The Best Time to Visit Europe: Weather, Crowds and Prices by Season
Europe’s sweet spots change with the seasons, bringing different weather, crowds and prices throughout the year. Here’s your season-by-season guide to getting the timing right.
For the perfect balance between weather, crowds and prices, look to April–May or September–October in Europe – these are the region’s shoulder seasons. Summer suits beach holidays, festivals and longer days, while winter brings skiing, Christmas markets and better value outside of peak periods. Europe’s 44 countries also experience very different climates, so check the specific destination before booking.
Nana Princess is truly an exceptional hotel and easily one of the best we have ever stayed at.
From the moment you arrive, you can see how much thought has gone into every detail. The hotel, which opened in 2018, is beautifully designed in a modern and elegant style, with the sea visible from almost everywhere you go. Despite being several years old, everything is extremely well maintained and still feels fresh and immaculate.
What really makes the difference, however, is all the staff and especially Christina. Everyone we met was genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming, and the level of service throughout our stay was outstanding.
We had dinner twice at Eternal Blue, just a few meters from the sea. It is a wonderful setting, especially in the evening, and both the food and service were excellent. Everything was fresh, beautifully prepared and delicious. The hotel’s other restaurant is more focused on meat dishes.
The spa is also well worth visiting. We had excellent treatments, and the spa itself is impressive, with several different saunas, special experience showers and an indoor pool. The hotel also has two beautiful outdoor pools.
Nana Princess is definitely not a cheap hotel, but sometimes you leave a hotel feeling that the experience justified the price. This was absolutely the case here.
Worth every euro. We loved our stay and would happily return.
10.0
Mark M.
We love this resort. This year was our fourth visit and our first without our children. We only spent 3 nights but it was all so familiar and relaxed it felt like a week! The staff are so lovely they look after you so well whether it's at breakfast, by the pool, lunching or having an evening meal in either of their two fabulous restaurants. And to top it all, we were upgraded to one of their incredible villas!!
We will definitely return. Loved it all.
10.0
lucka b.
An absolute gem – the best hotel in the Greek islands!
Having stayed at Nana Princess several times now, I can confidently say that it never ceases to amaze me. Every single visit somehow manages to exceed my expectations.The architecture of the property is absolutely stunning, blending beautifully with the surroundings, and the cleanliness throughout the entire hotel is flawless. As for the food—everything we tried was delicious, fresh, and beautifully prepared.
However, what truly sets this place apart is the incredible staff. The entire team constantly goes the extra mile to make your stay unforgettable. For instance, they went completely above and beyond by arranging a beautiful surprise gift for my parents' anniversary, a gesture that meant the world to us and showed just how much they genuinely care about their guests.
This is hands down the best hotel in the Greek islands. I am already counting the days until my next visit and cannot wait to come back!
10.0
Abdulrahman a.
Nana Princess made our honeymoon even more beautiful and unforgettable. The resort itself is absolutely stunning, but what truly made our experience exceptional was the incredible hospitality.
I honestly cannot single out one staff member because every single person, without exception, was incredibly kind, warm, and attentive. Their level of service and genuine care was beyond words.
Nana Princess was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our honeymoon, and we are already looking forward to coming back again very soon. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful and memorable experience. ❤️✨
Thank you, Nana Princess, for making our honeymoon so special!
Quick comparison: when should you visit Europe?
If you’re used to beach days and BBQs at Christmas time, flip the calendar before you start planning. Europe’s summer runs June–August and winter December–February — the reverse of the Southern Hemisphere. Here’s how each season stacks up at a glance.
Season
Weather, crowds and prices
Best for
Winter
Cold; generally quieter and cheaper outside Christmas and ski periods
Skiing, markets, Northern Lights and city breaks
Spring
Mild and better value, with Easter crowds
Sightseeing, gardens and city breaks
Summer
Warmest and busiest, with peak prices and school holidays
Beaches, festivals and outdoor travel
Autumn
Mild in the south, with fewer crowds and falling prices
Food and wine, warm seas and cultural trips
Winter: skiing, markets and lower prices
Winter is the best time to visit Europe for snow-based holidays, festive markets and aurora viewing. January and February are often the cheapest due to harsher weather and limited school holidays across much of the continent – but you can make weather part of the appeal.
Accommodation and flights can be more affordable, but some attractions, shops, restaurants and summer-focused resorts close for the season – particularly in Greece, southern Italy, Croatia and Portugal.
Make the most of prime skiing conditions on the slopes of Switzerland, Italy, France or more budget-friendly Bulgaria. Head further north to Scandinavia for the Northern Lights – Iceland and Finland are among the best places to see them, and December through January offer the longest nights for higher viewing chances.
From mid-to-late November, follow the festive lights across cities like Vienna, Strasbourg or Prague, where Christmas markets take over some of the continent’s prettiest old towns. Edinburgh’s markets are particularly photogenic, set beneath the city’s hilltop castle – visit mid-week to avoid peak crowds.
The hotel is beautiful and the rooms were spacious and really upscale. Bianca at the front desk checked us in. She was terrific. Gave us all the info and was very comprehensive with details. She found out it was my daughter’s birthday and she sent up tons of drinks for us to celebrate. What a nice gesture. Would definitely book again. They go out of their way to make everything perfect.
Only downside was no air conditioning. And of course the weekend we went, there was a heat wave. But we opened the windows and it cooled down at night.
10.0
AnonymousAU
This is a very beautiful old hotel, which has been lovingly restored to a very high standard. It offers great modern facilities and exceptional comfort. We stayed in an open plan studio apartment which allowed for self catering with high quality modern appliances. The location is especially convenient and central, and the tram from the airport stops right outside the door. I highly recommend it.
10.0
AnonymousGB
Last minute overnight stay. Room was fantastic. Location excellent. Staff were very friendly, especially Sam on reception. Would definitely recommend.
10.0
AnonymousGB
Everything about this place is perfect. The room was lovely. The staff are amazing, friendly and can't do enough for you. Is definately top of my list of places to stay in Edinburgh.
10.0
AnonymousUS
Would stay again. Staff was amazingly helpful, friendly and accommodating. The room was very comfortable and fully stocked. The location can’t be beat.
Spring: mild weather and shoulder-season value
Spring weather varies across Europe, but heading south gives you good odds of blue skies. The Algarve, Malta and Cyprus are among the continent’s sunniest corners, with 300 days of sunshine per year. April and May are great for sightseeing before the Mediterranean heat arrives. Many places are also usually cheaper than in summer, especially popular and pricy destinations like Italy’s Cinque Terre and Barcelona.
Another perk to European spring is the chance to experience seasonal highlights you won’t find at any other time of year – Dutch tulip season peaks around April; cherry blossoms burst into bloom from late March to April in Paris, Bonn, Edinburgh and Stockholm; and southern European countryside is at its greenest before the summer heat dries it out.
Easter brings a surge of visitors, so prices and crowds can rise during the holiday period. School breaks vary by country, so the knock-on effect can last considerably longer than four days.
Top tip: Spring weather can change quickly, so pack layers and check seasonal opening dates for island resorts, beach clubs and other summer-focused businesses.
A truly wonderful stay at ME Malta!
I absolutely loved my stay at ME Malta and would wholeheartedly recommend it. From the moment I arrived, the level of care and attention from the team was outstanding. There was a genuine sense of personalised service throughout my stay, with so many thoughtful little touches that made me feel incredibly welcome.
Nothing ever felt like too much trouble. The team were consistently warm, attentive and professional, and it was clear that they genuinely cared about making my stay as enjoyable as possible.
I also made the most of the hotel’s fantastic facilities, including the spa, pool and bar. Everything was beautifully presented, and the overall atmosphere made it such a lovely place to unwind and enjoy Malta.
What I’ll remember most, though, is the exceptional service and the personal touches that made the experience feel so much more than just a hotel stay. ME Malta genuinely made my trip even more memorable, and I would absolutely stay here again. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Malta!
10.0
Eryk Z.
I have been to many top hotels, but this experience at ME Malta was truly memorable. Thanks to the warm and friendly hospitality of the entire team, the hotel genuinely felt like a second home during our stay.
The rooms are absolutely enormous! I highly recommend booking one with a sea and Valletta view getting to enjoy the morning sunrises over the sea from your room is an unforgettable experience. The amenities are also fantastic, including a very well-equipped fitness gym that has everything you need.
The dining and restaurant staff deserve massive praise. The food from the hotel restaurant is top-tier, and the breakfast service was incredibly personal. The waiters remembered our daily breakfast orders and even made the extra effort to provide us with fresh ricotta every morning.
A special shoutout goes to Mellany, who provided world-class, professional hospitality. Even when bad weather forced us to cancel a group sailing trip, she stepped in immediately and organized a flawless last minute lunch for 13 of us at the hotel Restaurant.
If you want a hotel with phenomenal food, breathtaking views, and a staff that genuinely cares about your experience, this is the perfect place to stay.
10.0
Larisa M.
I booked a stay at ME Malta as a last-minute birthday gift for my sister, and I honestly could not have chosen a better place! From the moment she arrived, the team went completely above and beyond to make her stay unforgettable.
She was absolutely thrilled with the warm, amazing welcome she received. The staff has a wonderful way of making you feel instantly at ease and cared for. On top of the incredible hospitality, the hotel was spotlessly clean and beautifully maintained. The rooms are just Waw and gives you that luxury feel. One of the most beautiful hotels where my sister has ever stayed.
Because I had mentioned it was her birthday, the hotel staff arranged a stunning surprise for her right in her room. Seeing how happy she was meant the world to me. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone working here for their genuine care and flawless service. If you are looking for a place that combines luxury with heart, this is it! Thank you, ME Malta! ❤️❤️❤️
10.0
Mary
Probably the best hotel in Malta, definitely in Valletta. It’s not even comparable to the Westin, which felt like a completely different world stuck in the 2010s.
Here, everything feels new and modern. The staff are super friendly, attentive, and caring. The room cleaning is excellent, and the pricing is fair. The massage options are also great, including pregnancy-safe treatments. The food is very good as well. Has all necessary facilities ☺️
The only things missing are a jacuzzi, and the elevators can be a bit slow sometimes.
Summer: beaches, festivals and long days
Summer is undeniably the most popular time to travel and for good reason, with reliable weather, late sunsets and a busy calendar of festivals and events. European school holidays start anywhere from mid-June to late July, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit before peak summer crowds arrive.
July and August work best with some forward planning. Coastal favourites fill quickly, prices go up, and inland cities can become punishingly hot in the afternoons. Book the essentials early, then structure your day around cooler mornings, poolside lunches and late night wandering.
If baking heat and crowds put you off, you may want to head north: Scotland, Iceland and Scandinavia offer cooler conditions and dramatically longer days, making them especially good for active holidays and road trips where every extra hour of light counts.
Nana Princess is truly an exceptional hotel and easily one of the best we have ever stayed at.
From the moment you arrive, you can see how much thought has gone into every detail. The hotel, which opened in 2018, is beautifully designed in a modern and elegant style, with the sea visible from almost everywhere you go. Despite being several years old, everything is extremely well maintained and still feels fresh and immaculate.
What really makes the difference, however, is all the staff and especially Christina. Everyone we met was genuinely warm, friendly and welcoming, and the level of service throughout our stay was outstanding.
We had dinner twice at Eternal Blue, just a few meters from the sea. It is a wonderful setting, especially in the evening, and both the food and service were excellent. Everything was fresh, beautifully prepared and delicious. The hotel’s other restaurant is more focused on meat dishes.
The spa is also well worth visiting. We had excellent treatments, and the spa itself is impressive, with several different saunas, special experience showers and an indoor pool. The hotel also has two beautiful outdoor pools.
Nana Princess is definitely not a cheap hotel, but sometimes you leave a hotel feeling that the experience justified the price. This was absolutely the case here.
Worth every euro. We loved our stay and would happily return.
10.0
Mark M.
We love this resort. This year was our fourth visit and our first without our children. We only spent 3 nights but it was all so familiar and relaxed it felt like a week! The staff are so lovely they look after you so well whether it's at breakfast, by the pool, lunching or having an evening meal in either of their two fabulous restaurants. And to top it all, we were upgraded to one of their incredible villas!!
We will definitely return. Loved it all.
10.0
lucka b.
An absolute gem – the best hotel in the Greek islands!
Having stayed at Nana Princess several times now, I can confidently say that it never ceases to amaze me. Every single visit somehow manages to exceed my expectations.The architecture of the property is absolutely stunning, blending beautifully with the surroundings, and the cleanliness throughout the entire hotel is flawless. As for the food—everything we tried was delicious, fresh, and beautifully prepared.
However, what truly sets this place apart is the incredible staff. The entire team constantly goes the extra mile to make your stay unforgettable. For instance, they went completely above and beyond by arranging a beautiful surprise gift for my parents' anniversary, a gesture that meant the world to us and showed just how much they genuinely care about their guests.
This is hands down the best hotel in the Greek islands. I am already counting the days until my next visit and cannot wait to come back!
10.0
Abdulrahman a.
Nana Princess made our honeymoon even more beautiful and unforgettable. The resort itself is absolutely stunning, but what truly made our experience exceptional was the incredible hospitality.
I honestly cannot single out one staff member because every single person, without exception, was incredibly kind, warm, and attentive. Their level of service and genuine care was beyond words.
Nana Princess was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our honeymoon, and we are already looking forward to coming back again very soon. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful and memorable experience. ❤️✨
Thank you, Nana Princess, for making our honeymoon so special!
Autumn: warm seas, food and wine
September and October are often considered among the best months to visit Europe, combining mild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices after the summer peak. Southern Europe beckons with quieter beaches and seas that stay warm well after the August crowds thin out.
Clink overflowing steins at Munich’s Oktoberfest, explore Scotland’s Highlands or sample your way through Tuscany’s wine regions. Autumn also suits food and wine travel through destinations such as Piedmont, Provence and Spain’s wine regions.
Towards the end of the season, the weather becomes more unpredictable. Flights, accommodation and experiences may become cheaper, but smaller towns and rural areas – including some Greek and Croatian islands – may start to close for the season.
June and September usually offer the best balance of warm weather, swimmable seas and manageable crowds. July and August bring the highest temperatures, but also peak prices and visitor numbers. The Canary Islands can offer mild winter sunshine when much of Europe is cold.
Skiing
January to March generally offers the strongest skiing conditions, although snow varies by altitude and resort. December and early January bring festive atmosphere and school-holiday demand, while late-season skiing offers longer daylight hours.
Sightseeing and city breaks
April–May and September–October are usually the most comfortable periods for exploring Europe’s major cities. You’ll often find milder temperatures, shorter queues and better accommodation value than in summer. Winter can also work well for museums, galleries, restaurants and shopping.
Wir waren sehr begeistert. Wunderschönes Hotel, sehr gut ausgestattete Zimmer. Freundliches Personal. Für Italien ein sehr umfangreiches Frühstück. Tolle Rooftopbar. Luxuriöses Spa. Zentrale aber ruhige Lage!
10.0
AnonymousAU
We stayed for one night and managed to see all the main monuments, including the Colosseum. The location was just perfect for exploring the city. We didn’t use the spa as we had already enjoyed one at our previous hotel, but we absolutely loved the beautiful mural on the bedroom ceiling – it gave such an authentic Roman feel. Highly recommend for a short stay in Rome.
10.0
Julie S.29 escapes · 17 reviews
Good service. Old hotel but clean and tidy.
9.2
AnonymousES
View to die for unbelievable location hopefully will return one day,stayed for 4 nights .
9.2
AnonymousCA
We loved the location. It is close to all amenities.
Christmas markets
Late November and December are the key months for Christmas-market trips. Visit major markets mid-week where possible, as weekends tend to bring the largest crowds and highest prices.
Food and wine travel
September to November suits harvest-focused trips through Tuscany, Piedmont, Provence and Spain. Spring can also be rewarding, with fresh produce, milder weather and fewer visitors.
Been staying here every year since 2017! Each stay has been amazing and staff courteous and super helpful. Special mention for Kunjan for aligning everything so perfectly.
10.0
AnonymousOM
The hotel is lovely, friendly staff with a very great location. My experience was above my expectations! I really recommend it to those who are looking for a large and clean room, great experience with a very good location just walking minutes from London Eye and Big Ben
10.0
AnonymousDE
This hotel is very good, excellent stuff, amazing restaurant, the rooms are very spacious and clean. Everything is great in this hotel, definitely worth a comeback!
10.0
AnonymousUS
So far the best location if you wanna stay in Central London everything nearby five star Service
10.0
AnonymousIN
Superb Stay in an Unbeatable Location
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is an outstanding hotel with top-notch safety, security, and a true 4 to 5-star feel. The location is simply unbeatable, and the breakfast spread is excellent. The staff and facilities are great across the board, and room service is smooth and reliable.
The only drawback was the room design: while some internal-view rooms still get natural light, others have none at all, which can feel a bit dim. Aside from that, it was a wonderful experience, and I would gladly stay here again.
Lower-cost travel
January to March and November usually offer the best value, except around ski resorts, major events and Christmas markets. For milder weather without summer prices, consider April, May, September or October, avoiding Easter and school-holiday weeks.
Europe’s regions have different climates
Europe doesn’t have one uniform climate. Southern Europe warms earlier and stays mild later, while northern Europe has cooler summers and shorter winter days. Central Europe experiences distinct spring and autumn shoulder seasons, and alpine areas can be snowy when nearby cities are mild.
Top tip: If your itinerary includes several regions, pack for more than one climate and allow for changing conditions.
We had a fantastic stay at this hotel – it was central, the staff were friendly and helpful, and the facilities were clean. We particularly enjoyed the breakfasts – they were delicious and had such a broad range of options.
10.0
AnonymousMY
The hotel is really beautiful, from the architecture and design down to the fine detailing. I had a large room with a balcony facing Gran Via, and it was lovely and not noisy. Staff were very friendly and location was excellent. Thanks for a great stay, will return again!
10.0
David A.AU · 22 escapes · 5 reviews
This is a lovely hotel in the best location on Gran Via and we had a beautiful stay in Madrid
10.0
Janelle F.AU · 18 escapes · 6 reviews
Prime location for shopping and central to everything.
10.0
CHUN C.CA · 1 escape · 1 review
we loved our stay with H10 Villa de la Reina as this was our first time in Madrid. Then location is prime and the room and everything else about the hotel were great as well
The best time to visit Europe depends on your priorities and holiday type
For the best overall balance, plan your trip for April–May or September–October. Choose summer for beaches and festivals, winter for skiing and Christmas markets, and autumn for food, wine and quieter Mediterranean travel.
Before booking, check the specific region’s climate, school-holiday dates, seasonal opening hours and local events.
