Best time for European shoulder season
Europe in July and August means crowds, peak prices, and Mediterranean heat. April through May and September through October offer near-perfect weather, far fewer tourists, and lower prices. Here are European cities at their best in those windows.
24 destinations for you
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Paris
22°C / 72°F · 9 rain days
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Barcelona
22°C / 72°F · 5 rain days
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Madrid
22°C / 72°F · 10 rain days
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Lisbon
22°C / 72°F · 6 rain days
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Istanbul
22°C / 72°F · 6 rain days
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Budapest
22°C / 72°F · 10 rain days
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Venice
22°C / 72°F · 8 rain days
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Milan
22°C / 72°F · 9 rain days
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Santorini
22°C / 72°F · 1 rain days
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Mykonos
22°C / 72°F · 1 rain days
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Marseille
22°C / 72°F · 5 rain days
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Dubrovnik
22°C / 72°F · 6 rain days
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Strasbourg
22°C / 71°F · 9 rain days
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Bologna
22°C / 72°F · 12 rain days
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Palermo
22°C / 72°F · 8 rain days
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Bratislava
22°C / 71°F · 9 rain days
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Alghero
22°C / 71°F · 8 rain days
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Montpellier
22°C / 72°F · 7 rain days
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Olbia (Costa Smeralda)
22°C / 72°F · 8 rain days
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife
23°C / 73°F · 4 rain days
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Cannes
21°C / 70°F · 8 rain days
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Cagliari
23°C / 73°F · 6 rain days
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Ljubljana
21°C / 70°F · 12 rain days
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Stuttgart
21°C / 70°F · 10 rain days
Tips for this trip
Book accommodation 1–2 months ahead for shoulder season — the best places sell out fast at the lower prices.
Many seasonal businesses (beach restaurants, ferry routes) run on shorter hours in shoulder months — check before going.
Mid-week flights are dramatically cheaper than weekend flights in shoulder season.
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