The Best European Cities to Visit in August
A summertime Euro jaunt is sure to be sun-drenched and full of cultural discovery. Join one of these adventurous trips to tick off your European hit list in style.
Europe in August is glorious when the sun is shining: the days are long and the wine is flowing. The question is, which city should you visit as the summer season reaches its peak? The colourful chaos of Istanbul, the art-filled streets of Berlin, or the stone-walled hubs of Dubrovnik and Split? To inspire your summer getaway, here’s our roundup of the best European cities to visit in August, all bookable on a carefully curated adventure with Culture Trip.
Istanbul and Antalya, for ancient ruins and summer sun
August is one of the hottest months of the year to visit Turkey, but you’ll find that the nation’s many cities are exceptionally beautiful in the sunshine. This 12-day overland group tour takes you to the best Turkish cities. Start by visiting historic Istanbul, with iconic sights like the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia, and you’ll have centuries of history to soak up on either side of the Bosphorus. Next up is Ankara, the Turkish capital, where you’ll learn about ancient Anatolian civilizations, before travelling south for a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia. The tour ends on the Mediterranean coast, where you can soak up the August sunshine and cool off in the sea as you explore the beaches and Roman ruins of Antalya.
From US$1678
Next available from 13th Oct 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Istanbul, Turkey
ENDS AT
Antalya, Turkey
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Palermo, Sicily for sunshine, spritz and Phoenician ruins
Looking for a sun-drenched summer getaway? Look no further than Palermo, where temperatures can hit highs of 29C (84F) throughout August. Palermo is Sicily’s historic capital, where you can dine on seafood while enjoying an ice-cold Aperol spritz, before making the most of the weather to explore ancient ruins dating as far back as the Phoenicians. Why stop in Palermo? This eight-day tour also takes you to Sicily’s other great destinations, including the volcanic Aeolian Islands, the beach town of Cefalu and the markets of Syracuse.
From US$
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Palermo, Italy
ENDS AT
Siracusa, Sicily
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Split and Dubrovnik, with pristine islands in between
August is one of the best times of the year to visit Croatia’s coastal cities, where you can cool off with a swim in the Adriatic Sea and dine al fresco late into the evenings. Join this eight-day tour and you’ll not only get to visit Split and Dubrovnik, but you’ll stop at the best spots along the Dalmatian Coast on the way. Explore the Roman ruins of Split before experiencing the vibrant nightlife on Hvar, then visit the islands of Vis and Korčula. Finish off the trip in Dubrovnik’s beautiful and ancient old town.
From US$1844
Next available from 29th Mar 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Split, Croatia
ENDS AT
Dubrovnik, Croatia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Berlin to Budapest, via Europe's most beautiful cities
Have you ever dreamt of spending a summer exploring Europe by train? Dream no further, as our 10-day Rail Trip from Berlin to Budapest gives you the chance to take a whistle-stop tour of Central Europe’s most charming old cities. Start in Berlin, where history and art constantly overlap, before hopping on the train to Prague. The Czech capital is one of Europe’s most photogenic, and always looks glorious under the August sunshine. Sip locally brewed beer and cross Charles Bridge before continuing onto Vienna. The Austrian capital has a level of aesthetic sophistication that matches its musical heritage, while our next stop, Bratislava, represents the lesser-known city’s of Europe. The charming old town of Slovakia’s capital might be the best of the bunch, but you can be the judge of that, debating with your fellow Culture Trippers in Budapest’s thermal baths and trendy ruin bars.
From US$2473
Next available from 13th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Berlin, Germany
ENDS AT
Budapest, Hungary
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Athens, for a city break followed by an island-hopping retreat
The beauty of Athens is you can follow up a vibrant city break with a laid-back Mediterranean beach holiday, and that’s the idea behind our eight-day Greek Island Odyssey trip. Our time in the capital will be focused on traditional tavernas, the trendy neighbourhood of Keramikos and, of course, the Acropolis. After a thorough discovery of the old and the new, you’ll be itching to hit the beach, so we’ll hop on a boat and visit the less-busy islands of Milos – quaint fishing villages and crystal clear waters – and Naxos – ancient ruins and pristine beaches – before ending our odyssey in Santorini, to watch the sun go down over the island’s beautiful whitewashed buildings.
From US$2056
Next available from 28th Apr 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Athens, Greece
ENDS AT
Santorini Island, Greece
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Additional words by Gethin Morgan.
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Hanna
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2 years.
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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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