Traveling to Europe -
Month by Month
Where to travel when in Europe? Short overview of weather and other things to consider when planning your trip to Europe.
But first a disclaimer: the weather is lately more and more unpredictable.
When in general we can provide tips on what could happen weather-wise during these months, during the past years we see more and more weather extremes and this is our reality. Preparing for any weather is ideal but also being open to visit stores in the places you visit to get anything you missed, that way you don’t have to carry everything and save space.
Seasons and overview
If I had to separate the year in travel blocks this is how we usually see it:
Block 1: December, January and February
Very cold, special for winter activities. Expect snow, ice, grey skies and rain.
Block 2: March, April, May
First shoulder season of the year. We love traveling during these months.
Block 3: June, July, August
Very hot, we avoid it due to crowds, you still have options if this is the only time you can travel.
Block 4: September, October, November
Second shoulder season and our favorite months to travel.
But what can we (generally) expect these months?
A month by month overview
January
Cheap prices, but!
This is usually the coldest month of the year.
Go as south as possible or to specific winter experiences like Aurora hunting, lake ice skating, skiing or any other winter sport you want to try out. In cities it can get uncomfortable due to the snow, ice and many places and tours in typical touristy cities will be closed. You also will need special clothing you might not yet own, adding to the overall costs.
February
Still cold, quite rainy and you can still get some snow.
However, as in January, you can visit as south as possible for a little bit of warmth, but similar closures due to low season are to be expected. If you don’t mind chilly weather and want to experience the cold, February is for you as prices are regularly cheap and a bit less cold than in January.
March
Spring is starting, you could still get a bit of snow here and there but the change starts from grey skies and dead trees from the previous months to slowly thawing and turning green.
Being careful to not catch Easter holidays (if you want quiet), March is one of our favorite months to travel. Chilly weather still, but manageable.
April
Spring is here and flowers are blooming everywhere!
Many flowers, colors and milder weather awaits in April. You can get spring showers here and there but in general, the weather is mild and it starts to slowly get warmer. Places in the south have perfect weather and the north is finally getting some sunrays and color. It is the moment for visiting gardens and parks if you are interested in that. Just mind your allergies as pollen is everywhere! Also, as in March, check Easter holidays (both Christian and Orthodox) if you want to avoid crowds or experience the season.
May
More and more sun and warmth. Some of the early flowers that bloomed are slowly going away, giving space to the Summer blooms to start showing. Birds nesting season is in its peak, so you can get to see some nice birds in the coastal areas. Some festivals are also starting, to check the dates you want in case you want to have certain specific experiences.
June
This month is still ok, right before the frenzy of the school holidays. Towns are preparing for the big influx of people and the weather is getting warmer. You can visit anywhere expecting a nice time but the water might still be fresh in the Mediterranean. Depending on your preferences, you could pick a milder weather place in the north, or warmer in the south.
July
Main holiday month. Along with August. Every kid in school is on holiday and a lot of European parents travel during this month. Along with other countries in the world. It is very hot, especially in the south. And lately throughout Europe there are more and more heatwaves. Thinking that traveling during this time, there is no way to run from the heat. Unless you are planning an all-inclusive vacation in a resort where not much activity outside will be required.
August
Hot hot hot. Just like July, August is full of people due to holidays and is very hot. If these are the only months you can travel, pick places to the north or close to water where you can freshen up or hiking through the mountains to get some fresh air. You will be walking all day outside with quite hot weather (+30°C) and there is no amount of clothes you can part with to be comfortable. If this is what you like, go for it!
Just remember that these last years the heatwaves have been quite intense and long, so plan accordingly.
September
Top month for us to travel. Weather is still warm in most places but the affluence of people is starting to lessen. Areas in the very north are starting to get cold winds, and some wind storms here and there. Places in the center and south of Europe are perfect to stroll around with enough sun light and warm breeze.
October
Our second favourite month after summer. If you enjoy autumn colours and want to see trees changing color into deep yellows and oranges, visiting forests for a nice hike will have you experience the beauty of autumn. The weather is generally still nice and fresh. Some places are getting a bit colder, but not too cold, still bearable.
November
Grey weather starts rolling in. A lot of rain and wind in general and the colourful leaves from autumn are mostly gone. Southern areas can have perfect weather for exploring outside without melting or freezing. The main holiday season is closed so if you are not visiting capital cities and rather visiting small towns that are mostly alive during Summer you will find some of their offers closed like restaurants, activities and tour options.
December
Similar to January but with generally less snow. Perfect time to visit the Christmas markets in center Europe. Mind the rain and the cold and do take into account that the sun will start setting earlier a bit drastically so if you are not used to this, prepare mentally and depending on your overall plan it is very important to start your days early enough to take advantage of the daylight.