We’re in Our European Summer Era, and It Shows (2024)

FAQs

What is Europe like in the summer? ›

As stated before, summer throughout Europe is delightfully warm but extremely busy. Paris is crammed to the hilt during June and August. Tourists folk flock here for summer sun, to stroll Parisian neighbourhoods and visit attractions in good weather.

Summer in Europe (June to August)

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.

This may surprise many, but one of the primary reasons people in France and Italy shut their doors in August is the heat. Whilst many flock to these countries specifically for the warmth, by the time August rolls around, the heat, coupled with higher humidity, has taken a toll on locals.

The best time to visit Europe is from late March to early June (spring), or between September and November (fall). You'll avoid the busy summer period and see your money go further.

Natural Fabrics

If you're doing a capsule wardrobe, you can't go wrong with natural fibers. We mentioned linen pants earlier, but cotton and linen tops and dresses are also great choices. Natural fibers pack well and clean up easily, and will keep you cool during the day.

The hottest times in Europe are July and August, which can be blisteringly hot in southern Europe, with Greece and southern Spain topping the temperature charts (see above).

Among the cities with a population over 100,000 people in Europe, the coldest winters are mostly found in Russia, with daily highs in winter averaging 0 °C (32 °F), while the mildest winters in the continent are in southern Portugal, southern Spain, in Sicily (Italy) and southern Greek islands such as Crete, Rhodes, ...

Europe's weather patterns generally follow four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each of these seasons affects countries differently and has its pros and cons when it comes to travelling. Read on to find out more about the best time of year to visit some of our European destinations.

Southern European countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal enjoy a longer and hotter summer season. The warm weather usually starts in April or May and lasts until September or October.

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.

How do Europeans get so much vacation? ›

For many, that's thanks to the European Union Working Time Directive, which passed in the early 1990s, and requires at least 20 working days of paid vacation in all EU countries. Several countries offer even more by law, giving workers more than a month of business days in vacation time per year.

holiday — European Environment Agency.

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.

Europeans are suffering with unprecedented heat during the day and are stressed by uncomfortable warmth at night. The death rate from hot weather has risen 30% in Europe in two decades, the joint State of the Climate report from the two organisations found.

Meanwhile, workers in many countries around the world, particularly in Europe, are known to take vacations for months at a time. For many, that's thanks to the European Union Working Time Directive, which passed in the early 1990s, and requires at least 20 working days of paid vacation in all EU countries.

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.

While both are at around the same latitude of 45°N, their winters are dramatically different. France's city Marseille has average winter temperatures around 45°F (7°C) and summer temperatures at about 75°F (24°C). A typical winter day in France is around 25°F (14°C) warmer than the same day in Maine!