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.

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Panoramic view over the jagged limestone pinnacles of Cappadocia.

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$2798

Next available from 5th Jul 2024

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

View Trip

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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$2039

Next available from 28th Apr 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Athens, Greece

ENDS AT

Athens, Greece

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Additional words by Gethin Morgan.

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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 Private 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 Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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