The Best Summer Vacations in Europe
Cruise and Vacation in Europe This Summer
By Robert Shrader | Published: March 2, 2022 | Updated: March 27, 2026
Europe's stunning scenery and timeless history heat up in the summertime. Possibilities for European summer vacations are as endless as the dozens of languages, cultures and culinary traditions that dot the continent. Visit perfect Paris or ravishing Rome, and take a classic summer vacation with a glass of champagne or prosecco in front of the glittering Eiffel Tower or towering Colosseum. Or wander off Europe's beaten path, adventuring your way through the cobbled streets of the Baltic States or the pristine coastlines of the Balkan nations. You may want to relax underneath the midnight sun in Scandinavia or dance the night away at clubs in Ibiza or Mykonos. The best summer vacations in Europe are only a few online clicks away. Read on to learn what awaits you and your travel crew.
Key Takeaways
- ● Europe beckons this summer with unforgettable scenery, golden beaches and endless opportunities to explore — from photographing Florence’s skyline to hiking the majestic Alps.
- ● The best places to see in Europe include iconic coastal cities like Santorini and Dubrovnik, cultural hubs like Rome and Barcelona and hidden gems in the Baltics, Balkans and Nordics.
- ● Summer in Europe means savoring every flavor: fresh seafood in Greece, pizza in Naples and fine wines in Tuscany and Portugal’s Douro Valley.
- ● From scenic cruises and alpine hikes to late-night strolls under Scandinavia’s midnight sun, each region offers unique adventures for every kind of traveler.
- ● You can mix it up by cruising, road-tripping and exploring on foot, enjoying Europe’s long days, warm weather and rich culture.
- ● Find your perfect cruise trip for a European summer vacation like no other.
Perfect Your Photography Game
Regardless of which European destinations you're traveling to this summer, the warmer and drier months present the perfect opportunity to practice your photography game. Capture sunsets behind Florence's iconic Duomo church from atop the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint across the Arno River, or rise early to capture Amsterdam's row houses reflected in its famous canals before boats disturb the perfect stillness of their waters.
Summer is also a great time to photograph Europe's stunning nature. Take a day trip from Paris to Mont St. Michel. Take advantage of the plentiful daylight to get a shot of the otherworldly church at both low tide and high tide, when it appears to be floating on top of the sea. Or, discover the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland, where fresh vegetation along the Cliffs of Moher glows an enchanting emerald. The only thing more satisfying than the colorful towns every few miles is the fresh lobsters and fish you can enjoy in all of them.
Savor Europe's Best Eats and Culinary Treats
It’s wonderful to visit the beach during summer trips to Europe, and a warm, bikini-friendly time of year is one of the best times to indulge your inner foodie. Sit outside in France's former papal city of Avignon and enjoy unique boeuf tartare (decadent raw beef mixed with egg yolk and other fixings). Or eat the best pasta or pizza of your life along the Tiber River in Rome.
Summer is also the perfect time to savor fresh seafood in Europe. Head to local eateries on the islands of Mykonos or Santorini in Greece, and tear into tender fresh octopus. You could also enjoy sumptuous, fresh Norwegian salmon filets in Oslo. Savor paella in coastal Spanish cities like Valencia or Girona, ideally washing it down with fresh sangria.
Quench Your Thirst for Europe’s Finest With Delectable Drinks
A highlight of European summer vacations, no matter where on the continent you travel, is a visit to an amazing winery. There are dozens of regions throughout Europe with burgeoning wine scenes. The obvious choices are the award-winning vineyards of Tuscany near the Italian city of Florence or Bordeaux, and Burgundy in southern France.
Take a day trip from Belgrade, Serbia, to the wine town of Sremski Karlovci, or travel from London to Cornwall, which might just be Europe's most surprising wine destination. Take a river cruise (or simply a car or bus trip) into Portugal's Douro Valley, which is Europe's capital of port wine production.
You needn't be a wine connoisseur to toast to the European summer. Breweries abound in Europe, from popular choices like the Erdinger in Bavaria (near Munich, the hub of Oktoberfest) and Grolsch (in the Czech Republic) to craft breweries like Belgium's Cantillon and Sweden's Omnipollo.
If you're in Edinburgh, make sure to sign up for a Scotch Whisky Experience tour, which spotlights Scotland's long and priceless tradition of whisky making — just steps from Edinburgh Castle.
Sail Or Cruise To Paradise Islands
Many of the best places to visit in Europe in summer are right on the coast, and directly or indirectly involve a beach. Both public ferries and private speed boats run between the Greek islands. You can choose mainstream options like Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades, or buck popular norms and visit islands like Crete, Corfu and Paros. Another great destination for the sun is the islands just off the coast of Croatia, anchored by the captivating Korčula.
If time permits, you simply have to head to the Mediterranean to take an interesting island trip in Europe this summer. Liaise with any tour company in the center of Stockholm to book a public or private boat tour to the Stockholm archipelago. Here, scruffy evergreens rise above rocky shores, juxtaposed with colorful wooden houses. Or head even farther north to Norway's Lofoten Islands, which literally hug the Arctic Circle. Here, you're unlikely to find many other tourists.
Bask In The Glow Of The Midnight Sun
Speaking of the Arctic Circle, one of the most special things about taking summer trips to Europe is seeing phenomena that only occur at this time of year — namely, the midnight sun in Scandinavia. The best way to experience this is by traveling as close as possible to the Arctic Circle. Choose Rovaniemi in Finland, Kiruna in Sweden or Akureyri, the largest of the cities along Iceland's northern coast. If you visit these places on the summer solstice, it literally stays light all night.
You can also enjoy more plentiful sunshine than usual in Scandinavian cities. Sip craft beers in Stockholm's trendy Södermalm district late into the night on evenings in June or July, or practice your selfie game along Copenhagen's colorful Nyhavn canal — literally until midnight, when some ambient light will remain. The late light of summer also presents the optimal opportunity to discover Bergen, the city in western Norway that’s the de facto gateway to the country's famous fjords.
Break A Sweat With Alpine Hiking
When you want to enjoy the best of both worlds on European summer vacations, head up into the Alps, where snow can still cling to the tops of mountains. The hiking trails are delightfully clear, and the crystalline lakes of the region beckon you to swim. The most obvious place to hike is in Switzerland, which offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails. These include mainstream destinations like Zermatt (where, on a clear day, you can see the Matterhorn), Interlaken and more secluded spots like Engelberg and Melchsee-Frutt.
Of course, the Alps extend far beyond Switzerland. Other relatively popular Alpine destinations include the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany and the French Alps near the city of Geneva. Visit underrated Slovenia and take an excursion into the Julian Alps, in whose foothills you'll find fluorescent Lake Bled. Hire a canoe and paddle out to the church in the middle of the lake, or hike up to 11th-century Bled Castle to take in a stunning panorama of the landscape.
Escape The Crowds Off The Beaten Path
Many of the best places to visit in Europe in summer are ones you've probably never heard of. For example, you can fly from the city where you arrive to Riga, the gateway to the beautiful Baltic States. Stay in Latvia and visit Rundale Palace, which is known as the Latvian Versailles. Or you could travel to nearby countries like Lithuania and Estonia, where you can climb sand dunes on the enchanting Curonian Spit and traipse through the old town of Tallinn.
Plenty of underrated destinations exist in Europe's south as well. Fly to Zagreb or Belgrade to explore the Balkans, to see the towering mosques of towns like Mostar and the golden beaches of the city of Split. Alternatively, head far east into Russia, where the pristine palaces of St. Petersburg are juxtaposed with the grand squares and soaring skyscrapers of underrated Moscow.
Immerse Yourself in Europe’s Culture and History
The amazing weather and bright sunshine of summer trips to Europe make it the perfect opportunity to discover culture on the continent. Sign up for a guided walking tour of Palatine Hill or the Trastevere culinary neighborhood in Rome, or make your own way through the treasures of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona. You can explore the innards of the ornate Sagrada Familia Church, or ascend the viewpoint of Park Güell, where avant-garde art pairs with one of Europe's best sunsets.
Another European cultural destination that's at its most beautiful during the summer is Schloss Neuschwanstein, a fairy tale castle in the mountains of Bavaria just south of Munich. Furthermore, summer is the best time to discover culture in lesser-visited parts of Europe. Ascend the city walls of Croatia's Dubrovnik, or traipse through the cobbled streets of Kraków, whose charming churches and ornate houses have made it the de facto jewel of Poland.
Take An Epic European Road Trip
The continent is home to one of the world's most extensive and convenient train networks, and many of the best places to visit in Europe in summer are only accessible via car. One of the most popular European road trips is to rent a car in Florence and explore the beautiful small towns of Tuscany. Likewise, a car is the best way to discover the Algarve, the stunning strip of beaches and whitewashed towns along Portugal's southern coast.
If you opt to travel to one of Europe's more underrated destinations and want to discover it by car, road trips are just as enjoyable off the beaten path as they are along the mainstream. Rent a car in the Balkans and visit Plitvice Lakes and its hundreds of waterfalls in Croatia. You could pick up a car at Keflavík International Airport in Iceland and drive it onto the wild and forlorn Snaefellsnes Peninsula, whose Kirkjufell Waterfall is one of the most enchanting spots you'll ever see.
Keep It Simple And Sweet
So many people plan their European summer vacations with the intention of re-inventing the wheel, to escape crowds, dazzle social media followers or simply stay on their toes. If you can deal with a few (or a few thousand) other tourists and don't care about how strangers on the internet perceive your trip, why not focus on the classics? Spend two weeks in Europe, for example, hopping between capitals like London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin.
You can apply this same strategy to nature-focused trips to Europe. The hiking trails of the Alps and the pristine waters of Norway's fjords are busy during the summer, and there's a very good reason for that. Likewise, while the islands of Greece's Cyclades chain (namely Santorini and Mykonos) are at their busiest when the temperatures are highest, they're worth visiting in the summer too.
Planning Your European Summer Vacation: Itinerary Ideas
Before setting sail on your European adventure, a bit of planning can make all the difference. From choosing the right ports to uncovering authentic culinary treasures, here are the key things to keep in mind when mapping out your summer cruise itinerary:
Top Cruise Destinations
When it comes to the best places for family summer vacation in Europe, cruising makes it easy to explore multiple iconic destinations without the stress of planning complicated land transfers. Mediterranean itineraries stop at gems like Santorini, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Naples and the Amalfi Coast, while Northern Europe cruises glide into Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Unlike land-based travel, cruise passengers can experience multiple countries in a single week without the hassle of flights or hotel changes.
Beaches and Seaside Escapes
Royal Caribbean cruises take travelers straight to some of Europe’s most breathtaking beaches. Lounge on Santorini’s black-sand shores, swim in the Adriatic’s turquoise waters near Dubrovnik or explore the colorful coves of the Amalfi Coast. In Nice, the French Riviera’s pebble beaches sparkle beneath seaside cafés, while Barcelona’s Barceloneta Beach offers easy sunbathing just minutes from the port.
Crowded Destinations
As can be expected, summer brings crowds to hotspots like Rome, Venice and Santorini, so it’s worth exploring quieter alternatives. The Baltics — including Tallinn, Riga and Helsinki — offer fairytale charm with fewer tourists. The Nordics, from Norway’s fjords to Sweden’s archipelago, deliver breathtaking nature and serenity. For a warmer, underrated option, cruise through the Balkans, stopping in Kotor (Montenegro) or Split (Croatia) for a more relaxed European vibe.
Culture, Food and Culinary Experiences
Europe’s food scene is a highlight of any summer vacation. Try authentic Neapolitan pizza in Naples, fresh seafood in Greece and sweet gelato in Florence. Sip Port wine in Portugal, sample paella in Valencia or enjoy Belgium’s famous mussels and fries. Many local markets and bistros are within walking distance of cruise ports, giving travelers a true taste of each destination.
Cruise Excursions and Group Tours
A highlight of Europe summer travel is the variety of excursions that bring each port to life. Royal Caribbean offers experiences designed for every interest — from history and culture to food and adventure. Popular options include a wine and tapas tour in Barcelona, boat tours around Santorini’s caldera or guided walks through Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls. Foodies can join culinary classes in Italy, vineyard tastings in Provence or local market tours in Lisbon. These excursions make it easy to experience Europe like a local without the stress of planning every intricate detail independently.
Europe Is Calling This Summer: Cruise With Royal Caribbean
From sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches to the majestic fjords of Scandinavia, Royal Caribbean offers an unforgettable way to explore the best places for summer vacation in Europe. Each port reveals something unique. Savor Italian gelato, wander through ancient streets or relax on a pristine Greek island.
With award-winning ships, family-friendly activities and curated shore excursions, every moment at sea feels like part of the adventure. This summer, let Europe’s history, flavors and beauty inspire your next journey.
