Last updated: July 2026

Europe is at its best in summer. Long sunny days, and short balmy nights. But it also means there are plenty of other tourists vying for the same spot on the beach as you and an overwhelming amount of choices about where you should head for your summer vacay.

While I'd be overpromising if I said I could do something about the hordes of tourists (sorry!), what I can do is help you decide where to go. This is a list of some of my favourite European summer holiday destinations. Some are obvious, but others might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of European summers — which means they can be a bit quieter than the likes of Spain and the south of France.

1. Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

I'm going to take a punt and guess that North Macedonia isn't, and has probably never been, at the top of your bucket list. But hopefully that's about to change.

In the south of North Macedonia lies one of the most breathtakingly beautiful, picture-perfect places I've ever been to — and one of Europe's most underrated: Lake Ohrid. Word is slowly getting out, but it's still nowhere near as busy as the big-name lakes. This pristine, ancient lake, framed by mountains, is one of Europe's oldest, deepest and most magnificent.

You can swim in its crystal clear waters, cruise around it by boat with the locals, or simply take in its beauty while you enjoy the delectable local delicacies at the many restaurants that sit on the waterfront of its UNESCO-listed namesake town Ohrid. Just don’t order a cheese plate unless you really, really love feta (but that’s a story for another day!)

If you're into culture and history, Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, boasting a reconstructed stilted village from the Bronze Age, St Panteleimon monastery at Plaošnik (founded in 893 and home to what's often called the world's first Slavic university), and some of the best-preserved and most complete Byzantine-style architecture and icons in Europe. It is also said to have 365 churches, one for every day of the year, including the Church of St John at Kaneo, which sits on a cliff overlooking the lake, creating a vista so stunning it'll make you weak at the knees.

Ohrid is also one of the cheapest places I've visited in Europe — some of the best-value accommodation I've found anywhere. Getting there is easier than you'd think, too. From the UK, Wizz Air flies direct from London to Skopje, the capital, in around three hours, and from there it's a scenic two-and-a-half to three-hour drive down through the mountains to the lake. Hire a car at the airport and you could be lakeside the same afternoon (there are buses too, if you'd rather not drive). Skopje is also well connected to a number of European cities by direct flights, and Ohrid even has its own small airport with a handful of seasonal routes worth checking. So, seriously, what are you waiting for?

2. The Albanian Riviera

A few years ago, if you told people you were going to Albania for a holiday they'd look confused and probably ask you why. If you tell them now, they'll probably tell you it's on their own bucket list — because in the space of a few summers, the Albanian Riviera has gone from "where's that?" to one of the Med's fastest-rising destinations. (Turns out adding the word "Riviera" onto anything really does make people perk up.)

So while Albania is no longer off the beaten track, there are still so many reasons to go: the stunning beaches, the world heritage sites, the weather, the food, and of course the price, which is still refreshingly low. The best-known spots like Ksamil get busy in high season now, but wander even slightly off the main drag and you'll still find coves you can have almost to yourself.

And getting there is extremely easy. Just hop on a ferry from the Greek island of Corfu and you can be in Saranda in as little as 30 minutes. Convinced? Find out all you need to know about it here: A guide to the Albanian Riviera

3. Sardinia, Italy

You know how some places you visit leave you with a feeling that you can’t shake? As if you took a piece of the place home with you when you left, or maybe you left a piece of yourself there… you can’t quite figure out which. What you do know is that you’ll forever be connected to that spot.

Well, for me, Sardinia is one of those places. When I think of Sardinia, I think of its crystal clear azure waters and white sand, its rugged and winding coastline, its medieval, cobbled and colourful cities and the dog who gently barked at me when I got too close to the herd of sheep he was protecting on an otherwise deserted beach.

I’ll let my photos of Sardinia do the talking, but if you want a relaxed road trip holiday, with out-of-this-world beaches, plenty of hiking and climbing if you’re that way inclined, colourfully photogenic and medieval cities and of course Italian hospitality and food, Sardinia is a must.

My list of must-sees include: Gorropu Gorge, the Gulf of Orosei beaches (by boat), the medieval capital Cagliari, the Catalan gothic town of Alghero and colourful Bosa.

4. Crete, Greece

Crete…be still my beating heart. The unrivalled beaches, playing backgammon and drinking frappes in the little cove town you can only get to by boat, the Greek salads, gyros, yoghurt and honey, the sunsets. But perhaps not the driving 20 minutes in the dark, on unkempt roads to get cash out because the restaurant at your hotel doesn't take card and you have no way to pay for the delicious meal you just ate (card's far more widely accepted these days, thankfully).

Crete will always be one of my favourite summer destinations. For the best experience, hire a car and road trip around the biggest Greek island for at least a week, making sure you make it to the towns of Chania, Rethymno, Loutro and the Elafonísi, Frangokástello, Balos and Falasarna beaches.

5. Santorini, Greece

Oia in Santorini has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. I’m not even going to bore you with words. Just look at the photos. Everybody should go to Santorini at least once in their lifetime.

My only tip is to go in the shoulder season to avoid fellow tourists, because believe me, they come in herds. It's also quite pricey so I'd suggest only staying a few nights. It's a mere couple of hours by fast ferry to Crete so you can always head there before or after — like we did.

6. Helsinki, Finland

Imagine sitting in a hot sauna and then running outside in your bathers and diving into the Baltic Sea to cool off. Sound fun? Then Helsinki is the perfect summer destination for you.

Helsinki is quirky, artistic, full of functional design and effortlessly cool. It’s no secret that the Finns are the world’s biggest consumers of coffee (come on, surely you've seen that stat somewhere?), so as you can imagine its café culture is on point. Before I visited, I wasn't really sure what to expect of this city which seems to fly under the radar (or my radar at the very least!), but now I’ve been it’s right up there with places I’d recommend for a perfect European weekend away, especially for couples or friends that want a super relaxed trip.

Summer is one of the best times to visit Helsinki, as you’re so far north the days are super long – allowing you to make the most of your trip. Find out more on my article about spending: A weekend in Helsinki

7. Split, Croatia

Croatia’s second biggest city is lively, chaotic and built around the ruins of the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s former residence. Although it's often used as a launch pad for Croatia’s many islands, with more than 2400 years of history, Split is much more than a quick stopover.

If you like being (literally) surrounded by the past, great food and a bit of beach on the side, I can almost guarantee that you’ll love Split as much as I do.

Summer is the best time to visit this striking city, as it balmy nights mean you can wander around the lit up Roman ruins all night. Want to know more? Read my article on spending: A weekend in Split

8. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is easily one of the most photogenic places I’ve been to: there are no bad angles in this city full of unexpected grandeur. Part of what makes Budapest so unique is how it manages to balance opulent 19th century architecture and tree lined boulevards with the grit of bars sprung from abandoned buildings and an undertone of post-war communism. It must also have a huuuuggge electricity bill, because at night, every monument, bridge and building is beautifully lit up. It’s like a fairytale.

If you ask me, Budapest is a perfect destination all year round, but its extra special during long summer days and  nights spent at the outdoor ruin bars. Are you sold? While you're there find out where to take the best photos in Budapest

9. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a tourist destination in its own right or an easy day trip from Split or Dubrovnik. If you can make it to Croatia in summer, I highly recommend making the effort to visit Mostar.

Its most famous landmark is the old bridge, Stari Most. Originally built in 1566 during the height of the Ottoman Empire, it was completely destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak war in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004. Today it is a symbol of reconciliation, international cooperation and coexistence of different cultures, religions and ethnicities. And, an absolutely stunning one at that. Just look at that photo.

10. Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia

With a mix of Italian, Austrian and Hungarian influences, Ljubljana is arguably one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.

Despite being pretty tiny by capital city standards, Ljubljana is full of life. When you walk around the old town in summer, you'll find al fresco restaurants full to the brim with diners, fountains, statues, Baroque churches, and cobbled lanes all surrounding the river Ljubljanica that winds through its centre.

Plus, one of my favourite places, the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Bled is under an hour’s drive away. I’ve been to Bled in both summer and winter and it’s equally as beautiful, but summer is a perfect time to visit if you want to go boating and hiking in this picturesque part of the world. Learn more about spending a day in Ljubljana