TRIPS

/

The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer

Europe is an endless source of romantic adventure throughout summer. Book your place on one of these Culture Trip adventures and you can explore everywhere from the secluded beaches of Croatia to the vineyards of Tuscany.
Siobhan Grogan
5 May 2023
Europe is a great place to visit year-round but in the summer months, between June and September, the weather is warm, cities throng with visitors and the beaches are blissful. Join one of our European trips to make the most of your summer on the continent – from the glittering coastline of Italy to the enchanting streets of Prague.
1 . Rome, Florence and Milan for pasta, wine and historical sights

Can’t decide whether to revel in the historical sights of Rome, live la dolce vita in the Italian Lakes or sample the ultimate rural idyll in Tuscany? There’s no need to choose with this jam-packed tour of all Italy’s charms, one of the best places to visit in Europe in summer. You’ll tick off the big-ticket sights like the Colosseum and Duomo di Milano, yet still have time to indulge in wine tasting at a vineyard near Siena, a gourmet food tour in Bologna and a boat trip on Lake Como.

From£2456
Next available from8 Sep 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
View Trip
Chat to Us
2 . Istanbul and Ankara to bargain-hunt and discover ancient civilizations

Desperate for guaranteed sunshine this summer in Europe? Turkey never disappoints with long hot days, miles of golden beaches and plenty of opportunity for adventure. Once you’ve tucked into Urfa-style kebabs at a welcome dinner in Istanbul, you’ll journey headlong through Turkey’s colourful, compelling culture, with visits to the capital’s Grand Bazaar, the natural open-air temple of Yazilikaya and the staggering Kaymakli Underground City. Optional belly dancing, balloon rides and river rafting along the way will ensure you’ll never be bored.

From£1700
Next available from18 Aug 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
View Trip
Chat to Us
3 . Matera and Lecce to marvel at hilltop towns and cave dwellings

Southern Italy always dazzles in summer, and this tour uncovers its most beautiful secrets. From hilltop towns to cliff-backed beaches, get ready to be wowed by the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, the baroque architecture of Lecce, the whitewashed buildings of Ostuni and the pretty piazzas of Salerno. Throw in plenty of pizza, pasta and Italian wine and this will be the European summer trip of a lifetime.

From£1719
Next available from10 Jun 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
View Trip
Chat to Us
4 . Hvar and Dubrovnik to enjoy secluded beaches and sea-fresh oysters

With its Venetian architecture, secluded beaches and postcard-perfect islands, Croatia is one of the best summer destinations in Europe. This glorious tour gets you outside to explore all its delights, including cycling, kayaking and sampling local wine in vineyards. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Hvar, find a beach of your own for snorkelling on Korcula and tuck into oysters straight from the sea in Ston, before a final dinner and walking tour in ever-impressive Dubrovnik, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world.

From£1546
Next available from21 Aug 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
View Trip
Chat to Us
5 . Explore the fairytale cities of Prague, Vienna and Budapest

Central Europe in summer is glorious, as the well-preserved buildings of pretty old towns are bathed in beautiful natural light. The best way to experience the joys of a European city break is by doing a bunch of them back-to-back-t0-back, like on our 10-day Rail Trip from Berlin to Budapest. We’ll explore the unique cultural scenes and complex histories of Berlin before heading to the fairytale city of Prague, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities in summer. From there it’s on to Vienna, home to world class classical music and even better chocolate cake, before you get to discover the utterly charming streets of Bratislava Old Town. Our final destination is Budapest, where tasty street food markets and well-earned thermal baths await.

From£1799
Next available from19 Aug 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
View Trip
Chat to Us
This is an updated rewrite of an article originally written by Tara Jessop. Additional words from Gethin Morgan.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel – and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Bespoke Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Bespoke Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm – and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.