concerts, or shopping.

December is the coldest and darkest month of the year in Europe. It’s cold throughout the continent and temperatures may drop below zero in some areas. It is also one of the wettest months of the year.

On the other hand, December can also be a magical time to visit Europe. Especially if you are looking for a great Christmas atmosphere!

The first half of December is a good time to visit Europe if you’re on a budget and don’t mind the wet and cold weather. With the cost of flights, accommodation, and attractions generally low and few tourists around, this might be a good time to discover European cities. Just avoid Christmas markets on the weekends!

Major European cities can be very crowded at weekends throughout the entire month of December. That’s when Europeans flock to Christmas markets and do their Christmas shopping.

The cost of flights and accommodation goes up in the second half of the month and most major resorts and attractions will be very busy.

European Christmas markets are the main reason to visit Europe in December! The choice is literally endless as Christmas markets can be found all over Europe. If this is your first time, then head to Germany. They have some of the best Christmas markets in the world!

In Eastern Europe and the Nordic and Scandinavian countries, the weather can be bitterly cold. Still, if you don’t mind the cold and the dark, city trips might be quite nice even in those regions. It’s also there that you’ll find some of the quieter Christmas markets without the huge crowds of Western Europe.

Good to know: Many European Christmas markets start in late November and run until just before Christmas. If you are planning to visit at the end of December, then head to places like Belgium where most Christmas markets remain open until the first weekend of January.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Vilnius Christmas Market, Lithuania Best Christmas Markets in Belgium

Ski season usually begins in December, so it’s a great time to head to the Alps . Although, this depends on the snowfall which has gotten quite unpredictable in recent years. Keep in mind, though, that the ski resorts are likely to be crowded in the second half of December. Also, look for ski resorts that are at higher altitudes and have more chances for snow this time of year.

If you’re hoping for some sun, your best bet will be the Canary Islands . The weather there is often still quite warm with daytime highs in the low 20s (low 70s F).

Rovaniemi in Finland is also a great place to be at Christmas, especially if you are visiting Europe with kids. You can visit Santa’s House, go dog sledding, and there’s a chance to see the Northern Lights as well. Just prepare for long hours of darkness and bitter Arctic temperatures!

If you don’t care about meeting Santa but want to experience the Arctic in winter and possibly see the Northern Lights, there are many more choices in Europe! Tromso in Norway is one of my personal favorite winter destinations.

Also Reykjavik in Iceland can be great around Christmas and New Year. If you want to get as close to the North Pole as possible and experience a real polar night, then there’s no better place to be than Svalbard !

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Tromso Winter Trip Itinerary Best Winter Day Trips from Reykjavik Dog Sledding & Ice Caves in Svalbard

Despite the crowds, the Christmas markets are exceptionally good fun and a great way to get you feeling festive. The biggest and best are to be found in Frankfurt, Nuremberg, or Dresden in Germany, Vienna in Austria, or Brussels Christmas market in Belgium.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, you will find lots of smaller Christmas markets in the smaller Western European cities or big cities in Eastern Europe.

And, of course, you’ll find elaborate New Year’s celebrations with impressive firework displays all over Europe.

SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Christmas Markets in Europe – Hidden Gems Belgium in Winter

Best Time to Travel to Europe – FAQ

So, this is our guide to the best time to visit Europe. As you can see, every time of the year has something unique! There is really no bad time to travel to Europe, as long as you know what to expect and pick your destinations accordingly.

Still, many first-time visitors wonder when is the very best time to visit Europe. Here’s a short overview of the best time to travel around Europe based on your interests:

If you want to make the most of your trip and visit several different countries in one trip, the very best time to visit Europe is in June or in September. Everything is open, the weather is nice all across the continent, and there are fewer crowds than in the summer.

The best time to visit European cities is in the spring or in the fall. The weather is usually very nice, but it’s not too hot for sightseeing, and it’s not too busy. Just try to avoid the Easter holiday and pubic holiday weekends in May.

The best time to visit European beaches is from June to September, with July and August being the busiest months. If you want to avoid the crowds and still enjoy warm weather and warm seas, visit southern European beach destinations at the end of September or at the beginning of October.

If you want to visit Europe without the crowds, then come in November or in January – February. Just keep in mind that the weather might be wet and cold. And while it’s a good time to visit major cities, tourist attractions in smaller places might be closed.

If you are an American family visiting Europe with kids, then plan your trip in June! That’s when the weather is great and it’s not too busy yet. Because most European countries don’t start their school holidays until July, June is the very best month to visit Europe with kids if your country has school holidays already.

If you are visiting Europe on a budget, come in the low season (November, January, February). However, if you are looking for better weather, try the shoulder months like October or March. Or simply visit cheaper destinations! Traveling in Eastern European countries and also countries in the Balkan region is so much cheaper than in Western Europe or in Scandinavia.

The best time to visit Southern Europe on a cruise is in late spring or early fall. June, July, August, and the beginning of September are the best months for a cruise in Northern Europe or the Baltics.

The warm season from May to September-beginning of October is the nicest time to visit Eastern Europe. For good weather and lower crowds, visit in May-June or in September.

Shoulder season (April-May and September-October) is the best time to visit countries in the South of Europe. Summer months are very busy and it’s often too hot for sightseeing.

Summer season between June and mid-September is the best time for exploring Northern Europe. The weather is at its best, everything is accessible, and the days are long allowing you to make the most of your trip.

The best time to go hiking in the European mountains is in summer. In general, all the hiking trails are open from June through September. At higher altitudes, the hiking season might be a bit shorter, whereas at lower altitudes – a bit longer. If you want to go hiking in Europe in winter, head to the Portuguese island of Madeira.

The best time to go skiing in Europe is from January to March. If you are flexible, try to avoid the first week of January, the entire month of February, and the first week of March. That’s the busiest ski season when many European countries have school holidays.

If you are looking to spend a romantic honeymoon in Europe, then visit in late May or late September. The weather is beautiful and it’s not too busy. You can also easily combine a relaxing beach holiday with sightseeing or road-tripping.

The best time in Europe for the Northern Lights is from September to March. In some places, auroras might be visible from the end of August and until mid-April, but chances are really low because it’s usually not dark enough. The Best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe are Nothern Norway (including Svalbard), Finland, Northern Sweden, Iceland, and Greenland. The very best place to see auroras in Europe is Tromso in Norway , from mid September to late March.

READ ALSO: Our Favorite Travel Destinations Worldwide

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Sunday 15th of May 2022

Hello Jurga, I am planning 2 separate trips to Europe. One in 2023 and one in 2024. One trip consists of London, Lisbon, Brussels and Amsterdam. The other will be Munich, Prague, Czech Republic and Berlin although Split could replace one these destinations, don't know yet. This will be sightseeing trips so beaches are not a priority and it will be just me and my wife. I will be flying out of San Diego CA and trips will last 14 to 15 days each. My question is when will be the best time to do each of the trips, taking into consideration weather, crowds and money. Thank You for your help

Monday 16th of May 2022

@Jurga, Thank you for the advice although I should have mention that from San Diego they are only direct flights to London and Munich so I will be doing round-trip flights from SD. In what order would you follow to see the other cities in each trip or go with what's cheaper in transportation from city to city? I do like both suggestions of going in late April early May for one trip and mid May for the other trip although I was looking at late September or early October for the other trip. Thank You

Hi Alberto, one of the nicest times for the trip that includes Amsterdam is the second half of April - that's when the tulips are at their best. You could do Lisbon first, and then Brussels, Amsterdam, London, or so. You never really know how the weather will be, but late April - early May is great for all of these cities. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, then come in March, before Easter. For Central Europe, I'd go a bit later - maybe mid-May or so, before it gets too hot and too busy. Split will be the warmest of all of those, so if you aren't interested in beaches, maybe start there first and move more northwards after that. Once again, you never know. This week, we have temperatures of almost 30°C in Belgium (never happens this time of the year) and the same in Italy where I just came from, whereas it's been quite a lot cooler and raining for weeks in the Munich-Salzburg area. The weather remains a gamble. For the crowds, it's hard to say - it's always much busier from March to October than in the winter, and the peak travel times are in July - August, plus Easter and long weekends in May. If you want to avoid the biggest crowds altogether and travel on a lower budget, then travel in late October - November or January - early March. In that case, always be prepared for at least some rain and cooler temperatures. Good luck with the planning!

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When’s the Best Time to Go to Europe for Budget Travelers?

May 1, 2019

Chapter 1: The Best Time to Go to Europe for Budget Travelers

If you have the flexibility to choose the timing of your next trip, you can find big savings and probably have a better trip.

Note: This is Chapter One in our Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Europe .

Let’s start with the Cheapo basics: When are you traveling to Europe? Many travelers don’t have the luxury of choosing their travel dates, as their trips are dictated by academic vacations, holidays or work schedules.

The result, unfortunately, is that most Western travelers heading to Europe have very similar vacation schedules. These periods tend to make up the “ high season ,” and include travel in late spring, summer, early fall, and major holidays (especially Christmas and Easter).

High season

Late spring – Summer – Early fall

Pros: Best weather. Most convenient. Cons: Most expensive flights and hotels. Crowds.

It’s obvious, but worth considering: Heading over in late June or July makes a lot of sense for many Americans, especially those traveling with children or during their own academic break. However, they’re all competing with each other for flights, trains, and hotel rooms, which shoots prices for everything sky high.

This is Disney World — it’s Venice in July.

And it’s not just about money, either. High season also means crowds, lines, and potential disappointments. Restaurants can be more difficult to get into. Museums are often packed. Want to head to the top of the Eiffel Tower? Be prepared to wait… in a long line.

I need to add a quick defense of traveling during high season, however. As mentioned above, for many, there simply isn’t any other option. Many travelers simply have to work with the vacation schedules they’ve been given. And anyhow, let’s face it: The weather is probably going to be glorious. So at least you can work on that tan while you’re waiting in line…

However, if you can tweak the timing of your trip a bit, you’re in a position to save on everything from flights to hotels.

Shoulder season

Early spring and Late fall

Pros: Pretty good weather. Fewer crowds. Lower prices. Cons: Watch out for school vacations.

Paris in early May still belongs to the locals.

The “shoulder season” is the transition period between the pricey high season and the cold and cheap low season. Generally speaking, this period is in the early spring (late March and early April) and late fall (October and early November).

Traveling through much of Europe during the shoulder season tends to be a delight, with far fewer crowds (the kids are in school, after all), and lower prices for airfare and hotel rooms. It’s usually pretty great.

Of course, the weather is famously fickle and increasingly hard to predict, but late March and early April tend to offer the first smells of spring throughout much of Europe (although you should certainly pack an umbrella), and October and early November remain quite pleasant (although chances are you’ll need a hat and gloves at night).

Our only warning for shoulder season is to be aware of school vacations (see note below). You might find yourself swamped in a museum.

Pros: Cheapest. Fewest crowds. It’s you and the locals. Cons: The weather. Some attractions may be closed. Special conventions may pack city.

I love traveling throughout Europe during the late fall, winter and early spring. This is when I usually travel, partly out of necessity, as I need to inspect hotel rooms (which is difficult to do when they’re all occupied). Thus, I’m quite accustomed to hitting the road as temperatures are dropping.

But hey — think of all those fabulous free museums in London you’ll have to yourself!

But even if my travels didn’t require empty hotels, I’d still probably choose to take at least occasional trips during the winter months. It’s a magical time, when major tourist destinations, from Amsterdam to Zurich , belong to their residents. It’s a far different experience from visiting during the high summer months. Restaurants are filled with locals, museums are relatively quiet (save a group of local students on a tour), and sidewalks are bustling with neighbors.

The low season isn’t a great time, of course, for sun-seekers and those averse to cold temperatures. And skiers will find that the winter is anything but “low season” in the Alps. However, most travelers looking to connect with local cultures, spend days wandering in museums, and attend concerts and other prime cultural programming, will love low season travel.

And budget travelers will love the lower costs of airfare, hotel rooms, train tickets, car rentals and many other related travel expenses.

Some notable exceptions

In covering the basics of seasonality in Europe, I’m painting with some broad strokes. There are several notable exceptions to this low/high equation.

A few considerations:

• August in Paris is not “high season”: Right around the first of August, many French workers go on holiday for several weeks, and many families take the opportunity to clear out of their cities and hit the countryside and coast. Residents clear out of Paris, for example, and many (but certainly not all) restaurants and shops close for much of the month. Hotel rates tend to be markedly lower in August, as well, but climb again in September. But warning: Airlines will still charge “high season” prices for August flights. (Read our guide to visiting Paris during August .)

• August in other European cities: Paris isn’t alone. Many European cities see a dramatic dip in tourism (and hotel rates) in August, as travelers opt for sandy beaches over cobblestone streets. Traveling to Venice , Florence and Rome during August will be cheaper than during May, June or September.

• Late October – Early November: Most students throughout the European Union have an academic break the last week of October and first week of November . Many of them hit the road on class trips. If you’re traveling during this period, you will see them… everywhere. This could affect hotel availability, plus museums and other attractions will be more crowded.

• Christmas break: Traveling during the Christmas and New Year holiday can be a mixed bag. Flights will be at their “high season” heights (with the possible exception of flying on Christmas Day itself), although hotel rates can be lower.

• Outdoor sports have their own seasonality. Skiing the Alps? “High season” for winter sports is February (especially mid-to-late February, when the French have their winter breaks). Head to the same mountain towns in May and June for lovely hikes… and lower prices.

Watch out for special events

One warning about low season: Cities throughout Europe fill their empty hotel rooms during the low season by hosting business conventions, expos, major sports matches, and other special events. These can wreak havoc on a budget travelers itinerary.

The Schottenhammel tent at Oktoberfest, Munich.

A while back I headed to Amsterdam in late October (normally the low season), only to book my trip during the city’s annual marathon –which sells out every room in town. (I ended up booking a hotel in nearby Utrecht for a couple of nights and commuting in. More about that here .)

Other events to avoid include Paris’ fashion weeks (early March late September/early October), and Venice’s Biennale and Carnevale (early/mid February).

And then, of course, maybe you’re purposefully planning a trip because of a special event. Such is the annual conundrum created by the Oktoberfest celebration in Munich in late September and early Oktober… er, October. What can I say? It’s going to be expensive. (All is not lost: We do have some tips for saving at Oktoberfest !)

Tip: When planning your trip, if hotel rates look uncommonly high, do a search for “Special events in [city]” to double check that you’re not trying to visit during a peak (and expensive) travel period.

We have more advice on the best time to visit specific cities and countries: Best time to visit Amsterdam , Berlin , Lisbon , New York and Paris .

Keep reading: This is chapter one in our Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Europe . Next up: How to Build a Sensible Itinerary .

(Photo credits: Venice in summer by davidbolton , Paris in May by Faungg , London blizzard by neiljs , and Oktoberfest by  nataliemarchant .)

About the author

About the author: Tom Meyers created and launched EuroCheapo from his Berlin apartment in 2001. He returned to New York in 2002, set up office, and has led the EuroCheapo team from the Big Apple ever since. He travels to Europe several times a year to update EuroCheapo's hotel reviews. Tom is also a co-host of the New York City history podcast, The Bowery Boys. Email Tom . [ Find Tom on Google Plus ]

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4 thoughts on “When’s the Best Time to Go to Europe for Budget Travelers?”

Friendly tip for the site owner: For an international site it would be helpful for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere if you refer to times in terms of months of the year. Spring, Summer etc are different months for us and every reference you make needs a mental translation.

Hi Tom. I am a senior and I am planning my very first trip to Europe. Is it possible to visit 7 countries in a month

Pingback: Miles With Maggie • Budget Tips For Student Travelers

I don’t agree – Marie

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Here's How to Plan Your Very First Trip to Europe, According to a Professional Traveler

Heading to Europe for the very first time? We've got some advice for you.

Whether you study abroad , backpack solo, or go with a group for your first trip to Europe, it's an experience that will change your life — and alter your perspective in all the best ways — forever. Even if you visited the continent with your parents as a kid, your first "solo" adventure to Europe as a young adult promises to reward you with rich memories. From digging into freshly baked pizza in Italy to picnicking beneath the Eiffel Tower with a still-warm baguette, it's a trip filled with experiences you'll talk about for the rest of your life.

Though I had visited Italy with my parents as a kid, my own first adventure to Europe as a young adult was in 2015. I was 21, newly married, and heartbroken at the loss of my father four months earlier. I had been studying British literature and European history in my college classes and was eager to make real-world connections to my curriculum. In preparation, my husband and I watched every Rick Steves video on YouTube and movies like Under the Tuscan Sun , Midnight in Paris , Notting Hill , and Eat, Pray, Love . The spring semester of my junior year ended, and we set off with nothing but backpacks containing a few (and I do mean a few) sets of clothes, a budget of about $100 per day, and five short weeks to see it all.

Besides opening our eyes, pushing us to our limits, and expanding our perspectives in ways that nothing else could, that trip ignited in us a shared passion for travel — and for encouraging others to do the same. Read on for tips for planning your first trip to Europe like a pro.

Get Around With a Eurail Pass

Do you need a Eurail pass to get around Europe? Maybe not, but I devoted a large chunk of our shoestring budget to it on my first trip, and I've bought one for every extended trip I've taken to Europe since then — even now that I've hit the ancient age of 28 and no longer qualify forEurail's discounted youth pricing — so that should tell you something.

Most of Europe is well connected via a vast rail network spanning the continent. A Eurail pass — available exclusively to non-Europeans — makes it hassle-free to hop between countries and even navigate regional trains. Depending on your travel plans, you can purchase passes for specific countries or regions and choose whether you need unlimited use or a set number of travel days.

Remember that once you're in Europe, hops between major cities are often surprisingly low-price (I've seen flights for as little as $6), but often a train is the best choice when you factor in time, convenience, price, and the chance to watch the world go by from your window. Splurge on first-class passes , and you'll always have a comfortable seat.

Plan Your Trip Geographically

Make a list of all your must-hit places, then look at where they fall on a map — connect the dots, and you have your route. Maybe you start in Spain and work your way east, or fly into London, take the Chunnel to Paris , and work your way down to Italy. Whatever you choose, ensure that your route makes sense geographically so you don't waste time (or money) crisscrossing the continent.

Keep Seasons in Mind

Europe is a large continent covering a variety of climates. It may seem obvious, but if you're planning a summer trip, don't expect to frolic in fields of Dutch tulips (that happens in the spring) or ski the Austrian slopes (that would be a winter thing). And as enchanting as the European Christmas markets look on Instagram, don't be disappointed when you put two and two together and realize that they'll only make it to your feed if you're going to Europe in November or December.

An Italian summer is nothing short of sweltering and ice-cold AC isn't a given, so if you're planning to cover all of Rome on foot at high noon, you may want to rethink that. (I learned this the hard way and damn near had a heat stroke.) A midday siesta is common in countries like Spain and Italy for a reason, so do as the locals do and take the summer weather into account before you overexert yourself.

Book in Advance

A PSA for type-A travelers like me: You don't have to have your entire trip planned out before leaving home. (I had a down-to-the-minute itinerary mapped out for my type-B husband and me on our first venture to Europe, and he almost left me as I dragged him from museum to walking tour to restaurant reservation and back again.) Part of the fun — especially if you have a Eurail pass — is going where the wind blows you and deciding what appeals to you upon arrival.

Pro tip: Taking a bus tour on your first day in a destination is a great way to get the lay of the land and cover a lot of ground quickly (without exhausting yourself).

Make a general timeline and book your departure flight from the USA to Europe before you leave home, but perhaps wait until you've hopped the pond to book your flight back. You may decide to stay longer in a particular country or run out of time to make it all the way to Portugal, where you originally intended to fly out of. Create a general outline, but leave some of your trip open and stay flexible.

The one thing you may want to do in advance is reserve hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs because they can fill up during the popular summer months. That's why it's helpful to have a general idea of where you'll be and when — just don't cling to your plan at the expense of a spontaneous sidetrack or two.

What to Bring to Europe

Start working on your packing list a few months beforehand. What you bring will vary depending on destinations, length of trip, and your fussiness level, but there are a few non-negotiables.

Don't leave home without:

• Your passport
• Converters for European outlets (both UK and EU, as needed)
• A credit card and/or a debit card for getting cash out of an ATM (you'll get a better rate this way than doing it through a currency-exchange counter)
• COVID-era items such as your vaccine card, printed copies of your negative COVID test results (if required) , and a few self-test kits
• A secure envelope to hold all of these important documents (including a few color copies of your passport) in one place
• An international plan added to your phone (unless you're a T-Mobile customer)
• Global Entry (not necessary, but a definite plus when you return to the USA)

You'll also find life a lot easier with the Google Translate app and the XE currency conversion app on your smartphone. Before you depart, download the countries you'll be visiting to ensure offline availability. The Been app , where you can track which countries you've visited and how much of the world you've seen, is another fun app for travelers, especially on a trip like this where you'll be checking off a lot of countries.

And a note on packing light : You'll need nothing more than a backpack and a carry-on, max. Trust me. (There are laundry rooms at every hostel and laundromats in every city.)

Where to Go on Your First Trip to Europe

If you only have time or the budget to see a few places, start with the basics . You've likely learned about major cities like London, Paris , and Rome since you can remember — now's the time to see them through your own eyes.

Once you have the must-hit places on your itinerary, plan some additional stops according to your interests. There's a lot to see in Italy outside of Rome — I'd include Venice, Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, Florence, and the surrounding Tuscan wine country on any trip to Italy, especially for first-timers.

Maybe you've been digging into your ancestry and found that you have Hungarian heritage like I have — Budapest was a shoo-in for us this summer — or perhaps you've always dreamed of hiking the Swiss Alps, clinking glasses in a German beer hall, or soaking up the sun in the Greek Isles .

Maybe you want to visit Poland and pay your respects at Auschwitz — I consider this sobering, heart-wrenching experience a must — or try every waffle you come across in Belgium. You can do it all if you have enough time, but start by arranging a shortlist with your top priorities and then tack on additional destinations if you have space.

These are some of the best places to visit in Europe, but the best destinations for you will depend on your interests, priorities, and goals. If you're purely on "vacation" with no remote work or school obligations, two to three days in each place should suffice, but if you can't devote your full attention each day to exploring, then you'll want a little extra time in each city to do it justice.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Europe Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 8, 2024

From beautiful Paris to smoke-filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, Oktoberfest to La Tomatina, Europe is a massive, diverse continent with an unlimited assortment of things to see and do. You won’t have any problem filling your time, whether you’re backpacking Europe for a few months on a budget or just spending a few weeks there on a well-earned vacation.

The continent boasts wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and tons of world-class festivals. Every country is incredibly different from the next too, providing limitless variety in what you do during your trip.

I first backpacked Europe in 2006 and was hooked immediately. I’ve been visiting every year since, have run tours around the continent, and even wrote a book on traveling in Europe . It’s a destination I love and never get tired of exploring.

This guide will give you an overview of Europe and the tips and tricks you need to start planning your trip. I’ve also written extensive travel guides to each country on the continent (linked below in this post) so you can get more in-depth information for your specific itinerary too!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Europe

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in europe.

1. Tour the Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun and each is unique in its own great way. There’s Ios (beach party central with archeological ruins and awesome boat tours); Kos (ancient ruins and nature); Crete (Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, hiking, beaches, and wine), Santorini (iconic blue water, white buildings, and local wineries); Mykonos , (the upscale party island with beautiful beaches, villages, and sunsets), Naxos (best island in the Cyclades). Plus, Milos, Corfu, Lemnos, Zakynthos, and so many more! With hundreds of islands in the country, you can always find what you are looking for!

2. Ride the rails

Europe is famous for its international rail system. Rail passes like the Eurail Pass have been around forever and still make it very easy to get from country to country on a relatively small budget (and with lots of flexibility). Europe has some of the fastest trains in the world that travel up to an incredible 217 mph (350 kph). The whole continent is connected by trains and there’s a growing push for even more connections and long-distance, high-speed trains in order to reduce flying and help combat climate change. There’s nothing more quintessential than riding the trains in Europe and I encourage you to take as many trains as possible. It’s one of the best ways to see the continent.

3. Get lost in Paris

The “City of Lights” is everything people say it is. I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot in Paris . The city is just magical. You have a ton of museums, cafes, jazz clubs, famous art, and beautiful architecture. I love just strolling around the streets of the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) or Montmartre neighborhood as it makes for a breathtaking day. Another one of my favorite things to do here is just sit in the Jardin des Champs-Élysées park and picnic like the Parisians. For something a bit different, check out the famous Catacombs and Paris Sewer Museum. With so much to offer in the way of culture, history, and gastronomy, it would take years to see everything here but you can still get a good feel of the city in a few days.

4. Go city hopping

There are so many amazing cities in Europe that we’d need a top 100 to list them all. Here are some of my personal favorites and must-see cities: London is rich in history, culture, and the famous Big Ben clock; Edinburgh is a vibrant medieval city with cozy pubs and a famous castle with a huge New Year’s Eve Party; Amsterdam has cozy coffee shops and canopied tree-covered canals; Berlin has a wild party scene, street art, and the Berlin Wall; Barcelona has tapas, beach, and unique Gaudi architecture; coastal Lisbon has colorful tiles, old tramcars, cobblestone streets and plenty of fresh seafood; Prague has a beautiful intact Old Town, incredible architecture and eclectic bars; Tallinn Estonia has beautiful medieval buildings with colorful roofs. Florence  is a mecca for Italian Renaissance architecture, art history, and gelato; Stockholm mixes medieval architecture and modern art and design. Crisscross the continent, take in the culture, and enjoy all the historic cities!

5. Hit the Alps

Whether you go skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the Alps hold some of the most breathtaking views in all the world. You don’t even need to be an expert hiker because there are mountain trails for all levels and crystal-clear Alpine lakes. Check out the spectacular Eibsee trail loop in Bavaria at the foot of Die Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, for the clearest, multi-colored, sparkling lake you’ve ever seen. Or the Männlichen Kleine Scheidegg Panorama trail in Switzerland’s stunning green and snow-capped Alps. Or visit Italy’s Dolomites in South Tyrol for the scenic Seceda trail. The Alps have trails for every fitness level and in every season.

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. tour amsterdam.

I love Amsterdam so much that I lived here for a short period of time in 2006. Here cobblestone and brick streets weave around lovely canals as people ride their bikes to and fro. My favorite things to enjoy here are Amsterdam’s vibrant art and music scene and there are also a ton of interesting museums here like the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the history museum, and the hemp museum. Be sure you get out of the center into Jordaan and Oost with their wonderful outdoor cafes and fewer tourists. Also, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a canal cruise to visit the many islands and there are many to choose from that include snacks and drinks, sunset cruises, live guided tours, and more.

2. Hang out in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It truly could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late-night dinners and parties until dawn. Besides a great food and nightlife scene, there is a wonderful beach, tons of Gaudi architecture (including the fairytale-like Parc Güell, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia , which has been under construction for over 100 years!), incredible food tours, one of the best history museums in the country, and lots of outdoor spaces. What I love about Barcelona is that when you’re ready to chill, you can wander around Parc de la Ciutadella and marvel at the majestic fountains, plant life, and buildings created from an ornate military fortress.

3. Visit Berlin

Hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. It is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, with a vibrant music and art scene and a growing foodie movement. Be sure to spend some time learning about the city’s darker history via the many excellent museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that’s now painted with murals, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two especially powerful reminders of Germany’s past. For all periods of German history, don’t miss the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) – it’s one of the best history museums in the world. Once you’ve had your fill of history, relax in Berlin’s many green spaces, from Tempelhof Field, the site of a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.

4. Drink beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a must for anyone going to Germany at the end of September. While not a budget option since beers now cost 15 € a maß, I love the energy and friendly camaraderie this event inspires. For two weeks, millions of people from all over the world gather for lots of beer, excitement, music, and wild fun. Watching thousands of people sing together, raising quart-sized beer mugs for endless toasts, and enjoying the general party atmosphere makes you feel good about the world. (Or maybe that’s just the beer?) Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared to pay top prices for them. If you don’t have an outfit, don’t worry, there are plenty of shops even at the main train station where you can buy a Bavarian dirndl dress and men’s lederhosen.

5. Experience London

Get a taste of English culture in diverse London . The museums here are some of the best in the world (most are free) and include the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum. There’s no shortage of iconic sights here as well, with Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and of course, Buckingham Palace. I love London’s diversity because of the countless international eateries with great food and wonderful pub culture, perfect for after a long day seeing the sights. Head to Brick Lane on the weekends for some amazing food and craft markets. I prefer Paris to London, but there is something sophisticated and fun about London. Just watch those pints — London is not a cheap destination!

6. Get outdoors in Scandinavia

My favorite region in Europe is Scandinavia. The quality of life here is high, the people are beautiful and friendly, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling the cities, taking canal tours, hiking the vast forested areas, archipelago hopping, enjoying fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming up in saunas are just a few of the popular activities that await you here. True, this area of Europe is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your expenses. Don’t let the high prices scare you away. Highlights for me include Copenhagen , Stockholm , Gotland, Norway’s fjords, and Lapland in Finland .

7. Get enchanted in Prague

Prague has an amazing history and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities I’ve ever seen. Highlights include the 9th-century Prague Castle, the magnificent Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century old square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter. Even if you only have a few days there don’t miss the free walking tour which is one of my favorites in Europe and the best way to learn about the Old Town and the tragic history of the city that went from thriving Bohemian capital of art, music, and literature to part of the Iron Curtain after WWII. Some of my favorite gems here include the fantastic black light theater shows in 4D and the one-of-a-kind medieval dinner show in an old tavern complete with musicians and jugglers not to mention hearty food and drinks. During the weekends it heaves with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and delicious food so try to visit during the week (and in the spring or fall) to beat the crowds.

8. Relax on the French Riviera

Here, you can pretend to live the high life for a little bit. Have fun in the sun, relax on the beach, swim in azure blue water, hobnob with the rich and famous, and sail on (or gaze at) gigantic yachts. As for cities, Nice is nice with its palm-tree-lined promenade, old town, and many art museums. If you want to go see how the rich and famous live, spend an afternoon checking out Cannes to soak up some glamorous vibes on La Croisette where they hold the famous Cannes Film Festival. The kingdom of Monaco with its tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and world-famous casino is just a skip away too.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors in Interlaken

Located in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is a gorgeous place to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor sports. The area is full of natural attractions to explore, including the St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640 feet) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town’s name). It’s a good alternative to all the cities and museums. Interlaken is also a popular party destination for backpackers and other young travelers. By far, my favorite scenic and visually stunning trail was the Oberberghorn panoramic hike, where you can wander the green mountain ridge ogling the amazing views and the turquoise-blue Brienzersee.

10. Experience history in Rome

In this thriving historical city, you can’t walk two feet without stumbling over a ruin, making Rome a history buff’s dream. Its tiny streets are perfect for wandering as you explore the Colosseum, see the Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, spend time in Vatican City, admire the Spanish Steps, and toss coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The skip-the-line tickets can definitely be worth it so you don’t waste time waiting outside attractions. Rome also has amazing food (it’s Italy, after all) and nightlife. Visit the Trastevere area for a taste of “local” Rome and chill bars. It’s my favorite area in the city because you feel like you’re in a small village in the middle of a big city.

11. Hike around the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite part of Italy. These five beautiful cliffside towns are perched near warm waters and beautiful olive and grape groves. There are wondrous and strenuous hikes in these hills; for a real challenge, take trail #8. Or just walk the coastline for something less difficult. Many activities here revolve around the coastline: kayaking, swimming, having a beach picnic or visiting the Technical Naval Museum. If you happen to be here in December or January, don’t miss the Nativity Manarola, the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene.

12. Tour Krakow

Krakow looks like it stepped out of a medieval postcard. It’s a hip, trendy, and youthful city that’s the center of education in Poland, meaning there are a lot of university students here. Most travelers come to party here (the vodka is cheap) but try to enjoy the city’s history and food besides just the bars. Walk the Royal Road through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, tour Schindler’s Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during World War II), and visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. You can also take a fascinating day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with cavernous chambers, statues, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all carved out of salt.

13. Visit the ruin bars in Budapest

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest . Built in abandoned buildings, ruin bars feature funky art installations, repurposed furniture, and quirky decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals, as people of all ages flock here. Open since 2001, Szimpla Kert is the original ruin bar and one of my favorites, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which takes up an entire building and is actually many different bars in one. Don’t skip the ruin bars — they’re one of the most unique things about the city!

14. Explore Cornwall

The best part of England is outside London, yet unfortunately, not a lot of travelers leave London. Head west to the area of Cornwall for cheaper prices, welcoming locals, natural beauty, great hiking, rolling hills, plenty of medieval castles, and picturesque small towns. If you like biking, the Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow is worth the trip and you even pass by a local vineyard. It’s an easy way to spend a day (and it’s pretty flat so it’s not too hard to do.) Plus, I had the best fish and chips in Cornwall! Overall, it’s what you think of as “traditional England.”

15. Walk the Camino

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from France all the way across northern Spain. It is a 500 mile (800 km) trail that winds through incredible terrain, ending in Santiago de Compostela at the cathedral where St. James is supposedly buried. As a pilgrim, you get a “pilgrim’s passport” which allows you to stay in affordable pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly budget-friendly adventure. While it usually takes over a month to complete, you can just walk a section if you don’t have the time. To receive a “Compostela” (certificate of completion), you just need to walk the last 62 miles (100 km), which generally takes 4-5 days.

16. Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

By far my favorite festival, the largest food fight in the world happens during the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain. What started in 1945 as a local brawl has turned into a massive event drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world. For about an hour, everyone throws tomatoes at each other, leaving streets ankle-deep in tomato juice. Afterward, everyone walks down to the river, cleans off, and then heads to the town square for sangria and music.

17. Find Dracula in Romania

Not a lot of people visit Romania but this underrated country in Eastern Europe has undiscovered yet picturesque medieval towns like Brasov (home to “Dracula’s castle”), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea; and incredible hiking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap prices. Other major sights include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, the steepled wooden churches of Transylvania, the hip university town Cluj-Napoca, the post-communist capital of Bucharest, and the Danube Delta, a huge nature reserve.

18. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay , an island off Scotland’s west coast. It’s been made there since the 16th-century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor a lot of other blends on the mainland. There are currently nine working distilleries on the island, all located along the island’s shores, with Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin being the most famous. Most distilleries here make single-malt Scotch, meaning that only one type of grain (barley) is used. My visit here was amazing and, even if you don’t like whisky, there are tons of good hikes and walks throughout this magnificent island.

19. Explore Iceland

Iceland is a magical country with majestic waterfalls, hidden hot springs around every corner, and sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else in the world. After my first visit, the country quickly became one of my favorite countries. With whale watching in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal baths for soaking in year-round, there really is no bad time to visit! While Iceland’s main draw is the epic natural landscapes, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Reykjavik with its café culture, artsy feel, and brightly colored wooden row houses.

20. Sail the Croatian coast

With calm winds, short distances, a coastline littered with over 1,000 islands, and countless historical sites, Croatia is one of the world’s best sailing destinations. If you can, go during the shoulder season when you can find some great deals. Plan to stay at least a couple of days on one of the islands, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj. However, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known islands such as Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to splash out and spend a week partying on a yacht, check out The Yacht Week, which hosts week-long parties, complete with DJs, from May-September. You can book a full boat to share with friends or just a cabin if you’re traveling solo. Prices start at 5,250 HRK per person and go up to 9,300 HRK.

21. Explore the Balkans

While the Balkans have become more popular with backpackers in recent years, it’s still largely overlooked by most budget travelers, despite being an extremely budget-friendly region. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and again, overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, stunning mountainous landscapes, beautiful pebble beaches, coffee culture, fresh, hearty yet inexpensive food, and museums covering the area’s history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I especially loved my time in Albania . Don’t miss the beautiful beaches in Ksamil, nicknamed the “Maldives of Europe’ as well as the mountain village of Gjirokastër, which was occupied by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Balkans have so much to offer for every budget and every country has its unique cultural flavor.

22. Take a wine tour in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the picturesque Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stretches 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. One of the major wine-producing regions of France, the area is home to some of the best wines in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards open to the public. Even those who don’t drink wine will enjoy the beautiful small towns, great food, and the region’s over 300 impressive chateaux. I loved the medieval Chenonceau Castle and Chateau Villandry and the small villages like Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Spring and Autumn are my favorite times to visit because you can go biking and do outdoor activities when it’s not too hot and there are fewer people. It’s an area not to be missed.

23. See Fado in Portugal

Fado is an important musical tradition in Portugal , originating in Lisbon and stretching back some 200 years. The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, and it’s very haunting, poetic, and emotional music. Most of the songs follow themes of loss and mourning, and the music was popular with the working class (especially sailors). Performances normally take place in restaurants during dinner. In Lisbon, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho.

24. Tour green Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited destinations, which is mind-blowing to me because it’s an amazing place to visit. Slovenia offers all the beauty of Western Europe but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers, Slovenia offers rugged mountains, untouched landscapes, fantastic ski resorts, plentiful wine, sprawling cave systems, incredible food, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famous Lake Bled with its castle on an island. I loved Piran, Slovenia’s often overlooked coastal Venetian-style harbor town that was actually founded 3000 years ago. Stroll around its beautiful windy cobble-stoned streets, beautiful plazas, and take advantage of the many affordable restaurants right on the water. Make sure to also spend a few days in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, known as one of the continent’s greenest and most livable cities. Take a river cruise to see the city and enjoy the friendliness of the locals.

  For more information on specific countries in Europe, check out the guides below:

• Albania Travel Guide
• Austria Travel Guide
• Belgium Travel Guide
• Belarus Travel Guide
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide
• Bulgaria Travel Guide
• Czechia Travel Guide
• Croatia Travel Guide
• Denmark Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• Estonia Travel Guide
• Finland Travel Guide
• France Travel Guide
• Germany Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide
• Hungary Travel Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Latvia Travel Guide
• Lithuania Travel Guide
• Malta Travel Guide
• Moldova Travel Guide
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Netherlands Travel Guide
• Norway Travel Guide
• Portugal Travel Guide
• Poland Travel Guide
• Romania Travel Guide
• Scotland Travel Guide
• Slovakia Travel Guide
• Slovenia Travel Guide
• Spain Travel Guide
• Sweden Travel Guide
• Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide

Europe Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation prices vary greatly by region. In Western Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 25-45 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 20 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 45 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris costs on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens costs on the lower end.

In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 10-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 30-60 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two.

In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost around 25-45 EUR, while private rooms are 65-80 EUR. Budget hotels start around 85 EUR.

Most accommodations offer free linens, free Wi-Fi, and a lot offer free breakfast, but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities.

Campsites cost between 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Food traditions in Europe run deep, stretching back centuries to become integral parts of each country’s culture. From baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from hearty Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean, European cuisine varies as much as the countries themselves. Food prices differ greatly across the continent, so check individual country guides for specifics.

But no matter where you are, even in the more expensive countries, finding places to eat within your budget is easier than you might think. Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops, street food stalls, or food trucks where you can get sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 3-7 EUR. These shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas, and offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on 12-17 EUR per day. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7-10 EUR for a combo meal.

Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese eateries abound in Germany, while Indian food is incredible and everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these restaurants usually cost between 8-12 EUR.

Restaurant meals in casual, traditional eateries generally cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions like Scandinavia and the UK are more expensive than southern countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

In Eastern Europe, even if you are eating out for all your meals, you can still get by on a food budget of as little as 15 EUR per day.

For drinks, a pint of beer is 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino is 2-5 EUR, and cocktails range from 6-14 EUR.

If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu. You can also get affordable lunches at outdoor markets. So many European cities have huge fresh food markets throughout town.

You can cook your own food for around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, bread, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market.

If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets

Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and use all my tips on saving money, you need about 65-110 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40-50 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85-130 EUR in Scandinavia.

Those numbers reflect a traveler who stays in hostels, cooks some meals and eats out cheaply, enjoys a few drinks, and sticks to free and cheap activities like hiking, walking tours, and enjoying nature. This is your typical backpacker budget. You aren’t going to have a fancy time, but you aren’t going to want for anything either.

However, by getting tourist cards and rail passes, avoiding flights, occasionally Couchsurfing or camping, cooking all your meals, and not drinking, you can travel a lot cheaper. On this budget, you could do Western Europe on 35-45 EUR per day, Eastern Europe on 20-25 EUR, and Scandinavia on 50-65 EUR. That would require you to take a train or a bus or hitchhike everywhere, skip most museums, and limit how often you go out.

Generally, the suggested daily budget for Europe is 80-120 EUR. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Europe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Individual country guides have more specific information on how to save money in them but here are some general tips on cutting your costs while you explore Europe:

• Picnic – This continent has a lot of little shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Many supermarkets have delis as well where you can get food to go. Buy some food, eat outside, and watch the city and its people go by. It’s a much more enjoyable and cheaper way to eat.
• Eat local and cheap – Not into picnicking? Eat at local sandwich shops, pizza parlors, Maoz, Wok to Walks, and outdoor street vendors. Avoiding restaurants and eating at a lot of the local “grab n’ go” places gives you a taste of the local cuisine at a much cheaper price. If you’re really on a budget, use your creative cooking skills to prepare meals at the hostel as well.
• Stay with a local – Hostels can add up really quickly. If you don’t have any friends with whom you can stay, consider using Couchsurfing , which connects you with locals who let you stay with them for free. Plus, they tend to also have meetups to meet other locals and travelers. It’s a great way to save on accommodation and meet a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Camp in a garden – A very good camping service specific to Europe is Campspace , which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or for a small fee (around 10-20 EUR). All of the garden owners have profiles that tell you what services and facilities they offer. Also, many countries allow wild camping (like Sweden), which can save you a fortune if you have a tent.
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the continent for cheap. I personally feel it’s best for day travel as sitting up for an overnight bus isn’t really ideal for sleeping. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 5 EUR, you really can’t complain!
• Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal.
• Take the free city tours – One of the great things about Europe is that you can find free walking tours in all the major cities. They can be a great way to see the city attractions, take in some history, and learn your bearings without spending any money. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money (and time). Go in a straight line or a loop. Booking your accommodation ahead helps you save as well since cheap, good places unsurprisingly get reserved first. One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until the last minute means you get stuck with expensive places or cheap places no one wants.
• Fly cheap – If you know where you are going and a train won’t do, try to book flights early. You can often get round trip fares for as little as 5 EUR from many of the European discount airlines like Ryanair or Wizz. Many capital cities have smaller airports farther from the city with ‘inconvenient’ times but cheaper fares. Keep in mind you might need to factor in an early morning Uber or taxi if the busses aren’t running and you have an early flight!
• Drink less – Those 5 EUR beers add up. Hit happy hours or pick and choose when you party. Hostel bars are a good place to get cheap drinks or buy your alcohol at the supermarket. Plus, in Europe, it’s legal to drink outside in parks, plazas, by the lakes or rivers. You’ll find you can save a lot of money by not going to bars and clubs. Partying your way across the continent will destroy your bank balance in no time.
• Get a city tourist card – Many local tourism offices sell a tourism card for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants and shopping malls. They save a ton of money. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, get one of these cards.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries) by paying a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for rides. I used this service in Switzerland and, not only did I save a lot of money, but I got to meet interesting people and learn about local culture and life. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe, though sometimes rides cancel at the last minute (which is why you need to be flexible). Check their ratings first and try to use rides where the person has done many trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Get a HostelPass – HostelPass is a discount membership for hostels in Europe. Members get 10-20% off select hostels around Europe, as well as perks like free breakfast or free drinks. There are discounts on tours and activities too. It’s a great way to save money if you’re bouncing around Europe as they have hostels in 18 countries around the continent.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe has a ton of budget accommodation options. The individual country and city guides have tons of recommendations but here’s a short list of some of my favorite budget hostels and hotels around Europe:

• The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Hotel 54 (Barcelona, Spain)
• Generator Hostel (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Harcourt Hotel (Dublin, Ireland)
• Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Ios Palm Pansion (Ios, Greece)
• Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)
• Largo da Sé Guest House (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Sophie’s Hostel (Prague, Czech Republic)
• The Yellow (Rome, Italy)
• City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)

How to Get Around Europe

Public transportation – Transportation around most European cities is by tram, subway, or bus. Prices are typically around 2 EUR for a one-way ticket in Western Europe and closer to 1 EUR in Eastern Europe. Most large cities also have day passes available that offer unlimited public transportation. These passes are usually 5-12 EUR per day.

In large cities with international airports, there is usually a bus or train available that ferries travelers from the downtown core to the airport. Expect to pay around 5-15 EUR to get to/from the airport.

Bus – Buses are not quite as comfortable as Europe’s trains, although certain lines do have great amenities (like roomy seats and Wi-Fi). While buses are not the most efficient way to travel around the continent, they’re certainly dependable, reliable, and cheap. You can find last-minute rides for as little as 5 EUR. A route from Berlin to Munich is about 25 EUR, while Paris to Bordeaux can be as low as 10 EUR. Longer routes, like Amsterdam to Copenhagen, start at around 47 EUR.

Each country has its own national bus service, but some lines also take you long distances internationally. Megabus and Flixbus (which now owns Eurolines) are the most popular companies.

Train – Train travel is a great way to see Europe. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country, depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train and how far in advance you book. For example, a high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 38-60 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 50-85 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona ranges from 45-85 EUR. Non-high-speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% of the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short train rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR.

You may also want to consider getting a Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period. These passes are continent-wide, country-specific, or regional. It can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Ridesharing/Car sharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the most popular.

If you’d rather rent a car yourself and find passengers to share a ride with, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental prices.

Flying – Budget airlines are so prolific that competition helps keep fares low. You can often find tickets where the fare is just 5 EUR round-trip! Companies like EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz, and Vueling offer mind-blowingly cheap flights throughout Europe. Book at least a month early to scoop up great deals.

Make sure that the airport they fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. It costs about 25-39 EUR for one checked bag. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Europe is very safe, but it’s not for everyone. Hitching is quite common around the continent and I’ve met a number of travelers who have done it (I, myself, traveled this way in Bulgaria and Iceland). Some countries are very supportive (Romania, Iceland, Germany) while others may be a bit more time-consuming (Italy, Spain). HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info.

Here are my suggested articles for how to get around Europe:

• 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe
• Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

When to Go to Europe

There’s no wrong time to visit Europe. Peak season is summer, when Europe gets crowded and August is the time most European families are at the beach so everything becomes more crowded and expensive. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season (just book your accommodation in advance — especially in August). Keep in mind it’s much hotter in summer so if you like AC, be sure to check that your hostel or hotel has it before you book. You can expect the most crowds in Western Europe. For this reason, I feel summer is a great time to visit the Balkans and the Baltics because many people head to the beaches in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Shoulder season is spring and fall (April-May and September-October). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. This is my favorite time to visit hotspot places like Spain, Croatia and Greece, where it’s still hot enough to swim in the sea but you have way more room on the beach. It’s also a good time to go hiking in the Alps in Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland because it’s cooler during the day so you’re much less sweaty on the mountain without shade. The weather is good, the crowds are smaller, and the prices lower.

Winter is from November to February but in much of Central Europe, it’s wet and cold until March or April. It gets cold, even as far south as it gets (like Greece). On the other hand, the Christmas season has Christmas markets and festivals galore! Even if it’s cold, this is a cultural tradition you can’t miss and why I love Europe in December. There is hot mulled wine, sweets, and plenty of hot snacks, which vary by country. One of my favorites is Prague because the Old Town Square is lit up with a gigantic tree with aromas of crispy cinnamon pastries and mulled wine. Berlin takes their Christmas markets very seriously, so there are around 80 different markets with special themes.

Winter is fantastic in Europe for skiing and snowboarding but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you plan carefully. While Switzerland and France are probably the most famous, they are also expensive, but there are plenty of budget winter options.

How to Stay Safe in Europe

Europe is very safe for backpacking and solo traveling, even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crimes against tourists are very rare. In fact, some of the safest countries in the world are in Europe. (I wrote a whole article about how Europe is safe to visit right now .)

That said, there are scams and petty crimes you should watch out for, especially around popular tourist landmarks. The most important thing to be aware of is pickpockets in crowds and on public transportation. Zip your bags and don’t put your mobile phone in a jacket pocket where someone could quickly take it. This should be obvious but don’t flash your money to let everyone know you have a huge wad of cash.

When choosing a hostel, look for ones with lockers. It’s always a good idea to carry around a padlock or combination lock. Most hostels are safe and travelers respect each other and I’ve rarely seen things happen to people’s valuables. Nevertheless, I always think that prevention is better.

As anywhere, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). When at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink. Avoid walking home alone at night if you’re intoxicated.

For female travelers in particular, it’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra money on you just in case you need to take an Uber or taxi back by yourself so you don’t take unnecessary risks to save money. If you’re using apps to date people while traveling, please use common sense and meet in public places. Since I’m not a female traveler, please check out the numerous female bloggers who have first hand knowledge of this.

If you’re worried about scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware that the UK drives on the left and that most rental cars in Europe will have manual transmissions unless you request otherwise.

When hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and bandaids or foot plasters. There is nothing worse than being halfway up the mountain with a blister and nothing you can do about it!

Likewise, when at the coast, don’t forget not only to wear sunscreen! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get burnt to a crisp the first day. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Europe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Europe Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 6 Best Hotels in Vienna

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

The Best eSIM for Traveling Europe

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

These are the best times to buy an international flight

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Don't fret about your airfare budget if you're planning an international trip and trying to pinch pennies. Just plan ahead and study the best times to book.

While you can often find great deals year-round thanks to regular flash sales from the biggest airlines, you can't always rely on the timing. In these situations, it's good to look at wider booking trends and the seasonality of your destination when deciding how far in advance you should book.

When is the best time to buy international flights? Is it worth waiting for a last-minute deal, or should you lock in that airfare right this second? CheapAir — a website where you can search for inexpensive airfare and compare flights — looked at all the possible days to book trips from the U.S. to different regions worldwide. The website identified which days are best to score the cheapest airfare.

Which days of the week are the cheapest to fly?

Generally, Tuesday and Wednesday are always the least expensive days of the week to fly; Sunday is, more often than not, the most expensive. On average, you could save between $25 and $350 by traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on your destination. When exactly to book, however, does vary between regions.

You'll find a summary of the website's other findings and a more detailed breakdown of CheapAir's results below.

Best time to buy: Three to 10 months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: February and March.

Most expensive months to travel: August and December.

Fares in spring and fall tend to be marginally better — roughly $25 less — than those in winter and summer. If you're traveling as a family, you may find these savings worth it; if you're a solo traveler, this amount of money is fairly minimal and might not be worth changing your travel plans around to keep in your wallet.

If you're planning a summer trip, you'll ideally want to look to book around eight to 10 months in advance to take advantage of the lowest fares; winter is similarly aligned. Fall and spring, however, see the best fares as late as five to six months before travel.

Best time to buy: One to five months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: January and February.

Airfare to Mexico is fairly consistent throughout the year but can be slightly cheaper in January and February if you really want to save those pennies.

Broadly speaking, you don't need to give yourself too much time between booking and traveling unless you're looking for a December winter getaway. If so, it's best to book about seven months before your travel date.

Best time to buy: Two to five months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: September and October.

Most expensive months to travel: July and December.

Traveling to the Caribbean from the U.S. is relatively straightforward if you're looking for optimal pricing with good options dotted throughout every month.

If you're looking for a Christmas escape, you might want to book around five months before you plan to travel. During summer, you can often find good late deals — about one to two months before traveling.

Central America and South America

Unsurprisingly it's more expensive flying to both Central America and South America during the summer and winter months — particularly around the holidays.

If you're looking for the perfect window, consider traveling to the region during spring, when ticket prices are about $50 to $60 less on average than during other seasons.

South Pacific

Best time to buy: Nine to 10 months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: January and April.

Most expensive months to travel: October and November.

To really see any savings on flights to the South Pacific from the U.S., you'll need to look at booking at least eight months out.

If you're hoping to travel in spring or fall, you can afford to wait a little longer since the differences in savings are fairly minimal.

Best time to buy: 10 months before your travel date.

As with travel to the South Pacific, Asia doesn't deviate too much. You'll want to book at least eight months out to find the best prices.

The busiest months tend to be August and December (around the Christmas rush). If you're flexible, spring and fall may offer better prices.

Best time to buy: One to seven months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: October and November.

Most expensive months to travel: May and June.

It goes without saying that the most expensive time to travel to Europe is during the summer months. Average airfares will regularly come in at more than $1,100. Plus, once you arrive, you'll be competing for space with European vacationers looking for some sun closer to home.

If you're flexible with your travel dates, you might find that fall shoulder season fares come in, on average, about $200 less than summer fares. Depending on your destination, you can still chase the weather and sunbathe in sunny climates.

With consistent flights to Europe running throughout all seasons, you can find good fares quite late in the game. If you'd rather get your plans settled early, look to book around six to seven months before you travel.

Middle East

Best time to buy: Two to 10 months before your travel date.

The sweet spot for booking flights to the Middle East from the U.S. appears to be about eight months before you're set to travel.

The winter and summer periods are definitely the busiest here. If you're traveling during the spring and fall, you have a little more leeway regarding when to book. You can often find good deals around two to three months before you travel.

Cheapest month to travel: February.

Most expensive month to travel: July.

If you're planning an escape to Africa, it's wise to book your flights as early as possible throughout most of the year. The only outlier is if you want to visit in spring when you can often get good deals for flights quite close to your planned departure date — around three months before.

Keep in mind that the rainy season falls during the spring months in some parts of the continent.

Bottom line

If you can plan far ahead, it can pay to book travel many months in advance. If you need a shorter booking window, it is still possible to find good fares as long as you're flexible with both the destination and the conditions in your chosen locale (as deals are commonly available during off-season periods when the weather might not be entirely desirable).

Note: While the above information is a fairly consistent guide to finding the best prices to travel, there are always outliers. For example, trips to London during the coronation or Munich during Oktoberfest will probably cost more since these are peak tourist times. In these instances, it's often worth checking for flight deals or holding out for flash sales.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations

What Summer Travel to Europe Will Look Like This Year

By Arati Menon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With additional reporting by Sarah Allard

When travel journalist Jenn Rice decided to spend July and August in Italy and Croatia last year, she wasn’t expecting to be spending most of her time indoors. “It was very very hot, so I booked museum tickets during peak days or just lounged around in my room with a spritz and a book until the sun set.” In Dubrovnik she tried escaping to the sea for a cool dip, but everyone else had the same idea—resulting in sweaty, overcrowded beaches. “In Rome , gelato melted faster than the speed of light,” she says.

Come summer, major attractions like the Spanish Steps in Rome are thronged by international tourists and vacationing Europeans.

Rome and Dubrovnik weren’t the only European destinations overcome with heat. To travel in Europe in the summer of 2023 was to experience first-hand a single season of contrasting extremes. Temperatures swung from hot and dry to cold and wet, and heatwaves broke out across several of the most heavily touristed destinations, with temperatures reaching upwards of 100°F. In Northern Greece, wildfires broke out —the worst experienced there in 20 years —destroying homes, forests, and vineyards.

Yet in the midst of it all, the continent also saw record-breaking tourist numbers —the highest since pre-pandemic levels—even as hotel prices swelled and airfares hit peaks. From scenic escapes like Bellagio in Como and Taormina in Sicily (where the White Lotus effect was on full display) to bucket-list cities like Paris and Madrid , much of touristed Europe was completely overwhelmed.

“We had people calling us from Athens and Rome asking us to get them out [to somewhere cooler in Europe], because it was too hot and too crowded,” recalls Jan Sortland , founder of Scandinavia specialists Norwegian Adventures.

International tourists weren’t the only ones thronging these spots. According to the European Travel Commission , most Europeans took their vacations before the peak month of August, with Italy and France being their top destinations. This resulted in packed crowds at all the major attractions. For John Canning, an LA-based executive who traveled to Paris in July, the crowds were eye-opening. “We didn’t anticipate that everything we would want to see was sold out. We only got Musée d’Orsay tickets through our concierge at a substantial premium and could not get into the Louvre full stop,” he says.

Rice says the summer taught her to plan her travel differently this year—and beyond: “I’m going to try and do coastal Italy early in May, and if I decide to travel in Europe this summer it will be either Asturias in Northern Spain or the Julian Alps in Slovenia to keep cool."

She’s not alone—according to the travel specialists we spoke with, there’s an increased interest in lesser-known destinations offering a more laid back (and cooler) holiday. “Our guests are asking after places where they can be outdoors, yet have access to wine & foodie experiences and culture. Slovenia is a great example of where you can have all that without being overwhelmed with the heat; the Dolomites in Italy is another,” says Rachael Mendizabal, Europe travel specialist at Scott Dunn . Richard Hyde, COO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World , is seeing similar trends across their European portfolio: “Guests seem to be gravitating towards alternative destinations—Milos instead of Mykonos and Slovenia instead of Spain.”

Norway is a popular destination this summer, offering cooler weather and a myriad ways to be active outside, exploring the islands and fjords.

A big part of that shift will play into Sortland’s area of expertise: Northern Europe. With the Med getting too hot to handle, experts predict that tourism will shift northwards. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Copenhagen and Stockholm for the cultural experience, and then onward to Norway for the nature. Currently, the fjords are still a favorite but Norway is a large country and there’s so much more to see—the Helgeland coast for example with its beautiful coastline and mountainous islands,” he says. The draw is a more moderate temperature and unique outdoor experiences. “ Iceland is a big favorite right now with the Northern lights being the most active this year from September through March,” says Mendizabal.

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In turn, for many, the more standard city breaks will fall later in the year. “Athens and Rome will always be desirable destinations, but we’ve seen an uptick in many people preferring to go there in May and October to swerve crowds,” says Carolyn Addison, head of product at Black Tomato , noting the weather in fall has been stable lately and enticing to travelers not tied to school holidays.

With this increased flexibility, shoulder season will become tricker to define, according to Mendizabal. Thanks to hotels extending their season as demand shifts to almost year-round and the high-season pricing window getting longer, the days of “scooping a deal in September are likely over.” At Jumeirah Palace in Capri , the season now runs from March to the end of December. “Thanks to the good weather, guests are staying longer than in the past,” says Ermanno Zanini, regional vice president at Jumeirah Group, Southern Europe and United Kingdom.

Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany 's Maremma countryside has traditionally stayed open in March and November. “We're pushing the low season as much as possible because we truly believe it is a wonderful time to discover Tuscany. There is so much for guests to enjoy from hiking to mountain biking, truffle hunting, and wine tastings,” says owner Neri Baccheschi Berti.

Crucially, traveling in the shoulder and off seasons isn't just about avoiding the crowds; it’s knowing that seasonal destinations are multi-dimensional, with year-round appeal. “One of my favorite things to do in cooler weather is to hike to the peak of Mount Solaro, with its beautiful views of the town of Capri and the bay of Marina Piccola with the Faraglioni, as well as Anacapri. You also see plenty of wintering birds on the island,” says Zanini.

Zanini adds that they are in talks with the island's municipality to consider what it would take to stay open in February and March, traditionally strictly closed off. “It's not as straightforward as you think. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be geared towards the low season: restaurants need to stay open, as do shops, and guides need to be available; it can’t just be the hotel,” he adds.

However, with staying open longer, there’s a real opportunity to engage local communities year-round, not to mention stabilize the hiring pool—and improve work culture. “We’ve already seen the positive impact of a longer season for our partners on the ground and locals in the hospitality and tourism sector,” says Addison, who adds that shifts in travel seasons are far from a fleeting trend. “This pattern for more year-round travel will continue to pick up pace in 2025—and beyond," she says.

Travel specialists are quick to point out that even with some of this rebalancing, summer this year and next will continue to see high demand for travel to—and within—Europe. According to Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, while airfare remains higher than at this time in 2019, 40% of all searches for international trips this summer are to Europe, in line with last year and slightly higher than in 2019.

“Sure, we think that traveler numbers on the Côte d'Azur will smooth out through the year, but summer will certainly remain the festive season—only it will be longer,” says Lucie Weill, owner of wellness retreat Lily of the Valley near St. Tropez , which sees its faire share of packed streets and crowded beaches come summer. Weill adds that the hotel has seen success in extending its season.

For travel specialist Cari Gray of Gray & Co . late requests and a lack of flexibility could mean getting turned away because of a lack of availability. “Whether it’s a visit to the Vatican or dogsledding in Alaska , access is going to be very difficult. And there are only that many high-end lodges in Lapland ,” she says. Addison offers the example of Lake Como , where the best properties can often get booked up a year or two in advance during the busiest summer months. “Knowing that the top hotels and guides are getting booked up and that weather disruptions are increasingly unpredictable, clients who want to commit to the most popular summer hotspots in Europe, like the Greek islands and Sardinia are securing their bookings a year out.”

The Balearic island of Menorca is a charming escape with its rocky coves, white-sand beaches, and green rolling hills.

Ultimately, it’s not about giving up on all the places you love: just about pivoting, even if within the same country. “Why not Menorca instead of Mallorca, with its explosion of fantastic hotels and its great beach front, or Epirus in Northern Greece on the Albanian border with its Stone villages, old-growth forests, and truffle hunts instead of the islands," says Gray.

"In Italy we’re always pushing to discover new areas, even in regions that we’ve been exploring for decades like Tuscany and Umbria because new hotels are opening up regularly,” says Courtney Mundy , a travel specialist at experiential travel experts Butterfield & Robinson.

And, a word of caution for the rising favorites: “Smaller destinations in Iceland & Norway will really need to consider how to manage the higher number of visitors than ever before,” says Addison. “Parts of Iceland are overtouristed,” agrees Sortland, “so, it’s not unreasonable to think that smaller communities in Norway could eventually be at risk, too.” Whether it's through new tourist tax regimens or limits on cruise ship day-trippers to reduce crowding, a shifting tide will need more alert local governments—and as we’re swapping beaches for the mountains or Rome for Stockholm, more responsible travel habits that leave fewer traces behind.

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30 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Europe

Posted: February 20, 2024 | Last updated: February 20, 2024

Know before you go

Taking a trip to Europe is something of a rite of passage among travel lovers. But whether you’re planning a multi-country tour or just a short stay in one place, there’s a lot that you should – yet might not – know about visiting the world’s second smallest continent. Knowledge is power and we’ve got your back, so here’s what to expect and prepare for.

Click through the gallery for top tips, busted myths and insider info that will help make your next (or first) Europe trip a breeze…

European countries are not homogeneous

When travelers say they’re “going to Europe,” it can mean they’re making multiple stops across the continent, or just visiting one country. As with other continents, Europe is sometimes perceived as one great homogeneous blob – all gingerbread-house architecture, wartime relics and gelato stands. But, made up of more than 40 sovereign states speaking 24 official languages, this continent is endlessly surprising. Did you know that Spain is home to mainland Europe’s only true desert (pictured), or that Bosnia-Herzegovina boasts its largest rainforest?

Forget stereotypes

Cultural stereotypes are something every responsible traveler should leave at the door. They breed idle assumptions that when left unchecked can grow into harmful prejudices and unconscious bias. Common stereotypes like binge-drinking Brits, grumpy Eastern Europeans and lazy Spaniards are not only massive generalizations, but they are also completely unfair. So come without preconceptions and just talk to the people you meet along the way before forming an opinion. Travel is one of life’s most effective expanders of the mind, after all.

Not every country uses the euro

The euro (€) is the official currency of several states both in and outside the European Union (EU). Finland is the only country in Scandinavia to have adopted it, while countries such as Switzerland, Hungary, Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina have retained their original currency. Great Britain and Northern Ireland use the pound, while the Republic of Ireland has the euro. Croatia became the most recent country to switch to the euro when it discontinued its use of the kuna in 2023.

Check when your passport expires

When the UK ‘Brexited’ the EU, the rules on travel between the two estranged areas changed. Now, Brits traveling from home to the EU must have a passport valid for at least three months past their departure date. The same can be said for nationals of other foreign countries too: Australians and Canadians traveling to Europe should have at least three months of validity left on their passports from the date they intend to leave the continent, while US citizens are advised to have no fewer than six months of passport validity past their last day in Europe.

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a coalition of 27 European countries that allow borderless travel between them. Travelers from several countries, including the UK and the US, do not need a visa to visit any Schengen nations and can travel freely in as many countries as they like for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. While you wait for your Schengen Area travel allowance to refresh, you can also travel in the non-Schengen countries of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania for 90 days within a 180-day window visa-free.

Hand luggage only? One size doesn’t fit all

Frustratingly there is no standard allowance across all airlines when it comes to the size and weight of cabin baggage, which regularly slaps unsuspecting travelers with unwanted extra charges. Your free hand luggage allowance will also vary from carrier to carrier; British Airways is the most generous – you can bring one 56x45x25cm bag and one 40x30x15cm bag into the cabin with you, whereas budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air are much more stingy. The EU is ultimately looking at eliminating carry-on baggage fees but until then, be sure to do your research.

Trains and buses are (mostly) the best ways to get around

You can avoid a lot of the hand luggage drama entirely by traveling through Europe, as opposed to over it. Overland adventures on the continent have never been easier to plan, with many countries (eg Germany and Spain) implementing affordable ticket schemes for those choosing to travel more sustainably. Luxembourg’s public transport network has been completely free to use since 2020, while France banned domestic flights in 2023 where the same journey could be completed by train in less than two and a half hours. On the flip side, the UK’s public transport system is notoriously overpriced.

You sometimes need to validate your tickets

Italy has very strict rules about the need for regional train and local bus tickets to be validated before use – and there’s a hefty fine to pay if you don’t. While Trenitalia’s high-speed and intercity trains are ticketless, you’ll need to get physical regional tickets and rail passes date-stamped before departure by the ticket office or a machine like the one pictured here; e-tickets can be validated online. Ticket validation is gradually being phased out in France, but is still required in some regions. So if you see a ticket-validating machine, use it.

Bring a universal plug adaptor

Don’t get caught out by thinking there’s just one standard kind of power socket for the whole continent. While most countries in mainland Europe have C and F-type sockets, G sockets are more common in the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Cyprus, Gibraltar and Malta. Venture north to Denmark and its territories and you could encounter E or K-type sockets. To avoid any inconveniences in your destination, pack a universal adaptor that allows you to hook up USB cables and switch plug types with the press of a button.

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Save on your phone usage

If you’re lucky, your phone’s network provider might allow you to use your calls, texts and data throughout Europe as part of your existing plan. If that’s not the case, consider investing in a data-roaming add-on that could save you money if you travel regularly – purchasing packages as you go can often work out more expensive for less allowance. Otherwise, prepaid SIM cards designed for travelers also cover multiple countries for days and even months at a time.

Carry a bit of cash

Always pay in the local currency

If you’re withdrawing cash from a European ATM or paying for something on your card while on the continent, always pay in the local currency rather than your own. This will ensure you’re not being fleeced by bad conversion rates that could cost you up to 10% more than if you’d opted for the local legal tender when prompted. Banks like Revolut, Monzo and Starling offer some of the best exchange rates on the market when using their payment cards or apps abroad.

Expect crowds even in the off-season

Even if you’re visiting a European destination between November and March – deemed the off-season – it’s likely that city streets and Insta-famous tourist attractions may still be busier than you might expect. The cooler temperatures, wetter weather and shorter days might be enough to dissuade some people from booking an off-season trip to places like Stockholm, Prague, Edinburgh or London, but you’ll be far from the only one braving it in the name of lower costs.

Avoid falling victim to visitor caps

Greece became the latest European country to impose visitor limits on one of its foremost attractions in 2023 when the Acropolis of Athens began capping the number of daily tourists at 20,000. To protect the longevity of the ancient UNESCO site and the comfort of everyone who wants to see it, visitors must book a one-hour entrance slot in advance. Elsewhere, tourism caps have also been applied on hire cars touring Italy’s Amalfi Coast Drive at busy periods – if your number plate ends in an odd number, you can’t access the road on odd-numbered days, and vice versa.

Pack a comfy pair of walking shoes

It's amazing how quickly your pedometer will tick up while exploring Europe, without you even really having to think about it. Wandering cobbled medieval streets, coast paths, nature trails and around sprawling museums, you'll surpass that 10,000 daily step count in no time. Be sure then to pack your favorite pair of trainers or most sturdy hiking boots – shoes that aren't just supportive but breathable, to avoid unwanted travel buddies like blisters and ingrown toenails.

There are countries where your budget will go further

While the term ‘cheap’ is subjective, we think most will agree that paying less than a euro for an espresso is an absolute steal – and almost unheard of. But that's the going rate in Bulgaria, an oft-overlooked nation at the confluence of the Black Sea and the Balkan Peninsula's highest peaks. Its neighbor Romania is also touted as one of Europe's more affordable destinations, as well as the likes of Estonia, Poland and Czechia.

Sleeping under the stars isn’t a given

If you’re planning to save money on accommodation by wild camping your way around Europe, you should know that pitching your tent is subject to different rules in different countries and often involves a lot of red tape. In the UK for instance, wild camping is illegal without the landowner’s consent almost everywhere, apart from the majority of Scotland and Dartmoor National Park in England’s southwest. Sweden, Norway and Finland have right-to-roam laws that allow camping freely in nature, provided you leave no trace.

These are the countries most supportive of the LGBTQ+ community

Though attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community have become more accepting in recent years across the continent, there are countries that are considerably more inclusive and celebratory than others. At the time of writing, ILGA-Europe (the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) ranked Malta, Belgium, Denmark, Spain and Iceland as the top five European countries where people of all sexualities and gender identities should feel safe. At the bottom of the table, Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan rank lowest for LGBTQ+ tolerance.

These are some of Europe’s most accessible cities

Persons with disabilities, elderly people and families with children all might need to consider the accessibility of a city before visiting. And looking at those that have placed either first, second or third in the Access City Award is a good starting point: Stockholm, Lyon, Berlin, Warsaw, Milan, Luxembourg (pictured), Ljubljana, Rotterdam and Salzburg have all been recognized in the past. If you require elevators or ramps to get around, you might want to skip London – only 92 Tube stations out of the 272 in the metro network provide step-free access from street to platform.

Table for one?

If there's one thing solo travelers universally dread, it's dining alone. In reality, no one bats an eye when you say “mesa para uno,” but what if you can’t even get a table in the first place? In August 2023, Lonely Planet reported that solo diners were being denied seats at restaurants with outdoor terraces in Barcelona, with larger groups taking priority. But worry not, there are plenty of amazing restaurants that do welcome solo customers, such as BENZiNA in the lively Sant Antoni neighborhood. Wherever you travel solo in Europe, it's worth noting that some restaurants won't take reservations for one, so prepare to be flexible.

Businesses might shut down for certain days and siestas

Looking to eat out when you're traveling around Europe? You might find it easier to make a reservation on some days than others. While not all restaurants shut down on Sundays and Mondays as a rule, you might notice that many do. So leave yourself enough time in the planning process to account for a bit of extra research. Stores will often close early (if not completely) on Sundays too, while in typically warmer countries like Spain, Italy and Greece, businesses may also pause operations during afternoon siesta time, especially in more rural communities.

Know when you’re not wanted

Overtourism has become a major blight in some of Europe’s cities, whose fatal flaw is their aesthetic beauty and party-loving nightlife districts. But enough is enough, says Amsterdam, which will increase its tourist tax in 2024 in line with restrictions the city recently placed on cruise ships. The hike will mean Amsterdam breaking its own record for the highest tourist tax in Europe – maybe even the world. Spanish destinations like Seville, Mallorca and Barcelona are also clamping down on rowdy visitors eliciting antisocial behavior.

You can’t even eat ice cream on this Italian beach

Italy is one of the more vocal countries when it comes to making rules to deter irresponsible tourism and pollution. In summer 2023, it was reported that beachgoers at Sant’Antioco in Sardinia could be slapped with a €500 ($546) fine for eating food of any kind on the beach. Milan has also recently been cracking down on eating, banning late-night/early-morning takeaways, while consuming food on the streets of Florence's historic center is also prohibited between set times. In Rome, tourists could be fined for sitting on the iconic Spanish Steps or wading in the Trevi Fountain.

Don’t bring wheelie suitcases to this historic city

Elsewhere, ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ Dubrovnik is urging travelers to respect the city, having launched a tourism campaign in 2023 encouraging people to carry their suitcases through the ancient old town instead of raking them across the battered cobbles. This comes after UNESCO has previously threatened to strip Dubrovnik of its World Heritage Site status due to its problems with mass tourism. While the word about wheeling suitcases through the city’s historic center isn’t a concrete ban, visitors should still be mindful of the impact they make on any destination they travel to.

There’s more than meets the eye

While Europe’s most talked-about places are popular for a reason and shouldn’t necessarily be dropped from your itinerary, there is far more to this little continent than what you see on social media. For instance, Scotland isn’t all just moody castles and rugged highlands – it has Caribbean-like beaches, like the one pictured here on the Isle of Harris. You’ll be vastly rewarded for venturing beyond Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and Iceland’s Golden Circle, and considering the countries you don’t see documented as much, such as Kosovo, Albania and Lithuania. 

Visiting the UK is about to get more expensive

As part of ongoing plans to digitise its borders, the UK is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) document that will be required for visa-free international visitors to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. ETAs cost £10 ($13) and are already mandatory for Qatari passport holders, with Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining the scheme from February 2024. More countries, including the 27 European Union member states, the USA, Canada and Australia, are set to join later in 2024. More on the ETA process can be found in our detailed explainer .

You’ll soon need extra authorisation to visit other countries too

Visa-exempt international travelers to 30 other European countries will also need to apply for additional travel authorization within a couple of years. The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) scheme is similar to the UK’s ETA and will be required for nationals from these listed countries to visit all 27 countries in the Schengen Area, plus Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania. The new visa-waiver program is set to come into effect from spring 2025.

Dodge city centers if you’re planning a road trip

In a bid to reduce the continent’s carbon footprint, more and more low emissions zones are cropping up all over Europe and placing restrictions on petrol and diesel vehicles passing through major cities such as London, Paris and Madrid. Not only does driving a car in these zones result in huge charges to compensate for the environmental impact of the journey, but it can also mean you’re stuck in traffic jams that eat into the enjoyment of your trip. While hiring a car is required to visit more rural, remote and coastal areas, you shouldn’t need one to get around cities.

It’s not just Amsterdam that loves a bike

While the Dutch capital might be the poster-child for seeing the world on two wheels, it's not the only European city encouraging people to get on their bikes. Copenhagen (pictured) is another incredibly cycle-friendly city, where great bike bridges, explorative routes, designated lanes and hire schemes have all been created. If you are planning to cycle when you come to Europe, make sure to familiarise yourself with the road laws for cyclists in each of your destinations, as these can vary from country to country.

Should you really be worried about bedbugs?

Social media ran riot in October 2023 with fear-mongering reports of bedbugs infesting the Paris metro, hotels and cinemas, sending Parisians and travelers into a panic about getting bitten and taking the little blighters home with them. But despite the frenzy, health officers and dermatologists have said that the French capital’s bedbug problem is no worse than in other cities around the world. So while they’re a nuisance, they shouldn’t put you off traveling.

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Hello there,

I would like to know when (which day and time) it would be best to visit the Kremlin. Is it better on weekdays or weekends? Morning or afternoon?

Many thanks

I can say that Thursday is not the best day - the place is closed

https://www.kreml.ru/en-Us/visit-to-kremlin/ticket-prices/

In the Saturdays there used to be a mounted guards change ceremony around noon on Ivanovskaya square. Quite a sight, so if they still hold it, then Saturday would be better than the other days.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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• 3 day stop en rou...

3 day stop en route to Moscow - where would you go?

Hi everyone,

I am tentatively planning to join my parents who are visiting our relatives in Russia either in late July or in August. What really sparked my interest in this trip (aside from seeing family and introducing my husband to them, of course) was using this as an excuse for a quick stop elsewhere in Europe. I was thinking that since there are no direct flights from Seattle to Moscow anymore, my husband and I could start the trip by flying to a European destination, staying there for 3-4 days (not including travel days), and then continuing to Russia.

So far, my list of potential destinations includes: Dublin, Paris, Stockholm, London, and Prague. These are listed in my current order of preference, and it should be noted that we have already been to London and Prague. We are in our late 20s, more city oriented (but don't mind a day trip to the countryside), and mostly interested in live music, architecture, museums, markets, as well as tasting plenty of local food and beer.

If you were to recommend spending a few days in one of these cities, which would you choose? Or do you have any other suggestions with easy-ish transfer to Moscow (no more than 1 layover)? Thanks in advance!

I recommend Paris based on your preferences especially if you have never been there. I was there for the 3rd time last September and never tired of it. I am sure many will agree! Wherever you decide will be awesome. It is Europe after all!!

We have lived in London, Paris and Prague and I would recommend Prague for the live music, architecture (the city is like an art museum), markets, museums, great good, and its unique look and history. On the other hand, why not try St. Petersburg, Russia since you already have permission to enter the country? It is a gorgeous city and the Hermitage is even better than the Louvre (I love both). This is an easy transfer to Moscow for sure.

Out of your 5 cities there are direct flights from Seattle to London and Paris. You already have been to London. Your choice is easy - Paris. My educated guess is that there is a direct flight from Paris to Moscow.

Direct Flight Seattle Stockholm 1 day, take night ferry to Helsinki 1 day, take train to St Petersburg 1 day...fly, bus or train to Moscow.

If you've never been, you should go to Paris!

I've been to the places you listed, and while I'm glad to have seen all of them, I regret not going to Prague sooner. In my many years of travel, it exceeded my expectations - along with the other places in Czech Republic. I think our River Cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg had a flight via either Copenhagen or Stockholm, both of which would be great visits.

Be aware of European vacations in August.

Kathleen has really good idea. Unfortunately there is no direct flight to Stockholm from Seattle. But you can do it with one change. That ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki is exciting. Then train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. I would not recommend bus from S.P. to Moscow. It takes too long. Take fast train Sapsan (about 4 hours). It is expensive but worth it. Other trains take 8 to 10 hours. In that case take overnight sleeping compartment but it is not much cheaper than Sapsan. This could be your alternative to Paris.

In July, my first choice would be Stockholm. The Swedish summer is just beautiful. There is lots to do in Stockholm. The Vasa Museum is one of a kind. The Stadshuset (where the Nobel Prize is awarded) has a great tour. Good food markets are at Hötorget's Saluhallen (modern, ethnic, less expensive) and Östermalms Saluhallen (traditional, more expensive, and beautiful). There are a number of music venues. The only downside is that beer is expensive. If you take the ferry to Helsinki, you will find cheap beer on the ferry.

You could fly to Stockholm and then fly to Moscow OR overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki. Spend the day there (leave luggage at locker in train station before Taking the overnight Ferry (St Peter Line) to St Petersburg. The St Peter Line goes every other day). Spend a couple of nights there before taking the train to Moscow.

Last summer, I traveled Helsinki - St Petersburg - Helsinki - Stockholm using the ferries, so feel free to PM me if you have questions. I also lived in Stockholm for a couple of years, so am a bit biased :)

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! For the record, while I would love to visit St. Petersburg (I feel like a bad Russian person having never been there), I don't think it's the right fit for this particular trip, since the whole idea is to take advantage of there being no direct flights to Russia and making an extended layover somewhere in Europe.

I have to say, I'm a little surprised at the recommendations for Stockholm/Helsinki/St. Petersburg itinerary, given this forum's propensity to advise against such fast-paced trips! It actually sounds amazing, but I think I'd prefer to stretch that trip into at least a couple of days in each place :)

I am definitely being swayed in the direction of Paris at the moment! Neither of us ever had a strong interest in specifically visiting Paris, but with direct flights to/from Moscow, this seems like the perfect opportunity to check it out and maybe fall in love with it the way everyone else seems to be! Although I am still kind of attached to the idea of checking out Dublin or having the excuse to drag my husband back to London so soon after our last trip.

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LIST: Affordable cities to visit in Europe, for as low as 45 euros a day

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PARLIAMENT. Check out Budapest’s main attractions like the Parliament Building.

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Many of Europe’s cities are expensive destinations compared to traveling around Asia. The high cost of living and the flights to reach a European city is often outside the budget range of Filipino travelers. You pay more for accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. However, there are cities in Europe that can still fit your budget if you’re interested in visiting them.

What are some affordable cities you can visit in Europe?

• Prague – This city is one of the most beautiful I’ve been to in Europe. Its gorgeous cityscape consists of spires, towers, and eye-catching buildings. There’s plenty of historic attractions for those that want to catch a glimpse of Czechia’s past. The old town and Charles Bridge might be touristy, but still worth a look and a few hours of wandering around. Accommodation, food, and drinks are good value for money.

• Brno – If you plan to see Czechia beyond Prague, make your way to affordable Brno. The latter is a historic city that’s centuries old. It has a laid-back ambiance and doesn’t get as crowded (in terms of tourists) as the country’s capital. You can use Brno as a jump-off point to see quaint towns such as Telc and Trebic. Tidbit: Jose Rizal stayed in Brno while he was in Czechia.
• Krakow – Krakow is a popular and affordable destination in Poland. The city’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a storied past that dates to several centuries ago. Rynek Glowny or Market Square is its most famous spot. The city is also a jump-off point to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Don’t forget to visit the Wawel Royal Castle and St. Mary’s Basilica.
• Warsaw – The Polish capital doesn’t get the same tourist interest as Krakow. However, it’s still a noteworthy (as well as affordable) destination while you’re traveling around Poland. Explore Castle Square, the old town, follow the Royal Route, and go up the Palace of Culture and Science. Make sure to drop by the Wilanow Palace and the Royal Castle while you’re here. Take a leisurely stroll in Lazienki Park after exploring the city.

• Riga – This city in the Baltics is an affordable addition to your itinerary. Riga is easy enough to explore in one or a few days and on foot. Its old town is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and is a noteworthy destination. Here you’ll find vestiges of the city’s past. The House of the Blackheads dates to the 1330s but the current structure you see now is a recent reconstruction. If you’re interested in architecture, walk along Albert Street to see some fine Art Nouveau buildings. Drop by the Riga Central Market to get something to eat.
• Vilnius – Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is a favorite of mine. Its charming old town has withstood the test of time with its preserved buildings and structures. You’ll find different architectural styles such as Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque blending in the city. Some notable places to include in your itinerary are the Hill of Three Crosses, St. Anne’s Church, Church of St. Peter and Paul, Vilnius Cathedral, and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
• Tallinn – The capital of Estonia is a fine and affordable city to visit. Its old town has well-preserved centuries-old buildings and structures that make you feel like you have entered a time warp. Explore its narrow alleys, enter its beautiful churches, or go to viewpoints to get fetching overlooking views of the city. Check out Toompea Castle, Town Hall Square, and St. Olaf’s Church.
• Budapest – The Hungarian capital of Budapest is an affordable city you can visit while exploring Europe. You can dine out at nice cafés and restaurants for a reasonable price. The Hungarian Parliament Building, Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Buda Castle are the city’s most recognizable attractions. You can buy day passes to get around the city, which also allows you to save more money. Check out the ruin bars for drinks and nights out.
• Bratislava – If you’re looking for an affordable destination in Europe, Bratislava is the place to be. Visitors often do just a day trip from Vienna. However, you can spend a few days here to see all that the city has to offer. Notable attractions include the Bratislava Castle looming over the city, Primate’s Palace and Hall of Mirrors, Hviezdoslav Square, and the Blue Church.
• Belgrade – The Serbian capital isn’t exactly atop your list when you visit Europe. However, this city will surprise you when you give it a chance. Visit one of the most recognizable structures in the city, the Church of St. Sava. Buy souvenirs and gifts or just go window-shopping at Knez Mihailova. Get a glimpse of the city’s history while exploring the Kalemegdan Fortress. 
• Novi Sad – While in Serbia, head on over to Novi Sad. This city has affordable accommodation and dining options. It’s relatively small and easy to explore on foot. Attractions you can add to your itinerary include the Petrovaradin Fortress, Dunavska Street, Trg Slobode (square), the Name of Mary Church, and Vladicanski Dvor.

• Bucharest – Bucharest is the capital of Romania and should be on your list if you’re looking for affordable destinations in Europe. Spend a few days to see the Parliament Building, Romanian Athenaeum, Stavropoleos Church, old town, Revolution Square, Arcul de Triumf, Carturesti Carusel, and other attractions.
• Sibiu – If you’re in Transylvania, include Sibiu in your itinerary. This quaint destination oozes old-world charm. Explore the large and small square to get a glimpse of Sibiu’s history. Check out the historic churches during your visit. 

• Brasov – Brasov is another charming place to visit in Transylvania. The bustling Council Square is surrounded by several historic buildings and houses. You can find restaurants and cafés here if you just want to hang out. Brasov is also a jump-off point to Bran Castle.
• Porto – Portugal is a generally affordable country to visit. One city to add to your list is Porto. It has a scenic and charming waterfront lined with restaurants. If you’re not dining, you can simply take a stroll or just hang out. The city also has a number of historic attractions such as the Torre dos Clerigos, Palacio da Bolsa, Igreja de Sao Francisco, Igreja do Carmo, and the Se Cathedral.

• Lisbon – The capital of Portugal is not only affordable but is a noteworthy destination with plenty of things to do and see. Like many European cities, it’s also easy to get around on foot. Explore the different alleys and neighborhoods to get fetching overlooking views of the city. See the Torre de Belem. Make your way to the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and check out the Santa Maria Church to see Vasco da Gama’s tomb. Not too far from the church is the Monument to the Discoveries. Some other noteworthy places of interest include the Arco da Rua Augusta, Igreja do Carmo, Se Cathedral, and the Elevador de Santa Justa.
• Braga – If you’re looking for a place away from the bustling city (that’s also affordable), head on over to Braga. You can take it slow and spend the day strolling or hanging out in the historic center. You can also go on a half-day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bom Jesus do Monte.
• Sarajevo – The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the center of one of the world’s historical events, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The city also has some interesting sites that can fill your days such as the Bascarsija, Sarajevo City Hall, Latin Bridge, and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Go on a walking tour to learn more about the city.

• Mostar – This destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a popular day trip. However, I’d recommend spending at least a night here to soak in the atmosphere. Cross the historic bridge and weave in and out of the atmospheric markets and narrow streets.
• Zagreb – Croatia’s capital doesn’t get the same hype as some of the country’s known locales. However, it’s an affordable destination you can use as a base for a few days before heading out. Visit St. Mark’s Church, Bogoviceva Street, Ban Jelacic Square, and the Cathedral of Zagreb. 
• Split – If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Dubrovnik, Split is it. This charming destination will make you want to stay a few days just to experience its old world vibe. Get lost in the old town, visit Diocletian’s Palace, and see the Cathedral of St. Domnius. 

These are just some of the affordable cities and towns you can visit in Europe. You can get by with a budget as low as €45 up to €60 a day in these spots. With the mentioned budget you’ll be staying in a dorm bed in a hostel, taking public transportation, eating budget or supermarket meals and sandwiches, seeing one or two paid attractions a day, and maybe having a dessert or a drink. Consider traveling during shoulder and low season to reduce your costs. – Rappler.com

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Co Mayo beach named one of the best in Europe for relaxation and safety

The stunning co mayo beach came out on top for travelers looking to escape the crowds this summer. .

Ireland's Keem Beach , located on Achill Island off the coast of Co Mayo , has ranked as one of the best in Europe for relaxation and safety in the BookRetreats’ Summer 2024 Report .

Frequently voted as the most beautiful beach in the world , Keem Beach came out on top for travelers to Ireland looking to escape the crowds this summer.

Tucked into the scenic coast of Achill Island, the horseshoe-shaped bay of Keem Beach is a favorite among beachgoers.

A top-rated coastal spot on Google, it has an average rating on Google of 4.9, yet remains relatively undiscovered with under 2,000 reviews.

Swimmers will also be pleased to know that the beach achieved an excellent water quality rating in the report, according to the European Environment Agency. 

Keem Bay. (Ireland's Content Pool)

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With Europe preparing for its biggest summer holiday season since the pandemic, BookRetreats’ Summer 2024 Report analyzed over 200 beaches across 16 countries to rank the best for weather, safety, accessibility, and water quality.

Going beyond simple popularity metrics used in other reports, BookRetreats’ best beaches list features spots that check all the boxes for travelers. The report also highlights a few gems that performed exceptionally well in certain areas of the study, including Keem Beach.

For those seeking safety, Ireland stood out, ranking among the top five safest European coastal countries according to the Global Peace Index.

Overall, Spain was named the ultimate summer holiday destination, claiming 28% of the top 25 beaches, including Europe's best: La Concha.

Praia da Falésia in Portugal ranked second scoring 4.27/5, and Croatia's Pasjača Beach took the third position with a final score of 4.22/5 in the study. 

Greece and, unexpectedly, Germany were also ranked in the top 25, promising unique beach experiences that ticked multiple boxes for travelers. 

To read the full report for the complete rankings, visit Summer 2024: Europe’s Best Beaches Ranked.

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Where to See the Solar Eclipse: The 15 Best Cities to Watch the Event

By Katherine McLaughlin

If you’re a fan of astronomy or otherwise interested in unique natural phenomenons, you may be wondering where to see the solar eclipse today—or if the big event will be visible from your home. Today, a number of cities throughout Mexico , the United States, and Canada will experience brief moments of dawn- or dusk-like darkness right in the middle of the day. Officially described as a total solar eclipse, the occurrence happens when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and blocks the entirety of sun’s face.

Because it’s not something that happens everyday, the marvel has been prompting locals and travelers alike to scope out the best viewing locations, but fear not if you don’t have your spot figured out yet. Todays’s eclipse will travel along a wide, densely populated path. NASA estimated that 31.6 million people live in an area that will see the total solar eclipse and another 150 million are within 200 miles of it. What’s more, there won’t be another total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044, according to NASA , making it all the more important to catch this one.

For most of the United States, the eclipse won’t happen until the afternoon, meaning there’s still time to figure out how you’ll watch it. Here, AD covers everything you need to know about the upcoming event, including the 13 best cities to see the eclipse.

What is a total solar eclipse?

There are a number of different types of eclipses, which offer different views of either the sun or moon. As NASA explains it, “A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the sun’s light in some areas.” A total solar eclipse means the moon will completely block the sun’s face, and if you’re in the path of the eclipse, you’ll be able to see the sun’s corona and outer atmosphere, weather permitting. Other types of eclipses, like a partial solar eclipse, occur when the moon covers only some of the sun, resulting in a crescent shape.

A total solar eclipse is seen on a partly cloudy day.

How do you safely watch the total solar eclipse?

Not only are solar eclipses special because of their relative rarity, they’re unique in how they’re watched. For the few minutes when the moon is fully blocking the sun—know as totality—viewers can look directly at the sun without any eye protection. Any other time, including the hours before and after totality when you’ll see a partial eclipse, it’s important to wear protective eye gear, such as solar eclipse glasses. “As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the sun,” NASA explains.

How often do solar eclipses happen?

Solar eclipses, of one kind or another, happen between two and five times a year. Total eclipses happen about once every 18 months. However, this doesn’t mean one will be visible from your home this often. According to the Natural History Museum, London , a total solar eclipse is viewable from any one place about once every 400 years. For example, the last total solar eclipse visible from the United States happened in 2017 and followed a track from Oregon towards South Carolina. This year, the solar eclipse’s path will start in Texas and move northeast towards Maine. The next total solar eclipse will happen in 2026 and will be visible from the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.

How long will the 2024 solar eclipse last?

Total solar eclipses can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. The difference in totality length has to do with how far apart the sun, moon, and Earth are at any given time, since the latter two bodies both orbit in elliptical paths.

When the Earth is furthest from the sun—making the star appear smaller—and the moon is closest to the Earth—which makes the moon look big—totality can last for over seven minutes. As Astronomy Mag reports, these circumstances will line up in about 160 years, when a solar eclipse on July 16, 2186, will see almost seven-and-a-half minutes of totality. On the other extreme, if the Earth is at its closest point to the sun and the moon is at its furthest point from Earth, humans won’t see a total solar eclipse, even if all of the celestial bodies are in line. Since totality is all about the perspective of the viewer, this is also why each city will experience the 2024 eclipse differently.

This year, totality will last for a little over four minutes in some areas, which is significantly more than the two minutes that people experienced during the 2017 eclipse. As NASA notes, “During the 2017 total solar eclipse, the moon was a little bit farther away from Earth than it will be during the upcoming total solar eclipse, causing the path of that eclipse to be a little skinnier.” Seven years ago, the path of totality—which shows which parts of the world will be able to see the total solar eclipse—was only about 62 to 71 miles wide. This year, that path ranges from 108 to 122 miles wide. “Meaning at any given moment this eclipse covers more ground,” NASA explains.

How to read maps showing the 2024 solar eclipse

As noted, this year’s path of totality is about 110 miles wide. Cities closer to the center of the path will sustain total darkness longer than those on the edges. In addition to longer totality than in 2017, this year’s path of totality covers more densely populated areas than the previous one. This means more people should be able to experience the total solar eclipse.

The 2024 solar eclipse map from NASA shows where totality will occur on April 8.

Any part of the country that is not within the path may see a partial eclipse, and the closer a location is to the strip, the smaller the crescent of visible sun will be. In these locations, it won’t be safe to look directly at the eclipse without protective glasses or a viewing device. NASA has put together an interactive map , which allows viewers to see the eclipse timing in their city.

Where to see the solar eclipse

According to NASA , cities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will experience the total solar eclipse. Parts of Mexico and Canada will also fall within the eclipse’s path. Read on for the best places to see the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Mazatlán, Mexico

By Katie Schultz

By Gabriela Ulloa

Mexico’s pacific coast will be the first place in continental North America to experience the eclipse. Mazatlán, a popular resort city, is an ideal location to see the occurrence, as it is directly in the eclipse’s path. Totality will begin around 11:07 a.m. local time and last for 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Because it’s such an optimal place to see the 2024 solar eclipse, NASA is hosting a viewing event at Vidanta Mazatlán . Here, visitors will be able to watch screens showing telescope views of the eclipse in addition to other hands-on activities, such as projects for kids and touchable moon rocks.

Torreón, Mexico

Located more centrally in the country, the solar eclipse will also be visible from Torreón. Totality will start just before 12:19 p.m. local time and last for 4 minutes and 12 seconds. A partial eclipse will also be visible before and after totality, starting at 11:44 a.m. and ending at 1:54 p.m.

Texas Hill Country

Part of Texas Hill Country, Kerrville is a prime location to watch the 2024 eclipse. Near the Mexican border, it will be among the first US cities to experience totality, which will begin at 1:32 p.m. and last for almost four and a half minutes. Austin and Dallas are also in the path of totality, but will only experience the darkness for about two minutes and a little under four minutes, respectively. NASA is also hosting an event here, which will take place in Louise Hays Park and include live music, speakers, and programming for kids.

Dallas, Texas

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is among the most densely populated places from which the eclipse will be visible. Totality will last for 3 minutes and 51 seconds and begin at 1:40 p.m. The city has put together a list of ideal places within the city to watch the event, including the Dallas Zoo, Dallas Museum of Art, and White Rock Lake Park.

Russellville, Arkansas

Russellville, about 85 miles east of Little Rock, will experience 4 minutes and 12 seconds of totality, starting at 1:50 p.m. The city has planned a number of exciting programming for the historic event, including a solar eclipse festival and a concert with Grammy-winner Rhonda Vincent.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Located along the Mississippi River, Cape Girardeau is one of the best places in Missouri to watch the 2024 solar eclipse. According to NASA’s map, totality will last for a little over four minutes, beginning at 1:58 p.m. Head to Old Town Cape, where the city is hosting a block party on the day.

Carbondale, Illinois

Informally known as Little Egypt—possibly because the area delivered grains to northern parts of the state during the 1800s famine or because the southern tip of Illinois is similar to the Nile delta region in Egypt—Carbondale will experience 4 minutes and 10 seconds of totality, beginning at 1:59 p.m. The city also experienced totality during the 2017 eclipse, though it will see a longer dark period this time around. Home of Southern Illinois University, the school is hosting public viewing at its football stadium.

Bloomington, Indiana

Much of central and southern Indiana will experience totality during the 2024 solar eclipse, but Bloomington, largely a college town and home to Indiana University, will be among the best places in the Hoosier state to watch the event, since totality will last for about four minutes. The town is home to Indiana University, which is among our list of the most beautiful college campuses in America. Spend the afternoon strolling through the campus’s Gothic- and Romanesque-inspired buildings, and then catch the eclipse at 3 p.m.

Indianapolis, Indiana

They don’t call Indianapolis the crossroads of America for no reason: The state capital is at the intersection of four major US highways, Interstate 65, Interstate 69, Interstate 70, and Interstate 74. This means it’s a relatively accessible location for those in surrounding areas and among the best places to travel to for the solar eclipse. Here, totality will last for about 3 minutes and 47 seconds and start at 3:06 p.m. NASA is hosting an event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will have experts on-hand to answer all questions about the eclipse. The city has also suggested White River State Park as an ideal solar eclipse viewing location, where a number of food trucks, local vendors, and other activations will be set up.

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland won’t be in a solar eclipse’s path of totality again until 2444 , making it a once in a lifetime experience for any locals hoping to watch the eclipse from their hometown. The city will experience maximum darkness at 3:15 p.m., which will last for just under 4 minutes. To commemorate the moment, the Great Lake Science Center is hosting a Total Eclipse Fest on April 6 through April 8. The free outdoor event will include speakers, concerts, performances, and hands-on science activities.

Erie, Pennsylvania

Only a small portion of northern Pennsylvania will be within the path of totality. Erie, located along the shores of the lake of the same name, will be one of the best places in the state to see the eclipse. Totality will last for 3 minutes and 42 seconds, starting at 3:16 p.m. The local government has put together a map of public parks and other viewing locations to watch the spectacle.

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York, will see 3 minutes and 46 seconds of total darkness, beginning at 3:18 p.m. There are a number of public “ watch parties ” happening in the city, which the government has compiled for visitors and locals. Midcentury-modern architecture fans may want to use the day to visit Graycliff, a Frank Lloyd Wright–designed estate, which is hosting a special open house on April 8, allowing guests to watch the eclipse from the property.

Niagara Region, Ontario

Small parts of Canada will also witness total darkness during the 2024 eclipse. The Niagara region is the best place to see totality, which will start at 3:19 p.m. and last for 3 minutes and 15 seconds. Montreal will also experience totality, but only for a little over one minute.

Burlington, Vermont

Much of New England will miss out on totality during the 2024 eclipse, as the path will only cover parts of northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Burlington is among the best places for those in the region to travel to, as it will experience 3 minutes and 19 seconds of darkness, starting at 3:26 p.m.

Houlton, Maine

Maine is the northern most place in the United States to see the total eclipse in 2024, also making it the last place in the country to experience totality. Houlton will be among the best places in the state to watch the sight, and darkness will begin at 3:32 p.m. and last for 3 minutes and 20 seconds.

How will weather impact visibility?

Geographically, the cities listed above represent the best places to see the 2024 solar. However, weather will play a major role in just how well those on the ground will be able to see the phenomenon. It goes without saying that cloudy conditions or rain will impact visibility and make it harder to see the eclipse. Currently, meteorologist are forecasting worse conditions in the south-central United States, which could affect those in Texas and Arkansas. Those in the Midwest and northeast have better odds, where conditions are presently forecasted to be sunny and with clear skies.

What will I see during the solar eclipse if my city isn’t along the path of totality?

Though not every city will see a total solar eclipse, most of the United States will see at least a partial eclipse. For example, as NASA’s map shows, Seattle, which is one of the furthest metropolises from the eclipse’s path will still see about 20% of the sun covered by the moon. Here, peak coverage will happen around 11:29 a.m. On the south side of the country, Miami, which is also quite far from the eclipse’s path, will see 46.2% of the sun covered around 3:01 p.m.

On the other hand, cities which are not along the path of totality but are very close will see a greater percentage of the sun covered. St. Louis, for example, which is just outside the path of totality, will see the moon covering 99.1% of the sun during peak totality, which will happen at 2 p.m. For detailed information about your city, see NASA’s interactive eclipse map .

Can I watch the 2024 solar eclipse virtually?

If you won’t be within the path of totality, a number of organizations are live streaming the monumental event (This may also come in handy if a city experiences cloudy weather or rain on eclipse day). To start, NASA is offering live broadcasts in both English and Spanish and live streams from telescopes that will capture the eclipse as it moves across the country. Scientific American will capture the event with jets that have been converted into flying telescopes to chase the eclipse, offering a view that one simply can’t find on the ground.

ABC News and National Geographic are also teaming up to produce “Eclipse Across America,” a live special hosted by David Muir and Linsey Davis. Coverage starts at 2:00 p.m. ET on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+, Hulu and Network Social Media Platforms and will broadcast from 10 cities along the path of totality, including Mazatlán, Mexico; Russelville, Arkansas; and Houlton, Maine.

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2024 solar eclipse map: Where to see the eclipse on April 8

These 2024 solar eclipse maps will help you make the best decision about where and how to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday (April 8).

It's finally here: Today, (April 8) a total solar eclipse will pass across the skies North America, giving more than 33 million people living in 15 U.S. states a rare view of the totally-obstructed sun, and — weather permitting — a taste of some seriously strange eclipse phenomena .

If you’re wondering where the total and partial phases of the eclipse will be visible, the good news is that almost everyone in the contiguous U.S. will be able to see the celestial spectacle to some extent. But for a more detailed view of the eclipse’s path, take a look at these handy eclipse maps, courtesy of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. 

Solar eclipse 2024 path of totality map

Totality is the moment that every eclipse-chaser lives for: The moment when the moon completely covers the sun’s face, resulting in a brief but eerie darkness in the daytime. The path of totality , shown in the map above, is the path of the moon’s shadow across Earth’s surface. 

On Monday (April 8), totality will begin in Sinaloa, Mexico, then move northeast up to Texas, ultimately crossing 15 states before moving on to Canada. The states where totality will be visible are: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine — although Tennessee and Michigan will only be glanced by the moon's shadow.

Related: April 8 solar eclipse: What time does totality start in every state?

Viewers MUST be within the path of totality to witness the total phase of the eclipse; if you are off the path by even a mile, you will only see a partial eclipse, and miss out on the spooky daytime darkness. Furthermore, the closer you are to the center of the path of totality, the longer totality will last for you — up to a maximum duration of 4 minutes, 27 seconds in Torreón, Mexico.

Note: Totality is the ONLY TIME when it is safe to view the sun without protective eyewear like certified solar eclipse glasses . You must protect your eyes during the entire partial phase of the eclipse, no matter where you are.

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Solar eclipse 2024 partial eclipse map

If you live in the U.S. and can’t make it to the path of totality, a partial eclipse still awaits you on April 8. The entire contiguous U.S. will have some view of the partial eclipse, ranging from 99% coverage of the sun just off the path of totality to about 15% coverage far to the northwest of the path.

The map above shows how much of the sun’s disk will be blocked from your location. Watching the partial phases of the eclipse — which last about an hour and 20 minutes before and after totality — means wearing protective eyewear at all times. Failure to do so could result in permanent eye damage, according to NASA .

If you want to experience the celestial spectacle but don’t have a pair of eclipse glasses handy, there are many other ways to safely enjoy the partial eclipse . These include making a homemade pinhole projector , using a pasta strainer to project the shadow of the moon onto the ground or watching one of the various eclipse live streams available.

2024 eclipse travel maps

If you want to see totality but don’t live within the path, driving or taking public transit to a city within the path may be possible. The map above shows how far the drive is to the path of totality, based on where you’re coming from. Meanwhile, the map below shows the most populated cities within the path of totality — many of which are expected to be flooded with millions of eclipse tourists on April 8.

The biggest cities within the path of totality include: San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth in Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Hamilton and Montreal in Canada; and Torreón and Mazatlan in Mexico.

Wherever you are on April 8, we wish you clear skies and protected eyes during this rare, wondrous eclipse over North America.

Brandon is the space/physics editor at Live Science. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, CBS.com, the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets. He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona, with minors in journalism and media arts. He enjoys writing most about space, geoscience and the mysteries of the universe.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

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