Summer in Europe means endless days, al fresco dining, and scorching sunshine. In my opinion, there’s no better time of year to explore the continent than in June! 

But as beautiful as it is, Europe’s inevitably busy and bustling all through June, especially when the schools are all on summer vacation. The Greek Islands will be packed, accommodation is surely overpriced in Paris, and won’t the queues in Venice be outrageous? 

Keep it quiet, but many of Europe’s best destinations are still quiet in June. Head off the beaten track, and you’ll fall back in love with European summers. Swap Mykonos for Athens, Rome for Riga, and Iceland for Greenland, and you’re guaranteed to have an incredible experience. And if you do want to lose yourself in the crowds, then there’s always Ibiza!

With so many great places to visit in Europe in June, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we compiled our list of the best cities to explore for you. Travel to these fun and exciting bucket list destinations, and there’s no doubt you’re going to have an amazing time visiting Europe in June!

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The 15 Best Places in Europe to Visit in June 

1. Athens, Greece

The Greek Islands are swarming with tourists during the scorching hot summer months, but travel to mainland Greece, and you’ll find that things are always a little quieter. In fact, we think that June is one of the best times of the year to explore Athens, the Greek capital. At this time of year, the days are long and the sun is shining!

Book yourself a boutique Athenian hotel with a swimming pool, though, because we won’t lie, it’s going to be hot. Temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius, so you’ll want somewhere to cool off and chill out during the heat of the day. Get up early, and you can spend your morning exploring the ancient ruins that Athens is so famous for, and you’ll beat the tour groups that get here later in the day.

Start with the Acropolis, the most iconic of Ancient Greek monuments that’s built atop a craggy, rocky outcrop above the city. The Acropolis dates back thousands of years to the earliest days of Athenian history, and you’ll find many historic landmarks here waiting to be explored, including the Parthenon Temple. 

There are more ancient ruins throughout Athens, including the Agora, the Roman Forum, and amphitheaters. If you’d like to find out more about the history (or if it’s getting a little too hot outside), then why not pay a visit to the National Archeological Museum?

2. Nuuk, Greenland

Greenland is the distant landmass in the far northern reaches of the Atlantic Ocean that, for most of the year, is almost entirely covered in ice. Even in the short-lived summer season, almost 80 percent of this unique island is covered in a permanent ice sheet, which begs the question of why it was ever given the name “Greenland”?

This is a land of extremes, and while the winters are long, cold, and dark, the brief summers are glorious. Greenland comes alive in the summer when the sun never sets, and we know you’re going to love exploring this distant but beautiful part of Europe that sees few visitors even in its peak season. 

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Europe in June to escape the crowds, it’s well worth considering a trip to Greenland! Greenland is only just emerging as a travel destination, and while the island (which is nominally part of Denmark, although it’s many miles away) has everything that neighboring Scandinavian countries like Iceland and Norway have to offer, there are going to be none of the crowds. 

Greenland has icebergs and glaciers (even in summer), whale watching and dog sledding (even in summer), and a unique mixture of Inuit and European culture that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe! Base yourself in Nuuk, Greenland’s charming capital city, and you’ll easily be able to tick off all of Greenland’s best attractions.

3. Ibiza, Spain

You won’t want to visit Ibiza if you’re hoping to escape the summer crowds, but if you’re looking to experience the ultimate European party destination, then this is the place for you!

In June, Ibiza is enjoying its intense party season. The beaches are packed, the bars are overflowing with tourists, and the best DJs in the world are playing in the best clubs in Ibiza. You’ll need to book tickets early to get into famous Superclubs like Amnesia or Hï Ibiza, but if Ibiza is on your bucket list, then June is the time to visit.

It’s not just party season in Ibiza, but summer season, and when you’re not sweating it out in the clubs, you’ll find tons of cool things to do in Ibiza. This Balearic island is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. You can cool off with a snorkeling trip to hidden coves along the coastline or just sit back on a sun lounger with a cold cerveza.

And if partying isn’t your thing, then why not head to the north of the island? While holidaymakers tend to stick to the south side of Ibiza, the north is home to quiet beaches, hiking trails, luxurious boutique hotels, and delectable restaurants that are guaranteed to entice you in with their fresh produce and local dishes.

4. The Douro Valley, Portugal

Portugal is best experienced in the summer sunshine, but rather than heading to the stuffy and busy cities, why not travel into the countryside? If you’re visiting Europe in June, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to the beautiful Douro Valley.

Start your Portuguese escapade in Porto, the country’s second-largest city and a city known for its wine. Explore the medieval riverside district, browse for books at the Livraria Lello (the most beautiful bookshop in the world!), and marvel at the magnificent Porto Cathedral. 

Porto is located along the banks of the Douro River, and from the city, you can venture out into the Douro Valley in search of peace and quiet, spectacular scenery, and excellent wines. Take your pick of transport because you can travel by boat, train, car, or bicycle into the valley, tasting the best Porto wines by day and spending the night in rural idylls. 

5. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a beautiful city to visit no matter what the season, but it’s one of the best places to visit in Europe in June. With 14 hours of daylight a day, and temperatures reaching averages of 26 degrees Celsius, there’s no better time to explore the Hungarian capital!

If it’s your first time in Budapest, then you’ll want to hit up the iconic sights first. Take the funicular to the top of Buda Hill to visit Fisherman’s Bastion and the royal castles and palaces, then take the yellow trams to the Hungarian Parliament Building, St Stephen’s Basilica, and Andrassy Avenue on the other side of the Danube River.

When you’ve worked up a sweat, you’ll love how you can embrace the city’s famous bathing culture to cool down and relax. Visit Budapest’s outdoor bathhouses for the chance to soak up the sun and cool down, with our pick being the enormous Szechenyi Baths next to Heroes’ Square. 

June is festival season in Budapest, too, with the Margaret Island Festival running all through the summer. The city’s Ruin Bars are packed with travelers, tourists, backpackers, and locals, while open-air cultural events and impromptu concerts await you in every square!

6. Tuscany, Italy

Ancient ruins, hilltops villas, gorgeous wineries, and endless sunny days – what’s not to love about Tuscany in June? This is the best time to experience the delightful Tuscan countryside and the region’s gloriously historic cities, which is why Tuscany is one of our top European picks in summer!

Tuscany is the land of Dante and da Vinci, and you can uncover the roots of the Italian Renaissance with a trip to Florence, where museums, cathedrals, culture, and history await you. In Siena, you can visit duomos and piazzas, where you can wander through medieval streets and lose yourself in the majesty of Tuscan architecture. 

But the real delights of Tuscany await you in the countryside, especially in the summertime. Wine lovers will want to embrace the vineyards and villas of Chianti, while adventurous travelers might want to hire a Vespa and cruise their way through the Tuscan lanes in style. 

And let’s not forget the Tuscan coast, where you can cool off in the Tyrrhenian Sea, take a ferry to the enchanting Tuscan island of Elba, or enjoy the resorts and beaches of Viareggio and San Vincenzo. Failing all that, it’s always a guilty pleasure being a tourist for the day in Pisa, where a somewhat famous leaning tower awaits you!

7. Nice, France

France’s Mediterranean coastline is gloriously hot and wonderfully sunny in June, and one of the best places to visit is Nice (and before you ask, yes, it is “nice” this time of year in Nice!).

Nice is on the French Riviera, but the city itself is often overlooked by tourists in favor of smaller towns and cities like Cannes and St Tropez. Sure, make a day trip to these places, but we recommend embracing local life in Nice rather than following the beaten track!

Nice has a history dating back to ancient times when it was founded by seafaring Greeks, and you’ll find that there are plenty of incredible things to do in Nice in the summer months. 

You’ll love the marvelous 19th-century architecture, the restaurants, the cafe culture, and long days spent lounging on the pebble beaches. If you’re looking for the best place to soak up the sunny weather in Europe in June, Nice might just be the perfect choice!

8. Zurich, Switzerland

There’s one important reason to visit Zurich, Switzerland, in June because summer in Zurich is reserved for wild swimming!

The Swiss city is built on the northern shores of Lake Zurich, and in summer, the alpine water reaches temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius. The water is some of the purest in Europe, too, and you’ll love a long swim after a day of sightseeing in the city. 

You can hire a boat and explore the lake if you’re feeling adventurous, or hire a bicycle and cycle your way along the shorefront. There’s so much to do in the city itself in June, and you can escape the heat with a visit to the Swiss National Museum or the Museum of Art or embrace the sunshine with a walking tour of the colorful Old Town.

9. Julian Alps, Slovenia

Located in the northwestern corner of tiny Slovenia, you can find one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, the mighty mountains of the Julian Alps. And the best time to visit this impressive, little-known range is in June!

Small Slovenia packs a serious punch when it comes to scenery. Mountaineers, hikers, and general lovers of all things outdoorsy will have a wild time exploring the snowcapped peaks of the Julian Alps. The highest peak is Mount Triglav, which rises to a dizzying height of 2,863 meters, while many lesser peaks also reach well over 2,000 meters. 

In summer, the Julian Alps are the perfect place to escape the crowds. But first, fly into Ljubljana, the laid-back, car-free Slovenian capital, then make your way north to the picturesque shores of Lake Bled. At an altitude of 475 meters, Lake Bled, with its iconic island monastery, is where the Julian Alps really begin to rise. 

From Lake Bled, travel to Bohinj, where another glorious alpine lake is found. Nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps, Bohinj makes a beautiful base from which to explore the mountains. From here, hundreds of miles of marked and unmarked trails lead deep and high into the Julian Alps, where soaring peaks and dramatic gorges await you. 

If you’re not short on time, then why not tackle the 270-kilometer-long Juliana Trail, a multi-day hiking route which takes you to the most dramatic spots in the mountain range? With so many things to do, it’s no surprise the Julian Alps is one of the best places to visit in Europe in June!

10. Scottish Highlands and Islands 

Scotland might be known for its drizzly weather and gray clouds, but travel to the Scottish Highlands and Islands in June, and you’ll see none of the northern nation’s cliché weather!

June is the best time of the year to explore Scotland’s rugged, isolated, and sparse countryside. Whether you love hiking and cycling or prefer to stay in luxury castles or glamping tents, there’s something for everyone to fall in love with here.

If it’s your first time in Scotland, then after seeing the sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we recommend traveling north to Fort William. This is Scotland’s adventure capital, and from here, you can hike to the summit of Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain) before losing yourself in the dramatic scenery of Glencoe. 

From Fort William, you can take the scenic Jacobite Steam Train west to Mallaig, crossing the photogenic Glenfinnan Viaduct (which you might recognize from the Harry Potter movies) on the way. Mallaig is the gateway to the rugged scenery and distilleries of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, as well as the fairytale glens and mountains of the Isle of Skye. You may find it difficult to return to the mainland after a taste of these islands. 

If you can drag yourself back, though, why not road trip north and complete the North Coast 500 all the way up to Inverness and John o’Groats? And from there, you could even catch a ferry or flight to the Orkneys, then onto the Shetland Islands.

11. The Albanian Riviera

If you love traveling off the beaten track, then why not spend your vacation exploring the Albanian Riviera? This beautiful stretch of sunny coastline overlooks the Ionian Sea, but unlike the Italian beaches opposite or the Greek beaches to the south, the Albanian Riviera sees few foreign tourists. If you’re wondering where to go in Europe in June, this underrated destination is well worth looking into!

The Albanian Riviera is best described as a hidden gem, although you’ll find the beach clubs, bars, and resorts are still packed when the sun’s out. Rather than sharing your loungers with British and German tourists, though, you’ll be with Balkan tourists. 

The Albanian Riviera is guaranteed to stun you to the core, too, with sandy beaches and turquoise waters that rival anywhere else in the Mediterranean. Not only are the prices low, but when you’re bored of sunbathing, you can visit ancient Roman ruins, old Ottoman mosques, and under-the-radar vineyards cultivating Albania’s best vintages. 

This gloriously untrodden riviera officially begins in Vlore in southwestern Albania, then runs south to the city of Sarande. While you’re in Albania, you can also take in the sights of Tirana, the capital, visit the lakeside city of Skhoder in the north, or head into the wild mountains in search of dramatic sights like those you’ll find in Valbona National Park.  

12. Copenhagen, Denmark

With an average of 17 hours of daylight and temperatures reaching upwards of 20 degrees Celsius, Copenhagen is one of the best European cities to travel to in June!

The Danish capital is often overlooked as a vacation destination in summer, with tourists preferring classic summer getaways in France or Spain to northern Europe. But trust us when we say they’re the ones who will be missing out because summer in Copenhagen is a blissful affair. 

First of all, it’s not too hot. Sure, the sun is out, but you won’t be desperately seeking shelter and shade as you explore the city. You’ll be comfortable enough to wander around Copenhagen’s royal palaces and gardens on foot, and you’ll absolutely adore cycling around the canals and old harbor while the sun is shining.

You’ll love how the quirky cafes of Nyhavn spill out onto the cobbled boulevards, and you’ll enjoy that cold alfresco ice coffee even more as you watch the city walk and cycle past. And if it does get too hot? Well, you can always cool off like the locals do – by jumping into Copenhagen’s harbor baths (yes, the harbor is clean enough for a swim!).

There are swimming spots all over the city, with one of the best being the Islands Brygge Harbour Baths. You’re never too far from the beach when you’re staying in Copenhagen, either. Just north of the city, you’ll find Bellevue Beach, while to the south, our top pick is Amager Strandpark.

13. Riga, Latvia

The Baltic states have transformed themselves into one of Europe’s trendiest destinations, and Riga, the cool capital of Latvia, should be at the top of your summer bucket list.

Sprawling across the banks of the River Daugava, Riga is home to a charming Old Town, one of Europe’s largest indoor markets, and fascinating Soviet relics like the KGB Museum. Summer is the perfect time to wander the city on foot, and if you need a break from the lively streets, then the beach is just a short bus ride away.

In fact, one of the best reasons to visit Riga in June is for its beaches. Head to the resort town of Jurmala, and you can stay in beachfront hotels and resorts overlooking the Baltic Sea. Prices are low, temperatures are high, and there are none of the crowds that you’ll find in southern Europe. 

If you’re planning to travel to Europe in June and want to veer off the beaten path a bit, Riga is always a good idea!

14. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

The blustery Atlantic coastline of Ireland is tamed for only the briefest periods of time in summer, and if this epic road trip destination is on your bucket list, then June is the time to do it. 

The Wild Atlantic Way is the appropriate name given to the 2,575-kilometer-long road trip route that takes in the entirety of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline. Even in summer, the force of the Atlantic Ocean, the sheer power of the waves, and the unpredictability of the weather will leave you in awe, while the charm of the local villages, towns, and cities, and the beauty of the Irish landscapes will leave you always wanting more. 

You can start or end your journey in the north or the south. In the north, the Wild Atlantic Way begins on the rugged Inishowen Peninsula, where at Malin Head, you’ll be standing at the most northerly point in Ireland. Your journey continues south, where you’ll pass the 600-meter tall Slieve League Sea Cliffs, the dramatic coastline of Donegal Bay, and the glorious countryside of Connemara. 

You can take a ferry to the Aran Islands, soak up the culture, food, and music in Galway, stand atop the Cliffs of Moher, or learn to surf at Inch Beach on the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. The Wild Atlantic Way ends in Kinsale, in County Cork, after a rollercoaster ride past the best sights in western Ireland

15. Lake Constance

If you’re wondering where you can enjoy the weather in Europe in June, Lake Constance is a tempting turquoise gem when Europe is in the midst of one of its summer heatwaves. This large body of fresh water is fed by the crystal clear run-off from the Alpine Rhine, and in June, it’s one of the most beautiful destinations in central Europe. 

Lake Constance is located in three different countries. The lake stretches into Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, which means you can tick off three European nations in one trip. There’s even a 257-kilometer-long cycling route that traverses the entire circumference of the lake. 

The main hub on the lake is the city of Konstanz in Germany, where you’ll find Romanesque architecture lining the waterfront. Just over the border from Konstanz is the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen, while in Austria, you can visit the lakeside city of Bregenz. 

Lake Constance is the perfect place for watersports, swimming, and outdoor activities, especially when the sun is shining down on the lake in June!

There you have it! The 15 best places to visit in Europe in June. What’s your favorite European destination to travel to in June?

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