Europe is the continent that receives the most tourists in the world and Peruvians are no exception to the rule. The old continent has many cultural, historical and natural attractions that make crossing the Atlantic a good idea at any time of year.
As each season is different by its climate and offer of plans, the time of year to travel will depend on what we want to do. Although now is not the time to travel to Europe, we can take the opportunity to plan a trip for when everything is settled. In this note we tell you how each station in Europe is and where it is convenient to travel in each of them.
Get cheap flights to Europe!
Summer
Summer in Europe goes from 21 June to 20 September, where it is high season and when there is more tourism in all countries of the continent. Summer is when life overflows in European cities, as it also coincides with school holidays, that’s when Europeans also travel.
During these months all the restaurants and bars are full, the parks become greener and begin to be more crowded, as well as the points and tourist attractions. This time is ideal for those who prefer to enjoy the cities with the best climate, where the days are longer and there is more time to walk, as it darkens later. This is definitely the best time to visit European beaches, such as those of Croatia, Greece, Southern Portugal, the Côte d’Azur (France) or the Amalfi Coast (Italy), among others.
For those seeking tranquility, it is not recommended to travel in this time. Big cities like Rome, Barcelona or London are crowded and while the tourist attractions are very well structured and prepared for the large flow of people in high season, the queues are longer in the resorts, like traffic on streets and on public transport.
For music fans and mass events, European summer is also when most of the major music events take place, with festivals such as Glastonbury in England, Tomorrowland in Belgium and Sónar in Barcelona, among many others. Apart from the big events, there are many small summer festivals in various cities.
There are destinations you should avoid if you don’t like the heat. In countries further south, such as Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece temperatures during the season can reach 40 degrees. To find more pleasant temperatures during the summer, it is better to visit countries further north, such as England, Germany and Holland.
We cannot fail to mention the issue of prices. Summer, being high season, as anywhere in the world, prices are higher. From flights, to lodging and meals are usually from 30% higher than in other months of the year.
Best destinations to travel in Summer:
Barcelona
London
Paris
Berlin
Portugal
French Riviera
Amalfi Coast
Croatia
Greece
Fall
Autumn in Europe runs from 21 September to 20 December. During these months the flow of tourists remains large, but not as intense as in previous months. It’s a good time to travel if you don’t get along with extreme temperatures. In the months of September and October, until mid-November, the heat begins to give a respite, but the cold of winter has not yet come to light, especially in the southern countries.
The famous walking tours of the emblematic places of the European cities have an additional charm: the fallen leaves of the trees of those colors orange and yellow that make you feel that you are inside of a romantic comedy of Hollywood.
Anyone who thinks that along with summer, fun also leaves the continent, is mistaken. In the city of Munich, Germany, we have the famous Oktoberfest, which takes place from late September to early October and is an event worth seeing. In Spain there is the Fiesta del Pilar de Zaragoza and the Medieval Festival of Alcalá de Henares, one of the largest historical festivals in the country.
Prices at this time drop a little compared to summer.
Best destinations to travel in Autumn:
Madrid
Rome
Munich
Amsterdam
Prague
Budapest
Winter
Winter in Europe runs from 21 December to 20 March and is the off season. Along with temperatures, prices and the flow of tourists drop drastically.
This time is very attractive to travel to the old continent, as it coincides with our summer vacation and is when more people can take days off. We Peruvians are attracted by the cold months of the European continent, but we forget that many of us are not used to such low temperatures. In the Nordic countries, they can reach -20ºC or even less in the middle of the season, where rivers and lakes freeze and the streets turn white.
December being the month of Christmas, the big cities are filled with lights and Christmas decorations that transport you directly to a classic Christmas movie. Christmas Markets are definitely one of the reasons to choose to travel this month. During the months of November and December, the streets of cities such as Vienna, London and Berlin become magical scenarios, full of Christmas markets with stalls that sell crafts and fill the air with the aroma of chestnuts, roasted potatoes, sugary fruits, Spicy bread and hot wine.
This is not the time to travel if you are looking to be outdoors and take advantage of the day traveling, since the cold prevents being able to be many hours on the street and the days are shorter, so between 4 and 6 in the afternoon, it is already night. They are ideal for those who enjoy the programs in closed places, such as museums and galleries.
On the other hand, for fans of snow and skiing, Europe is full of centers where they can practice this sport and enjoy the mountains and nature. The Alps region, which covers part of France, Switzerland and Italy, invites all who want to venture into its snowy peaks. As cheaper options, there are ski centers in Spain, Andorra and the countries of Eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic.
Best destinations to travel in Winter:
London
Copenhagen
Vienna
Andorra
The Alps
Spring
Spring in Europe goes from 21 March to 20 June and that’s when the heat begins to return to the cities. Spring brings that different and special air that can be felt anywhere in the world where the seasons are well marked and it is the end of winter. Although the summer heat is not yet felt, temperatures begin to rise, while prices remain quite similar to winter.
With temperate climates of medium season, you can easily tour the cities outdoors. The landscape during the spring is also one of the most romantic, where parks and streets are filled with color with the flowering of flowers.
With the return of the heat, the holidays also reappear. In April and May, for example, the May Day festival is held in Berlin, the Primavera Sound in Barcelona and the famous fairs in Andalusia. In the countries further south, at the end of April you can already enjoy a few days at the beach, without suffering from the oppressive summer heat.
Prices are still low at this time of year, although it should be noted that during Easter, prices for flights and accommodation tend to rise slightly, as it is also a holiday in Europe.
Best destinations to travel in Spring:
Barcelona
Paris
Berlin
Rome
Andalusia
Istanbul
