Europe Summer Vacation Ideas

Now that the weather is starting to heat up where you are, I thought it would be a good time to talk about some Vacation ideas in Europe. Europe, the world’s largest peninsula, boasts an impressive number of vacation and travel destinations. There are many great places in Europe that can easily be visited within short distances. Most tourists do not realize how much can be seen in one trip. You can visit several countries, cities or even regions within a matter of hours or days and this will allow you to combine sightseeing with other activities such as sports or relaxation.

If you’re planning a summer vacation and want to experience something different, don’t forget about Europe! Europe always comes up with an all-new events to entertain tourists. Summer holidays are the perfect moment for camping, partying, water sports or for visiting museums. You can spend your time in amusement parks, traveling around the European countrysides, going on romantic walks on the seashore or at least enjoying spectacular fireworks nights. A lot of families and individual travelers from different countries of the world visit Europe in summer. These are popular and most desired destinations according to their enchanting natural beauty:

Europe Summer Vacation Ideas

Europe is a major place of attraction and interest among the tourists to explore their adventurous trending side. The travelers in summer vacation prefer experiencing solo travel in Europe rather than going in group vacations. This holiday season, people prefer exploring solo travel in some of the most amazing destinations like Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Dubai, London etc. Europe is the largest continent in the world, with a population of 742,638,532 as of 2011. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Europe is a relatively small continent compared to Asia and Africa. The climate of Europe is very diverse, depending on geographic region and latitude. Nevertheless, there are a few prominent climate zones that give a general idea about its weather conditions across Europe.

School’s out and the “out-of-office” messages are rampant – what better time to quench your thirst for adventure? Visiting Europe in summer means travelers don’t have to bundle up when touring the country’s best attractions. This is the best time of year to explore charming streets teeming with history; enjoy mouthwateringly good food; and immerse yourself in a culture so interesting and diverse, you’ll want to keep country-hopping.

For many travelers, exploring European destinations is not only a bucket list item, but a lifelong quest. With so many regions and cities to experience, it could take years to see them all. The best time of year to advance on your European journey is summer. While many of the best places to visit in Europe experience all four seasons, summer’s optimal weather makes it easy to get around, shed some layers, and bask in glorious sunshine on antiquated terraces and soft, sandy beaches.

For jet-setters eyeing bright sunshine and blue-skied views, you’ll have plenty of choice. From the beach-meets-city vibe of Barcelona to the intriguing wonder of Istanbul’s varied customs, a getaway across the Atlantic will tease your senses, while creating memories – and maybe some freckles.

For more ideas, read our list of the top places to visit in Europe in summer.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.

1. Lisbon, Portugal

No European trip is complete without a visit to Lisbon. Generous and enthusiastic by nature, the Portuguese will welcome you with warm smiles and hearty meals. Thanks to an uptick in direct flights in recent years, accessing Spain’s neighbor has never been easier – or more affordable.

When you fly into this Portuguese capital, get ready for a workout: known as the city of seven hills, you can expect to go up and down, down and up – and repeat. Don’t worry, hop-on-hop-off buses and trolleys – like in San Francisco – make it easy to give your legs a break.

Here, there are many historical buildings to stand in awe of – from Sao Jorge’s Castle to the Santa Justa Lift and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. Parque Eduardo VII is the city’s largest park, and it offers arguably the best view of Praça Marquês do Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade, and the sparkling Targus River.

Make sure to carve out time for a quick beach trip 20 minutes away, and to feast on pastel de nata, the country’s delicious desert. Refurbished in 2018, the lovely Doca de Santo restaurant offers tasty fare almost as impressive as its river views.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Lisbon: Best Areas & Hotels

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Lisbon

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia

It’s easy to see why Dubrovnik has been dubbed the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Surrounded by ancient stone walls and peppered with orange-tiled roofs, this southeastern Croatian gem is one of the most stunning cities on the Dalmatian Coast, and one of the best places to visit in Europe in summer. No wonder the television series Game of Thrones chose this as one of its shooting locations.

Dubrovnik’s old-world beauty, captivating tourist attractions (the view from atop Mount Srd is unbeatable), and popular day cruises to the Elafiti Islands make this a hot spot for travelers during summer. And don’t forget the food – it’s almost impossible to pick a bad restaurant. To avoid the crowds, try to plan your trip at the very start or end of the high season, running from May to September, for less shoulder-to-shoulder action.

In addition to the many structures you’ll recognize if you’re a Game Of Thrones fan – including Gothic Rector’s Palace – this easy-to-navigate city features many buildings preserved from the 16th century. The Old Town is ripe with restaurants, boutiques, and tours, all surrounded by the impressive stone wall, where many apartments have been carved into the side.

When you have exhausted yourself from sightseeing (and okay, pretending you’re Jon Snow or Daenerys) – jump off a cliff (literally) or go for a dip in the sparkling blue Adriatic Sea, or take a ride on the cable car with 360-degree views of the city and the water.

A quick, 10-minute ferry ride will get you to the picturesque island, Lokrum, where visitors can take in the scenic views, wander around the nature reserve, float in the Dead Sea, and visit the ancient Monastery.

Accommodation: Top-Rated Places to Stay in Dubrovnik

3. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik may not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re considering places to visit in Europe, but it should definitely be on your list. While many people fly to Iceland in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, some travelers choose the summer for endless sunshine. And by endless, we really do mean never-ending: from mid-April to mid-August, there is no darkness in Reykjavik, due to its geographical position.

If you don’t mind using blackout curtains so you can reap some rest, this season has some of the most gorgeous hiking trails and overlooks. Picture this: colorful fields of greens and flowers, blue skies juxtaposed against the Blue Lagoon healing waters, and near-perfect 60- to 70-degree weather.

In addition to Mother Nature’s works of art, the city of Reykjavik is the largest in the country, and serves as the capital. Here, you will find charming shops and restaurants with questionable fare – including shark – and a stunning concrete church, called Hallgrimskirkja. Most tourists also enjoy going for a whirl in the Perlan dome, which rotates to provide views of town, the ocean, and the countryside.

Accommodation: Best Resorts in Iceland