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Summer in Europe is where the magic truly happens! Imagine sipping a cocktail in a charming European city or diving into crystal-clear waters before stretching out on a sun lounger – sounds pure bliss, right?
It’s also the season when Europe is at its absolute best – glorious weather, long sun-drenched days, and endless opportunities for adventure. If you’re planning a romantic escape with your other half, be sure to check out my 12 Most Romantic Cities in Europe for the best European couples destinations.
But let’s be honest, as dreamy as it sounds, summer in Europe can get a little chaotic. From June to September, the crowds are in full swing and things tend to be that much more expensive.
So, to make the most of your summer in Europe, you may want to consider venturing off the beaten path, skipping the usual tourist traps, escaping the crowds, and uncovering some of Europe’s hidden gems instead.
Although even Europe's hidden gems can get a little crowded in summer, so you might want to save your trip for the shoulder seasons – spring is a great time to explore Europe.
In this list, I’ve included a mix of must-visit destinations and lesser-known places, so whether you love the buzz of a crowd or crave a quieter retreat, you’ll find your perfect European summer escape!
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30 Best Places To Visit In Europe In Summer
10 Best Places For Sun In Europe In Summer
Brač, Croatia
Highs: 24°C - 28°C
Lows: 16°C - 20°C
Visit Golden Horn Beach (a.k.a Zlatni Rat).
Hike up Vidova Gora.
Have dinner on the waterfront in Bol.
Go for a wine tasting at Stina Winery.
Explore Blaca Monastery.

Capri, Italy
Highs: 28°C - 32°C
Lows: 21°C - 24°C
Relax and go swimming in the Marina Piccola.
Wander through the Gardens of Augustus.
Marvel at the Villa San Michele.
Get a panoramic view at Belvedere Tragara.
Take the chairlift to Monte Solaro.
Comporta, Portugal
Highs: 24°C - 27°C
Lows: 16°C - 17°C
Sunbathe on the Praia da Comporta, Praia Do Pego, or Praia do Carvalhal.
Go horse riding.
Try surfing.
Book a dolphin-watching tour.
Hire a bike and go cycling through the rice paddies.

Corfu, Greece
Highs: 25°C - 29°C
Lows: 21°C - 24°C
Visit Corfu Old Town.
Relax on Paleokastritsa Beach.
See the impressive Cape Drastis.
Wonder through the Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna and the Paleokastritsa Monastery.
Enjoy a day at the Aqualand Water Park.
Costa Del Sol, Spain
Highs: 26°C - 29°C
Lows: 18°C - 21°C
Relax on one of the 120 beautiful beaches.
Visit the historic town of Ronda.
Wonder at the Alcazaba fortress in Malaga.
Explore the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar.
Hike the Caminito del Rey (not for the faint-hearted!).

French Riviera, France
Highs: 23°C - 27°C
Lows: 17°C - 20°C
Unwind on the many beaches along the coastline.
Admire the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
Visit the gorgeous capital of the French Riviera, Nice.
Gamble in Monte-Carlo.
Explore the beautiful region of Provence.
Majorca, Spain
Highs: 26°C - 30°C
Lows: 20°C - 24°C
Relax on one of the 250 beaches.
Explore the town of Palma.
Walk to the Cap de Formentor for amazing views of the coastline.
Tour the Drach Caves.
Visit Alcudia Old Town.

Marmaris, Turkey
Highs: 29°C - 32°C
Lows: 21°C - 25°C
Have a beach day at Marmaris's main beach, Uzun Yalı.
Visit Marmaris Castle and Museum.
Explore Marmaris National Park.
Go back in time to the Amyntas Rock Tombs.
Take a day trip to Rhodes.
Puglia, Italy
Highs: 26°C - 30°C
Lows: 20°C - 23°C
Relax on the beaches in Polignano a Mare.
Visit Alberobello, one of Italy's most famous small towns.
Explore the 'white city' of Ostuni.
Go swimming at Torre Sant’Andrea.
Admire the architecture and Roman amphitheatre in Lecce.

Pula, Croatia
Highs: 23°C - 27°C
Lows: 19°C - 23°C
Visit one of Pula's most beautiful beaches, Ambrela Beach.
Marvel at Pula Arena.
Stroll around Forum Square.
Admire the Arch of the Sergii.
Explore the Temple of Augustus.
10 Best Places For City Breaks In Europe In Summer
Athens, Greece
Highs: 29°C - 33°C
Lows: 20°C - 23°C
Climb the Acropolis to the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Arrhephorion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Visit the Acropolis Museum.
Tour the National Archaeological Museum.
Stroll around Monastiraki Square.
Explore the Plaka neighbourhood.

Budapest, Hungary
Highs: 23°C - 29°C
Lows: 12°C - 16°C
Soak in the Széchenyi Baths.
Wander around the Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and Matthias Church.
Admire the Parliament building and pay respects to the 'Shoes On The Danube'.
Visit the St. Stephen's Basilica.
Take a cruise down the Danube River.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Highs: 18°C - 22°C
Lows: 11°C - 14°C
Explore Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg (the Royal Palace) and Christiansborg Palace.
Climb the Round Tower for beautiful views over Copenhagen.
Stroll along the old harbour, Nyhavn.
See the iconic symbol of Denmark, the Little Mermaid statue.
Have a fun day out at the Tivoli Gardens.

Dublin, Ireland
Highs: 18°C - 20°C
Lows: 11°C - 13°C
Party in the Temple Bar.
Pour your own pint at the Guinness Storehouse.
Visit the magnificent library at Trinity College.
Learn more about the history of the city at 'The Little Museum of Dublin'.
Explore the Kilmainham Gaol Museum.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Highs: 17°C - 19°C
Lows: 10°C - 12°C
Walk the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Tour the National Museum of Scotland.
Hike up Arthur's Seat.
Stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Be amazed at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.
For a budget-friendly trip to Scotland's capital city, be sure to check out my list of free things to do in Edinburgh.

Istanbul, Turkey
Highs: 25°C - 29°C
Lows: 19°C - 22°C
Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Shop 'til you drop at the Grand Bazar.
Be captivated by the Blue Mosque.
Climb Galata Tower for incredible views over the city.
Wander around Dolmabahce Palace.
London, England
Highs: 20°C - 23°C
Lows: 11°C - 13°C
Go on the London Eye for panoramic views across London.
See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
Visit Buckingham Palace.
Discover 2 million years of human history at 'The British Museum'.
Book tickets for a show in London's West End Theatre.

Porto, Portugal
Highs: 23°C - 25°C
Lows: 16°C - 18°C
Visit Porto Cathedral.
Admire the beautiful Chapel of Souls.
Explore Bolsa Palace.
Watch the sunset from Luis I Bridge.
Cruise down the Douro River.
Vienna, Austria
Highs: 22°C - 27°C
Lows: 12°C - 16°C
Be wowed by the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.
Visit the Hofburg Palace.
Climb to the top of St Stephen's Cathedral.
Explore the Belvedere Palace.
Watch an opera at the Vienna State Opera.

Zagreb, Croatia
Highs: 23°C - 29°C
Lows: 12°C - 17°C
Visit the Cathedral of Zagreb.
Admire the roof of the Church of St Mark.
Have a picnic in Park Maksimir.
Relax with dinner and drinks in the Ban Jelačić Square.
Tour the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships.
10 Best Places For Adventure In Europe In Summer
Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
Highs: 23°C - 28°C
Lows: 15°C - 19°C
Explore Kotor Old City.
Walk some of the Kotor City Walls.
Hike to Kotor Fortress.
Take a boat trip to 'Our Lady of the Rocks'.
Wander around Perast.

Dolomites, Italy
Highs: 19°C - 24°C
Lows: 8°C - 12°C
Hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Gaze upon the famous Lago di Braies.
Drive to the Gardena Pass.
Visit the Val di Funes.
Trek to Cadini di Misurina.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Highs: 14°C - 18°C
Lows: 4°C - 8°C
Hike to Harder Kulm.
Take the cogwheel Schynige Platte train.
Have a picnic in Höhematte.
Visit Switzerland's only open-air museum, Ballenberg.
Go paragliding.

Island Hopping, Croatia
Highs: 24°C - 27°C
Lows: 20°C - 24°C
Visit the Golden Horn beach in Brač.
Watch the sunset from Fortica Fortress in Hvar.
Go on a guided tour to the Blue Cave on Biševo Island.
Book a tasting at one of the local wineries in Korčula.
Explore Vis, the island where Mamma Mia 2 was filmed.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Highs: 19°C - 24°C
Lows: 9°C - 14°C
Visit Bled Castle.
Hire a canoe boat and row out to Bled Island.
Explore Triglav National Park.
Soak up the views from the Ojstrica lookout point.
Ride down the Straža Bled toboggan.

Lofoten, Norway
Highs: 12°C - 15°C
Lows: 8°C - 11°C
Go surfing on Unstad Beach.
Explore the beautiful village of Reine.
Hike to Reinebringen for epic views.
Relax on Ramberg Beach.
Go rock climbing on Svolvaergeita.
Madeira, Portugal
Highs: 22°C - 24°C
Lows: 18°C - 20°C
Hike from Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo.
Climb Eagle Rock.
Ride the Funchal Cable Car.
Go swimming in the Porto Moniz Natural Pools.
Wander through the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Highs: 24°C - 29°C
Lows: 12°C - 16°C
Walk over the Old Bridge Mostar.
Visit the Kravica Waterfall.
Explore the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque.
Enjoy the views over Mostar from Vidikovac Fortica.
Go rafting down the Neretva River.
Provence, France
Highs: 27°C - 32°C
Lows: 15°C - 20°C
Visit the beautiful lavender fields at Senanque Abbey.
Wander through the fairytale village of Oppede.
Walk along the river in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.
Go kayaking on Verdon Gorge.
Explore the pristine Parc National des Calanques.

Tuscany, Italy
Highs: 25°C - 30°C
Lows: 14°C - 18°C
Go on a Vespa tour of Tuscany.
Get a picture with the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Visit the beautiful city of Siena.
Admire the incredible architecture in Florence.
Go on a wine-tasting tour at a Tuscan vineyard.
Planning a trip to Tuscany? Check out my ultimate 7-day Tuscany itinerary for the perfect summer getaway in this stunning region!
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