Best summer vacation places in europe
So you’re looking for the best summer vacation places in Europe? Good for you! You’ve come to the right place. These websites have helped thousands of visitors to find what they are looking for: from hotels, to tips and tricks, to guides and brochures, these sites are great at helping most travelers plan a time of their lives.
Are you looking for the best summer vacation places in Europe? Good choice, there are a lot of amazing destinations that are waiting to be discovered! In this article, we will give you some great ideas and help you choose the perfect place for your vacation.
When you plan a European getaway for the summer, it’s good to know about some of the best vacation places in europe. Many decide to go with their friends and family members, but this is not always possible. Regardless of how many people you’re planning on traveling with, it’s always good to have a destination in mind.
Summer vacation is the time of the year when you escape from your routine and spend time doing something extraordinary. Everyone has a different taste and preferences, thus one can hardly tell which is the best place for summer vacation. However, today I will name my top 3 summer vacation places in Europe.
The best summer vacation places in Europe are those that have the best combination of cultural richness, natural beauty, and activities. In other words, they should have something for everyone—whether you’re a history buff or someone who just wants to relax on the beach.
The first place that comes to mind is Brussels, Belgium. This city is home to many museums as well as beautiful parks and gardens. There are also plenty of great restaurants if you want to eat out instead of cooking. If you’re looking for something more active, Brussels has amazing biking paths that lead through forested areas and along rivers.
Another great option would be Athens, Greece. This city has some of the most amazing archaeological sites in Europe—some dating back thousands of years! You can also enjoy shopping at the flea market or walking through the National Garden while taking in some fresh air and sunshine at the same time.
If you’d rather spend your time outside rather than inside museums or galleries then consider visiting one of France’s many seaside resorts like Cannes or Saint Tropez where there will be plenty going on including concerts by famous musicians such as Lady Gaga!
Summer is the perfect time to take a vacation, and Europe offers many great places to visit. Here are some of our favorite summer vacation spots in Europe:
- Paris: The City of Light is full of beautiful architecture and art, but it’s also full of history—with plenty of museums to explore and monuments to see. You can see the Eiffel Tower or visit Notre Dame Cathedral, which is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world.
- Rome: Rome is known for being a city with ancient ruins, but there’s plenty more to do than just visiting the Colosseum or Roman Forum! You can rent bikes and ride around on them, or explore some of the best museums in Europe like Vatican Museums or Ara Pacis Museum (which has incredible sculptures).
- Venice: Venice has been an important trading center for hundreds of years because it sits at a crossroads between northern Europe and southern Italy; this makes it a great place for exploring different cultures! It has some amazing architecture too—like St Mark’s Basilica!
Capri, Italy
Capri one of the best summer vacations in Europe because it is one of the best beach destinations in Europe.
Many travellers visit Capri on a day trip from other Italian towns such as Naples, Positano and Sorrento, whilst this gorgeous town deserves so much more than 24 hours, it is possible to see the best of Capri and the top things to do in Capri in a day.
One of the easiest ways to get to Capri is to fly. The closest airport to Capri is Capodichino/Naples International Airport in Naples, Italy (NAP) and then take a boat to Marina Grande, Capri.
One of the best things to do in Capri is to take a boat trip around the island and visit the blue grotto. You also need to take in the views of Capri from either Belvedere of Punta Cannone or Augustus Gardens.
If you choose to spend more than one day in Capri, Hotel La Minerva is a lovely place to stay it features beautiful decor, views to die for and an excellent buffet to start your door. The summer pool is a delight and the views of the sea are amazing.
Bruges, Belgium
Paulina, Paulina on the road
Bruges is one of the preserved destinations in Europe and one of the best medieval cities in the world. The capital of the province of West Flanders is the most visited town in the country. What makes it special is that it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2020. The town was founded in the eleventh century and was one of the wealthiest towns in the country by the fifteenth century. However, by the early twentieth century, it was poverty-stricken. But it quickly recovered and became an attractive tourist destination.
Although you can rent a car to reach Bruges, it is more preferable to go by train. Take a train from any of the train stations in Brussels to Bruges which takes approximately one hour to reach. The ticket costs €14.30. Or, you can even take a guided tour at a cheap price that includes transport and an English-speaking guide.
Bruges offers a lot of walking tours. One of the best trails to take is walking to the little town of Damme, which is a 5Km walk along the canal. It is a refreshing trail and is not difficult at all. If you want to go further, there are some nice trails like Cap Blanc Nez and Cap Gris Nez.
Do not forget to bring your camera along because the town has some impressive picturesque spots like Mine water park and popular castles.
The best time to visit Bruges is from May until August to enjoy the warm summer sun. It is the best day trip from Brussel. For a longer vacation, you can stay at Hotel Van Cleef.
Paris, France
Elisa, World in Paris
Paris is one of the best summer holiday destinations in Europe. After a long and cold winter, the city wakes up, the parks and gardens are in full bloom, and you can have great sunny days with blue sky perfect for sightseeing.
I recommend a minimum of 4 days in Paris to visit the main attractions, one day more if you want to take a day trip to Versailles or somewhere else.
If you are lucky with the weather, explore the city on foot. Stroll through the Champs Elysées and the Tuileries Gardens, walk along the Seine River banks, and get lost in the Marais or Montmartre, perhaps with a coffee break in a quintessential Parisian café.
On a beautiful summers evening it is highly recommended to night hop on a boat cruise, with or without dinner, to see the main monuments lit up.
From Europe, it is possible to reach Paris by train or car while visitors from overseas will fly to Paris Orly or Paris Charles de Gaulle.
We like the hotel Handsome Hotel by Elegancia in Paris 1. Located just 800 meters from the Louvre, this hotel offers its guests great facilities and always gets the best reviews.
Strasbourg, France
Mark, Wyld Family Travel
Strasbourg is one of the best European cities to visit in summer. It is a little bit of German and a lot of French. Over the years Strasbourg has belonged to both Germany and France and the influence of both countries runs deep in the capital of the Alsace Region of France.
Strasbourg makes a great destination for summer for its own attractions and its located close to both Germany and Switzerland. Strasbourg is a green city with plenty of parks and miles of bike paths.
Summer wine festivals amazing foods and old-world charm. Don’t forget to try the local Alsacian specialties such as knuckle of pork with sauerkraut, Flamkussen and wash it down with a glass of the regional Gewurztraminer wine.
The Strasbourg Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world. A walk to the La Petite France district is a must with its old-world timber houses shining in there bright colours.
A cruise on the canals of Strasbourg brings this charming city into view from a whole another angle. Day trips from Strasbourg can easily visit the Alsace Wine Route, Europa Park, Colmar, Freiburg, the Black Forest and Basel.
Strasbourg is easily reached from Paris by the TGV in under 2 hours. Strasbourg has its own international airport for visitors. You will find plenty of boutique hotels in the old town city centre,
Herceg Novi, Montenegro
Samantha, Sam Sees World
Traveling around Europe in the summer is one of the best things you can do. Europe is filled with so much diversity and amazing towns and villages to explore and discover.
However, during the summer months, Europe gets increasingly busy, which is why finding a summer hidden gem destination is important.
The undiscovered nature along with the breathtaking beauty of Herceg Novi, Montenegro is what makes it one of the places to visit in Europe in summer.
Herceg Novi is a small coastal town located along the coast of the Bay of Kotor. It can be reached by flying to Dubrovnik, Croatia, or to Tivat or Podgorica in Montenegro and driving to Herceg Novi from there.
Once there you will be welcomed by an authentic Montenegrin town that is relatively untouched by tourism.
The summer months are when Herceg Novi thrives! The whole coast is packed with beaches that are always full of people, the water is a vivid blue, the weather is always sunny and hot, and the town is waiting to be explored.
In addition to enjoying the water and pastel-colored old town, one of the best things to do in Herceg Novi is to take a boat tour. Boat tours around the Bay of Kotor will bring you to some of Montenegro’s best places like Kotor, Our Lady of the Rocks and more!
Plus the scenery of the mountains is unreal and really is one of the best summer places in Europe.
Sardinia, Italy
Lotte, Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog
Located in the Mediterranean Sea and the second-largest Italian island, Sardinia a wonderful place to visit and one of the best places in Europe for summer.
This beautiful island packs a whole lot of things to do and, as with the whole of Italy, is a foodie’s heaven (think pasta, pizza, coffee, gelato, and more).
As Sardinia is an island, you either have to fly there (Alghero and Cagliari have international airports) or take a ferry from the mainland of Italy (or from neighbor island Corsica which belongs to France).
Things you can’t miss on your Sardinia itinerary are the cities Alghero, Oristano, Cagliari, and the beautiful village of Bosa.
Natural highlights are the Grotto di Nettuno, Tiscali Mountain and the stunning Maddalena archipelago. Are you looking for beautiful beaches? Sardinia has plenty of those but I can highly recommend spending a day at Spiaggia La Pelosa (near Stintino) and Spiaggia di Is Arutas (near Oristano).
There is plenty of interesting history on Sardinia as well, such as the impressive Nuraghi Losa, an ancient fortification built from large boulders, the mysterious Nuragic village of Tiscali, and the Ruins of Tharros.
Altogether you won’t run out of things to see on Sardinia so be sure to spend at least a week there!
Ibiza, Spain
James, Team J Travels
It is a decades long summer tradition for the world’s most high profile DJs to flock to the Spanish island every year to take up residencies in some of the biggest and best super clubs on the planet.
There is a suite of world-class talent on offer every night of the week, with the most popular parties taking place from Monday to Thursday – while the rest of Europe go about their work week.
The majority of party goers will stay in the following towns in Ibiza:
- Playa D’en Bossa – Best beaches on offer and home to the most big name clubs like Hi, Ushuaia Hotel, and the Bora Bora Beach bar.
- Ibiza Town – Good mix of nice hotels, restaurants and shopping areas. Light on clubs though with Pacha being the only big name in town.
- San Antonio – Most popular with the Brits, and famous for the sunsets on the western side of the island, followed by more public drunkenness than you will encounter elsewhere.
My best advice is to stay somewhere quiet on the fringe of these areas. The Taxi situation is far better than it was ten years ago and the peace and quiet during the day will make your trip far more enjoyable.
The Hotel Cenit is also by far the best hotel I have stayed in. The water views are amazing, there is a good atmosphere, and it is within walking distance to Ibiza Town and nearby beaches.
If looking for more wholesome activities here are some highlights to check out:
- Walk the streets of the old Spanish town of Dalt Vila. A two thousand year old city that has a unique mix of traditional buildings mixed with modern, high-end commercial stores. If you are up for it you can walk up to Ibiza Castle. It is a challenging walk but offers unrivaled views of Ibiza Town and the harbor.
- Cala Tarida and Cala Llonga are both worth a day trip, and if you headed further south you could catch a glimpse of the beautiful rock formation of Es Vedra.
- You can also just hire a car and explore some of the hidden corners of the island. There are plenty of quiet beaches that are equally stunning, but more laid back.
Porto, Portugal
Vanda, The Yogi Wanderer
Portugal’s second-largest city is one of the best summer destinations in Europe for history buffs and beach bums alike, not to mention a food and wine lovers’ paradise.
From a vibrant art and cultural scene to uncrowded surf spots, from beautiful architecture to the stunning Douro River, the birthplace of Port Wine really has it all.
Located in the north of the country, Porto has an international airport and is easily reached by plane, train, or bus.
I recommend staying at least a couple of days, more if possible, to enjoy everything the city has to offer. And it’s a lot!
Start by exploring Porto’s downtown, where you’ll find many of the city’s most famous landmarks, like Lello Bookstore, Clérigos Tower, São Bento Train Station, and Porto’s Cathedral.
Then head to the picturesque Ribeira district and soak in its unique charm and beauty. Make sure to climb to the upper deck of the iconic Dom Luis Bridge, for some spectacular panoramic views of the city.
For the modern and cultural side of Porto, have a peek at the incredible architecture of Casa da Música, visit the impressive Serralves contemporary art museum, and stroll along the Foz do Douro waterfront.
If you have the time, I highly recommend doing a cruise along the Douro River. The classic route from Porto to Régua, takes you through the amazing scenery of the Alto Douro wine region, one of the oldest wine regions in the world and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Check out my Porto itinerary for more things to do and local travel tips.
Croatia
Jamie, Travel Addict
Croatia is swiftly rising in popularity as a summer destination spot – with it’s charming cities, rich history, and pristine beaches it’s easy to see why.
The most popular destinations to visit in Croatia revolve around the ocean, and range from Zadar in the north, to Split in the center, and Dubrovnik in the south. Each city has it’s own unique draw – the ancient walls of Dubrovnik that served as a backdrop for many episodes of Game of Thrones (and you can walk along them for amazing views), the ancient Roman palace beneath the charming streets of Split, or the gorgeous Venetian influences on the amazing Zadar. Each city has something tremendous to offer, and plenty of great food.
The easiest ways to get to any of those cities is to fly, each one has their own sizable airport with daily flights to a variety of destinations throughout Europe.
The best way to get from city to city is by boat – sailboat or the junkers are a fantastic way to travel the coast of Croatia in summer. There are various companies that offer group tours of the islands, or will provide boat and skipper to travel at your leisure, but it is one of the most fun ways to get around. There’s the added bonus of having your mode of transport also as your accommodation, which floats with you to each gorgeous island along the way.
It also gives you easier access to some of Croatia’s true Adriatic gems. For the adventurous and nature lovers you can’t miss the island of Mjlet with it’s amazing National Park. For incredible food and culture the charming island of Hvar is a popular destination. But the most beautiful of all is Korcula, with it’s winding streets, charming town and fantastic atmosphere.