These are the 10 best places for summer in Europe! From sun-soaked beaches to mountain “coolcations”, here’s where you NEED to go – from iconic countries to HIGHLY underrated hidden gems!

There’s a reason why “Euro summer” is on just about everyone’s travel bucket list – Europe in the summer is pure MAGIC, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Whether you’re dreaming of lounging on a sun-drenched Greek island, sailing the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic, road-tripping under the Icelandic midnight sun, or escaping the heat entirely with a mountain “coolcation” in the Swiss Alps – Europe has it ALL. 

But the best places for summer in Europe span SO much more than just beaches (take it from someone who’s been to almost 50 countries!). From the dramatic cliffs of Portugal’s Algarve to the emerald peaks of Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park, and from the colorful terraces of Cinque Terre to the secluded coves of the Albanian Riviera – this list is designed to cover every kind of traveler and every kind of summer escape you could possibly dream up.

I’ve pulled together 10 of the BEST destinations across the continent – mixing the iconic bucket-list spots you already have saved on your vision board with a few seriously underrated gems that deserve way more attention. Whether you’re a solo female traveler, a beach obsessive, an adventure seeker, or just someone who needs a serious getaway – there’s something on this list for you.

So grab your passport and your best Euro summer playlist – let’s get into it!

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Portugal has had its moment in the spotlight over the last few years, and for a good reason – it’s one of the most diverse, beautiful, and genuinely welcoming countries in all of Europe. In summer, two regions stand out above the rest: the vibrant, hilly capital of Lisbon and the sun-drenched coastline of the Algarve.

Lisbon is one of those cities that manages to feel both timeless and totally alive at the same time. In summer, the city comes into its own – rooftop bars with views over terracotta rooftops and the glittering Tagus River, late nights in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, and the most incredible fresh seafood you will ever eat. The city is also a fantastic base for day trips to the fairytale palaces of Sintra or the surf beaches of Cascais. My top tip for Lisbon in summer: start your days early to see the famous miradouros (viewpoints) without the crowds, then embrace the slow afternoon pace that Lisboetas do so well.

The Algarve is Portugal’s most famous coastline – and when you see those iconic golden limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and hidden sea caves up close, it’s easy to understand why. It’s EASILY one of best places for summer in Europe! The area around Lagos and Sagres on the western Algarve is particularly special for its wild, dramatic scenery and world-class surf. For something a little more sheltered and family-friendly, the eastern Algarve around Tavira offers calmer waters and a slower pace of life. Do not miss a boat trip to the Ponta da Piedade sea caves near Lagos – it’s one of the most spectacular things you can do in Portugal.

The French Riviera – or the Côte d’Azur – is European summer in its most iconic form. Imagine sparkling blue Mediterranean water, glamorous seaside towns, super yachts bobbing in harbors, and that unmistakable French joie de vivre hanging in the warm summer air. It’s the kind of place that feels like a movie set, and yet it’s completely, wonderfully real.

Nice is the natural base for exploring the Riviera, and it genuinely is one of the most beautiful cities in France. The Promenade des Anglais is stunning for an early morning walk before the heat sets in, and the old town – Vieux-Nice – is a labyrinth of vibrant orange and yellow buildings, flower-filled markets, and tiny restaurants serving socca (a chickpea pancake that is seriously addictive). From Nice, it’s easy to day-trip along the coast to Monaco, the hilltop village of Èze, and the gorgeous Cap Ferrat peninsula.

For something a little less glitzy, the western end of the Riviera around Antibes and Cannes has a slightly more laid-back feel while still delivering those incredible Côte d’Azur views. And if you’re looking to escape the busiest spots entirely, the Calanques National Park between Marseille and Cassis offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in all of France – dramatic limestone cliffs dropping straight into impossibly clear turquoise water. This is absolutely one of the best places for summer in Europe for anyone who loves coastal hiking.

Greece is, without question, one of the greatest summer destinations on the planet – and it’s a country that just keeps delivering no matter how many times you visit. For the best places for summer in Europe, three Greek islands rise to the top for me: the dramatic beauty of Zakynthos, the volcanic moonscapes of Milos, and the world-famous magic of Santorini.

Zakynthos – also known as Zante – is one of the most breathtaking islands in the entire Ionian Sea. The famous Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) is genuinely one of the most incredible sights you will ever see in your life – a rusting shipwreck lying on blinding white sand, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and water so vivid blue it doesn’t look real. Beyond Navagio, Zakynthos has some wonderful hidden coves, fantastic snorkeling, and the magical Blue Caves on the northern tip of the island. I personally could have spent a week here and never gotten bored.

Milos is the island that seriously needs to be on more people’s radar. Often overlooked in favor of its more famous Cycladic neighbors, Milos has over 70 beaches – yes, SEVENTY – many of which are completely accessible only by boat. The colored volcanic rock formations at Sarakiniko Beach look like something from another planet, and the island has a wonderfully authentic Greek character that some of the more touristy islands have started to lose.

And then there’s Santorini. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s expensive. And yes, it is absolutely every bit as beautiful as the photos suggest. The famous caldera views from Oia at sunset are one of those rare travel experiences that actually lives up to the hype – do not miss this. My top tip for Santorini: stay in Imerovigli rather than Oia for the same caldera views with far fewer crowds and better value accommodation. And make sure to explore OUTSIDE of Oia – the rest of the island is SO underrated but just as lovely!

Everyone knows about Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, but Spain’s summer offering stretches so much further than that – and some of the country’s most extraordinary scenery is found in places that get far less attention from international travelers. Two regions that absolutely deserve a spot on your summer bucket list if you’re looking for the best places for summer in Europe: the rugged, dramatic northern coast and the wild beauty of Costa Brava.

Spain’s northern coast – stretching across the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias – is essentially a different country from the Spain most tourists visit. Here you’ll find dramatic cliffs, emerald green valleys, world-class surf beaches, and some of the best food in all of Europe. San Sebastián (Donostia) is widely regarded as one of the greatest food cities in the world, and a single evening doing a pintxos bar crawl through the old town will make you immediately understand why. 

The Picos de Europa mountains are just inland, offering incredible hiking for anyone who wants to mix mountains and coast. Temperatures up here are far more moderate than in southern Spain, making it a wonderful choice for summer travelers who don’t love extreme heat.

Costa Brava, meanwhile, is one of my personal favorite stretches of coastline in Europe. Running up the Catalan coast from Barcelona toward the French border, it’s a landscape of rugged cliffs, pine forests tumbling down to the sea, and coves with water so clear and turquoise you’ll have to keep reminding yourself you’re in Spain and not the Caribbean. Towns like Cadaqués – a whitewashed village that Salvador Dalí called home – and the medieval walled town of Begur are absolutely charming. The kayaking and snorkeling in the Cap de Creus Natural Park is some of the best in the Mediterranean.

Croatia has shot up the ranks of Europe’s most desirable summer destinations over the last decade, and it shows absolutely no signs of slowing down – for a very good reason. This is a country with an extraordinary coastline stretching over 1,100 miles, dotted with more than 1,200 islands, and boasting some of the clearest, most vivid water in the entire Mediterranean. It is, in a word, STUNNING.

But skip busy & expensive Dubrovnik and instead head to Split – it’s the natural gateway to the Dalmatian coast and one of the most unique cities in all of Europe – because it’s literally built inside a Roman emperor’s palace. Diocletian’s Palace, constructed in the 4th century AD, still forms the living, breathing heart of the old town, with cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and apartments nestled inside ancient stone walls. Walking through the palace at golden hour, with the limestone glowing warm in the evening light, is one of those genuinely magical travel moments.

From Split, the most popular day trip – and honestly one of the best things to do in Croatia – is the island of Hvar. This long, lavender-scented island is Croatia’s most glamorous, with a beautiful Renaissance old town, a Venetian loggia, hilltop fortresses with views over the entire archipelago, and some absolutely wonderful restaurants and beach bars. Hvar has a reputation for being a party destination, but do not let that put you off – it’s equally wonderful for a quiet, beautiful, relaxed island escape if you choose your bases wisely.

And then there’s sailing. One of the BEST ways to experience Croatia in summer is to hop on a sailing boat and spend a week island-hopping through the archipelago – stopping at hidden coves, tiny fishing villages, and secluded anchorages that simply aren’t accessible any other way. Skippered charter boats are available for all group sizes and budgets, and trust me, once you’ve spent a sunset bobbing in a hidden bay with a glass of local wine in hand, you will never want to leave.

Montenegro might just be one of the most underrated countries in the whole of Europe – and for anyone who hasn’t put it on their radar yet, I am here to tell you that needs to change IMMEDIATELY! This tiny Balkan nation packs an extraordinary amount of natural beauty into a very small package: sweeping Adriatic beaches, medieval walled towns, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the continent.

On the coast, Budva is Montenegro’s most popular beach destination – a lively, sun-drenched town with a gorgeous medieval old town and a string of excellent beaches. Right next door, Bečići is home to one of the longest and most beautiful sandy beaches in the entire Adriatic – a wide, gently curving bay with calm, clear water that is absolutely perfect for swimming. The whole Bay of Kotor area, a short drive up the coast, is frankly one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited anywhere in the world – a dramatic fjord-like bay ringed by mountains and dotted with medieval churches, Venetian fortresses, and charming coastal villages.

But here’s the thing about Montenegro that most summer visitors miss entirely: the mountains. Durmitor National Park in the north of the country is absolutely extraordinary – a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of glacier-carved peaks, glacial lakes, and Europe’s deepest canyon (the Tara River Canyon). In summer, the park is perfect for hiking, rafting, and wild camping. This combination of world-class beaches AND incredible mountain adventure is what makes Montenegro one of the genuinely best places for summer in Europe that most people aren’t talking about nearly enough.

If you’re looking for something genuinely unlike anywhere else in Europe, Iceland in summer is the answer. This is a destination that completely transforms in the warmer months – and visiting Iceland in July or August is a dramatically different (and in many ways, more accessible) experience than the winter trips most people associate with the country. It’s truly one of the best places for summer in Europe!

The biggest draw of Iceland in summer is one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena you can experience anywhere on earth: the midnight sun. At the height of summer, Iceland barely experiences darkness at all – the sun dips toward the horizon around midnight before rising again, bathing the landscape in a golden, otherworldly light that simply does not quit. Witnessing your first Icelandic midnight sun – sitting on a hillside at 1am with golden light streaming across lava fields and mountains – is genuinely one of the most surreal and beautiful travel experiences you can have.

Summer is also the only time of year that Iceland’s Highlands – the F-roads – are open and accessible by vehicle. The Highlands are one of Europe’s last true wildernesses: vast, raw, volcanic landscapes of steaming geothermal vents, obsidian black sand, turquoise glacial rivers, and mountains in every shade of rust, ochre, and purple. The Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk areas in particular are absolutely incredible for multi-day trekking. You will feel like you are on another planet – in the absolute best possible way.

Iceland is also perfect for a summer road trip. The famous Ring Road circles the entire island and can be driven in 7–10 days at a comfortable pace, taking in everything from the powerful waterfalls of the south (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss) to the dramatic fjords of the Westfjords and the whale-watching waters of Húsavík. My top tip: rent a campervan and embrace the freedom of having your accommodation and transport in one – waking up to a view of a glacier or a lava field is an experience that no hotel can replicate.

Albania is, hands down, the most underrated beach destination in all of Europe – and it is still, just barely, a secret. The Albanian Riviera stretches along the country’s southwestern coast, a succession of dramatic headlands, turquoise bays, and beaches that rival – and in many cases genuinely surpass – anything you’ll find in Greece or Croatia, at a fraction of the price.

Ksamil, near the southern tip of the Riviera, is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful spots in the entire Balkans – and having been there, I absolutely understand why. A series of tiny offshore islands are accessible by a short swim or paddle from the main beach, and the water is a shade of turquoise that honestly feels almost too vivid to be real. The town itself is small and relatively undeveloped compared to better-known Mediterranean resorts, which only adds to its charm. Do not miss the nearby ancient ruins of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set right on the edge of a tranquil lagoon.

Further north along the Riviera, Dhërmi is arguably the most beautiful village on the entire Albanian coast – a hillside settlement of old stone houses tumbling down to a spectacular crescent beach backed by towering mountains. The drive along the Riviera road between these villages is one of the most dramatic coastal drives in Europe, with hairpin bends offering sweeping views over the Ionian Sea. Albania is genuinely one of the best places for summer in Europe right now – go before the rest of the world catches on.

Ireland might not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of summer in Europe – but trust me, it is one of the most rewarding summer destinations on the entire continent, and it is dramatically underrated by international travelers. Summer is genuinely the BEST time to visit Ireland. The days are impossibly long, the countryside turns a shade of green so vivid it almost hurts your eyes, and the famous Irish warmth – both the weather and the people – is very much in full effect.

Dublin is a wonderful starting point – a compact, walkable, endlessly characterful city that punches well above its weight for culture, food, and nightlife. The cobblestoned streets of Temple Bar, the world-famous literary heritage of Trinity College and the Book of Kells, and the buzzing pub scene along Grafton Street all make for an incredible few days. But do not make the mistake of spending your entire Irish summer in the capital – because what lies beyond Dublin is even more extraordinary. My top tip: rent a car as soon as you arrive and head west. 

The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the greatest road trips in all of Europe – a 2,500-kilometre coastal route running the entire length of Ireland’s wild western seaboard, from the Inishowen Peninsula in the northwest all the way down to Cork in the south. Along the way you will encounter dramatic sea cliffs that drop hundreds of metres straight into the crashing Atlantic (the Cliffs of Moher and the Slieve League Cliffs are genuinely breathtaking), remote offshore islands where Irish is still the first language, ancient stone forts perched on headlands with views stretching out to the horizon, and some of the friendliest small towns and villages you will find anywhere in the world. 

The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are particular highlights – both offer that classic Irish landscape of rugged mountains, golden beaches, and those impossibly green fields in every direction. If you want a summer road trip that combines natural drama, rich culture, incredible food, and genuine soul, the Wild Atlantic Way absolutely needs to be on your list of best places for summer in Europe.

And for my final pick for one of the best places for summer in Europe – something a little different. If the heat of a Mediterranean summer is your idea of a nightmare rather than a dream, then the Swiss Alps in summer might just be your perfect answer. Welcome to the “coolcation” – the anti-beach summer escape that is genuinely having a serious moment right now, and for a very good reason.

Switzerland in summer is nothing short of SPECTACULAR. The same mountains that host world-famous ski resorts in winter transform entirely in summer into a landscape of impossibly green alpine meadows, wildflower-strewn hiking trails, glassy mountain lakes, and charming wooden chalets with views that will make your jaw drop on a daily basis. Temperatures in the Alps sit in a glorious 20–25°C (68–77°F) range during summer – warm enough to hike, swim in glacier lakes, and sit outside – but blissfully cool compared to the baking heat of southern Europe.

The Jungfrau region – home to the famous trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks – is one of the most iconic areas for summer hiking in the entire Alps. The village of Grindelwald and the car-free resort of Mürren are both wonderful bases, with access to hundreds of kilometers of marked hiking trails ranging from leisurely lakeside strolls to serious multi-day mountain routes. The Lauterbrunnen Valley – with its 72 waterfalls cascading down sheer cliff walls – is one of the most beautiful places I have ever stood in my entire life.

For something a little more off the beaten track, the Engadin Valley and the area around St. Moritz in the Graubünden canton is extraordinary in summer – with the added bonus of far fewer crowds than the more famous Bernese Oberland. Lake Silvaplana is world-class for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and the hiking around the Silsersee lake is absolutely wonderful. Switzerland is not cheap – let’s be honest about that – but for a truly unforgettable summer escape that feels completely unlike anywhere else in Europe, it is absolutely worth every penny.

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