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With summer already in full swing, it’s the perfect time to come up with a last-minute itinerary and see at least some of Europe’s grandeur. We’ve seen the same places win all the praise years on end. That is why we have decided to provide you with the unique best summer destinations in Europe and introduce you to locations you might not have considered in the past. Some of these places you’ve probably heard of as they’re staples in most Europe tours, and we would do them a disservice if we omitted them altogether. However, we’ve gotten rid of the ubiquitous destinations and replaced them with something fresh and undeservingly cast aside.
1. Budapest, Hungary
2. Rotterdam, Netherlands
Despite the extensive bombing of the city during World War II, Rotterdam stands proudly to this day, displaying incredible architecture and a wealth of culture, and also posing as a major trade route of Southern Netherlands. Some of the most iconic landmarks of Rotterdam are its Euromast Tower, a 606-feet tall observation station that provides incredible views of the city, Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, a church that is the last medieval structure, dating back to 15th century, and Markthal Rotterdam. The last one is a semi-circular marketplace decorated with the most amazing art, the work of Arno Coenen. If you have enough time, check out the Maritime Museum and its exhibits, central to the existence of Rotterdam on Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt river delta.
3. Malaga, Spain
4. Porto, Portugal
Home to Port, a rich-flavored fortified wine made from distilled grape spirits only in the Douro Valley, Porto has an incredible array of landmarks to see, especially beautiful during the summer when they’re washed in majestic colors. It’s really hard to say where to start your exploration of Porto. Perhaps, you could begin your journey from the very center of the city, a site protected by UNESCO and you can see for yourselves why. The extensive list of magnificent structures is deserving of an article to call its own, but we’ll just have to enumerate them here. Serralves Museum & Villa, an awe-inspiring Art Deco villa, Gothic Church of São Francisco, Baroque Clérigos Church and Cais da Ribeira (a riverside walkway) only scratch the surface of what Porto is all about.
5. Hamburg, Germany
6. Cinque Terre, Italy
The ‘Five Lands’ and the entire coastline west of La Spezia are a part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a pure paradise of the Italian region of Liguria, and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more: A Guide to Italian Beaches The five villages comprising Cinque Terre are Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza. Each one of them is picturesque heaven on Earth, and each one of them begs a visit and at least a day spent there. It’s easily one of the best summer destinations in Europe, where you can go hiking, cliff diving, exploring narrow cobblestone streets, or just plain eating your way through ‘Five Lands’. The only downside is that it is a pretty huge tourist destination, so if you’re after something quaint and less touristy, this isn’t the place to be.
7. Reykjavik, Iceland
8. Kotor, Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor is simply overflowing with incredibly beautiful towns and monuments of old, easily the best place to spend your summer if you find yourself in Balkans. The most picturesque place of all is undoubtedly the old town of Kotor, a Venetian heritage dating back to the 12th century. Old building rise above narrow streets dotted with rogue cafes that remind you that the town is still pretty much alive and has local populace. Drop by San Giovanni Fortress and Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral to see what Kotor is all about. Climbing the former will reveal breathtaking vistas of the bay, while the latter is one of the only two Roman Catholic cathedrals in Montenegro.
9. Santorini, Greece
10. Paphos, Cyprus
Traveling to Cyprus might exactly be the thing you need this summer, and what better place to check out than the ancient town of Paphos, the birthplace of Aphrodites. By now, you probably already realize that choosing Paphos for your summer vacation is choosing adventure and exploration. There won’t be nearly as much lounging around here as there will be diving into the culture of Ancient Greeks. Paphos Archaeological Museum is a great starting point, with numerous artifacts of old on display. Medieval castle of Paphos is a square structure with a very intriguing past about which you can find out more when you get there. To top it all off, visit St. Paul’s Pillar and Kato Paphos Archaeology Park.
11. Geneva, Switzerland
12. Shetland, Scotland
Why should you pick the Shetland Islands for your summer destination? The answer is quite simple really - outdoor activities for friends and families. Summer is the best time to visit this archipelago consisting of 15 islands as that’s when the days will be longest (and weather more bearable). Visiting Shetland also means going out of your way to avoid tourist crowds, a polar opposite of Cinque Terre and other great tourism hubs. Your options here are truly endless, from cycling, rock climbing, and hiking, all the way to learning about the history of Shetlands at Shetland Museum & Archives and Scalloway Museum.
13. Lyon, France
14. Poznan, Poland
Eastern Europe is slowly becoming more open to tourism and is developing its potential to the fullest extent possible. The same goes for our two last entrants, making them worthy and unique summer destinations. Let’s start with Poznan in Poland. Known as the town from which Catholicism has originally spread to the rest of Poland, Poznan quite expectedly has a lot of lovely historic buildings and a very rich spiritual heritage to discover. Poznań Cathedral is a Gothic building that managed to preserve a great deal of history in its halls, including Flemish tapestries and sculpted panels of Mary and the Passion. Church of St Stanislaus is a representative of the Baroque movement, which also used to be a Jesuit college. Add Poznan Town Hall and Old Market Square to your itinerary as well, and you’ll have an awesome experience in Poland!
15. Riga, Latvia
