There’s nowhere that celebrates summer quite like Europe – and there’s every reason to celebrate.
After the brutal chill of winter and sleepy reawakening that is spring, the continent is well-rested and up for anything. And we’re here for it – any excuse to escape the Australian winter!
We’ve brought together 10 of the quintessential European summer experiences you can enjoy across a range of itineraries.
1) See Paris shine in summer
As the tour ends by the Eiffel Tower, a hot tip is to head to a local Carrefour supermarket (they’re like an IGA), where you can get the most incredible selection of cheeses, wines and baguettes, then picnic in the afternoon sun with the tower as your backdrop. If you’re heading towards the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden is a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by, though any Parisian cafe provides a vantage point for people watching, with all the al fresco seats facing outwards.
Ready for an amazing view? Make your way to the 8th floor of the iconic high end department store, Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, where you’ll find La Terrasse. One of the city’s best-kept secrets, it offers sweeping panoramic views across the city, from the Sacre-Coeur to Notre Dame, with the Paris Opera House and Eiffel Tower in plain sight. In summer, the addition of pop-up restaurants make it an appealing place to watch the sun set and the tower’s light show come to life.
For similar experiences, check out our Grand Europe and Marvels of Europe for 2 packages.
2) Make the most of Helsinski’s white nights
On the Majestic Scandinavia tour, you’ll see five incredible countries that benefit from long days under the midnight sun, including Finland. Clocking just six hours of daylight in the dead of winter, summer is payback time for the Finns. The midnight sun (known as white nights this far south) delivers up to 19 hours of daylight and the locals make the most of it (and you can make the most of it too after your tour).
During the morning, you’ll tour this fascinating city with a local guide, visiting Senaatintori, the Senate square, the neo-Byzantine Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral, which shows the past Russian influence, an underground church (additional fees apply) and the Kauppatori, a picturesque market square, where you’ll find Europe’s best strawberries (trust us).
If you have time, check out the 140-something year old Vanhakauppahalli (the Old Market Hall). Load up on amazing regional cheeses, smoked meats, fresh bread and preserves and join the locals on the shores of Toolonlahti Bay post-tour. You’ll find families and friends picnicking in the bright evening sun, teens kicking footballs, and a genuine appreciation for the summer outdoors. By the Sibelius Concert Hall, there are even deck chairs and a sandy beach to soak up the atmosphere.
3) Sample authentic Sicilian flavours in Syracuse
Summer brings out the best in people but also in fresh produce. In Sicily’s port city of Syracuse, a highlight is a visit to the Ortigia Market, on the adjoining island of Ortigia. While the shade cloth above the market stalls may filter the harsh sunlight, it does nothing to diffuse the warm summery vibes. Away from the streets of Vespas, you’ll find a vast selection of the best local produce and fresh-from-the-Mediterranean seafood.
Buy a white paper cone full of fritto misto (a lightly battered and peppered mix of whitebait, squid and prawns) to snack on as you explore rows of farm-fresh prickly pears, zucchinis, nuts and rich ripe tomatoes. You’ll find friendly store holders readily offering sample tasters of the best sun-dried tomatoes and pesto on thick bread and plenty of characters to bring a smile to your face.
See authentic Sicilian life on our Best of Sardinia & Sicily tour.
4) Cruise the Stockholm Archipelago
While Norway is known for its fjords, Sweden is a country bordered by many archipelagos and over 200,000 islands. Its capital Stockholm lies across 14 islands, on the western edge of the Stockholm Archipelago’s 30,000 island chain, earning it the title of ‘the Venice of the North’. Geography lesson over, your time in Stockholm on the Majestic Scandinavia tour takes you to the charming cobblestone old town (Gamla Stan), the royal palace, churches and markets.
After the tour, there’s the optional trip on a historic boat to cruise the Stockholm Archipelago. Along the way, you’ll see cute summer houses, palatial mansions and fishing shacks nestled in lush forest settings. It’s how Swedes spend the summer months, making the most of the warmer weather and long sunny days. Prefer to stay on dry land? Don’t miss the Vasa Museet, the museum dedicated to the most embarrassing boat launch in history, where a 64-gun warship sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, only to be recovered in 1961 almost perfectly preserved.
5) Beach yourself in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of Spain’s most-visited cities and it’s easy to see why. The city is home to seven UNESCO-listed masterpieces from Antoni Gaudi, it boasts a rich history, cultural treasures and an amazing foodie scene. Highlights from our different itineraries (like Marvels of Europe for 2 and Grand Europe) include tours through the maze-like Gothic Quarter, the fantastical Sagrada Familia church (entrance not included) and visits to Gaudi sights like Parc Guell, a must-see in summer, where the flowers will be in full bloom (entrance fees not included).
From the famed market La Boqueria and La Rambla, Barceloneta Beach is just a ten minute stroll. It’s the perfect place to relax and or dip your toes in the cooling Mediterranean waters. While you’re there, pay a visit to Bar Jai-Ca, a popular tapas bar filled with locals. Find a seat outside to catch the gentle sea breezes that offset the summer heat.
6) Enter cruise mode in Southern Europe
The stuff of legends meets the stuff of bucket lists when your Europe plans take to the glistening blue waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas. A cruise offers another way to experience iconic destinations from Türkiye to Spain in summer. You get most meals included, accommodation and the convenience of being settled in one comfortable room for a week. The addition of amazing entertainment, pools and dining doesn’t hurt either.
Our 18-day Marvels of Europe for 2 includes a 7-night cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Sicily, Malta and on to Spain. The Best of Europe and the Med incorporates a 7-night MSC cruise from Venice to Kotor, Montenegro to Mykonos and Syros in Greece and back to Italy, in addition to visiting France, Switzerland and mainland Italy along the way.
Our newest cruise deal, Gems of Italy and the Greek Islands, introduces you to Italy’s timeless treasures before you cruise the Amalfi Coast on Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess, to the sun kissed Greek Islands, visiting Santorini (Itinerary 1) or Crete (Itinerary 2) and on to Kusadasi, Türkiye. And if your heart is set on a more focused Greek island holiday, our Greek Island Hopper visits Syros, Paros, Naxos and Santorini.
For similar cruising experiences, check out our Greek Island Hopper package.
7) When in Rome… stay hydrated
Peak summer in Rome is hot. It gets up to the low 40s and it’s a dry heat. But that just adds to the charm. Most of our large-scale European tours include a day or two in Rome with the chance to see famous sites such as the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.
Along the way, to cool down, do what the Romans do and take advantage of over 2,500 Nasoni. These cast iron water fountains have a large proboscis-shaped pipe (Nasoni translates to ‘big nose’) that delivers ice-cold, pure and free spring water from the mountains via centuries-old Roman aqueducts.
Still hot? Don’t even think about dipping your toes in, splashing or swimming in any of the city’s fountains. You could end up with an on-the-spot fine of €300 to €500. Instead, find a cafe away from the tourist chaos and enjoy a refreshing spritz during your time at leisure.
8) In Krakow, hang out with the locals
Preserved behind the Iron Curtain for much of the 20th Century, Krakow retains shadows of its communist past in its architecture and you’d expect the city to carry this legacy in its vibe. Surprisingly, it’s colourful, warm and lively – the antidote to the sombre experience of visiting Auschwitz.
With your time at leisure, you may want to visit Wawel Castle, the Old Town or even Schindler’s factory, or you can just do what the locals do and head to the historic Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz, for artisanal ice cream, quirky restaurants and bars and live entertainment. The sun stays up well after 21:00, making it a great way to make the most of your time here. You can see Krakow as part of our Grand Europe package.
9) Escape the Turkish summer heat in Cappadocia
With summer temperatures crawling past 35°C in the Cappadocia region, cool off the same way that locals have for hundreds of years – underground!. The easily carved volcanic stone called Tuff, along with erosion made it easy for early Christians to cut out hiding places from their 4th Century Roman persecutors. Now the homes and cities have become places to hide from the heat.
On the Incredible Türkiye for 2 tour, you’ll visit Ozkonak underground city, one of Cappadocia’s best preserved underground cities, Ulchisar Castle, the region’s highest point, Goreme Open Air Museum and the natural rock formations of Devrent Valley on the way to last stop, the Three Beauties – iconic fairy chimneys that have become the symbol of Cappadocia.
Another unforgettable way to cool off is to take to the skies in a hot air balloon. This optional add-on will stay with you forever, as you glide serenely over the picturesque valleys in the golden hour light.
10) Lake Bled in summer? Be there with bells on!
Lake Bled is one of the hottest destinations in Slovenia and for many travellers and for the tours that include it as an optional excursion, it’s a must-do addition. Situated an hour to an hour and a half from Lljubliana, its gorgeous blue waters and lush green-forested shores make it photogenic in its own right, but with the addition of a grand castle watching over from the cliffs above and an island in the middle of the lake with an 18th century Baroque church, it’s the kind of scene that will give your friends and family serious FOMO (fear of missing out) when it comes up in their social media feeds.
As you’ll be with a tour group, you won’t be able to row yourself, but even better, you’ll join a small group aboard a traditional boat called a pletna, rowed by a pletnar, a job that, like gondoliers, is handed down from generation to generation. You can just sit back under the warm Slovenian sun and take in the unforgettable view. Then, just to top it all off, when you get to the island, visit the Baroque church where for a small fee, you can ring the church bell.
Interested? Check out our Beauty of the Balkans for 2 package.
Summer in Europe is a great time to see the continent at its best. Get in early for next summer and explore the thoughtfully curated tours and package holidays during our Ready, Save, GO! Sale. From Oslo to Cappadocia, you can save big!
