The Best Places to Visit in Europe

The Faroe Islands are a remote volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, positioned between Norway and Iceland. This self-governing territory of Denmark is home to fewer than 55,000 people. The terrain is rugged and dominated by deep fjords, steep cliffs, and sparse vegetation with very few trees. June, July, and August are the only sensible months to visit. Because of the high latitude, summer brings nearly continuous daylight. You can hike late into the evening without worrying about darkness, and the local seabird colonies are highly active. The weather is highly unpredictable. You will likely experience wind, rain, and thick fog all in a single afternoon. The terrain is steep and rocky, requiring sturdy boots and a tolerance for damp, cold conditions even in July.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, set along the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. It is a city built on volcanic hills, dominated by its castle and historic stone buildings. It serves as the seat of the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. May, June, September, and August are the best times to visit. August is the busiest month by far due to major arts festivals. During this time, the streets fill with performers and visitors from around the world. If you do not like massive crowds and inflated accommodation prices, avoid August entirely. May and September offer milder weather and much quieter streets, making it easier to walk the steep, cobblestone hills.

The Azores are a collection of nine volcanic islands located about 1,400 kilometers west of mainland Portugal. This remote territory sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The islands feature green pastures, volcanic craters, and small coastal towns. The best window to visit is between June and September. During these summer months, the ocean is calm enough for whale watching and boat trips between the islands. Temperatures are warm but rarely hot. Because of their isolated location, the islands get a lot of rain. Even in July, you should expect sudden downpours and low clouds that can completely block the views of the volcanic craters.

The Matterhorn is a massive, four-sided mountain that sits directly on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Reaching 4,478 meters, it is one of the tallest peaks in the Alps. The pyramid shape makes it one of the most recognized mountains in the world. Go between June and September. During these months, the high-altitude hiking trails are free of snow, and the mountain lifts are fully operational. The mountain is frequently hidden by clouds, even on otherwise sunny days. You might travel all the way to the base in Zermatt and not see the peak at all.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone monument located on the flat Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. It consists of massive standing sarsen stones arranged in a ring, aligned with the summer and winter solstices. The outer stones weigh about 25 tons each. The best months to visit are May through August, when daylight hours are long and the weather is generally dry. You cannot walk among the stones during regular hours. Visitors are kept on a paved path a short distance away, which disappoints some people. The site sits very close to a busy main road, which takes away from the ancient atmosphere.

Lofoten is an archipelago in northern Norway, located well above the Arctic Circle. The islands are known for their sharp mountain peaks, deep bays, and small fishing villages. Despite the high latitude, it has a milder climate than other Arctic regions. June, July, and August are the prime months to visit. The midnight sun shines during mid-summer, giving you 24 hours of daylight to explore the beaches and trails. The islands have become incredibly popular. The narrow roads can get congested with camper vans, and parking at popular trailheads is difficult to find during July.

The Dolomites are a distinct mountain range in northeastern Italy, characterized by jagged limestone peaks and deep valleys. The region blends Italian and Austrian cultures, with both Italian and German spoken in many villages. The best time to visit for hiking is from June to September. By June, the high mountain passes are open, and the rifugios, which are mountain huts offering food and beds, are open to hikers. The main valleys get incredibly crowded in July and August. Traffic on the narrow mountain passes can slow to a crawl, and parking at famous spots fills up by early morning.

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago located halfway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. It is a true Arctic wilderness, home to glaciers, polar bears, and the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, Longyearbyen. June, July, and August are the only months for summer activities. During this time, the sea ice melts enough for expedition ships to navigate the fjords, and the sun never sets. You cannot leave the main settlement of Longyearbyen without a certified guide carrying a rifle for polar bear protection. This is not a place for independent wandering.

Gullfoss is a major waterfall on the Hvítá River in southwest Iceland. The water plunges down two tiers into a deep canyon, creating a massive spray. It is a key stop on the popular Golden Circle tourist route near Reykjavík. June, July, and August offer the best conditions. The paths leading to the viewing platforms are free of ice, and the summer sun can create rainbows in the mist. Because of its proximity to the capital, tour buses arrive constantly. You will be sharing the viewing platforms with hundreds of other tourists at almost any time of day.

Lake Bled is a glacial lake in the Julian Alps of northwestern Slovenia. It features a small island with a church in the middle and a medieval castle perched on a cliff overlooking the water. The town of Bled sits on the eastern shore. May, June, September, and October are the ideal months to visit. Summer is warm enough for swimming, but autumn brings beautiful fall foliage and fewer crowds. July and August are congested. The single-lane road around the lake becomes clogged with traffic, and finding a spot on the small beaches can be difficult.