Best Time to Visit Europe: A Country-by-Country Guide

Europe spans from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, from the Atlantic to the edge of Asia. A continent this diverse does not have a single "best time to visit." The ideal window depends entirely on where you are going and what you want to experience.

This guide covers 18 European countries organized by region, with specific month-by-month advice on weather, crowd levels, prices, and unmissable seasonal events. Use it to time your trip for the experience you want at the price you want to pay.

Quick Reference: Europe at a Glance

Before diving into individual countries, here is the continental overview:

• Cheapest time to fly to Europe from North America: January-March and November (excluding holidays)
• Peak tourist season: Mid-June through August
• Best shoulder season windows: April-May and September-October
• Worst time for crowds: July 14-August 31 (European school holidays combine with global peak travel)
• Best overall months for first-time visitors: May and September

Western Europe

France

Best months: May, June, September, October

France is Europe's most visited country, which means timing matters enormously. July and August bring crushing crowds to Paris, Provence, and the Riviera, plus temperatures that have increasingly reached 38-40C (100-104F) in recent summers.

• Spring (April-May): Paris in bloom is legendary. Cherry blossoms in the Tuileries, wisteria on Montmartre buildings, moderate temperatures of 14-20C. Crowds build through May but remain manageable. Hotel prices are 20-30% below summer peak
• Early summer (June): The sweet spot. Long days (sunset at 10pm), warm weather (22-28C), and pre-peak-season crowds. Lavender in Provence begins blooming in late June
• Peak summer (July-August): Avoid Paris if possible -- many restaurants close as Parisians leave for vacation. The Riviera and Provence are extremely crowded and expensive. However, this is the best time for the French Alps and Atlantic coast
• Autumn (September-October): Grape harvest season in Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne. Crowds thin dramatically after September 15. Wine harvest festivals, cooler temperatures (15-22C), golden light
• Winter (November-March): Paris is moody, beautiful, and affordable. Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar (late November through December) are magical. Ski season in the Alps runs December-April

Price seasonality: A Paris hotel room costs $150 in January, $250 in June, $350 in August. The same quality drops to $180 in October.

Spain

Best months: April, May, September, October

Spain's geography creates multiple climate zones: the Mediterranean coast bakes in summer, the northern coast stays cool and green, and the central plateau swings between extremes.

• Spring (April-May): The ideal time for most of Spain. Seville's Feria de Abril (late April) is one of Europe's great festivals. Madrid, Barcelona, and Andalusia enjoy 20-25C and moderate crowds. Holy Week (Semana Santa) processions across the country are profoundly moving
• Summer (June-August): Coastal areas and islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Costa Brava) peak in July-August. Barcelona and Madrid become oppressively hot (35-40C). Northern Spain (Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia) is at its best in summer -- green, 22-28C, and less crowded than the south
• Autumn (September-October): Barcelona's best month is September -- the sea is warm (24C), the summer crowds have left, and the city's cultural season kicks off. Andalusia cools to pleasant temperatures. Wine harvest in La Rioja
• Winter (November-March): Southern Spain (Andalusia, Valencia) stays mild (12-18C) and sunny. Perfect for Seville, Granada, and Malaga without crowds. Ski season in the Sierra Nevada runs December-April. The Canary Islands maintain 20-25C year-round

Local insight: Spain eats dinner at 9-10pm and many businesses close from 2-5pm for siesta. Adjust your schedule to local rhythms rather than fighting them.

Portugal

Best months: May, June, September, October

Portugal offers exceptional value and increasingly mild winters, making it a near-year-round destination.

• Spring (April-June): Lisbon and Porto are at their best. Temperatures of 18-25C, jacaranda trees in bloom throughout Lisbon in May (they turn entire streets purple), and manageable crowds
• Summer (July-August): The Algarve beaches peak. Lisbon can reach 35C+. The interior (Alentejo, Douro Valley) is scorching. Azores and Madeira offer cooler alternatives
• Autumn (September-October): Water temperatures peak in September (22-24C on the Algarve), making this the best month for beach holidays. Surf season picks up on the west coast. Wine harvest in the Douro
• Winter (November-March): Mild (10-16C) with some rain, especially in the north. Lisbon remains pleasant for city exploration. The cheapest time to visit with very few tourists. Madeira stays warm (18-22C)

The Netherlands

Best months: April, May, September

The Netherlands is flat, windy, and gets more annual rainfall than London (a fact that surprises most visitors). Timing your visit around the weather makes a significant difference.

• Tulip season (mid-April to mid-May): The iconic reason to visit. Keukenhof gardens are open from late March to mid-May, and the tulip fields around Lisse and the Bollenstreek are in full bloom in mid-to-late April. Book accommodation weeks in advance
• Summer (June-August): Long days (sunset at 10pm in June), temperatures of 20-25C, outdoor cafe culture in Amsterdam. King's Day (April 27) is the Netherlands' biggest celebration. Canal festivals and outdoor concerts throughout summer
• Autumn (September-October): Museum season. Fewer tourists, golden light, comfortable temperatures (15-20C). The best time for art lovers (no lines at the Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank House)
• Winter (November-March): Cold (2-8C), wet, and dark -- but Amsterdam's museums, cafes, and brown bars (bruine kroegen) are at their coziest. Ice skating on frozen canals happens only in very cold winters but is unforgettable when it does

Southern Europe and Mediterranean

Italy

Best months: April, May, September, October

Italy is Europe's most diverse travel destination, and the "best time" varies dramatically by region.

• Spring (April-May): The best overall window. Rome, Florence, and Venice are busy but not yet overwhelming. Temperatures of 18-25C. Easter in Rome is spectacular. Wildflowers in Tuscany and Umbria
• Summer (June-August): Venice in July is miserable (40C, peak crowds, humidity). Rome and Florence are similar. However, the Italian Lakes (Como, Garda, Maggiore) are at their best. Sardinia and Sicily beach season peaks. The Dolomites offer hiking and alpine meadows
• Autumn (September-October): The second-best window. Grape harvest across Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto. Truffle season in Piedmont and Umbria (white truffles start in October). Fewer cruise ships in the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre
• Winter (November-March): Rome and southern Italy (Naples, Sicily, Puglia) stay mild enough for comfortable exploration (8-15C). Venice acqua alta (flooding) peaks in November. Ski season in the Dolomites is world-class. Christmas markets in South Tyrol blend Italian and Austrian traditions

Regional timing: If visiting both northern and southern Italy, go north in June-July and south in September-October to avoid extreme heat.

Greece

Best months: May, June, September, October

Greece's appeal is its islands, and island weather dictates the best travel windows.

• Spring (April-May): Mainland Greece is spectacular in April-May. Athens, Meteora, and the Peloponnese have wildflowers, comfortable temperatures (18-25C), and thin crowds. Island season starts in May, though sea temperatures are still cool (18-20C) and some seasonal businesses have not yet opened
• Summer (June-August): Peak island season. Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes are packed and expensive. Less-famous islands (Milos, Naxos, Cephalonia, Folegandros) offer the same beauty with fewer crowds. Sea temperature peaks at 26C in August
• Autumn (September-October): The best time for islands. Sea temperature stays warm (24C in September), summer crowds disappear after the first week of September, and prices drop 30-40%. Crete is outstanding in October
• Winter (November-March): The islands largely shut down. Athens and Thessaloniki remain active, affordable, and uncrowded. Athens in winter averages 12-15C with sunshine most days

Croatia

Best months: May, June, September

Croatia has become one of Europe's most popular destinations, and the Dalmatian Coast in peak summer is now as crowded as Italy.

• Spring (May-June): Dubrovnik and Split without the cruise ship crowds. Sea temperature reaches swimmable levels (22C) by late May. Prices are 30-40% below July-August. Plitvice Lakes are at their most dramatic with spring water levels
• Peak summer (July-August): If you must go in summer, head to less-visited islands (Vis, Korcula, Lastovo) rather than Dubrovnik or Hvar. The Istrian coast (Rovinj, Pula) is less crowded than Dalmatia. Temperatures reach 33-37C along the coast
• Autumn (September): September is the true sweet spot. Water temperature peaks (25C), summer crowds vanish by mid-month, and Dalmatian food is at its best (grape harvest, fig season, late-summer seafood). October brings rain and cooler temperatures
• Winter (November-March): Most coastal towns enter hibernation mode. Zagreb and the interior offer Christmas markets, thermal spas, and continental cuisine

Turkey

Best months: April, May, September, October

Turkey offers extraordinary diversity -- from Istanbul's cityscape to Cappadocia's lunar landscapes to the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts.

• Spring (April-May): Istanbul in April is magnificent -- tulip season fills the city's parks with millions of blooms (the tulip was originally Turkish, not Dutch). Cappadocia has clear skies and moderate temperatures ideal for hot air balloon flights. The coast is warm enough for exploration but not yet beach weather
• Summer (June-August): The Turquoise Coast (Fethiye, Kas, Antalya) and Aegean Coast (Bodrum, Cesme) are in full beach mode. Istanbul and Cappadocia are hot (35-40C) and crowded
• Autumn (September-October): The best all-around window. Istanbul is comfortable (20-25C), Cappadocia has excellent balloon weather, and the coast stays warm for swimming through October. Fewer tourists across the board
• Winter (November-March): Istanbul is moody and atmospheric in winter (5-12C, occasional snow). Ski season at Uludag and Palandoken. Cappadocia under snow is hauntingly beautiful, though balloon flights are more frequently cancelled

Eastern Europe

Czech Republic

Best months: May, September, October

Prague is one of Europe's most visited cities, and crowd management is essential for a good experience.

• Spring (April-May): Prague blooms with cherry and magnolia trees. Easter markets in Old Town Square. Temperatures rise from 12C in April to 18C in May. Tourist numbers are moderate
• Summer (June-August): Warm (25-30C) and very crowded, especially in Prague's Old Town and on Charles Bridge. For a better experience, visit Cesky Krumlov, Brno, or the Bohemian countryside
• Autumn (September-October): Beer festival season. Autumn foliage transforms Prague's parks and the Bohemian countryside. Crowds thin rapidly after mid-September. Czech wine harvest in Moravia
• Winter (November-February): Prague's Christmas markets (late November through December) are among Europe's best. Cold (0-5C) but atmospheric. January-February is very affordable

Poland

Best months: May, June, September

Poland is one of Europe's most underrated destinations, offering world-class cities, dramatic nature, and extraordinary value.

• Spring (May-June): Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk at their best. Warm (18-25C), long days, and pre-peak crowds. The Tatra Mountains are spectacular in late May with alpine wildflowers
• Summer (July-August): Beach season on the Baltic coast (Sopot, Mielno). The Mazury Lake District offers sailing and kayaking. Summer in Krakow is warm and busy but manageable
• Autumn (September-October): Autumn colors in the Bieszczady Mountains and Bialowieza Forest (Europe's last primeval forest). Fewer tourists, comfortable temperatures (12-20C)
• Winter (November-March): Harsh cold (-5 to 5C) but magical with Christmas markets, snow-covered Old Towns, and cozy milk bars serving hearty winter food. Ski season in Zakopane (December-March)

Hungary

Best months: April, May, September, October

Budapest is the star, but Lake Balaton, the wine regions, and the Hungarian puszta (Great Plains) deserve time too.

• Spring (April-May): Budapest's thermal bath culture is best enjoyed in spring -- warm enough to enjoy outdoor pools, cool enough that indoor baths feel wonderful. Ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter are buzzing. Cherry blossom season on Gellert Hill
• Summer (June-August): Lake Balaton (Central Europe's largest lake) is Hungary's summer playground, with beaches, wine bars, and festival culture. Budapest's Sziget Festival (August) draws 500,000 people. Hot (30-35C) and humid in Budapest
• Autumn (September-October): Wine harvest across Hungary's regions (Eger, Tokaj, Villany). Budapest without summer crowds. Comfortable temperatures (15-22C) perfect for walking the city
• Winter (November-February): Budapest's Christmas market on Vorosmarty Square is one of Europe's most beautiful. Thermal baths are steaming and atmospheric in cold weather. Very affordable

Northern Europe

Iceland

Best months: June, July (for midnight sun), September (for northern lights), February-March (for ice caves + northern lights)

Iceland is a year-round destination with dramatically different experiences by season.

• Summer (June-August): Midnight sun (24 hours of daylight in June). All highland roads open (F-roads, Landmannalaugar, Thorsmork). Puffin season (mid-May through August). Lupine flowers blanket the landscape in June. Temperatures of 10-15C. This is peak season with highest prices
• Shoulder (September-October): Northern lights return. Crowds thin. Some highland roads close. Autumn colors in Thingvellir. September is the best month for balancing daylight, northern lights, and accessibility
• Winter (November-March): Ice cave season (November-March). Northern lights at their most active. Short days (4-6 hours of daylight in December). Dramatic storms and weather. Cheapest flights and accommodation. This is when Iceland is most otherworldly

Norway

Best months: June, July, September

Norway's fjords, northern lights, and midnight sun create distinct seasonal draws.

• Summer (June-July): Midnight sun above the Arctic Circle. Fjord cruises in full operation. Hiking season in the mountains (Trolltunga, Preikestolen, Lofoten Islands). Temperatures of 15-20C in the south, 12-18C in the north. Expensive but unforgettable
• Autumn (September-October): Autumn colors along the fjords. Northern lights begin in northern Norway. Fewer tourists. Berry and mushroom foraging season
• Winter (November-February): Northern lights in Tromso and Lofoten. Husky sledding, snowmobiling, and skiing. Polar night above the Arctic Circle (no sunrise for weeks). Coldest temperatures but unique beauty

Sweden

Best months: June, July, August, December

• Summer (June-August): Midsummer (late June) is Sweden's most important holiday. Stockholm's archipelago is in full bloom. Hiking in Swedish Lapland under the midnight sun. The country comes alive after the long dark winter
• Autumn (September-October): Fall colors in Lapland start in September (called "ruska" in Scandinavian). Stockholm is less crowded and still pleasant (12-18C)
• Winter (December-February): The ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjarvi opens in December. Stockholm's Christmas markets and Lucia celebrations (December 13). Northern lights in Abisko (one of the best viewing spots on Earth due to its microclimate)

The British Isles

United Kingdom

Best months: May, June, September

• Late spring (May-June): The English countryside peaks with bluebells (late April-May), wisteria, and gardens. London is pleasant (15-22C) with long evenings. Scotland's highlands turn green. Chelsea Flower Show (May)
• Summer (July-August): Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August) is the world's largest arts festival. Cornwall and Devon beaches. The Lake District and Scottish Highlands in their brief warm period. Expect rain anywhere, anytime
• Autumn (September-October): Shoulder season rates kick in. London's cultural season begins (theater, exhibitions, concerts). Scottish autumn colors. Fewer tourists at Stonehenge, Bath, and the Cotswolds
• Winter (November-February): London theater season peaks. Christmas in London is atmospheric. Cheap flights. Scotland's whisky distilleries are coziest in winter

Ireland

Best months: May, June, September

• Late spring (May-June): The Wild Atlantic Way is green and dramatic. Long evenings (sunset at 10pm in June). Fewer tourists than summer. The Burren's wildflowers peak in May
• Summer (July-August): Peak tourist season. Traditional music festivals (Fleadh Cheoil, Willie Clancy Week). The best chance of dry weather, though "best chance" in Ireland still means bringing a rain jacket every day
• Autumn (September): Excellent month. Warm enough for outdoor activities, tourists have thinned out, accommodation prices drop. Galway Oyster Festival (late September)

Planning Your European Trip by Season

Spring (April-May)

Best for: Southern and Central Europe. Wildflowers, moderate temperatures, pre-peak prices. Ideal for city breaks and cultural trips.

Skip: Scandinavia (still cold and dark in April), Greek islands (too early for swimming)

Summer (June-August)

Best for: Scandinavia (midnight sun), British Isles (warmest weather), Greek islands, Baltic coast, Alpine hiking

Skip: Southern Mediterranean cities (too hot), Paris in August (locals leave), Venice (heat + humidity + crowds)

Autumn (September-October)

Best for: Mediterranean (warm seas, no crowds), wine regions (harvest season), Eastern Europe (best value), cultural tourism

Skip: Iceland's highlands (roads closing), Scottish Highlands in November (weather deteriorates rapidly)

Winter (November-March)

Best for: Christmas markets (November-December), Northern lights (Scandinavia, Iceland), skiing (Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees), city breaks at lowest prices

Skip: Greek islands (most things closed), Croatian coast (hibernation mode), outdoor-focused itineraries

Using TripGenie to Time Your European Trip

Planning a European trip around optimal timing can be complex, especially for multi-country itineraries. TripGenie's AI planner accounts for weather patterns, seasonal events, crowd levels, and price seasonality when building your itinerary. Input your travel dates and the app will suggest which regions and countries are at their best during your specific window, helping you make the most of every day on the continent.