Travel Seasons: The Best Time to Visit Europe

For a destination that offers everything you could wish for – the sea and mountains, cultural treasures, the countryside and urban life – few destinations beat the Old Continent: Europe.

When to Visit European Countries

With so many different countries and climates, it’s not always easy to know the best times to visit a particular destination. Here is some advice on how to get the most of your European vacation.

Updated: Feb 2021. Originally published: Dec 2016.

When to Visit Italy

The time of your perfect Italian holiday depends on what you plan to do there. In any case, it’s wise to avoid August – this is the month of Ferragosto. What does that mean? It’s a summer holiday that marks the beginning of vacation season for many business owners, so a lot of businesses are closed.

If you are expecting to take a dip in the sea, September is a good bet to escape the hordes of tourists on popular beaches.

When it comes to sightseeing, there is absolutely no time of the year when Italian cities aren’t crowded. The summer months get so crazy that you can’t even come near the main attractions because of all the tourists gathered there.

Late autumn and early spring still have the acceptable weather, but see a little dip in the number of visitors.

italyImage by Babelphotography used under Creative Commons license CC0 Public Domain

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When to Visit Norway

Norway, with its remote northern position and its climate extremes can be a tricky country to visit. As it is a large and sparsely populated place, distances in Norway can be greater than you imagine.

Getting from one place to the next is easiest by car, however, driving is not recommended to visitors from November to March due to extreme winter conditions.

While summers are mild, they tend to be rainy. September and May are the prettiest months in most of Norway, apart from the frozen North. May is particularly beautiful in the fjords, when everything is melting.

The winter and summer both have an ace up their sleeve, though: winter is the time of Aurora Borealis, and with summer comes the midnight sun.

norwayImage by adriankirby used under Creative Commons license CC0 Public Domain

When to Visit Cyprus

This gorgeous island in the Mediterranean is the perfect spot for a summer trip – but in May!

Summers in Cyprus tend to get insanely hot inland, while the heat is mixed with high humidity on the coast. With mild winters, it never gets truly cold there.

May is the perfect time to grab a flight to one of the resorts because the sea is already pleasantly warm for swimming. Every day passes without a cloud in the sky, and the temperatures hover in the pleasant range of 25 to 30 degrees. Miles and miles of deserted beaches seem to stretch on forever, with barely a person in sight.

In the summer, Cyprus is strictly a place where you drive from the beach to the comfort of A/C, but May has the perfect weather for walking and sightseeing.

cyprusImage by dimitrisvetsikas1969 used under Creative Commons license CC0 Public Domain

When to Visit The Netherlands

With a temperate climate, the weather in the Netherlands can be a bit unpredictable. It is cool and rainy most of the time, so no matter the season, make sure you bring an umbrella and a coat.

The famous tulips are in bloom in the spring – the end of March through mid-May is the period to go if you are aiming to visit the tulip gardens.

Pleasantly warm summers are the most crowded time of the year, and every landmark and museum is swarmed with visitors. The tourist craze dies down a little in the autumn, and the weather is still not too cold, which makes October a great time to visit.

tulipsImage by PublicDomainPictures used under Creative Commons license CC0 Public Domain

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When to Visit Germany

While Germany is a fantastic year-round destination, both the summer months and December are two favorite times to travel.  

The benefit of traveling in Germany during the summer is that you’re likely to enjoy beautiful sunny weather, as well as nice long days. During the summer the sun rises early (5am) and sets late (around 10pm), so you have plenty of time for enjoying all that Germany has to offer. 

But be warned: air conditioning isn’t as ubiquitous in Germany as it is in the US, and popular cities and tourist sites are likely to be crowded. Still, summer is a great time to enjoy Germany’s beaches, lakes, forests, mountains, castles, and many outdoor restaurants, cafes, and bars.

December is another favorite time to travel to Germany. Sure, it’s cold and days are short with the sun rising at 8am and setting by 5pm. But twinkling holiday lights, outdoor Christmas markets, and a festive atmosphere make this time of year absolutely magical. 

Germany offers many enjoyable winter activities and Germans don’t hesitate to spend time outdoors in the winter. All you need to do is bundle up and enjoy them! If you travel to Germany during the off-season winter months, you’re likely to score great deals on accommodations and encounter smaller crowds.
 
Contributed by: Cate Brubaker, My Germany Vacation

Image by Lilen23 from Pixabay

When to Visit Switzerland

Switzerland is a very popular and expensive destination to visit in Europe. In order to make the most of your trip, consider visiting Switzerland in the Spring or Fall. These are the shoulder seasons in Switzerland.

Between April and June, and September to October, the weather in various places in Switzerland is mild and pleasant for sightseeing. There are not a lot of crowds during this time, so you can score a good deal on accommodation, rail passes, and guided tours. In order to explore major attractions and festivals, set aside at least 5 days in Switzerland.

Other than museums and cruises, ski resorts in various high altitude destinations (like Zermatt) are open for Spring skiing. 

There are various music, food, and carnival events that take place in the Spring and Fall months in Switzerland. The Basel Music Festival is a 2-day music event that is held in the city of Basel, and the SNOWPENAIR is another major music festival that takes place in Interlaken in the Spring that is worth participating in. 
 
In the Fall months, Caprices Festival delights locals and tourists to the sound of electronic music. In each season, you can expect food trucks and chocolate tours!
 
Contributed By Mayuri, ToSomePlaceNew
 
Image by TeeFarm from Pixabay 

When to Visit Spain

While many people only think of Spain as a summer destination, it is a wonderful country that can be visited all year round.

Spain does have amazing beaches and resort towns, but summer can be unbearably hot, humid, and crowded, so typical Spanish summer destinations like Costa Brava or Mallorca are much more pleasant to visit in late Spring or early Fall. 

For a summer vacation without the crowds and excessive heat, northern Spain is the perfect place to enjoy quiet beaches, coastal cities and villages, and natural landscapes. Alternatively, one can also spend summer in Spain exploring its non-touristy regions like Extremadura and Aragon.

Spring and Fall offer the ideal weather for taking a road trip through Andalucia (usually the hottest region), which also hosts spring festivals like Feria de Abril and Patios de Cordoba. They’re also great seasons for city breaks across the country, including Madrid, Valencia (that hosts the spring festival of Las Fallas), Salamanca, Zaragoza, and others.

Winter in Spain can be wonderful for winter sports enthusiasts, as it is home to about 30 ski resorts. Alternatively, those who look for warm winter destinations should head to the Canary Islands, which are great to visit all year round.

Contributed by Or, My Path in the World

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

When to Visit Greece

The best time to visit Greece will depend on your personal idea of a wonderful Greek adventure. 

If you’d rather avoid overwhelming hordes of tourists in popular spots like Santorini, high prices, and scorching heat, the best time to visit will be in spring and early summer in mid-April to mid-June and in autumn in September. These seasons are considered the sweet spots if you’d rather have a more peaceful and mindful vacation away from the buzzing crowds.

Meanwhile, if you don’t mind the crowds and would rather have vibrant night parties, July and August are considered the busiest and might be your target months. The islands, especially Mykonos, come alive as daytime comes to a close. DJs play loud music as people enjoy their drinks while dancing the night away.

One thing to note about Greece is that Easter, which runs from late April to early May, is a major festival and this might be a great time to witness beautiful religious ceremonies and experience local celebrations. Since it will be busy for locals and tourists, it’s a good idea to book your visit ahead.

Contributed by Lucile, LucileHR.com

Image by analogicus from Pixabay

When to Visit France

There are two perfect seasons in France: Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-October). Wherever you go, you’ll see the country at its best. 
 
In Paris, the crowds will be thinner but you’ll have plenty of culture, with shows and plays and special exhibits. In Provence, you’ll be able to amble through food and antique markets and walk around mountain top villages without melting from the heat. 

The Cannes Film Festival is in May so think twice about booking a stay in the town, which will be taken over by the film crowd. But if you’re in the South, then do pop over for a day and mix with everyone.

After Spring and Autumn, the best season is Winter because, again, there are fewer crowds. In December, you can enjoy some of Europe’s best Christmas markets and if you like winter sports, know that France’s slopes are world-class (not to mention all that snow-friendly food, like cheese fondue!). 

Or, you can visit southern France where you won’t have heat, but you’ll have a lot more sunshine than you’ll find in the rest of the country.

There are two periods to be avoided when possible. The first is the month of November, when the weather tends to be grey and rainy and, in northern France, often cold. 

The month of August is the other time to be avoided. In Paris, most people will be away on holiday and many shops closed, turning the city into a tourist-only venue with very little authenticity.
 
Contributed by Leyla, Offbeat France

Image by nkoks from Pixabay

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When to Visit Czech Republic

The perfect time to visit the Czech Republic is during the Spring season, as the days tend to warm quickly. This is equally the blossom period when the fruit trees lined up in most Czech roads are in full flower – and the colors are usually a beauty to behold.

The winter weather in Czechia can get really chilly, and during this time, most smaller places of accommodation in the country will close for the season; however, the Christmas markets in Czech Republic are a sight to see during these months.

You can get some fantastic deals on flights to the Czech Republic in the Fall, especially if you wait until the end of September when the kids are fully back in school.
 
The Czech Republic is also less crowded during the Fall season, especially in Prague which has become a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer months. Hotel rooms are somewhat cheaper during this time than in the busy summer months, too.
 
And if you like hiking, then you should be in the Czech Republic in the early Fall. Temperatures are great for outdoor activities and you’ll get to bless your eyes with the beautiful changing leaves.
 
Contributed by Theodore Romeo, Camper Front

Image by Julius Silver from Pixabay

When to Visit Scotland

Scotland’s weather is generally moderate but can be changeable. The landscape varies greatly and you’ll notice differences between highland and lowland weather if you road trip Scotland.

Late Spring is a great time for planning a trip to Scotland. The countryside comes alive with wild flowers and baby animals as the country rushes toward summer. 
 
With August averages of around 20 degrees, Summer is one of the best times for a Scottish visit. The downside is that popular routes, attractions and hotels will be busy, so make sure to plan in advance. 
 

July and August are the worst months for the infamous biting midges, especially if you’re planning on visiting the west coast, where they are generally at their worst.

Autumn is a fantastic time for a holiday in Scotland. The autumn colours are some of the most dramatic in the world and most of the summer visitors will be long gone. 

 
Plan a Scottish trip in the colder months for Winter sporting opportunities, dramatic scenery and the Northern Lights. Don’t forget the new year Hogmanay festivities in Edinburgh. It will be cold but what a great party!

Contributed by Izzy, The Gap Decaders

Image by Andreas Senftleben from Pixabay

No matter the time of year, Europe is gorgeous; but a little bit of planning can make your trip even more enjoyable. So, take your time and do your research. Still, leave some space for getting lost in the streets of the new cities you visit.

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Like this post? Pin for later or share with friends!About the original Author: Callum Maclane is a travel writer, foodie and adrenaline junkie whose ambition is to visit every single country in the world. His favourite country so far has been Argentina. He loves those grills!

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One Comment

  1. Enjoyed the review of the countries I’m interested in visiting. Especially appreciate the seasonal information.

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