Ideal European cities or countries for vacation in July or August

[worthit]

Hello BHs:

Where in Europe would you travel in July or August with milder, bearable temperatures?

I am even willing to consider late August (leaving the last week of August extending into the first week of September for a 2 week trip).

Portugal is in the shortlist. But need few other options for consideration.

TIA.

[AnnetteLouisan]

London, Copenhagen, Oslo are all lovely in the summer. So is northern Germany (North Sea, Baltic, Mecklenburg Lake District), Sweden. I’d argue it’s the only time to go there.

[worthit]

London, Copenhagen, Oslo are all lovely in the summer. So is northern Germany (North Sea, Baltic, Mecklenburg Lake District), Sweden. I’d argue it’s the only time to go there.

Thanks Annette.

Great suggestions. Added all your suggestions (except for London as I have been there few times) to the short list. Sweden moves to the top .

[safari]

Iceland

[grilli]

In addition to Scandinavia, the Swiss/Austrian Alps are a good mid summer option (though the best localities tend to get booked up early).

[Glockenspiel]

Almost anywhere, except southern Europe.

Stockholm, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Dublin, Copenhagen, Prague, Lisbon, Brussels, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Berlin, Oslo.

Average afternoon highs will typically range from 65 to 80 degrees F in most of these cities in July.

[Wannaretireearly]

Edinburgh/Scotland or Dublin/Ireland? Both on my list

[AerialP]

I adore Berne. Extremely cosmopolitan and central, just get a SwissPass and you'll be able to go in any direction on the remarkable train system to daytrip to Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Luzerne, up in to Gimmelwald, etc etc. Even covers the ferry from Lausanne across Lac Leman over to the famous spa resort Evian-les-Bains in France. SwissPass also covers entry to most Swiss museums and all city transport in each destination! Including funiculars and cablecars. Truly a marvel. Look in to it!

[Watty]

Portugal is in the shortlist.

Here is what Rick Steves says about when to visit Portugal.

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/portu ... o-portugal

July and August does not sound ideal.

[WestCoastPhan]

London, Copenhagen, Oslo are all lovely in the summer. So is northern Germany (North Sea, Baltic, Mecklenburg Lake District), Sweden. I’d argue it’s the only time to go there.

London really is lovely in the summer. Both weeks.

[hunoraut]

Norway in deep summer. Weather is ultra comfortable. Daylight goes past midnight. Best time to explore all the fjords and islands and mountains.

Even central Europe (eg Vienna) has been unbearably hot in last decade, and air conditioning is not a thing even in nicer hotels and most restaurants.

[OnceARunner]

Lucerne, Switzerland

Most beautiful city I've visited and easy access to the swiss mountains as well.

[ScubaHogg]

Almost anywhere, except southern Europe.

Stockholm, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Dublin, Copenhagen, Prague, Lisbon, Brussels, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Berlin, Oslo.

Average afternoon highs will typically range from 65 to 80 degrees F in most of these cities in July.

I’d stay away from any of these that aren’t in the most northern portions of the continent (ie, avoid Paris, Vienna, Munich, etc.).

A) For one thing, even at 80 degrees AC is so bad in Europe your hotel room might be uncomfortably hot. I routinely experience this.
B) you don’t get to experience the average temp, you get what you get. Many of these places will routinely have above average temp weeks that can make your experience even more uncomfortable. Ever been in Paris when it’s 105? Miserable is the only word (see point A above)

I’d stick with places like Oslo, Dublin, etc. Better yet, don’t go to Europe in July or august.

[jrhampt]

I agree with ScubaHogg above. Went to Vienna in August in 2017 or thereabouts before it was even as hot as it is now, and it was completely miserable with temps in the mid 90s almost every day. No A/C on public transportation and it was stifling, although fortunately our hotel had A/C. I wouldn't touch Europe in the summer now, except for the Scandinavian countries.

[Cruise]

Hello BHs:

Where in Europe would you travel in July or August with milder, bearable temperatures?

I am even willing to consider late August (leaving the last week of August extending into the first week of September for a 2 week trip).

Portugal is in the shortlist. But need few other options for consideration.

TIA.

Be careful where you go in July/August. Many places in Europe have been extremely hot during those months, particularly August. If warm weather is what you are looking for, fine, but I'd head to Iceland, Norway or high in the Swiss/Austrian Alps.

But, you haven't said what your idea of a good vacation is, so perhaps knowing that would help.

[Glockenspiel]

Ever been in Paris when it’s 105? Miserable is the only word (see point A above)

No, I was only in Paris in September and the weather and city were glorious.

[ScubaHogg]

Ever been in Paris when it’s 105? Miserable is the only word (see point A above)

No, I was only in Paris in September and the weather and city were glorious.

Don't get me wrong, I love Paris and Europe in general. But if it's hot the place is just miserable as it's not set up at all to be comfortable. I can see why someone living in Normandy might look at the weather in Dallas and wonder how people live there, never realizing the gigantic difference in indoor comfort between the two

[worthit]

Hello BHs:

Where in Europe would you travel in July or August with milder, bearable temperatures?

I am even willing to consider late August (leaving the last week of August extending into the first week of September for a 2 week trip).

Portugal is in the shortlist. But need few other options for consideration.

TIA.

Be careful where you go in July/August. Many places in Europe have been extremely hot during those months, particularly August. If warm weather is what you are looking for, fine, but I'd head to Iceland, Norway or high in the Swiss/Austrian Alps.

But, you haven't said what your idea of a good vacation is, so perhaps knowing that would help.

I was in Paris last August (latter half) and enjoyed it except for a day when it became too humid. I was well aware of the heat dome in Europe last year but by the time we wemt there it wasn' that bad. Was bearable.

I just want to go to a place and be able to go out and about enjoying without sweating literally.

[ScubaHogg]

Hello BHs:

Where in Europe would you travel in July or August with milder, bearable temperatures?

I am even willing to consider late August (leaving the last week of August extending into the first week of September for a 2 week trip).

Portugal is in the shortlist. But need few other options for consideration.

TIA.

Be careful where you go in July/August. Many places in Europe have been extremely hot during those months, particularly August. If warm weather is what you are looking for, fine, but I'd head to Iceland, Norway or high in the Swiss/Austrian Alps.

But, you haven't said what your idea of a good vacation is, so perhaps knowing that would help.

I was in Paris last August (latter half) and enjoyed it except for a day when it became too humid. I was well aware of the heat dome in Europe last year but by the time we wemt there it wasn' that bad. Was bearable.

I just want to go to a place and be able to go out and about enjoying without sweating literally.

That’s kinda the point. Many of these cities which are typically pleasant during July/august have all too often heat waves which make them very uncomfortable. You just can’t plan when they will be very far out. So thus avoid if comfort is important to you.

Swiss alps, scandavia, etc., are probably good choices

[UnladenSwallow]

Swiss Alps are incredible during the summer. So many free/cheap outdoor activities, hiking, and spectacular views. Specifically I would recommend Interlaken, Switzerland. It’s a quaint, beautiful, town focused on outdoors adventure tourism.