Best Time to Visit Europe : Temperature & Weather (2024)

Europe is beautiful and worth visiting any time of the year, depending on the weather you enjoy, your idea of a holiday and your interest in cultural activities.

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Although Europe is a year-round travel destination, the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September. This is the time when the sun is high, the beaches are warm and the weather is sunny. This is also the time when most of the countries boast of cultural events, galas and even end of season fashion sale. Summer is also an ideal time for hikes, road trips and adventure activities. It has a variety of climates, but most of the continent has mild weather, in fact milder than parts of Asia and North America at the same latitude. The mild weather is due to the winds that blow across the continent from the Atlantic Ocean.

Travel MonthsMin TemperatureMax TemperatureSeason
DEC - FEB14°c24°cSummer
MAR - MAY7°c10°cWinters
JUN - AUG2°c18°cSpring
SEP - NOV7°c14°cAutumn

On an average the weather in Europe remains inviting all the year round with an exception of some places in winters which can prove to be too harsh for some. It is important to know the weather before deciding on your holiday to be able to pack your bag accordingly.

Summer in Europe (June to August)

Summer is the perfect weather making it the most popular time of the year to visit Europe with tourists flocking to the continent in huge numbers during the season. France, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Greece in Western and the Southern Europe are the busiest tourist hubs during summers.

Significance: Time of the year for some amazing music festivals

Temperature: 14-24 C (Western Europe), 14-25 C (Eastern Europe), 17-30 C (Southern Europe), 13-22 C (Northern Europe)

Weather: Delightfully warm. Temperature during the daytime makes it comfortable to explore most countries of Europe, except for the Mediterranean coast which gets quite hot at this time of the year.

Why you should visit now: The temperature and weather is ideal to explore most places in Europe. It is also the perfect time for indulging in some exciting outdoor activities.

Know before you visit now: Crowded, extremely busy and high accommodation rates as it is the peak season for tourism in Europe. Outdoor spaces such as beaches and places like Madrid or Florence should be best left to be enjoyed in the evenings. Heavy rainfall in Paris is common around July.

Tips: If visiting Moscow it is advisable to carry sunblock as you may experience intense heat /heat waves .Remember to pack an umbrella for shelter from unexpected summer showers.

Do not wear shorts if you plan to visit any orthodox cathedral.

Autumn in Europe (September to November)

Autumn is the shoulder season for tourism in Europe. It is best for visiting Netherlands, Belgium or Sweden.

Significance: Europe brightens with numerous festivals during autumn season. The La Mercé Festival of Spain, Paris Nuit Blanche of France, Great Cornish Festival of England, Alba White Truffle Festival of Italy, Cafe Budapest Contemporary Art Festival of Hungary, many more.

Temperature: 7 C -14 C

The temperature and weather during autumn is cool and pleasant enough to travel around Europe. Rains are fairly common, making the weather wet and cold at times.

Why you should visit now: The tourist crowd decreases at this time making the place more accessible and the prices of boarding and lodging drop to a considerable extent. It is the best time for those interested in hiking at the Alpine trails.

Know before you visit: Mediterranean Europe (France, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Greece) remain busy and expensive at this time of the year too.

Tips: A pair of rain boots and warm clothes are essential items to carry.

Winters in Europe (December to February)

Winters in Europe are known to be particularly brutal as far as weather is considered, with the temperature dropping to -10 C in some places like Russia or Poland.

Significance: The white Christmas of Europe is one to behold with the busy and joyous Christmas markets that sprout all over the continent, the experience is one to remember. We have the famous Venice Carnival of Italy, Amsterdam Light festival, Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival of Belgium, Momentum Ski Festival of Switzerland besides others.

Temperature: 7 C to -10 C

Weather: Europe experiences biting cold weather in winters with cold breeze and heavy snowfall in most regions of the continent.

Why to visit now: Winters is the most mesmerizing time in Europe. Cities such as Vienna, Rome and Athens are at their best in terms of both beauty and weather. You can enjoy activities like skiing, watch the northern lights in Iceland, glaciers of Norway or visit Russia to witness the breathtaking Christmas and New Year festivities at Moscow’s Red Square. It is also a great time to see an opera. The flights and hotel accommodations are quite cheap at this time of the year.

Know before you visit now: Most of the attractions are shut down during winters with many towns turning into ghost towns as the locals set out to warmer places to spend the season. Northern Europe experiences the coldest of climate during winters with possibilities of blizzards too.

Tips: Be sure to pack in several warm clothes to layer your self up with thermals, cardigans and a waterproof coat. A beanie, gloves and warm boots are also a must to carry.

Spring in Europe (March to May)

Spring brings with it unparalleled natural allure to the continent.

Significance: This season sees many wonderful music festivals

Temperature: 2 C to 18 C

Weather: The weather is neither too cold, nor hot. It just perfect for sightseeing and exploring Europe which is at its peak of beauty.

Why to visit now: Southern Europe with its newborn greenery after white winters is the finest sight to behold. France, England, Scotland, Hungary and Ireland are the best places to visit in Europe during this season. Most attractions reopen and outdoor activities are back. Being a low period for tourist visits, it is also cheaper to travel to Europe at this time.

Best Time to Visit Europe : Temperature & Weather (2024)

FAQs

Best Time to Visit Europe : Temperature & Weather? ›

Although Europe is a year-round travel destination, the best time to visit Europe is during the summer months of June to September. This is the time when the sun is high, the beaches are warm and the weather is sunny.

What month has the best weather in Europe? ›

Best Time for Great Weather

May through September is the best window for warm weather and clear skies in most of the best places to visit in Europe, from Mediterranean countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal to central European countries like Germany and Austria.

What is the rainy season in Europe? ›

The wet season in Europe usually lasts from October through March or April. While the areas in Alps Mountains witness rainfall in the summer season, lower regions in Europe experience rainfall in November and December.

What is the most affordable time of year to go to Europe? ›

Before jumping into the peak-season pig pile, consider a trip during the off-season — generally November through March. In the off-season, you'll enjoy an amazing slice of Europe where the only crowds are festive locals. Expect to pay less (most of the time). Off-season airfares are often hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Which country has the best weather in Europe? ›

Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain. Travel Tip: Croatia, Greece and Italy have the warmest weather in Europe year-round. Summer in Southern Europe means lots of locals and tourists on holiday.

Which is the best month to visit Italy? ›

The best time to visit Italy is during the spring (April-May) or early fall (September-October) when the weather is pleasant, the prices are low and the crowds are thin. Italy is fortunate to have a temperate climate most of the year, with the summer months (June, July, and August) being the hottest.

What is the best time to visit Paris? ›

March to May and September to October are the best times for a bit of everything. Spring (especially April and May) and autumn (particularly September and October) are ideal for visiting Paris – crowds are thinner, but the weather is temperate and lovely.

What is the best month to go to Switzerland? ›

Found out here the best time to visit Switzerland. Generally, the best time to visit Switzerland is in the spring/early summer and in the early fall, April through June or September and October. This is when you're unlikely to battle thick tourist crowds and enjoy some of the most pleasant weather.

What is the weather like in Europe in September and October? ›

In most of central Europe, September is an ideal time to enjoy outdoor festivals before fall rains arrive in October. Temperatures can reach up to the mid-70s F or down into the low 50s F—the 60s F are the norm.

What is the coldest month in Europe? ›

Eastern Europe in Eastern Europe in November - March (Winter) The temperatures are quite low during this time and these are the coldest months of the year. The region is less crowded and hotel prices are low. People mostly visit during this time for the winter sports such as skiing, ice fishing, snow boarding etc.

What is the cheapest day to fly from the USA to Europe? ›

The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are generally the cheapest time to fly to Europe, although fares can spike for the year-end holiday season. It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

What is the least expensive country in Europe to visit? ›

8 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe in 2024
  • Albania.
  • Lithuania.
  • Hungary.
  • Croatia.
  • Poland.
  • North Macedonia.
  • Slovakia.
  • Bulgaria.
Mar 10, 2024

How far in advance should I plan a trip to Europe? ›

A good rule of thumb for planning a trip to Europe is to take at least six months. And if you really want to benefit from early preparation, a year may be even better. That ample time can play a pivotal role in helping you: Create the trip of a lifetime.

What is the most comfortable climate in Europe? ›

After crunching the numbers, the report ranked Greece as the nation with the most pleasant climate on earth. It's well-known that the summers in Greece are pure perfection, with the sun shining almost every day and temperatures hovering in the 80s and 90s in the capital city of Athens and the 80s across the islands.

Which town has the best climate in Europe? ›

Europe's perfect climate gems: Cities with ideal year-round...
  • Perfect Climate Conditions. ...
  • Lisbon, Portugal. ...
  • Valencia, Spain. ...
  • Nice, France. ...
  • Palma de Mallorca, Spain. ...
  • Athens, Greece. ...
  • Rome, Italy. ...
  • Malaga, Spain.
Feb 20, 2024

What is the rainiest country in Europe? ›

1. Bergen, Norway. Securing the number one spot as the rainiest city in Europe is Bergen in Norway! Topping the data table for being both the city with the highest average rain days per month (12.7) as well as the highest average daily rainfall (8.8mm), Bergen is the outright rainiest city in Europe.

What month is cheapest in Europe? ›

The summer season, which runs from late May or early June through the end of August, is when many American families can travel. As a result, it's the most expensive time to visit Europe. The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through middle-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly.

What months to vacation in Europe? ›

High season in Europe is the summer months of June, July, and August. It's important to remember that Europeans, especially French and Italians, tend to vacation in July and August, which means coastal areas will be busy. Conversely, cities like Paris are relatively quiet during August.

What month is low season in Europe? ›

Also called the shoulder season or the low season, Europe's off-season has two distinct offerings: one in the spring and one in the autumn. The spring shoulder season lasts from March until May, while the autumnal option allows travelers to explore from September to November.

What is the healthiest climate in Europe? ›

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised Costa Blanca as the healthiest region to live in. The average annual temperature here is 18°C. In addition, we can enjoy the pleasantly warming sun for more than 300 days a year. Moreover, the summer temperatures are not extremely high and winters are very mild.

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