Where to travel in Europe each month of the year: the best destinations by season
- Sassy Travels
- Dec 18, 2025
- 7 min read
If you are at the beginning of the year, and wondering how to plan your holidays ahead, I got you covered. Based on my years of experience travelling, and at times living in different parts of Europe, I am equipped with top tips and insights that will help you plan an unforgettable trip. In my list below I combined popular and underrated travel destinations to give you valuable advice. As an addition I also asked ChatGPT for its own recommendations, it was interesting to see what it came up with. So, without further ado, let's look at where to travel in Europe by month.
January: Lisbon, Portugal
January often feels like the longest and most boring month of the year, so why not change up the scenery and get some winter sun in Lisbon? I have spent 2 winters in Lisbon in the past few years, and in my experience January is the driest and sunniest of the winter months. The perfect escape to top up your vitamin D storage.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Madeira, Portugal
January is the perfect time to escape Europe’s winter chill, and Madeira offers mild temperatures, dramatic landscapes, and far fewer crowds. It’s ideal for hiking, coastal walks, and slow travel without peak-season prices.
February: Malta
Another sunny destination to beat the winter blues. The first time I visited Malta was in June which I find a little too hot, and much preferred the mild, spring-like weather in February when I visited the second time. The flights off-season are often super budget friendly, so why not take advantage of that?
ChatGPT's recommendation: Rome, Italy
Rome in February is cooler, quieter, and more affordable, making it easier to explore iconic sights without long lines. It’s a great month for museums, cosy cafés, and soaking up history without the summer crowds.
March: Madeira, Portugal
If you’re looking for the most exotic location still within Europe, I think we may have a top contender. Madeira is often called the European Hawaii, so if you’re looking to change up your mainland European scenery look no further. We’re talking lush greenery, breathtaking views, beautiful waterfalls and incredible hiking opportunities. What’s not to love? March is a shoulder season on the island, making it a good time to visit!
ChatGPT's recommendation: Seville, Spain
Spring arrives early in Seville, bringing warm days and blooming orange trees. March is ideal for wandering historic neighbourhoods, enjoying tapas outdoors, and experiencing the city before the intense heat sets in.
April: Madrid
This recommendation may surprise you, but I’ve been to Madrid a few times and I particularly liked the blossom season in the Spanish capital. Many people have 'Paris in cherry blossom season' on their bucket list, but I think Madrid in this season is just as magical! The city is filled with shades of white and pink from the end of March throughout April, making the whole capital feel like a fairytale.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Amsterdam, Netherlands
April is tulip season in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam comes alive with colour and longer days. While it’s busier than winter, it’s still manageable — perfect for cycling, canal walks, and springtime energy.
May: Santorini, Greece
Or anywhere in Greece for that matter! Most people make the mistake, and visit Greece in peak tourist season. This can backfire for many reasons, prices are much higher, so are the temperatures, and there are crowds everywhere, especially in popular spots like Santorini. If you want the best weather, no crowds and affordable conditions, visit Greece in April-May. There is more greenery and flowers than over the summer or autumn.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Slovenia
May is one of the best months to visit Slovenia, with lush green landscapes, pleasant temperatures, and fewer tourists. From Lake Bled to Ljubljana’s café culture, it’s an ideal mix of nature and city life.
June: Budapest, Hungary
Another place that may get a little too hot during peak summer months like July-August. In June green spaces are still likely to be lush, summer evenings are long and mild ,making it perfect for long walks across the city. Budapest is one of those cities that really come alive at night and around June time is a good time to enjoy this element of the city.
ChatGPT's recommendation: The Baltics (Riga & Vilnius)
Long daylight hours and mild weather make June perfect for exploring the Baltic capitals. Riga and Vilnius feel lively but not overcrowded, offering beautiful old towns, café culture, and excellent value for money.
While you dive into planning the perfect month to explore Europe, it’s worth thinking about how you want to feel while travelling too. If you’re craving a calmer, more grounded way to travel, you can download my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It includes a printable checklist, gentle self-care prompts, and simple grounding rituals to help you feel more at home on the road — no matter the destination or season.
July: Wales
As I mentioned above regarding Greece, I personally don’t think that the typical Mediterranean destinations like Italy, Greece or Spain are best to visit in the summer months. They often get too hot, crowded and expensive, so in summer months I generally recommend people to focus on the Northern parts of Europe. Wales looks amazing in the summer time, it’s filled with beautiful beaches and great hiking opportunities while the temperatures stay enjoyable. It’s a hidden and underrated gem in the UK, so definitely check it out!
ChatGPT's recommendation: The Dolomites, Italy
July is peak season, but the Dolomites shine with alpine meadows, scenic hikes, and dramatic mountain views. It’s best for travellers who want outdoor adventure and don’t mind busier trails in exchange for stunning scenery.
August: Finland
As I mentioned above, the peak summer months are the best time to visit the Northern parts of the continent. I particularly enjoyed visiting Finland in August a few years ago, you could take long walks by the lakes, enjoy stretched summer evenings and mild temperatures. If you love the outdoors I think you will love Finland in the summer. Visiting the capital city is also a good idea in August, you can grab a bike and cycle through Helsinki and explore it that way.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Edinburgh, Scotland
August in Edinburgh is festival season, with world-class performances and a buzzing atmosphere. While it’s busy, the energy is unmatched, and longer days make it easy to explore both the city and nearby nature.
September: Albania
Albania is an absolute winner for different reasons. In Europe in September you can still sneak away for a last-minute beach holiday, and Albania has a lot to offer (and at a great price) on this front. But if you are more outdoorsy and love to hike, you can visit the Northern parts of the country where there is so much natural beauty, you will find something you love. Temperatures are no longer peaking in September, making it a great destination to visit during this time of the year.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Algarve, Portugal
September is one of the best months for the Algarve, with warm sea temperatures and fewer summer crowds. Beaches are calmer, prices drop slightly, and the weather is still perfect for swimming and coastal walks.
October: Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Before visiting Lake Ohrid I saw many photos of it of course, but most of them were taken in spring/summer time. So, when I visited in October just as the leaves were turning gold, I was absolutely blown away by the beauty that surrounds this part of North Macedonia. I fell in love with Lake Ohrid, and can’t stop talking about it to anyone who is interested in more underrated travel destinations. North Macedonia has a really high number of sunny days per year, so even in October you are likely to enjoy some sunny and spring-like weather.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Budapest, Hungary
Autumn colours, cooler temperatures, and fewer tourists make October a lovely time to visit Budapest. Thermal baths, ruin bars, and scenic river walks feel especially cosy as the city transitions into fall.
November: Sevilla, Spain
November often lacks in sunshine in the most parts of Europe, so it is the perfect excuse to slip away for a sunny city break. Sevilla is the perfect location to visit, if you feel like you need some colour and sunshine in your life. It is hands down one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and given its climate, it is likely to be warm and enjoyable to walk or cycle around even in November. There are orange trees and tapas bars on every corner, giving the city a quintessential Spanish feel.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Valencia, Spain
Valencia offers sunshine and warmth even in November, making it ideal for a late-season city break. It’s a great month for exploring the old town, enjoying paella, and escaping colder northern climates.
December: The Baltics
Another part of Europe I can’t stop talking about. I recently visited Riga and Vilnius for their Christmas markets, and was so impressed by both, I would not hesitate going back! The Baltic countries take the Christmas season very seriously, there are beautiful decorations, ice rinks and cozy market everywhere to enjoy. They are also more affordable and budget friendly than some of the more Central European Christmas markets, so if you are looking for a magical destination in December without overspending, definitely check out the Baltics.
ChatGPT's recommendation: Prague, Czech Republic
Prague in December feels magical with its Christmas markets, festive lights, and historic streets dusted with winter charm. It’s perfect for a cosy, seasonal trip filled with culture, comfort food, and warm drinks.
This bring me to the end of this blog post, I hope you enjoyed this mix of European travel destinations for each month of the year.
