Europe is a diverse continent with different seasons and climates. Choosing the best time to visit Europe is much more complicated than you may have imagined. A variety of factors, such as weather, peak tourist season, and special events are at work behind your decision.
Now that you’re planning for a Europe trip, surely picking the right time to go is eating you up. However, you no longer need to brainstorm ideas as this article has found you well. Here’s everything you need to know about the best time to visit Europe.
Summer
The summer months, June to August, are the most popular time to visit Europe. A large number of international travellers prefer summer when most of the attractions remain open. The weather is delightful this time around, ranging between 14 to 30° C from place to place. Some warm and sunny days are all you need to get a taste of a European vacation.
However, summertime is the peak season in Europe as well. This means that you need to be ready to battle with more crowds, longer lines, and not to mention higher prices. Destinations like Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland are a must-visit in summer.
If you want to soak up the sun on the beaches of the Mediterranean, then consider visiting in the summer. There are endless festivals, cultural events and outdoor concerts to enjoy.
Spring
Spring is a great time to visit Europe just in case you don’t want to meddle with a large crowd. The months of March to May are the time when the beauty of the second smallest continent on earth begins to unravel. You need to be there to witness it with your own eyes. It is the best time to see the northern lights or visit the ‘Garden of Europe’.
During springtime, the temperature in Europe remains quite pleasant, ranging between 2 to 18°C. You won’t have problems exploring the places you have in mind. Countries like France, Hungary, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Scotland bloom in spring.
Autumn
Europe doesn’t attract a lot of tourists during Autumn, between September to November. These are great times to visit just in case mild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices are the ones you are after. The temperature ranges between 7 to 14° C, making it perfect for sightseeing. Autumn is also the time when plenty of interesting festivals take place in Europe. You should check out places like Hungary, Italy, Spain, England and France to witness some outstanding festivals.
Winter
Winter in Europe is nothing but magical. The Christmas markets, festive lights, and ice skating rinks are everywhere this time around. The whole continent lights up, especially for a special occasion. You don’t know exactly what you’re missing in case you’ve never given a thought to witnessing a European Christmas.
If you want to ski or snowboard, then the winter months could be your idea of heaven. There are numerous ski resorts across the continent including the Swiss Alps and the French Alps. You can also take advantage of fewer crowds and lower prices for visiting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
However, during winter the weather can be too cold and snowy. This means that you need to be geared up for anything unpredictable this time around. Pack your bags with warm clothes so that you don’t have to spend time indoors.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder Season in Europe indicates a time passage between the peak season and the off-season. Between April to June and September to October, is a great time to visit Europe. The prices for hotels, flights, and attractions are much lower during this time than the peak tourist season.
The weather is also perfect this time around, making it comfortable to visit the tourist spots. For outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and skiing, shoulder season is excellent. Countries like Austria, Romania, Croatia, and Germany ate some of the best places to visit in Autumn.
Having said that, the shoulder season is not the same everywhere in Europe. So, you need to be sure about the peak and off-season of a European country before planning a trip.To sum it up
The best time to visit Europe depends on several factors including your budget, travel preferences and the planned activities. Consider the weather, peak tourist season, and special events before booking a trip.
Wondering where you can get the best deals on European tour packages? Plan a Europe trip today with SOTC.
SOTC provides a wide range of Europe tour packages with the best deals and exciting offers. Make sure to seize them before time runs out.
