Visiting Europe in August: Our insider tips

Europe is one of our favorite places to spend the last days of summer. A popular time for Europeans themselves to go on holiday, sunny August days always feel more relaxed. To find the best ways to experience Europe in late summer, we asked our team on the ground for some insider tips.

Italy

“Some travelers think Italy closes down in August, but it’s not true. With the exception of a few days, shops and restaurants are open—and cities put on great outdoor events like concerts and theater performances.” – Mattia

“Italy is great in August because cities are not crowded at all. This means no queues at museums, no rush in restaurants, better service everywhere in general. Italian cuisine is also at its best in the summer time! And restaurants are less crowded so meals are even more laid-back than usual. The nights are warm, so it’s nice to sit on a patio with a drink or some gelato.” – Guilia

Our picks for summertime eats in Italy

Pappa al pomodoro: With a name that means “mush of tomato,” this Tuscan soup is a warm-weather favorite that can be served hot or chilled.

Panzanella: Chunks of day-old bread tossed with tomatoes, olive oil and vinegar make for a fresh and filling salad.

Prosciutto e melone: The pairing of salty meat with sweet melon is an unexpectedly delicious treat.

Discover la dolce vita on one of our Italy trips

France

“Most Parisians leave the city in August on holidays abroad. Those who do stay take advantage of the pleasant weather (not too hot!) by going to the park.” – Marta

Favorite places to picnic in Paris

Luxembourg Garden: Do as the locals do and grab a chair—all Parisians know it’s forbidden to sit on the grass.

Parc Monceau: In the 8th arrondissement, this tree-filled gem is home to many small decorative buildings called follies.

The botanical gardens: Explore the labyrinth and greenhouses before you grab a shady spot on the grass.

The Tuileries Garden: Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries is prime real estate for people watching.

Say bonjour to your trip to France

Scandinavia

“It never really gets dark in Scandinavia during summer months—longer days mean more time to explore! It is the best time to visit as August has some of the region’s most pleasant temperatures. Also, local tourism is generally lower in the late summer as it’s the end of vacation time for most locals and school breaks are over.” – Alicja

Featured blog post: 6 Things we love about Scandinavia

Explore all of our tours of Scandinavia

England

“London is a busy city all year round, but August tends to be less crowded since it is when locals typically take vacations. Use this time to visit the many free museums.” – Jorge

Top (free!) museums in London

The British Museum: The expansive collections cover millions of objects, including the Rosetta Stone, the Lewis Chessman and a number of mummies.

The Natural History Museum: Nearly 70 million plant, animal and mineral specimens are housed in the stately Alfred Waterhouse building.

The Tate Modern: Works by Matisse, Pollock, Warhol, Rodin, Rothko and more are the foundation of one of the city’s most beloved cultural institutions.

The Victoria & Albert Museum: One of the world’s best collections of decorative arts like sculpture, ceramics and photography.

Check out our tours of England

The Netherlands

“Amsterdam hosts a lot of cultural festivals in August. The weather is warm, but never hot, so you can spend all day strolling along the canals.” – Lea

Event spotlight: Uitmarkt

Stop by Museumplein and Leidseplien—two of Amsterdam’s most cultural squares—for free musical and dance performances, film showings, and more at Uitmarkt. Wander the side streets to find vendors selling books.

Experience Amsterdam on a trip to the Netherlands

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