Picture yourself walking along cobbled streets, admiring cathedrals that are impossibly beautiful, and sipping a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe as you watch the world pass by. If that sounds like a fantastic way to spend your summer vacation, then we agree with you completely. Europe is an incredible place to visit at any time of the year, after all the beautiful villages, and mind blowing cathedrals are not disappearing anytime soon, although I suppose Notre Dame did make an effort. Christmas in Europe can be a very cosy experience, but in our humble opinion nothing beats Europe as a summer destination.
We are both firm believers in ‘slow travel’, if you only have 2 weeks vacation then you will not be able to see every country on your list properly. Slow travel means taking your time to really explore a place in depth, find your favourite meal, find your favourite area, having the headspace to take it all in, and really savour your experiences. With that in mind, for a two week vacation we would recommend limiting yourself to two cities, or two regions.
Save for later
How to Choose Your Top European Destinations
If you have never been to Europe before, the staggering amount of options can be a little bit daunting. To help you figure out where to visit, we have put together four categories, so that you can figure out what your style of travel is. Within each category we also give you some suggestions on European destinations that you would enjoy, along with some small tips based on our own experience. These suggestions are by no means definitive, but they will help give you some inspiration for your trip.
Here’s a free bucket list PDF to help you get inspired for your European summer vacation:
European Summer Beach Vacation
Sun kissed bodies, the waves gently sloshing against the sand, and a gentle sizzling sound as your skin burns. Alright, perhaps the last one is not really selling beach destinations, but it does seem to be an inevitable outcome for myself, no matter how much sunscreen I apply. Despite my propensity for looking like a cooked lobster, I can usually be persuaded to go on a beach vacation, especially after a dark and cold winter. Obviously the Caribbean springs to mind as the classic beach destination, but only Europe can offer you both a beach vacation, and a cultural city break in the same place.
Bornholm Denmark
Our top bucket list recommendation for a European beach vacation is the Danish island of Bornholm. On this island you will find Dueodde beach, which is several kilometres long and has some of the finest sand in the world. The water is completely clear, and stays shallow for a while, making it very easy for children to have fun in the water without their parents having a nervous breakdown. Even at the height of summer, you can usually find a little space to hide amongst the sand dunes that rise behind the beach, allowing you to take a nap as you enjoy soaking up the sun.
Bornholm also has plenty of cute small towns to meander around, a huge amount of talented artists with galleries that you can visit, and some of the most diverse nature. If that all sounds too good to be true, then read our Bornholm Guide for even more tips, and inspiration about this gem nestled in the Baltic Sea.
Greece
Our next tip for a European Summer Beach Vacation is Greece. Although you might be more inclined to associate it with ancient history, of which there is plenty, Greece also has a huge amount of beaches. Depending on your budget, and your personal style, you can find everything from 5* hotels right on the beach, to small secluded beaches on a little island. We travelled through Greece in our camper van, and were lucky enough to find a small beach on the peninsula of Halkidiki. Because we were travelling in the off-season we were fortunate enough to have the beach completely to ourselves for almost an entire week. There are so many options for a beach vacation in Greece, that you could easily fill an entire book with tips, and suggestions. If you do not want to feel any cold on your body, then we would recommend visiting Greece during the summer months, as even in the spring the temperatures will top out at around 20 °C (68 °F).
Hiking and Mountain Destinations
Walking uphill over uneven terrain for several hours is, according to some people, ourselves included, a fantastic way to explore the nature of a country. Of course there are plenty of others, who feel that cable cars were invented for the express purpose of avoiding walking uphill. If you fall into the latter category, then do not fear as Europe has a lot to offer you as well, just read through the other categories in this article, and you will be sure to find something that tickles your fancy.
Switzerland
If you have the budget, and follow our money saving tips for Switzerland outlined in our post Switzerland on a Budget, you can reach the peak of a lot of Swiss mountains with very little physical exertion. Since we are on the topic of Switzerland already, we can say without hesitation that Switzerland is an excellent destination for summer hiking. Hiking is a big part of Swiss culture, and it shows in the huge network of hiking paths with excellent signage that will tell you how many kilometres, and hours are left from your point to other major destinations. If you find yourself hiking in the mountains, you do not have to be concerned about crossing fields, or climbing under electrical fences to continue along the path. Swiss farmers are compensated by the federal government for allowing people to cross their fields for the purpose of hiking. In the summer you are also likely to find cows grazing on the lush alpine meadows, they are generally quite friendly, but make sure you keep your dogs on leash, especially if there are calves present.
Our top tip for hiking in Switzerland is to download the Swiss Mobility app, which has every official hiking trail marked out, along with mountain biking, and horse riding trails. Another great thing about hiking in Switzerland is the excellent public transit network, even in the mountains you will see the distinctive orange ‘PostBus’ buses running at fairly regular schedules.
Slovenia
If you want alpine meadows, and beautiful hikes but are concerned that even if you eat nothing but cup noodles every day, you will have a hard time affording Switzerland, then fear not, as Slovenia is happy to come to the rescue. Slovenia is much more affordable than Switzerland, and also offers stunning nature, with alpine lakes, crystal clear rivers, and mountains covered in alpine meadows. Slovenia also has a lot of hiking trails, but they are not as well marked as in Switzerland, so you will need to make sure to have a hiking app downloaded onto your phone so you can stay on course. The transit system is not as comprehensive in rural Slovenia as it is in Switzerland, so you will definitely want to rent a car for your stay. With all that being said, you will run into less people when hiking in Slovenia, and with the money you save you can afford to indulge in the delicious regional baked goods, and local farm produce such as cheeses, fresh milk, yoghurt, and honey. Read our guide for Slovenia to find beautiful hidden gem locations.
Budget Friendly Travel
Just because you are on a budget does not mean that you cannot afford a fantastic European summer trip. In fact, being on a budget will encourage you to visit countries that are a little bit more off the beaten path. For example, Slovenia is both beautiful, and affordable, with stunning nature ranging from beautiful lakes that you can swim in, to mountain peaks that you can hike up. Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is a charming city with cobbled streets, plenty of restaurants, and a fascinating history. The best part is you can afford to eat at the restaurants without maxing out your credit card.
London UK
If you are on a budget but have your heart set on visiting one of the major cities in Europe, then we would recommend London. Before you call us crazy, and accuse us of being enemies of the proletariat, hear us out. With a little bit of effort, and insider knowledge, you can enjoy London on a budget without resorting to bank robbery. To start with, all public museums in London have free entry, that includes famous institutions such as the Tate, Tate modern, the Victoria and Albert museum, and one of my favourites the British Museum. That means you can view history defining artefacts such as the Rosetta Stone, without spending a dime.
You also do not have to go on a forced diet when visiting London on a budget. If you go outside of the city centre, and into the more residential neighbourhoods, you will find a plethora of local curry houses that cater to the English love of a good Indian curry at affordable prices. With a little bit of research you will also find plenty of small cafes that offer great prices for a Full English Breakfast, a meal that can easily sustain you till dinner. If you find yourself in a business district around lunch time, you can also take a look at some of the local pubs, as a lot of them will have special lunch deals for office workers, that can be a great value for money, and usually include a sneaky pint of beer.
Our last food budget tip is for those who are on a very strict budget, and do not need a gourmet experience in every bite. Almost every supermarket in London, for example Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, will have pre-made sandwiches that are made fresh that day, and typically cost less than 2 GBP. Sometimes they also have a sandwich and drink deal, that can be a great value.
Now you know how to admire art, and feed yourself on a budget in London, but what about some night time entertainment? Well, we are going to assume that you are referring to the theatre, and not the kind of entertainment that seamstresses provide, in which case we have a great tip for you. During the day, meander your way to Leicester Square and seek out the ‘Last Minute Ticket Booth’ this is an official reseller of theatre tickets at discounted prices, that is run by a non profit organisation representing the theatre industry. Not only will they help you get discounted tickets for top shows, but they can also recommend shows for you.
City and Cultural Destinations
Do you love wandering around old cities, sipping your morning coffee at a quaint sidewalk cafe, and spending the day soaking in the cultural heritage of a city by visiting museums, and wandering the beautiful streets? If so then you are in luck, almost every single city in Europe will be a fantastic experience for you, especially if you are visiting from countries such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Paris France
Of course no European city tour would be complete without mentioning Paris, the city of romance, the city of lights, and of course the city of pastries. We have very fond memories of walking around Paris, trying lots of different food, and sipping double espressos on a park bench, as we rested our legs, and soaked in the sunshine. Naturally our French Poodle accompanied us, to assist in sniffing out the best pastry shops.
London UK
One of our favourite European cities to explore is London, with its vast history, and enough museums to satisfy even the most voracious art or history lover. A bonus is that it is also an ideal budget travel destination, as mentioned above. You can easily spend a week or more exploring every nook, and cranny of London and the surrounding boroughs. Our top London tip is to buy an Oyster travel card as soon as you arrive, and load it with a 7 day pass for zones 1-3, this will allow you to use the comprehensive London transit system as much as you want during your stay.
Copenhagen Denmark
An honourable addition to this list is Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, which will satisfy every craving you could have as a city lover. Boasting both Michelin star restaurants, and beautiful cobbled streets, the city also has a much cosier, or as the Danes would say ‘hyggelig’ atmosphere than either London or Paris.
City Walking Tour or Food Tour
Our top tip for any city is to sign up for either a walking city tour or food tour. These tours are a fantastic way to get some insights into the city, and also to find out where all the best local spots are. One last tip for visiting any major European city, is to avoid eating at the restaurants surrounding the major tourist attractions. Those restaurants are great for enjoying a cold drink or coffee, and soaking in the sights, but they typically have terrible tasting, and terribly priced food because they do not rely on repeat business. Instead, if you follow our advice, and do a walking tour, you can ask your guide which places they would recommend, or try to find out where the locals are heading to at lunch time, it will probably be in the more residential areas, or down smaller side streets.
Get the Free Bucket List and Start Planning Your Summer Vacation!
To help you get some inspiration for your summer vacation we have put together a free printable bucket list map for Europe. You can follow this link to the free bucket list or use the banner to download it. We created this bucket list to help you brainstorm, and be inspired to travel Europe this summer. Once you have downloaded our brightly coloured summer bucket list, it is time to have some fun with it. Follow the steps below for our suggestions on how best to use the free bucket list map to find your next European adventure. If you want some tips for where to visit in Europe this summer, keep reading to take advantage of our insider knowledge.
How to Use The Free Printable European Summer Bucket List
- Write down your top European summer destinations.
- Find and colour in your top bucket list countries on the map.
- Close your eyes, spin yourself around, and place your finger on the map.
- Whichever country your finger lands on that you coloured in will be your next European summer getaway. Let the adventure begin!
- Proudly display your choice on your fridge, or office wall so you can always feel inspired, and visualise your upcoming adventure.
Now that you have a few great travel ideas for the type of travel you are looking to do this summer, it’s time to start brainstorming for your own ultimate European summer bucket list for 2023. Download your free PDF here, happy travels!