Europe is a diverse continent, where no two parts are the same. Make the most of your summer 2025 by going to your perfect destination. Decide where and when to travel to Europe. From a city break in mid-June to a beach vacation at the end of August.
Vienna, the 'city of music', is Austria's capital and one of our top choices for a 2025 European summer. Soak in the culture, history and natural beauty of the city.
Vienna is the home of some of the world's most influential musicians and composers, including Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven. See where they lived and hear renditions of their music at the Vienna State Opera House.
The city has an abundance of theatres, classic coffeehouses, and archaic buildings where you can roam and get lost in the past. With an average summer temperature of 25–27°C, bask in the sun in one of the city's many public squares and parks.
There's a whole host of things Vienna has to offer, from the Naturhistorisches Museum, an evening cruise along the Danube, a visit to Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) or dinner in one of the city's many prestigious restaurants.
The city is served by Vienna International Airport (VIE), which has airlines flying to and from Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. VIE is well connected to the city with trains, buses, and the public metro, all connecting the airport to downtown Vienna and Wien Hauptbahnhof. Vienna and Austria, as a whole, use the Euro.
Airlines flying to VIE include Austrian Airlines, Wizz Air and Ryanair✈️
Another great European Destination is Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic/ Czechia — formerly Czechoslovakia. Prague is a dichotomy between ancient Gothic architecture and modern futuristic designs.
Prague is a city overflowing with beauty. Feel as if you've stepped into a fairytale through its winding cobblestone streets. A lot of the city's architecture is believed to have inspired the designs of Disney, Grim and other fairytale novelists and filmmakers.
View Prague Castle, its gothic churches and bountiful museums. Head to the old town and enjoy one of the little cafes, or get a pint of the world-famous Czech beer, Na zdraví (cheers)!
Head over the Charles Bridge and take in the city surrounding you. This bridge has been used in many films, such as Mission Impossible!
Prague isn't overly expensive either, meaning a visit won't eat away at your bank balance, which is always a nice bonus!
During the summer months, the city has an average temperature of 22-24°C, which is perfect for comfortably exploring the city without feeling cold or too stuffy. The country uses the Czech Koruna.
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) serves the city and has airlines flying to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and North America. Multiple low-cost airlines service the city, making it an excellent location for budget travellers. The airport has numerous bus services to get you to central Prague, and construction of a rail line is currently underway.
Common airlines flying to PRG include Smartwings, Eurowings and easyJet✈️
Split is a beach town in Croatia. It runs along the Adriatic Sea coast and is the country's second-largest city.
Along the coast, you'll find hundreds of hotels, resorts and villas, allowing you to lounge by the pool or lie on the beach.
The city is famed for its ancient Diocletian's Palace, which was built during the Roman Empire. Visit Saint Domnius Cathedral or snap pictures of the Grgur Ninski Statue.
Visit one of Split's many bars and restaurants and try some of the delicious local cuisines. Dine by the Riva harbour and watch the boats head out to sea. Visit one of the many local vineyards and sample some Croatian wine. Split is the perfect European destination to relax, wine and dine.
With average temperatures of 23–26°C and typical Mediterranean climates, it's the perfect hot summer spot. As of 2023, Croatia no longer uses the Croatian Kuna but rather the Euro.
The city is served by Split Airport (SPU), which is about 20 minutes from downtown. Many airlines fly from across Europe to SPU. If you're travelling further afield, you may have to get a connecting flight to SPU. The airport has bus links that make travel easy.
Airlines that commonly fly to SPU Croatia Airlines, Volotea, and Lufthansa✈️
The French Riviera is France's premier beach destination. It's the ideal place to be if you've got the finances.
Each city along the Cote D'Azur has its own unique charm and history. Visit San Tropez, Nice, Cannes or Monaco. Or for a more relaxed vibe, visit the smaller and quainter towns such as Antibes, Juan-la-Pins or Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Explore the casinos of Monte Carlo or browse through one of the many luxurious boutiques along the promenade. The fun doesn't stop at night. When the sun goes down, the French Riviera knows how to party. Head to one of the many popular nightclubs along the coast and dance into the early hours.
Prefer a more relaxed evening? There are many Michelin-starred restaurants serving traditional food to please the tastebuds.
The region and wider Metropolitan France use the Euro. The area's average summer temperature is in the mid-20°C, making it the perfect Mediterranean summer climate with hot days and warm nights.
Nice Cote D'Azur International Airport (NCE), Toulon-Hyères International Airport (TLN) and Marseille-Provence Airport (MRS) all serve the region, but depending on where you're heading will impact which airport you should use. If you're visiting Nice, Cannes, Monaco or the surrounding areas, then it's best to fly to Nice. While those going to San Tropez should fly to Toulon-Hyères.
Major international airlines such as Air France, Delta, and Qatar Airways operate at these airports✈️
Budapest is steeped in history, culture and activity. The city is renowned for its relaxing thermal baths with rumoured healing properties. Visit one of the many public open-air baths at any time of the day, but beware — they get busy! Or visit them at night when the city turns them into open-air clubs, a fun and distinctive nightlife experience.
Visit Buda Castle for spectacular views of the city. This is especially enjoyable at night when you get to see the city skyline humming with lights.
Stroll down the banks of the Danube and take in the grandeur of the Hungarian Parliament building. For a sombre but important trip, visit the Holocaust Memorial Center, which remembers the many Jewish lives lost during Nazi rule.
Budapest is well connected with the Budapest Metro, which helps you to traverse the city, with single tickets being only 350HUF (£0.81/$1.09/€0.96). The city uses the Hungarian Forint and has many places to exchange currencies.
The city is both very walkable and bikeable, so you can save on public transport if you wish. Like surrounding countries, Budapest has a continental climate with temperatures ranging from 21-22°C.
The city is served by Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), which has flights arriving from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. You can easily hop on one of the many bus or train services from the airport to the city centre.
Some popular airlines flying to BUD include KLM, Brussels Air and Iberia✈️
The Amalfi coast has grown in popularity since it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. It's located in the region of Campania in Southern Italy and is bordered by the Gulf of Salerno and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The Amalfi Coast is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, thanks to its picturesque scenery and delicious local food.
Visit one of the region's many public piazzas and feel like a local as you experience the hustle and bustle of the town. Set sail along turquoise waves and see all the ancient Roman villas that line the coast. Head to the La Galli islands, where legend says that the sirens sing divine melodies to lure fishermen.
Great for history buffs, explore the ancient churches, cathedrals and towers dating back to the Roman Empire.
During the summer, you can expect the temperature to reach up to 29°C. When it gets this warm, there's nothing better than swimming in the ocean. With its limited rainfall, summer is the best time to visit. Italy is a member of the eurozone, so bring Euros with you.
The best airport to fly into is Naples International Airport (NAP). European, Middle Eastern and North African airlines will fly to NAP.
Some popular airlines flying to NAP include flydubai, TAP and Turkish Airlines✈️
Paphos is a beach town in the western end of Cyprus. It's full of traditional architecture and mosaics, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paphos is the perfect destination for a European summer holiday, with hundreds of hotels and miles of beaches to relax on.
Make sure to visit the tombs of the kings. These are ancient Egyptian catacombs carved into the rock and used as burial sites. The area also has the world-famous house of Dionysos, which is excellent for viewing ancient and traditional Greek mosaics and artwork. The temple of Aphrodite is something you shouldn't forget to see. Visit the ruins of the ancient temple and look out across the Mediterranean Sea from the island's hills.
Across the summer months, Paphos has an average temperature of 22–26°C with long hours of sunshine. It's the perfect summer destination. Paphos uses the Euro.
The beach resort is served by Paphos International Airport (PFO), which is about 6.5km from the centre of Paphos, making transfer times quick.
Ryanair, Jet2 and Transavia all commonly fly to PFO✈️
Greece has many idyllic islands to visit, including popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini. However, of all the islands, we recommend Naxos.
Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades group in the South Aegean Sea and offers a lot of what the other locations have while being less busy. It's a more authentic and uncommercialised part of Greece and is, therefore, one of our top recommendations for summer 2025.
The island is home to Mount Zas, the highest point of the Cyclades islands. It's great if you're a hiker looking to explore the area on foot. Climb to the mountain's peak, look out across the island and South Aegean Sea, and take in all its natural beauty, from its lush greenery to its scenic cedar forests.
Stay in one of the island's many hotels, with some available along the beach and others rising into the mountainside. Naxos is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Retreat from city chaos and really unwind.
With average summer temperatures of 23–25°C, it's a warm and enticing climate that's perfect for a European summer holiday. The island uses the Euro like the rest of Greece.
Naxos Island National Airport (JNX) is where you'll fly in to. Because it's a lesser-known travel destination, you may have to get a connecting flight before arriving in JNX.
Aegean Airlines and Sky Express serve JNX✈️
The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal. It's one of Portugal's premier agricultural heartlands, producing some of the finest fruits and vegetables, including Oranges, Raspberries and Strawberries. Enjoy an abundance of fresh, healthy meals that incorporate all of the local-grown produce. Not only is the area one of Portugal's best agricultural locations it's also a holiday hotspot. With temperatures reaching 28-29°C in the summer months and miles of beaches to relax on, it's not hard to see why.
Along the coast, there are numerous cities to explore. There's the capital of Algarve, Faro, with its traditional cathedrals and plazas. The town of Silves, where you can see the preserved Arab charm from the days of the Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula. Looking to have fun when the sun goes down? Be sure to visit Albufeira and Portimão and experience their bustling nightlife.
Faro Airport (FAO) is the major international airport that serves the Algarve region. Many airlines fly to FAO from Europe and some from North America (during the summer). If you're travelling from another international destination, you can connect via Lisbon.
Condor, Luxair and Norwegian Air are just some of the airlines flying to FAO✈️
Located on the eastern coast of Spain, Valencia is full of culture, fun and food! Spain's most famous dish, Paella, traces its origins to Valencia, giving you an authentic dining experience. The region is also known for its Arroz Negre, rice cooked with squid ink, Gazpacho and Allioli.
Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. It's a place where the past meets the future, with ancient buildings dating back to 1238 and new models that show a glimpse of our future architecture.
Stroll through the city and see the grand cathedral or the gothic Lonja de la Seda building. Learn about scientific discoveries at the 'City of Arts and Sciences' and the 'Prince Felipe Science Museum'.
Valencia has plenty of beaches, so you can enjoy a city break and a beach vacation during your stay.
Be sure to bring Euros as that's Spain's national currency.
Valencia Airport (VLC) is the city's major international airport. Plenty of European and North African airlines operate to VLC. Like many other cities in Spain, Valencia has a robust metro service called Metrovalencia, and the tickets are as cheap as €0.72.
Vueling, Air Europa and Swiss all fly to VLC✈️
It's not too late to book your summer 2025 holiday flights. At Alternative Airlines, the average passenger books their flights just 6 weeks before departure!
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