Have Queries? Fill in the form below & get the best deals.
Please enter a valid Email-ID
Please enter mobile number
Please enter Holiday Type
Please enter the destination
Please enter hub

Best Time To Visit Europe

Although Europe is a year-round travel destination, the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September. This is the time when the sun is high, the beaches are warm and the weather is sunny. This is also the best season to visit Europe with most of the countries boasting cultural events, galas and even end of season fashion sales. Summer is also an ideal time to visit Europe for hikes, road trips and adventure activities. It has a variety of climates, but most of the continent has mild weather, in fact milder than parts of Asia and North America at the same latitude. The mild weather is due to the winds that blow across the continent from the Atlantic Ocean.

On an average the weather in Europe remains inviting all the year round with an exception of some places in winters which can prove to be too harsh for some. It is important to know the best time to visit Europe before deciding on your holiday to be able to pack your bag accordingly.

Summer in Europe (June to August)

Summer is the perfect weather making it the best time to visit Europe, with tourists flocking to the continent in huge numbers during the season. France, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Greece in Western and the Southern Europe are the busiest tourist hubs during summers.

Significance: The best season to visit Europe for some amazing music festivals

Temperature: 14-24 C (Western Europe), 14-25 C (Eastern Europe), 17-30 C (Southern Europe), 13-22 C (Northern Europe)

Weather: The weather is delightfully warm during this time. Temperature during the daytime makes it comfortable to explore most countries of Europe, except for the Mediterranean coast which gets quite hot at this time of the year. 

Why you should visit now: The temperature and weather are ideal for exploring most places in Europe. It is also the perfect time for indulging in some exciting outdoor activities, making the months between June to August a few of the best month to visit Europe.

Where to visit?:

For the sun-worshippers, summer is the best time to go to Europe. Beaches, festivals, and vibrant nightlife make it a dream destination for a traveller.

  • Santorini, Greece: Picturesque blue and white buildings, turquoise waters, and breathtaking sunsets make it a summer hit.
  • Interlaken, Switzerland: Ideal for adventure enthusiasts, summer is ideal for paragliding, trekking, and exploring the stunning Swiss Alps.
  • Dubrovnik, Croatia: The beautiful walled city, paired with pristine beaches and island hopping, is perfect for a summer getaway.

Know before you visit now: Crowded, extremely busy and high accommodation rates as it is the peak season for tourism in Europe. Outdoor spaces such as beaches and places like Madrid or Florence should be best left to be enjoyed in the evenings. Heavy rainfall in Paris is common around July. 

Autumn in Europe (September to November)

If you prefer a balance between affordability, sightseeing, and good weather, then September to early November is also an ideal time to visit Europe, with autumn leaves adding to the charm. Autumn is the shoulder season for tourism in Europe. It is best for visiting Netherlands, Belgium or Sweden.

Significance: Europe brightens with numerous festivals during autumn season. The La Mercé Festival of Spain, Paris Nuit Blanche of France, Great Cornish Festival of England, Alba White Truffle Festival of Italy, Cafe Budapest Contemporary Art Festival of Hungary, many more. 

Temperature: 7 C -14 C

The temperature and weather during autumn is cool and pleasant enough to travel around Europe. Rains are fairly common, making the weather wet and cold at times.

Why you should visit now: The tourist crowd decreases at this time, making the place more accessible, and the prices of boarding and lodging drop to a considerable extent, making it one of the best time to visit Europe. It is the best time for those interested in hiking the Alpine trails.

Where to visit?:

If you are looking for cooler temperatures, discounted prices, and picturesque fall colours, this is the ideal time to visit Europe.

  • Prague, Czech Republic: The medieval city is beautiful with its golden autumn foliage and is much less crowded than during the summer.
  • Tuscany, Italy: Truffle festivals and golden vineyards create the optimal season to view Europe's Italian landscape.
  • Bruges, Belgium: This fairytale city is more enchanting with its golden autumn leaves and snug canalside cafes.
  • Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest occurs in September, and the Bavarian Alps become a brilliant combination of orange and red colors.

Know before you visit: Mediterranean Europe (France, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Greece) remain busy and expensive at this time of the year too. 

Tips: A pair of rain boots and warm clothes are essential items to carry. 

 

Winters in Europe (December to February)

Winters in Europe are known to be particularly brutal as far as weather is considered, with the temperature dropping to -10 C in some places like Russia or Poland. But if you dream of seeing Europe at its most charming, with Christmas lights twinkling and historic streets covered in snow, then December is the best time to see Europe.

Significance: : The white Christmas of Europe is one to behold with the busy and joyous Christmas markets that sprout all over the continent, the experience is one to remember if you end up choosing this period as the best time to see Europe. We have the famous Venice Carnival of Italy, Amsterdam Light festival, Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival of Belgium, Momentum Ski Festival of Switzerland, besides others.

Temperature: 7 C to -10 C

Weather: Europe experiences biting cold weather in winters with cold breeze and heavy snowfall in most regions of the continent. 

Why to visit now: Winter is the most mesmerising time in Europe, marked as the best time to go to Europe for so many travellers around the world. Cities such as Vienna, Rome and Athens are at their best in terms of both beauty and weather, making it one of the best time to see Europe. You can enjoy activities like skiing, watch the northern lights in Iceland, glaciers of Norway or visit Russia to witness the breathtaking Christmas and New Year festivities at Moscow’s Red Square. It is also a great time to see an opera. The flights and hotel accommodations are quite cheap at this time of the year.

Where to visit?:

For the snow enthusiasts, winter is the ideal season to go to Europe.

  • Lapland, Finland: Take a trip to Santa Claus Village, experience a husky sled drive, and see the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
  • Vienna, Austria: Christmas markets, orchestral concerts, and snowy streets give it the sensation of being a winter wonderland.
  • Hallstatt, Austria: This lakeside village looks like it has been taken straight from a Christmas card and is ideal for a warm winter retreat.
  • Budapest, Hungary: Soak in the city's renowned thermal baths amidst snow for a winter experience like no other.

Know before you visit now: Most of the attractions are shut down during winters with many towns turning into ghost towns as the locals set out to warmer places to spend the season. Northern Europe experiences the coldest of climate during winters with possibilities of blizzards too. 

Tips: Be sure to pack in several warm clothes to layer your self up with thermals, cardigans and a waterproof coat. A beanie, gloves and warm boots are also a must to carry. 

 

Spring in Europe (March to May)

Spring brings with it unparalleled natural allure to the continent, making it one of the best time to visit Europe. 

Significance: This season sees many wonderful music festivals

Temperature: 2 C to 18 C

Weather: The weather is neither too cold, nor hot. It's perfect for sightseeing and exploring Europe, which is at its peak of beauty. If you’re a budget traveller, the best time to go to Europe is during this season, when accommodation prices drop and popular sites are less crowded.

Why to visit now: Southern Europe with its newborn greenery after white winters is the finest sight to behold. France, England, Scotland, Hungary and Ireland are the best places to visit in Europe during this season. The best time to go to Europe for adventure seekers is May, when you can go hiking in the Alps, enjoy road trips, or explore historic cities without extreme weather disruptions, as  Most attractions reopen and outdoor activities are back. Being a low period for tourist visits, it is also cheaper, making it the best period to visit Europe.

Where to visit?:

Spring is a great time to travel to Europe, with pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and stunning natural beauty. 

Amsterdam, Netherlands: The iconic tulip fields of Keukenhof are in bloom, and it is a photographer's dream.

Paris, France: There's nothing quite like watching cherry blossoms bloom along the Eiffel Tower or walking through Versailles gardens.

Lisbon, Portugal: With warm but not too hot weather, spring is the perfect season to discover the city's vibrant streets and surrounding beaches.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Festivals and events animate the city, and the hills of the Scottish Highlands are verdant and rolling.

 

The best season to go Europe depends on your personal preferences—summer is perfect for beaches and parties, while spring and autumn offer scenic beauty and comfortable travel experiences. If you want to explore historical cities like Rome, Prague, or Vienna without massive crowds, then autumn might be the best season to go Europe, as temperatures are pleasant and travel costs are lower.

 

Weather Conditions in europe

DEC-FEB-10oC
MAR-JUN35oC
JUN-AUG20oC
Travel Season
April to July Summer Season
15 C to 30 C Min/Max temp
April to July Summer Season
15 C to 30 C Min/Max temp
April to July Summer Season
15 C to 30 C Min/Max temp

Best Domestic Packages

Best International Packages

have us call you back!
have us call you back!
Please enter a valid Email-ID
Please enter a valid mobile number
You missed this
You missed this
I accept Privacy Policy and I authorise Thomas Cook Group Companies to contact me.