The European Summer Destinations That Stole My Heart
And some other places on my never-ending, ever-evolving summer travel wishlist.
I spend every winter in London daydreaming about diving into the glittering Mediterranean Sea (my mind usually paints pictures of Cala Sa Olla in Menorca or Cala d’Or in Mallorca if we’re getting specific). As we start to plan summer travel, I wanted to share some of my favorite past destinations as well as places that are on my summertime wishlist.
My favorite European Summer Destinations
First and foremost, I’d recommend avoiding these seaside destinations in August if you can. It’s peak holiday season for many Europeans, which means beaches, restaurants, and towns are packed. On the flip side, major cities can feel quieter, with some local businesses shutting down for the month as residents escape the heat. If August is the only time you can travel, I’m absolutely not going to tell you not to, but it’s best to plan far in advance (especially hotels and some restaurant bookings) and do your research to set realistic expectations and avoid disappointment.
Ericeira, Portugal
The closest I’ve come to visiting Ericeira in the summer was in April. However, even at this time of year we experienced sunny days and mild temperatures that enabled us to relax by the beach, so I can only imagine how vibrant of a place it becomes in the summer months. It’s set up to be a fabulous summer getaway, with the old town situated directly on the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded in either direction by stunning beaches, known for some of the best surfing in the world.
Greek Islands
There are 6,000 Greek islands which caused me pure overwhelm while planning this trip - but let it be known that after experiencing 4 of them, I’m not sure you can go wrong. We visited Greece in September which turned out to be great timing. The high season crowds (and pricing) had died down, yet there were still plenty of people around, restaurant bookings were easier to get, the water was warm, and the beach clubs were still open. If you’re wanting to plan your first Greek island getaway but aren’t sure where to begin, feel free to steal our itinerary which included the popular (and I think still worth seeing) Mykonos and Santorini as well as the rugged and stunningly beautiful islands of Milos and Paros.
Menorca, Spain
This quickly became the place that we want to travel to time and time again. A smaller and quieter island than Mallorca, we opted for Menorca as our first journey into the Balearic Islands. We fell in love with the laid back atmosphere, stunning natural beauty, sandy coves, unique swimming spots, and great food.
And its bigger neighbor, Mallorca
Mallorca is worth all of the attention it gets. In contrast to Menorca, it is bigger and busier which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While we traveled to Mallorca for the sun and sea, we loved exploring its villages and the main city of Palma, which felt like a bustling mainland Spanish city. In an essence, it was the best of both worlds.
Provence and the Côte d’Azur in France
Provence has a laid back, timeless-luxury feeling that is hard to put into words. It’s constantly bathed in a golden glow that invites you to slow down and embrace the beauty around you. It offers true sensory experience with the scent of lavender wafting through the air, sundrenched stone villages, lively markets, fresh flavors and farm to table cooking, crisp rosé wines, and cicadas humming in the background - a surefire way to know you’ve arrived to summer in Europe.
On the other hand, the Côte d’Azur is more glamorous (depending on which towns you visit, there are some more laid back options, too) but equally extends an invitation to slow down and savor. There, you get the same spectacular light, vibrant village markets, fabulous food - this time with a sea breeze and crystal blue waters. We particularly enjoyed our time staying in Antibes which had a wonderful market, small village feel, and a beach that was walkable from the village.
Puglia, Italy
We honeymooned in Puglia in early July six years ago, and while it was incredibly hot (my husband and I had outfits in which you could not see sweat that we deemed our 'MVP outfits'), we adored our time there and hope to return soon. I felt completely captivated by the distinctive character – the bright blue sea, the wild beauty of the countryside dotted with ancient olive groves, and the white-washed villages. Younger generations have started returning to Puglia to live and start businesses, breathing new life into the area and diversifying its offerings. We loved experiencing a region that was slightly more off the tourist trail than other (but equally as incredible) Italian destinations.
The Dolomites in Italy
As cheesy as it sounds, this trip transformed me. It ignited a newfound love for the outdoors, pushing me to try new adventures like e-mountain biking (wow, this was hard but so fun) and longer day hikes. This trip was a great mix of adventure and relaxation (we stayed in some really special places) and exposed me to scenery so breathtaking that it didn’t seem real - as if greenscreened. We visited right before peak season, in early July during wildflower season, and it was spectacular. My time in the Dolomites made me realize that while I love city breaks and city living, the part of me that grew up frequenting and adoring Lake Champlain in Vermont remains deeply rooted. The tranquility that nature provides is just truly unbeatable.
West Coast of Scotland
A breezy one hour flight from London City airport to Glasgow landed us on our western Scotland adventure. Originally, we planned to visit the Isle of Skye, but quickly realized we should have booked that months earlier. So, we were back to the drawing board and devised what I think was a fabulous August getaway. We spent a few days exploring Glasgow, then stayed in a small cabin near Loch Lomond - that had an outdoor tub and wood stove (which we did end up needing), and then journeyed into the highlands to Oban. We hiked, spent time exploring quaint Scottish villages, ate incredibly fresh seafood and had an incredible wild dining experience.
On My Wishlist for Summer Travel
Some of these aren’t your typical seaside summer destinations, but rather, are good places to go in the summer months due to more daylight and milder weather.
Cornwall
Exploring the UK in the summer should not be overlooked. It is, after all, the most beautiful time of year with very long, sunnier days and usually mild temperatures except for the occasional few-week-long heatwave (which honestly, isn’t even that hot - it’s just the lack of air conditioning that makes it a bit uncomfortable).
Cornwall seems like the ideal summer escape and is one of my top places to visit in the UK. I’m intrigued by its golden, sandy beaches, dramatic coastline, rugged beauty and picturesque villages. My dream would be to rent a seaside cabin, walk along coastal trails and spend afternoons at the beach, and indulge in fresh seafood.
Denmark
I’ve visited Copenhagen a couple of times now and most recently was a sunny trip in May. To see the city come alive on a warm day was magical and left me wanting to return during peak summer to lounge by the harborside, enjoy al fresco coffees and dining at Copenhagen’s many great cafes and restaurants, go back to Reffen and La Bancina on a sunny day, and cycle around the city. I’d also love to experience Danish summertime in a seaside village somewhere.
Sicily
My husband has Sicilian heritage so this one has been on our list for ages. This year finally feels like the one and we’re hoping to travel to Sicily in the late spring - just on the verge of summer but without the peak summer crowds. I want to swim in its crystalline waters, indulge in Sicilian cuisine (including Cassata, an Italian cake originating in Sicily and my husband’s family’s namesake), eat granita and brioche - alongside an espresso - for breakfast, see Mount Etna with my own two eyes, taste volcanic wines, explore ancient cities and villages, and take in the sundrenched landscape. I’d also love to one day get to the Aeolian Islands off the north east coast and Pantelleria off the west coast.
Sweden
When I think of Swedish summertime, I envision long, dreamy days in cottages by the sea, wildflowers blowing in the breeze, sweet and delightful Midsummer strawberry cakes, lively backyard gatherings and wild swimming. I can’t confirm if any of this is even accurate but I’d like to visit Sweden in the summer and find out!
The Faroe Islands
I think the weather can be pretty unpredictable year-round, however, during the summer you have the best chance at sunnier days and calmer seas if doing anything on the water. The summer is also the best time to spot puffins as, with breeding season beginning in April, the puffins are busy tending to their chicks.
Wales
Wales looks to have some of the most stunning beaches and coves in the UK. In addition to spending time on the coastline, I’d love to hike in Snowdonia. As it’s known to get consistent rainfall, the summer months seem like a good time to visit for more comfortable temperatures and a greater likelihood of good weather.
I don’t yet have any summer travel booked but will likely be doing that in the coming weeks! Where are you hoping to go this summer?
If you’re going to one of the destinations that I’ve been to and would like a more in depth post, please let me know in the comments below.
I love this inspiration list - some of my favourites as well as new wishlist spots!!
I just read your Dolomites guide and I’m dying to go back (I spent 3 days there - not nearly enough!!). I’m super curious how you discovered the places you stayed - were they recommendations or the product of extensive research? They’re exactly the types of places I love to go, so would love any tips for unearthing similar properties!
(Also hi from another American in London!)
there truly is no better place than anywhere near the med sea. it’s my ultimate happy place! loved this list. felt super nostalgic reading it. thank you for sharing!