Best Time to Visit Europe

The European continent wakes up from its winter slumber and bursts into life during spring. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold, with average temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C, depending on the location.

However, spring can also be uncertain, with some days being sunny and warm and others being rainy and chilly—pack layers of clothing and a waterproof jacket to prepare for any weather conditions.

This is the best season for Europe tour as you can explore the following places:

Paris: The city of love is even more romantic in spring, with the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Notre Dame Cathedral surrounded by flowers. You can stroll along the Seine, visit the museums, and enjoy the cafes and restaurants.

Amsterdam: The capital of the Netherlands is a vibrant and charming city with its canals, bridges, and bicycles. You can visit the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum and admire the tulips and other flowers in the Keukenhof Gardens and the Flower Market.

Rome: This timeless city is a rich repository of history, culture, and art, boasting ancient landmarks, churches, and museums. You can see the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain and taste the delicious Italian cuisine.

Barcelona: The Catalan city combines modern and traditional with its stunning architecture, lively nightlife, and sandy beaches. You can marvel at Gaudi's works, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Batllo, and enjoy tapas and sangria.

Prague: The golden city is a fairy tale come true, with its medieval castles, bridges, and towers. You can explore the Old Town, the Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle and watch the Astronomical Clock show.

Some festivals that make Spring the best time to visit Europe from India:

Carnival of Venice: This festival takes place in Venice every year before Lent. The festival's highlight is the masquerade ball, where people wear elaborate masks and costumes. You can also enjoy the parades, concerts, fireworks, and gondola rides during the carnival. The carnival dates vary yearly but usually start in late January or early February and last about two weeks.

St. Patrick's Day: This is Ireland's national day, celebrated on March 17th. It honours the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to the country. The festival is a huge celebration of Irish culture, music, and heritage. You can join the crowds in Dublin, where the largest parade and festival occur, or in any other Irish city or town. You can also wear green, drink Guinness, and listen to Irish folk music. Don't forget to look for the leprechauns and the four-leaf clovers!

Maslenitsa: This is a traditional Slavic festival that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is also known as Pancake Week because the leading food of the festival is pancakes, or blinis, which symbolise the sun. The festival occurs in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Eastern European countries, usually in late February or early March. You can enjoy the pancakes with various fillings, toppings, and other activities, such as sledging, snowball fights, bonfires, and folk dances. The festival ends with burning a straw effigy of winter, called Maslenitsa, on the last day.

During Summer, the average temperatures vary from 20°C to 30°C, depending on the region. However, some places can get very hot, reaching up to 40°C, especially in Southern Europe.

Still, summer months are considered the best months to visit in Europe if you wish to visit the following places.

London: The capital of the UK is a cosmopolitan and dynamic city with iconic landmarks, museums, and parks. You can see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London, and visit the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern.

Copenhagen: The capital of Denmark is a charming and colourful city with its canals, castles, and bicycles. You can visit the Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid statue, and the Nyhavn Harbour and enjoy the cuisine and design.

Stockholm: The capital of Sweden is a beautiful and modern city with islands, bridges, and palaces. You can visit the Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, and the Vasa Museum and explore the archipelago and the countryside.

Lisbon: The capital of Portugal is a sunny and lively city with its hills, trams, and tiles. You can visit the Belem Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery, and the Alfama district and taste the pastries and the port wine.

Athens: The capital of Greece is a historic and cultural city, with its ancient monuments, temples, and museums. You can see the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the National Archaeological Museum and enjoy the Greek food and music.

Summer festivals you should not miss in Europe:

Glastonbury is one of the world's most famous and largest music festivals. It occurs in Pilton, England, every year in late June or early July. It features diverse musical acts, from rock, pop, and indie to folk, jazz, and electronic. You can also enjoy comedy, theatre, circus, dance performances, art installations, and workshops. When in England for this festival, be prepared for the crowds, the mud, and the camping.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe: This is the world's largest arts festival, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, every year in August. The festival showcases thousands of shows, from theatre, comedy, and music to dance, opera, and cabaret. You can find something for every taste and budget, as the shows range from free to expensive and amateur to professional. The streets are filled with performers, buskers, and vendors during this festival.

San Fermin: This traditional festival honours the patron saint of Pamplona, Spain, every year from July 6th to 14th. It l is famous for the running of the bulls, where people run in front of a group of bulls along a narrow street to the bullring. The festival includes other events, such as parades, fireworks, concerts, and bullfights. The festival is a thrilling and adrenaline-filled experience but also a dangerous one, so be careful if you decide to participate.

Autumn is when the continent changes its colours and prepares for the winter. The weather is cool and crisp, with average temperatures varying from 10°C to 20°C.

This is the cheapest time to visit Europe from India; you can get lower prices and fewer crowds than in summer. You can also witness the beauty of Europe in autumn, with golden leaves, ripe fruits, and a cosy atmosphere.

Some of the best places to see the autumn foliage are the Alps, the Black Forest, and the Scottish Highlands.

Explore the following places during the autumn in Europe:

Munich: The capital of Bavaria is a lively and festive city with beer halls, markets, and museums. You can join the Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, and taste the local brews, food, and music.

Vienna: The capital of Austria is an elegant and refined city with its palaces, gardens, and cafes. You can visit the Schonbrunn Palace, the Belvedere Palace, and the Hofburg Palace and enjoy classical music and opera.

Budapest: The capital of Hungary is a charming and historic city with its bridges, baths, and castles. You can explore the Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Parliament Building and relax in the thermal spas.

Venice: The city of canals is romantic and enchanting, with its gondolas, masks, and art. You can visit St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge and admire the Venice Biennale, the world’s oldest art exhibition.

Madrid: The capital of Spain is a vibrant and modern city with plazas, museums, and nightlife. You can visit the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Plaza Mayor and taste the tapas and the sangria.

Autumn is the best season to visit Europe if you are looking forward to the following festivals.

Oktoberfest is the globe's largest beer celebration, held in Munich, Germany, every year from late September to early October. The festival features dozens of tents where you can sample different types of beer and traditional German food, such as sausages, pretzels, and roast chicken. You can also enjoy live music, parades, rides, and games. The festival draws millions of visitors, so be ready for the crowds, the noise, and the fun.

**Rock Im Park:**This is one of Europe's most popular and largest rock music festivals. It is held in Nuremberg, Germany, every year in early September. The festival features hundreds of bands, from rock, metal, and punk to alternative, indie, and electronic. You can also enjoy the camping, the food, the merchandise, and the atmosphere. The festival lures hundreds of thousands of fans, so be prepared for the mosh pits, the headbanging, and the rock and roll.

Water Jousting: This is a traditional sport that dates back to the Middle Ages, held in various towns and cities along the Mediterranean coast of France every year from July to September. The festival involves two teams of jousters, who stand on platforms at the back of boats and try to knock each other off with long wooden lances. You can watch the jousting matches from the river or canal banks and cheer for your favourite team. You can also enjoy the music, the food, the wine, and the culture.

Winter is a cosy time to visit Europe, as the continent embraces the cold and celebrates the holidays. The weather is chilly and wet, with average temperatures varying from 0°C to 10°C. Some places can get very snowy, reaching below freezing, especially in Northern and Eastern Europe. Pack warm clothing, boots, gloves, and a hat to stay comfortable and safe.

One disadvantage of visiting Europe in winter is limited daylight and accessibility. The daylight hours are brief and gloomy, with the sun going down as early as 4 pm in certain places. Some attractions may be closed or have reduced hours, and some regions may be harder to reach due to road conditions.

However, there are still many of the best places to see in Europe in December.

Vienna: The capital of Austria is an elegant and refined city with its palaces, gardens, and cafes. You can visit the Schonbrunn Palace, the Belvedere Palace, and the Hofburg Palace and enjoy classical music and opera.

Budapest: The capital of Hungary is a charming and historic city with its bridges, baths, and castles. You can explore the Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Parliament Building and relax in the thermal spas.

Venice: The city of canals is romantic and enchanting, with its gondolas, masks, and art. You can visit St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge and admire the Venice Biennale, the world’s oldest art exhibition.

Madrid: The capital of Spain is a vibrant and modern city with plazas, museums, and nightlife. You can visit the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Plaza Mayor and taste the tapas and the sangria.

Now, check out some festivals that make winter the best time to visit European countries.

Amsterdam Light Festival: This stunning festival illuminates the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, every year from late November to mid-January. The festival features dozens of light artworks and installations created by artists worldwide. You can admire the light displays along the canals, bridges, and buildings by boat, bike, or foot. You can also enjoy the city's music, food, and culture.

Dimensions Festival: This cutting-edge festival showcases the best of underground electronic music. It is held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, every year in late December or early January. The festival features hundreds of DJs and live acts, from techno, house, and disco to dubstep, drum and bass, and ambient. You can also enjoy the art, workshops, and parties in various venues, such as clubs, warehouses, and castles.

Up Helly Aa: This is a spectacular festival that celebrates the Viking heritage of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, every year on the last Tuesday of January. The festival involves a torch-lit procession of hundreds of men dressed as Vikings, who carry a replica of a Viking longship to a park, where they set it on fire. The festival includes other events, such as dances, concerts, and feasts.

As you can see, there is no one best time to visit Europe from India. It depends on what you are looking for, your budget, and your availability.

However, before you pack your bag to this continent, make sure you buy travel insurance online. Travel insurance helps you financially if you fall sick while on a trip, lose your baggage and passport, or need to extend your trip because of unavoidable situations.

Many countries in Europe have a mandatory travel medical insurance requirement, so check accordingly before you purchase a plan.

Not only this, go through the travel guidelines of the country you wish to visit. Check if there is an arrival visa for Indian passport in Europe. If not, make sure to check the visa processing time and apply for one well in advance.

Which is the best month to visit Europe?

The best month to visit Europe depends on your preferences and interests, but generally speaking, late spring (May) and early fall (September) are ideal for mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

What are the cheapest times to go to Europe?

The cheapest times to go to Europe are usually the winter months (November to March), except for the holiday season and ski destinations. You can also find good deals during the shoulder season (April and October) when the weather is still pleasant but less busy than in summer.

What time of year is the best weather in Europe?

The best weather in Europe varies by region. Still, northern Europe is generally warm and dry between May and September, while southern Europe is hot and sunny between July and August. Winter in the north of Europe is cold and wet, while the south is mild and suitable for city exploration.

What is the most beautiful season in Europe?

The most beautiful season in Europe is a matter of personal taste. Still, many people would agree that autumn is a stunning time to visit, as the vibrant colours of the foliage transform the landscapes. You can also enjoy seasonal festivals, gastronomy, and traditions across the continent.