We get it, European summers are truly unrivaled.
There’s nothing quite like taking a bite at a creamy pistachio gelato as you wander the cobbled streets of an ancient Italian city with origins lost to time or lounging all day by a pebbly beach licked the turquoise waters of the Adriatic in Croatia, but have you noticed that record-breaking heat lately?
Temperatures in the Old Continent soar to new highs with each passing year, so much so that some tourists are actively avoiding it altogether in summer, and opting for the colder months instead, when you can be outside without risking a sunstroke.
Plus, not all European destinations are best experienced in summer:
If you’re crossing the pond for some sightseeing and culture, you don’t want to be exploring maze-like Old Town where there is barely a wind current in the middle of June, and this applies to 4 beautiful cities that are actually even greater in the quiet season:
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is the most stately of European capitals to line the Danube river, with a monumental red-domed Parliament reflecting on the historic river’s fast-flowing waters, and a plethora of architectural marvels to call its own.
As fun as Budapest is in summer, believe it or not, the city’s numerous belfries, Habsburg-era facades, and ornate bridges are in fact at their most beautiful when snow-dusted, only dimly lit by the romantic lampposts that line the wide, tramway-traversed boulevards.
Winters in Budapest are perfect for ice-skating in the City Park Ice Rink––imagine gliding on ice with a fairytale Vaydahunyad Castle for views and from only $5.52!––and exploring the city’s vast offer of spas and thermal springs.
Be it the outdoor pools of Széchenyi or the covered, palatial bathhouse that is Gellért, swimming in naturally-heated waters when it’s over 100 degrees out it’s no fun, but on a crispy winter morning, when plunging right in feels like a warm embrace, aaaah… that’s heaven right there.
Prague, Czechia
Over in Czechia, Prague is yet another one of those European gems that make for a great sightseeing destination regardless of season, but if we’re talking a magical escapade into a medieval dreamland, there’s just no beating winter:
Picture a partially-frozen Vltava, a hundred spires blanketed by snow, an imposing Prague Castle––the largest castle complex in the world, at that––enveloped in thick mist, and atmospheric cobbled streets flanked by Baroque churches.
Don’t get us started on those cozy Christmas markets: they may not be world-famous like the German, but nowhere else will you find Nutella-filled Trdelník (their delicious chimney cake), or spiced mulled wine as delicious as in a festive, Prager messhall.
Oh, and by the way, Decembers in Prague mean far less crowding––try walking the extent of Charles Bridge in August without bumping against strangers––and more affordable hotels, starting from a surprisingly-cheap $43 on Expedia.
Rome, Italy
Then there’s the Eternal City, the ancient capital of the world and the birthplace of Western culture, except more recently, it’s become a magnet for tour groups and Instagrammers who will pool around landmarks as early as 5 am to try for the ‘perfect’ shot.
No, thank you: between the seasonal nuisances and the scorching heat, we’re opting to visit Rome in winter instead, when there are fewer obnoxious tourists out and about, and the lines to enter historical attractions are effectively halved.
There is no greater sightseeing destination than Rome, and come to think of it, you don’t necessarily need warm temperatures to enjoy it to the fullest when it comes to art galleries and archeological sites like the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums.
In all fairness, it’s the hot temps that make Rome deeply unpleasant to the odd, heat-intolerant person––the monuments won’t look any less magnificent, that pizza al taglio won’t taste any less fresh, and the bar-packed Trastevere won’t cease being a fun night out simply because it’s 60°F.
Lisbon, Portugal
If you’ve ever been to Lisbon in summer, and your mashed feet are yet to recover from the 8,000 steps you took, mostly uphill, as you rushed to tick every major point of interest off your list in an unforgiving heat, you’ll know why it’s made it to this list.
Listen, winters in Portugal are pretty mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 50°F during daytime up and down the country, so you see how there’s just no need to suffer through an intense sweat session when you should be, hem, having a relaxing vacay?
Be it strolling the colorful Alfama, exploring the hidden corners of the Moorish fortress atop Lisbon’s highest hill, or just munching on pastéis de nata as you people-watch down by Praça do Comércio, you definitely don’t need the sun to shine its brightest to fall in love with the Portuguese capital.
Oh, have we mentioned Lisbon is also far cheaper to visit in the low season, when the cruising crowds are gone, and local accommodation rates drop significantly? If you’re booking a hotel in the city center, expect to pay from $83 on Expedia.
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