The Best Summer Holidays in Europe
Brush off your passport and discover somewhere new with these hot ideas for summer travel this year.
Summer Holidays in Europe: Recommended holiday rentals
Summer Holidays in Europe: find your perfect rental from just £36 per night!
The Top 10 Destinations for a Summer Holiday in Europe
Ready to book your next break? These are some of the best summer holidays in Europe, whether you are looking for something active or relaxed, with family, your partner, or even solo. Read on for inspiration!
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High Tatras, Slovakia
Looking for the wild outdoors and stunning scenery? You'll have it in spades here. The landscape is rugged, the wildlife is plentiful, and it's a real hotspot for hiking, climbing, and even bear spotting.
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The Shetland Islands
Just want to get away from it all? Take a ferry from Aberdeen, and you'll be rewarded by beauty and solitude. The walking trails are wild, the bird-watching is magnificent, and the island also boasts thriving music, arts, and foodie scenes.
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Majorca
Just a short flight away from the UK, this Balaeric island is ideal for families and couples looking for peace. There are lovely villas, plenty of fine restaurants, activities, and entertainments aplenty. Catch your fill of culture and colour at the capital of Palma.
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Italian Lakes
Whether Como or Garda calls you, this spot is ideal for couples who want to relax. Enjoy the finest Italian food, wander around the lakes, enjoy some boating, or head up to the mountains for fresh air and incredible views. Remember to book your accommodation well in advance though.
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Madrid, Spain
Holidaying solo? Why not try this trendy city, which is safe and friendly for individual travellers. Book a cosy BnB where the hosts can point out local hotspots, head to Calle de Ponzano for standing-only tapas, and revel in art and culture.
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Reykjavic, Iceland
For travellers looking for something different, Reykjavic is a perfect place to find inspiration in the ethereal landscape. You can relax at the Blue Lagoon or the wonderful restaurants and hotels. Take a coach journey to see local geysers, waterfalls, and other local geological wonders. Remember to look out for the Northern Lights.
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Lyon, France
In Lyon, you can look forward to proud gastronomic, cultural, and entertainment scenes, a beautiful city vista, and a sustainable approach to eco-travel.
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Istria, Croatia
This glorious peninsula is on the cusp of becoming a global hotspot - so see it before everyone else does! Look for Roman amphitheatres, enjoy gourmet food, relax on tree-lined beaches, dance at live music festivals, and enjoy truffle hunting in autumn.
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This is a fun spot for a young crowd and the city really buzzes in summer with live music, outdoor dining, great parks, and a cosmopolitan, trendy crowd.
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Cappadocia, Turkey
If you've never taken a hot-air balloon over the magical rocky landscape of Cappadocia's caves, or explored the underground city of Kaymakli, then add it to your bucket list now!
Best Places to Stay for Summer Holidays in Europe
Summer Holidays in Europe: frequently asked questions
Summer Holidays in Europe: what's the average price for the accommodation?
Holiday rentals in Europe are between £183 and £208 per night.
Where I can find holiday lettings for Summer Holidays in Europe that's suitable for a family or large group?
When plannin a trip for a big family it's useful to know that average Apartment rental in Europe can accommodate 4 guests and costs around £168 per night.
What types of holiday homes are available for Summer Holidays in Europe?
There's plenty of variety available when it comes to holiday homes for Summer Holidays in Europe, with 1,057,690 Apartment rental and 480,011 House rentals on offer.
© Getty Images / HomeToGo
Want to know how to travel "like a local" when heading abroad? HomeToGo has released a list of European destinations in which holidaymakers from the UK can find truly authentic experiences in 2024.
Comparing search data from hometogo.co.uk, hometogo.es, hometogo.it, and hometogo.fr, HomeToGo has identified 15 “local secret spots” across Spain, Italy, and France. These destinations are in-demand with the residents of each country, appearing high up in lists of the 100 most-searched locations amongst domestic travellers. However, the statistics show that these beloved-by-locals sites have not yet been discovered by (the majority of) Brits. Looking at exclusively UK traveller searches for each country, none broke into the top 500 most in-demand places to stay.
Destinations range from sun-kissed islands to majestic medieval cities, from France's eastern border to the southern tip of Spain. Find the full list of "local secret spots" below:
|
Destination
|
Search rank with locals (domestic travellers)¹
|
Search rank with UK holidaymakers²
|
|---|---|---|
| Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain | 14th | 705th |
| Huesca, Aragon, Spain | 16th | 1,201st |
| Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain | 20th | 598th |
| Ávila, Castile and León, Spain | 21st | 1,013th |
| Conil de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain | 27th | 514th |
| Strasbourg, Grand Est, France | 30th | 585th |
| Marina di Camerota, Campania, Italy | 33rd | 1,112th |
| Gaeta, Lazio, Italy | 37th | 707th |
| Vieste, Apulia, Italy | 39th | 764th |
| Llanes, Asturias, Spain | 43rd | 517th |
| Palinuro, Campania, Italy | 44th | 775th |
| Segovia, Castile and León, Spain | 47th | 1,601st |
| Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain | 50th | 858th |
| Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, Italy | 53rd | 2,055th |
| Noirmoutier, Pays de la Loire, France | 63rd | 511th |
Mapped - the "local secret spots" of Spain, Italy, and France:
More about one of Spain’s local secrets:
Ribadesella ranks as the 14th most popular destination in Spain amongst Spanish holidaymakers, but it lands in 705th position with Brits visiting the country. Situated in the northwestern region of Asturias, this vibrant town is known for its stunning beaches, striking architecture, and the prehistoric art of the Tito Bustillo Cave.
An Italian hidden gem, in focus:
While Marina di Camerota lists as Italy’s 33rd most-searched location amongst Italians, it ranks in 1,112th place with visitors from the UK. Perched on the Cilento coast, Marina di Camerota is celebrated for its award-winning beaches. A stroll through its quaint, narrow old town lanes leads to a picturesque harbour.
Exploring an under-the-radar French island:
Amongst French holidaymakers, Noirmoutier is the 63rd most-searched destination in France. In contrast, it stands at 511th when looking at searches from British tourists. The tidal island in Vendée is known for the Passage du Gois, the stunning beaches and cliffs of Bois de la Chaise, and pretty villages such as Le Vieil.
Find the perfect "local secret spot" for your preferred type of trip:
For beach breaks:
🇪🇸 Conil de la Frontera
🇪🇸 Llanes
🇮🇹 Vieste
🇮🇹 Palinuro
🇮🇹 Isola del Giglio
For inland adventures:
🇪🇸 Toledo
🇪🇸 Segovia
🇪🇸 Ávila
🇪🇸 Huesca
🇫🇷 Strasbourg
For seaside city stays:
🇪🇸 Cádiz
🇮🇹 Gaeta
How HomeToGo produced this report:
¹ Search ranks with locals are based on domestic travellers searching for holidays via hometogo.es (Spain), hometogo.it (Italy), and hometogo.fr (France). Rankings were assigned individually per market. Observed searches took place between 20th July 2023 - 20th December 2023, with a check-in date between 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024.
² Search ranks with UK holidaymakers are based on UK-based travellers searching for holidays in Spain, Italy, and France via hometogo.co.uk. Rankings were assigned individually per destination country. Observed searches took place between 20th July 2023 - 20th December 2023, with a check-in date between 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024.
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