Best Places to Travel in Europe in July
July is peak summer. Peak crowds. Peak prices. Peak heat.
And yet, it's when most Americans have vacation time. I get it. Sometimes you don't get to choose.
I've spent four Julys in Europe. Here's what I learned: you can't avoid the crowds completely, but you CAN choose destinations where July actually makes sense. Places where summer festivals happen. Coastal spots where the heat is manageable. Northern destinations where "summer" means "finally pleasant."
This is the strategic guide to making July in Europe work.
Reality Check: What July Means
The good:
- Longest daylight hours (sunset 9-10 PM in many places)
- All attractions/restaurants open (no off-season closures)
- Beach and water activities at their best
- Festival season across Europe
The bad:
- 25-40% higher prices than shoulder season
- Major attractions are crowded (think Disney World levels)
- Southern Europe is HOT (85-100°F / 29-38°C)
- Europeans are on vacation too (locals flood popular areas)
Flight prices (July 2025, round trip from US):
- NYC to major European cities: $750-1,100
- LA to major European cities: $850-1,300
- Chicago to major European cities: $700-1,050
Book by March for best prices. By May, you're paying premium rates.
Best Places to Travel in Europe in July
1. Iceland
Why July makes sense: This is Iceland's warmest month (seriously). 50-55°F (10-13°C) average, nearly 24 hours of daylight, and roads to remote areas are finally clear.
July in Iceland isn't about escaping crowds (tourism peaks July-August). It's about accessing the country when it's actually comfortable and navigable.
Must-visit locations:
- Reykjavik: Capital, 101 postal code area
- Golden Circle: 3-hour driving loop from Reykjavik (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss)
- South Coast: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, black sand beaches
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Southeast coast, 4.5 hours from Reykjavik
Getting there:
- Flights to Keflavík (KEF): $400-700 from US East Coast
- Keflavík to Reykjavik: FlyBus, ISK 3,999 ($29), 45 min
- Car rental (mandatory for beyond Reykjavik): $65-120/day, book 3+ months ahead
What to do:
- Ring Road drive: 7-10 days, 828 miles, clockwise recommended
- Blue Lagoon: ISK 9,990-14,990 ($73-110), book 2+ months ahead
- Whale watching (Húsavík): ISK 12,900 ($95), 3-hour tours
Budget Breakdown (7 days, Ring Road trip):
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse/Airbnb | $110-165 |
| Car rental + fuel | $100-140 |
| Groceries + 1 restaurant meal | $70-95 |
| Attractions | $20-35 |
| Daily Total | $300-435 |
Iceland is EXPENSIVE. No way around it. Gas is $7-8/gallon, meals are $20-40, beer is $10-12. Budget accordingly.
Pro tip: Shop at Bónus grocery stores (pink pig logo). Cook most meals. Restaurant prices will destroy your budget. A basic burger meal: $22-28.
2. Norway (Fjords & Bergen)
Why July: Peak hiking season, fjord cruises at full operation, and midnight sun in northern regions.
July temps: 60-68°F (15-20°C) in Bergen and fjord areas. Comfortable for outdoor activities without melting.
Base locations:
- Bergen: Gateway to fjords, Bryggen wharf (UNESCO site)
- Flåm: Tiny village, starting point for Nærøyfjord tours
- Geiranger: Geirangerfjord area, 4.5 hours north of Bergen
Transit:
- Oslo to Bergen: Train (scenic route), NOK 699-1,199 ($64-110), 7 hours
- Bergen to Flåm: Bus + ferry Norway in a Nutshell route, NOK 1,515 ($139)
- Car rental: $80-130/day
Activities:
- Nærøyfjord cruise (Flåm): NOK 740 ($68), 2 hours
- Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) hike: Free, 5-mile round trip, 4-5 hours
- Bergen to Flåm railway: NOK 460 ($42), one of Europe's most scenic train rides
Budget Breakdown (6 days: Bergen + Fjords):
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel/budget hotel | $85-130 |
| Meals (groceries + 1 restaurant) | $60-85 |
| Fjord tours | $35-50 |
| Local transit/ferry | $25 |
| Daily Total | $205-290 |
Norway is as expensive as Iceland. Alcohol is insanely priced (beer: $10-14). Buy duty-free at the airport if you drink.
3. Croatia (Dalmatian Islands)
Why July: Prime sailing and beach season, Adriatic is 77°F (25°C), and island festivals are happening.
Yes, it's crowded. But Croatia in July is a beach vacation done right. Unlike Mediterranean package resort destinations, Croatia offers stunning nature and medieval towns alongside the beaches.
Best islands for July:
- Hvar: Party island, beautiful town, lavender fields
- Vis: Quieter, dramatic coastline, Blue Cave tours
- Korčula: Medieval old town, less crowded than Hvar
- Brač: Zlatni Rat beach, windsurfing
Base: Split or Dubrovnik
- Split: Better ferry hub, more authentic, cheaper
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones tourism, pricier, stunning old town
Transit:
- Split to Hvar ferry: 50-80 HRK ($7.35-11.75), 1-2 hours
- Split to Vis: 60-100 HRK ($8.80-14.70), 2.5 hours
- Dubrovnik to Korčula ferry: 110-150 HRK ($16-22), 3 hours
Activities:
- Blue Cave tour (from Vis): 500-650 HRK ($73-96), half-day
- Kayaking Split islands: 250 HRK ($37), 4 hours
- Scuba diving: 350-500 HRK ($51-73), beginner dives
Budget Breakdown (7 days, island hopping):
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Apartments (island guesthouses) | $70-110 |
| Meals (seafood konobas) | $35-55 |
| Ferries + water taxis | $12-20 |
| Beach activities | $15-25 |
| Daily Total | $132-210 |
Pro tip: Book island accommodations by January-February. July sellouts are real. Last-minute bookings pay 40%+ premiums or settle for bad locations.
4. Scottish Highlands & Islands
Why July: Driest month (relatively—it still rains), warmest temps (61-66°F / 16-19°C), and midges aren't as bad as August.
Scotland in July is green, dramatic, and way more comfortable than trying to do this in October rain.
Key locations:
- Isle of Skye: 5-6 hours drive from Edinburgh, iconic landscapes
- Fort William: Ben Nevis (UK's highest peak) base town
- Orkney Islands: Northern Scotland, Viking history, stunning cliffs
Transit:
- Edinburgh to Fort William: Train, £45-75 ($59-98), 4 hours
- Inverness to Isle of Skye: Drive, 2.5 hours (car required)
- Car rental: £50-80/day ($66-105)
What to do:
- Hike Quiraing (Skye): Free, 4-6 miles, dramatic ridge walk
- Fairy Pools (Skye): Free, short hike to blue pools (cold swimming)
- Ben Nevis summit: Free, 10.5 miles round trip, 7-9 hours, challenging
Budget Breakdown (7 days: Highlands + Skye):
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| B&B accommodation | $85-120 |
| Pub meals + B&B breakfast | $45-65 |
| Car rental + fuel | $75-105 |
| Whisky distillery tours | $20-30 |
| Daily Total | $225-320 |
Festivals: Edinburgh Fringe Festival starts late July (runs through August). If you're into theater/comedy, book Edinburgh for festival overlap.
5. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Why July: Beach season, boat tours at peak operation, lemons everywhere (serious plus).
The heat is real (82-88°F / 28-31°C), and the crowds are Italian-summer-vacation intense. But it's beautiful. Coastal cliffs, azure water, towns clinging to hillsides.
Best towns:
- Positano: Iconic, expensive, Instagram-bait
- Amalfi: Central hub, less pricey than Positano
- Ravello: Hilltop, quieter, stunning gardens
- Praiano: Fewer tourists, authentic feel
Base recommendation: Amalfi town (balance of price, location, accessibility)
Getting there:
- Naples Airport to Amalfi: SITA bus via Sorrento, €10 ($11), 3 hours total
- Private transfer: €100-140 ($109-153), 1.5 hours
- Ferry from Sorrento (summer only): €20 ($22), 1 hour
Transit within coast:
- SITA bus between towns: €2-4 ($2.20-4.40) per ride
- Ferry between coastal towns: €8-18 ($8.75-19.70)
- Water taxi: €100-200+ ($109-218), fast but expensive
Activities:
- Path of the Gods hike: Free, 5 miles, stunning coastal views
- Boat tour (full day): €60-90 ($66-98), visits Positano, Emerald Grotto, etc.
- Ravello gardens: €10 ($11) combined ticket for Villa Cimbrone + Villa Rufolo
Budget Breakdown (5 days):
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Hotel/Airbnb | $120-180 |
| Meals (pasta, seafood, limoncello) | $50-75 |
| Local buses/ferries | $15-25 |
| Boat tour | $15 (averaged) |
| Daily Total | $200-295 |
Amalfi is premium pricing. Expect resort-level costs. This isn't budget Italy.
Pro tip: Eat lunch instead of dinner at fancy restaurants. Same menu, 30-40% cheaper. Dinner views are overrated when you can have lunch with a view and save €40.
Places to AVOID in July
Barcelona: 85-90°F (29-32°C), absurdly crowded, locals literally protest overtourism.
Paris: Hot (80-88°F / 27-31°C), many locals gone, still packed with tourists.
Rome: 88-95°F (31-35°C), no AC in many historic buildings, Colosseum is a sauna.
Prague: Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, beer garden lines, inflated prices.
Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos): Overrun, expensive, loses charm under tourist crush.
Save these for May, September, or October. They're better in shoulder season.
July-Specific Packing
July Europe = heat + occasional rain + air conditioning gaps.
What to pack:
- Light, breathable clothes (linen, cotton)
- One light jacket (Scotland, Iceland, Norwegian evenings)
- Swimsuit (even for non-beach destinations—lakes, rivers, hotel pools)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (European sun is strong)
- Reusable water bottle (tap water is safe across Europe)
- Portable fan (Southern Europe hotels often lack AC)
Shoes: Comfortable walking sandals (you'll walk 15,000-20,000 steps daily) + closed-toe for hiking.
Budget Summary
Cheapest July destination: Croatia
7 days: $924-1,470 total
Mid-range: Amalfi Coast
5 days: $1,000-1,475 total
Most expensive: Iceland
7 days: $2,100-3,045 total
These exclude flights. Add $500-900 from East Coast US, $700-1,200 from West Coast.
Festival Highlights (July)
If you're in Europe for July, catch these:
- Sanfermines (Running of the Bulls) — Pamplona, Spain, July 6-14
- Exit Festival — Novi Sad, Serbia, mid-July (electronic music)
- Montreux Jazz Festival — Montreux, Switzerland, early-mid July
- Avignon Festival — Avignon, France, all July (theater)
- Boryeong Mud Festival — Wait, that's Korea. Ignore that.
FAQ
Q: Best places to travel in Europe in July for families?
A: Croatia (beaches + history), Scotland (outdoor activities), Iceland (adventure + safety). Avoid intense heat destinations if traveling with young kids.
Q: Is July too hot for Europe?
A: Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece): yes, often 85-95°F. Northern Europe (UK, Ireland, Scandinavia): perfect, 60-70°F. Choose latitude accordingly.
Q: Can you find cheap travel in Europe in July?
A: Tough. Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria) remains cheaper, but July is peak everywhere. Budget €80-120/day minimum in most destinations.
Q: Best places to travel in Europe in July to avoid crowds?
A: Northern destinations (Norway, Iceland, Scotland) have tourists but WAY fewer than Barcelona/Paris/Rome. Romania, Bulgaria, and Baltic states are underrated and less crowded.
Q: Do I need to book hotels months in advance for July?
A: Yes. Book by March-April for popular areas (Croatian islands, Amalfi Coast, Iceland). By June, you're paying inflated last-minute rates or getting bad locations.
Final Take
July in Europe requires strategy. Go where summer makes sense: cold-climate destinations finally warming up, coastal areas in full swing, or mountain regions perfect for hiking.
Skip the obvious cities. They're miserable in July heat and crowds.
Accept that you'll pay more and see more tourists. That's the July tax. But with smart planning, you can still have an amazing trip.
Last updated: February 2026. Prices verified within 30 days of publication.