Best Time to Visit Europe

The UK and Ireland

People in the UK sometimes joke that, where some countries have four seasons in a year, the UK has four seasons in a day! Indeed, the weather in the UK and Ireland is notoriously unpredictable. You can start a day in glorious sunshine, and end it in the pouring rain. This is the case even during the summer months when rain is still quite common. Because of this, no matter when you intend to visit, you should pack for all weather conditions.

UK & Ireland’s temperatures vary greatly depending on the season. Summers can be pleasantly warm, and the winters, bitingly cold. London, interestingly, sees generally higher temperatures than the rest of the UK. Scotland, given its northern location, gets the coldest weather, and on the Highlands, it rains frequently no matter the season. The weather in neighbouring Ireland can be equally wet, taking the worst of the Atlantic rainfall.

Germany

Germany is a wonderful place to visit all year round. Consider the cozy winter markets leading up to Christmas, or take a summer hike into the famous Black Forest. The temperature varies greatly, however. In the summer, temperatures can go beyond 73°F and below 5°F in the winter. This is the perfect time to visit the spectacular Bavaria region, where, in winter, the many hills and mountains will be blanketed by a surface of snow.

Italy

Italy is famous for its sun and heat. Picture the expansive vineyards of Tuscany, or the sun bleached ruins of Rome. Italy is hot yet, it is worth noting that this isn’t universal. Northern Italy, particularly in its more mountainous areas or the lake region, can be quite cool or even cold. So, if you plan to stay in the northern part of Italy, you might find it a good idea to visit during the summer when the whole country will be wonderfully warm – the perfect weath

France 

Given France’s size and location, the weather and climate varies greatly depending on whether you are in northern or southern France. Northern France has a very similar (if slightly warmer) climate to the UK, however southern France is much warmer and more Mediterranean in character. Marseilles, on the southern coast of France, receives little  annual rainfall whereas Paris sees a great deal more rain, with roughly 637 mm annually (luckily Paris is beautiful in the rain).

Spain 

In the summer, Spain becomes a playground, and millions flock from all over the world to explore its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and fantastic city life. Because of this, if you want to avoid crowds, we recommend visiting in the spring or in autumn. As this is not peak season for visitors, the country will seem less busy, yet will retain the warm temperature that is perfect for relaxing in the sun, or sipping a delicious cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and watching the world go by. 

What to Pack for Europe

As Europe is a diverse and beautiful continent, bringing a camera on your travels is essential. However its diversity means that knowing exactly what to pack can be surprisingly difficult.

Spring – March, April, May

Spring is a wonderful time to be in Europe. As the season progresses, the temperature rises across the continent and flowers begin to bloom. Also, as most visitors choose to come to the continent during the summer, visiting Europe in Spring is a good way to avoid the crowds. In Southern Europe, in countries like Italy and Spain, you will find that the temperature is warm and comfortable, but not overly hot. Because of this, you should pack lightweight clothing, though be prepared to layer up if necessary, especially early in the season.

In Northern and Central Europe, although the weather tends to be generally sunny, you can expect showers and occasional periods of chillness. So brining layers and thicker shirts is a good idea.

Summer – June, July, August

A European summer is glorious. In southern Europe, the sea can be almost bathtub-warm and the sun shines for days. Given this, packing sunscreen is essential, with the strength generally depending on where you are; we recommend factor 50 if you are going to be spending a lot of time outside in Southern Europe. With clothing you should consider focusing on shorts, skirts, short sleeve shirts, sandals, and sunhats, to help keep yourself cool in the heat.

While much of this applies for central and northern Europe too, you can expect this region to be relatively cooler with there being a chance of the occasional summer shower (especially in the United Kingdom).

Fall/Autumn – September, October, November

The key difference between fall and summer in Europe, aside from the decreasing temperature, is the frequency of rainfall. So wherever you are, bringing waterproof layers is important. In the south, this can be a simple waterproof layer or poncho. However, if you are going to be spending time in northern France, Germany, and the UK and Ireland, you should consider packing a full raincoat, especially later in the season when the region can be quite cold.

Winter – December, January, February

European winters are quite cold. This is as much the case down in the south as it is in the north, so wherever you go, you should pack warm and comfortable clothing. Remembering to pack a good fleece or two, sturdy shoes (in some places it can be icy underfoot), a warm hat, scarf, and gloves is essential, especially if you plan to spend some time outside.

Our destination experts are happy to share further insights on the best time to visit Europe. Discover the best of the continent on a private and tailor-made tour with us.