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For many Americans, Europe is pretty much what dreams are made of. Sparkly white-sand beaches, incredible food, warm people, and more museums and castles than one could ever imagine. Considering how many Americans vacation in the summer, it’s no surprise that many of them end up in Europe.
But, where to go in Europe this summer? Well, that depends heavily on what you’re looking for and what sort of vibe you enjoy. Are you looking for party cities in Europe this summer? Or would you the prefer less-crowded cities in Europe and avoid tourist traps?
I sat down with two experienced European tour guides to get their take on where to go (and not go) in Europe this summer. Nena Rifelj and Tomo Petek are travel and trekking guides with the adventure-focused tour company, Wilderness Travel, and between the two of them, they have visited nearly every country in Europe. They’ve also led (and continue to lead) tours in Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, and Montenegro (not to mention Morocco and a handful of other non-European destinations).
Here is where in Europe to go this summer, according to European tour guides.
While Germany isn’t exactly an unheard of destination, it receives far fewer crowds than other European hotspots so you’ll still get to enjoy all the perks of a big city without drowning in its crowds and higher prices. According to Nena and Tomo, Berlin in particular is a top pick because there are a ton of outdoor activities and events like music and art festivals, and many of them are also free. If you’re down to pay a few bucks, consider doing a food tour of Berlin and/or a Third Reich and Cold War tour.
Both Tomo and Nena originally hail from Slovenia so they may be biased in their assessment that Slovenia is one of the best places to visit in summer. However, after joining them on a 12-day hiking trip through Slovenia, I also can’t think of a better place to spend the summer. While Slovenia has the same phenomenal food and landscapes you’ll find in its crowded neighboring countries (I’m looking at you Croatia and Italy), you will find far fewer people and much lower prices.
While capital city Ljubljana and tourist-popular Lake Bled should (and likely will be) on your itinerary, consider spending some time in the western city of Piran, which shares a small sliver of coast between Italy and Croatia, and in the sparsely populated eastern part of the country. Slovenia is also one of the safest European countries, which gives it even more bonus points.
While Iceland does tend to draw some of its biggest crowds in the summer, if you want to enjoy many of its claim to fame attractions, there really isn’t a better time to visit. Tomo says Iceland has tremendous hiking in the summer (and this author agrees), and you’ll also have the best chance of seeing rainbows, waterfalls, and puffins – pretty much everything the country is famous for. While the Northern Lights are best seen during winter months, you can increase your chance of spotting them in summer if you visit later in the season. Definitely spend a day in capital city, Reykjavik, but plan to spend the bulk of the time exploring as far away as you can get. Pro tip: many travelers either rent a car or camper van to make their way around the island on their own time.
Like Germany, Denmark is not completely unheard of and it is a very popular destination among Europeans, but it isn’t yet receiving the massive crowds of Americans that you’ll find in Amsterdam, Paris, or London. Tomo and Nena agree that Denmark, and Copenhagen in particular, is a great pick for the summer largely due to the weather. Come winter, you’re simply not going to find as much to do, so if you want to be outdoors, enjoy good weather, and have your pick of fun (and sometimes free) cultural activities, summer is the best time to go to Copenhagen.
Montenegro is an underrated tourist destination that is unlikely to appear on most “where to visit in Europe this summer” lists because it is largely unknown among Americans. The Baltic area in general tends to receive far fewer tourists than central and western Europe, partly because of the limited flights to the area and partly due to a simple lack of familiarity in the west. Tomo leads hiking tours in Montenegro and says it’s one of the most spectacular destinations he’s ever been, noting that is has some truly wild hiking that is hard to find elsewhere. However, while Americans are just getting to know Montenegro, the secret is out among Europeans so the coastal region can get busy in the middle of summer. Tomo suggests visiting in late August, or planning your trip away from the coast (say, in the mountain region), which tends to receive fewer visitors.
Sorry to burst your bubble but, according to Tomo and Nena, France – and Paris in particular – is the number one place to avoid in summer, especially this year. Crowds are always thicker in summer (along with prices being higher and accommodations being harder to come by), but because the city will be hosting the Olympics this year, they strongly suggest not going to Paris this summer. That is, unless you love crowds and waiting in line, and have no problem paying an arm and a leg for absolutely everything.
For the past few years, Croatia has been quickly creeping up on the radar of Americans but it’s long been popular with Europeans, including with the Dutch, German, and Czech travelers who bring their families here to holiday for weeks at a time in summer. Tomo and Nena both suggest avoiding Croatia in summer, and they suggest considering their home country of Slovenia instead, which is right next door and offers many of the same attractions and scenery (though you’ll get less beach and more mountains), without the enormous crowds.
Why not go to Greece in the summer? According to Nena, two words: “the heat.” Greece is unbearably hot in the summer, which can really take away from your enjoyment. This is especially the case if you plan to do a lot of walking or hiking, including climbing up and down hundreds of stairs in picturesque (and oppressively crowded) cities like Santorini.
All of Italy is buzzing with tourists in summer, from American families and study-abroad students to European friends, families and bachelor parties. If you want to avoid huge crowds and high prices, steer clear of Italy, from Florence and Rome to Naples and the Amalfi coast. However, if the big boot can’t keep you away this summer, whatever you do, avoid Venice at all costs! Why? Well, according to Nena and Tomo, those picture-perfect Venetian canals heat up in the summer so the entire city smells like sewage. And who wants to be serenaded in a sewage canal? Nobody, that’s who.
I’m Cassandra, a freelance writer, guidebook author, and photographer who loves all things outdoors. I’ve written for The New York Times, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure, and dozens more. My work tends to focus on sustainability, accessibility, and the outdoors and I have a special love for hiking, biking, and kayaking. I started as a solo traveler, now do a lot of family travel, and also multi-gen and accessible travel.
