Planning a trip to Europe in July? No sweat.
Well, actually, a lot of sweat, depending on where you go. The Midnight Sun in Sweden lets you tan all day while concerts in Belgium will have you rocking so hard, you’ll headbang with hair soaked in sweat.
Whether you want to perspire in Perpignan or swelter in Spain, these are the best places to visit in Europe in July.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Maskot. Image Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Where to go on vacation in Europe in July
From 4th of July celebrations to Midnight Sun tanning, here’s where to go on vacation in Europe in July.
Sweden
Best for solo travel
The Swedish sun doesn’t set for long — or at all — in July. Head into Swedish Lapland in the Arctic Circle to soak up the Midnight Sun (perhaps even watch the Laponia Triathlon in Gällivare). Explore the north as a solo traveler with no worries about having to walk back to your hotel alone in the dark of night.
Read also: Explore the best cities in Sweden by train with a Eurail Pass
The Alps
Best for hiking
Granted, you might not have all the PTO you need to explore the Alps from France to Slovenia, but you should have time to do a little mountain wandering. The Tour du Mont Blanc runs 100 miles through France, Switzerland, and Italy, circumnavigating the Mont Blanc massif, and taking around 10 days to complete. It passes through villages, which means you can choose a leg or section to suit your schedule.
Denmark
Best for 4th of July
That’s no typo and it’s no special Danish holiday: Denmark officially celebrates American Independence Day on the 4th of July. For over a century, the friendship between the two countries has led to an annual celebration of America’s Independence Day in Rebild. Spend a few days exploring Copenhagen then head up to Rebild National Park for a 4th of July celebration like no other.
Belgium
Best for concert goers
Here’s a sleeper pick for a summer travel destination in Europe: Belgium. You’ll visit not for the chocolate, but for some of the best music festivals in Europe. Rock Werchter (that is very appropriately rock-centric) takes place just outside of Brussels. Tomorrowland, taking place over two weekends in Boom, has a great mix of house music and DJ sets.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Maskot. Image Location: Circus Lane, Edinburgh, Scotland
Weather in Europe in July
July isn’t just a peak month for tourists in Europe: it’s also the hottest month of the year in many countries. “Hot” is a relative term, though — the folks in Scotland are celebrating warm weather that would make a typical Sicilian shiver. Depending on how far north or south you spend your summer vacation, you may need extra sunscreen or an extra layer.
- Edinburgh, Scotland: 65°
- Cardiff, Wales: 71°
- Hamburg, Germany: 73°
- Brno, Czechia: 78°
- Ajaccio, France: 83°
- Zadar, Croatia: 85°
- Milan, Italy: 87°
- Valletta, Malta: 88°
- Madrid, Spain: 89°
Where is it hot in Europe in July?
Where does the European mercury rise most in July? These cities will show you temperatures from the mid-80s upward.
Podgorica, Montenegro
If you want to explore a new European capital city and truly don’t care how hot it is, make your way to Montenegro. Podgorica has Roman ruins, a medieval center, and if the concrete gets too hot? Take a day trip to the Bay of Kotor.
Coningsby, UK
In July 2022, Coningsby, Lincolnshire, recorded the highest daily temperature in the UK: 104°. Will this English city be as hot this year? Not as likely, unless another heat wave comes through. Still, with average temperatures at 71°, Coningsby’s averages are one-degree off of Bournemouth — statistically the warmest place to live in England.
Perpignan, France
While everyone runs to the beaches of Spain’s Costa Brava, stop just short of crossing the border with a visit to Perpignan, France. You’ll get hot temps in the 80s, and, much like the cities to the south, Perpignan will charm you with its Catalan heritage. Beaches and waterparks — the former dog-friendly and the latter family-friendly — will help you keep cool.
Trieste, Italy
Looking for a warm Italian getaway but not interested in visiting the overcrowded cities? Trieste is a great option. Right on the Adriatic, it has beaches, a medieval old city, and high temps that reach into the mid-80s.
Image Credit: Getty Images, F.J. Jimenez. Image Location: Madrid, Spain
Best European cities to visit in July
There’s still time to plan your summer getaway. Spend a few days in these great European cities that know how to make the most of July’s temperatures.
Madrid, Spain
Celebrate pride for all the colors of the rainbow at Madrid Pride. Madrid Orgullo’s LGBTQ+ festivities last from the end of June into the early days of July, allowing you to celebrate orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet during your typical red, white, and blue patriotic partying.
Paris, France
After you’ve sobered up from your 4th of July revelry stateside, spend the next week over in the French capital toasting to Bastille Day. Fireworks, parades, and parties fill Paris as the French celebrate the storming of the Bastille fortress. Plus, in 2024 there’s a tiny-little sporting event you might have heard of kicking off in Paris this summer on July 26th. So, get on your marks, get set…go!
Want to work on your tan? We’ll give you a hand. Download the Trainline app and start planning your July trip to Europe today.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrei Troitskiy. Image Location: Budva, Montenegro
