Ah, summer in Europe! That magical time when travelers either flock to the beaches to get some tan or head high in the mountains to cool off.

No matter if you love the seaside, mountains, or cities, we’ve got choices for you. Well, to be exact, our travel bloggers friends have suggestions for best European summer Destinations (I, for one, choose to hide indoors cooled off by the air conditioner unless someone can convince me the price and crowds are worth it for me to travel).

Here are the best European summer destinations to add to your itinerary:

• Vigo, Spain
• Omis, Croatia
• Antibes, France
• Kotor, Montenegro
• Kinderdijk, Netherlands
• Zaragoza, Spain
• Cala Gonone, Italy
• Saint Paul de Vence, France
• Bacharach, Germany
• Galway, Ireland
• Zagreb, Croatia
• Hall in Tirol, Austria
• Lyon, France

Best European Summer Destination: Vigo, Spain by Caitlin from The Country Jumper

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Vigo, in Galicia, the region of Spain which sticks out on top of Portugal, is a secret treasure. As many of Spain’s top destinations reach scorching temperatures, Vigo reaches a perfect warmth with a noticeable lack of humidity.
Sitting on the Atlantic coast Vigo has always had a close association with the sea and as such is not as wealthy as other Spanish cities. This is evident in its working-class neighborhoods and lower tourist numbers and is the exact reason why you should visit.

While the ocean stays a fairly frigid temperature year-round the beaches are warm, and sandy, and big enough to spread out a blanket. Whether you spend the day at the half-mile long Samil Beach, head across the Ria to Barra beach, or take a short ferry road to Cies Island, one of the world’s best beaches, there is sand enough for everyone every day of the week.

Then, there’s the food and wine. The internationally acclaimed Albariño wine is from the region. Vigo has a street which has been nicknamed ‘Oyster street’ for the plethora of fresh oysters available to be shucked right in front of you. In short, this is a city not to be missed.

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Best European Summer Destination: Omis, Croatia by Eniko from Travel Hacker Girl

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Omis is a great summer destination in Europe. It provides a great base for your holiday in Croatia, but you can also visit it as a day trip from Split.

There are a lot of things to do in the area. If you love adventure, I suggest going on a rafting trip on the Cetina river. This will give you a chance to see the Cetina Canyon from down below. Along the way, you will also have the opportunity for some cliff jumping and rope swinging into the water. However, the highlight is entering a secret cave behind a waterfall.

For a different view of the Cetina River, you can go on a zip lining trip. The 8 zip wires all offer fantastic views of the area. A less touristy activity is hiking to Starigrad Castle. This can be really exhausting in the hot summer months, but it is totally worth it for the awesome views!

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Best European Summer Destination: Antibes, France by Grace from Extreme Nomads

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With ancient architecture, local markets, and culture to burn (umm AND a bar dedicated entirely to Absinthe), it’s no wonder Antibes has begun to garner a solid reputation amongst travelers heading to the south of France. In the summertime, the often-quiet Antibes heaves and hums with an exciting mix of people and festivities – it’s definitely a spot worth visiting during your Europe travels this summer.

Antibes’ port (officially named Port Vauban) is the biggest in the Mediterranean; stroll along the boardwalk to see hundreds of superyachts worth more than most of us mere mortals will earn in a lifetime (*sigh*). Yet you only need to step 100 meters away from it to find a whole other side to this little Riviera town.

Head up to the Old Town and discover its hidden cobbled streets, decadent gardens, and quirky craft shops. At the top of town, you’ll find the preserved remains of Antipolis (the ancient Greek town) and the renowned Picasso Museum. Top it off with one of our absolute favorite things to do in Antibes: a visit to the Provençal Market, where you can buy amazingly fresh seasonal fruit, veg, and plenty of veggie/vegan treats for cheap.

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Best European Summer Destination: Kotor, Montenegro by Ellis from Backpack Adventures

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Kotor in Montenegro is a beautiful destination in summer with its scenic location in the Kotor bay. It almost resembles one of the Norwegian fjords with the mountains in the background, but with more warmer temperatures and plenty of beaches to cool down in the deep blue waters.

One major attraction of Kotor is its charming Old Town. The whitewashed homes and the cobbled stoned streets full of restaurants are a great place to wander around. You can walk all the way up the hill for an amazing view over the bay.

But Kotor is just the beginning of everything there is to do in this region and while it can be quite touristic it is easy to escape the crowds. Kotor makes an excellent base to explore Montenegro’s nature. For example, you can take the serpentine roads up to Lovcen mountain and a bit further away there are excellent hiking trails in Durmitor.
Kotor really has something for everyone. Whether you just want to enjoy the beach or whether you are looking for adventure. Kotor delivers without doubt.

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Best European Summer Destination: Kinderdijk, Netherlands by Penny from Globe Trove

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Located at the south of Netherlands lies a gorgeous UNESCO Heritage site called Kinderdijk that laid claim to my heart. We visited the town in summer and it quickly went up on my list as one of the best spots in Europe to visit during the season.

Kinderdijk represents the iconic Dutch scenery that everyone yearns to see without the crowds. Gorgeous windmills pop into view as soon as you reach close to the UNESCO site. These windmills were once used to drain the water from the waterlogged land that is remarkably dry considering that it lies below sea level.

Canals flow through the area and you can catch a ride on one of the boats for a fee. A museum at the entrance will tell you all about the history of Kinderijk and the significance of the windmills. I highly recommend spending a bit of time visiting it before wandering around as it will give you a greater insight into the place.

Once you are done with the museum head down the path and take in the view of the fields framing the windmills in the distance. You can even climb into a couple of windmills to see how people lived in them in the times gone by. It is a perfect place to spend the day.

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Best European Summer Destination: Zaragoza, Spain by Cat from For Two, Please

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Zaragoza might not be as well-known as Madrid and Barcelona, but it is Spain’s oldest settlement. It has over 2,000 years of history and has been ruled by the Romans, the Moors, and the Christian kings, giving it a rich history and leaving a ton of ancient sites for visitors to explore today.

In Zaragoza, you can find the best Moorish architecture outside Andalusia. Aljaferia Palace is one of the best examples. This stunning Moorish palace is truly a remarkable gem and a rare historical architectural monument from the Taifas time that is still standing today.

Basilica del Pilar, the biggest baroque church in Spain, is breathtaking architecture. Take the elevator to the top of the North Tower to get a panoramic view of the entire city!

Besides architecture, Zaragoza is also the best place to see the works of Francisco de Goya, the most important Spanish artist of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The Goya Museum houses 15 of the most famous paintings and artworks by the artist.

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Best European Summer Destination: Cala Gonone, Italy by Mateja

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Visiting and exploring Sardinia, Italia’s second largest island, is an adventure in itself. When you come across a cute small town like Cala Gonone in Golfo di Orosei, you know you’ve found a gem. It’s a perfect base for all your hiking and beach hopping adventures in the area, and you’ll want to linger around here for at least a couple of days.

Cala Gonone sure becomes quite popular and busy during those hot summer months, being one of the pick-up and drop-off points of many boating adventures. However, early and late summer days will give you a bit more privacy and breathing space if that’s what you’re after.

Cala Luna, a secluded beach at the town’s southern end offers the opportunity for you to discover numerous ocean caves that surround these turquoise waters. In addition, you also have a chance to explore the remains of an old Nuragic settlement on the outskirts of the town. Cala Gonone is located on the island’s east side, so be sure to wake up early to witness a gorgeous sunrise.

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Best European Summer Destination: Saint Paul de Vence, France by Laura from The Travelling Stomach

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Tucked above the famous and glitzy coastline of the French Riviera sits a string of beautiful and cozy villages. For a throwback to old world France, you can spend your days weaving through these hilly roads and exploring the cobbled streets that they cover.

One of the most striking of these villages is Saint Paul de Vence. Despite its location, less than half an hour from Nice’s Cote d’Azur airport, many tourists will skip straight past and onto the beaches of Cannes and St Tropez.
However, your stop will be rewarded with a hilltop town intricately woven with stunning medieval architecture, great views back down to the coastline, numerous cute art galleries. You can explore the beautiful colors of the gardens dotted around and stop for ice cream at one of the parlors in the town.

After you have tired yourself out from a morning of exploring on foot, you could treat yourself to lunch at the town’s most famous hotel – La Colombe d’Or, where it beautiful walled terrace makes a dramatic setting to enjoy a top glass (or bottle of course) of delicious Provence rose and some of the area’s famous seasonal asparagus!

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Best European Summer Destination: Bacharach, Germany by Michelle from That Texas Couple

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You cannot have a list of best European summer destination and not include Bacharach, Germany. Located in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage portion of the Rhine River Valley, Bacharach is the ultimate fairy-tale German town. The minute you arrive in Bacharach, you see her charm. From the vineyard-covered hillsides surrounded by the old town wall to the castle looming above, Bacharach just seems to be inviting you to explore.

Bacharach is a small town that is easily walkable. Strolling down the cobblestone streets take time to notice all the half-timbered houses and the quaint shops and restaurants. After becoming acquainted with the town, you will definitely want to visit Stahleck Castle. Once the great protector of the city, Stahleck Castle is now a hostel, so feel free to book a night there if you are staying in Bacharach. On the way up to Stahleck Castle, you will pass the gorgeous ruins of Wernerkapelle chapel.

On the way down from the castle, why not take an alternate route and explore the old town wall and its remaining towers and the lovely vineyards that grow the grapes for the Riesling wine that Bacharach is famous for.

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Best European Summer Destination: Galway, Ireland by Stella from Around the World in 24 Hours

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For a small country, Ireland has a powerful number of fascinating cities. Cork is popular for food, while many prefer the excitement of Dublin’s fair city. But for my money, the best place in Ireland is the western city of Galway.

It has a university, so it’s full of young people, music, and craic. It’s an easy day trip to the stunning Cliffs of Moher, which played the role of The Cliffs of Insanity in the movie The Princess Bride. If you are interested in architecture, Galway is home to every kind from genuine medieval ruins to Galway Cathedral, which some say is the most modern stone cathedral in all of Europe. (It’s so modern, it has a little mosaic of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy hidden inside.)

The most fascinating spot in Galway is Menlough Castle, once home to Sunday Boy Blake. He was wanted for various crimes in Galway, so he would only make an appearance in the city when it was a Sunday, and therefore impossible to arrest him. He was a clever one, and you’ll prove you’re just as clever if you go and check out Galway for yourself!

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Best European Summer Destination: Zagreb, Croatia by Dagney from Cultura Obscura

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Zagreb is the perfect European summer destination. Granted, it is hot, but because the vast majority of tourists visiting Croatia during the summer months flock to the coast, the capital city of Zagreb is relatively quiet. It is also consequently a bit cheaper than cities like Dubrovnik or Split yet within easy reach of other beach destinations like Zadar or Rijeka.

Of course, Zagreb itself has tons of incredible things to see and do. First and foremost, any visitor should take time to learn about and appreciate Croatia’s coffee culture. Many an hour can be whittled away soaking up the sun at one of the city’s innumerable cafes.

Zagreb is also home to several unique and wonderful museums, including the famous Museum of Broken Relationships and the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art. Other popular things to do include exploring and taking in the views from the Upper Town, riding the world’s shortest funicular, exploring the largest public park in any European capital city (Maksimir Park), and shopping at Dolac Market. We also recommend a trip to the stunning Mirogoj Cemetery and checking out the Atelijer Meštrović.

Although Croatian food is largely meat-based, vegan options are growing in popularity. One great option right in the city center is Green Point.

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Best European Summer Destination: Hall in Tirol, Austria by Linda from Travel Tyrol

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The medieval old town of Hall in Tirol, Austria is sometimes overseen for Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol region. Although the two are only 5 km apart, Hall in Tirol has a distinctly different character. Once you get lost in the cobbled lanes of the pedestrianized old town, you’ll forget there are busy modern-day activities going on outside the city walls.

A castle, centuries-old churches, several town squares, and a defense tower are all part of the attraction of the biggest historic old town in Tyrol. Believe it or not, Hall in Tirol is the birthplace of the dollar. The world’s first thaler (of which dollar is the Anglicised form) was pressed here in 1486.

What can you do on a summer’s day in Hall in Tirol? There’s strolling the cobbled lanes, climbing the tower, visiting the mint, or enjoying a quiet moment in one of the churches. Then there’s what we like best: finding a spot on the upper town square, ordering a cappuccino or an Aperol Spritz, and watching village life go by. The Bäcker Ruetz has good and affordable breakfast options or light snacks, also for vegans. And if you’re here on a Saturday, there’s a farmer’s market where you’ll find the best local produce.

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Best European Summer Destination: Lyon, France by Shelley from Travel Stained

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Lyon, France is probably best known as a major food capital and center of gastronomy. You could literally spend your entire time there, just wandering from bouchon to bouchon, exploring the famous Halles des Lyon, or enjoying an outdoor market. But don’t limit yourself to just eating. There’s a lot more to do in Lyon than just gain weight.

Amble through the cobblestoned streets of Vieux-Lyon, take a boat tour atop the Rhone and Saone Rivers, or admire hilltop views from the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. And while much is made of finding Lyon’s traboules, or “secret passageways,” your time is much better spent looking for one of the city’s 150 incredible wall murals. Seek out “La Fresque des Canut” – the largest wall mural in Europe, or La Fresque des Lyonnais, which depicts 31 of the region’s celebrities.

You’d think it’d be hard to find vegan options in such a meat-obsessed city, but it’s not. Even better, you can enjoy the same Lyon obsession with fresh ingredients and careful preparation at a number of plant-based restaurants. Check out “Like an Elephant,” which is known for delicious meals (including a vegan cheese board) at a reasonable price.

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The article has been updated as of April 2024.