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Europe: when and where to go

Europe packs 35 countries into one continent, from Mediterranean coasts to Nordic fjords, so timing depends on where you're headed. Southern Europe countries like Spain and Italy favour spring and autumn, April to October, avoiding summer heat, while Northern Europe destinations such as Norway and Finland peak in June to August for long daylight and milder temperatures. Central and Southeast Europe mostly line up with September as a shared sweet spot, balancing warm days with thinner crowds.

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Best in Europe in October

Ranked by our month score: temperature, rain, sunshine and sea.

All of October →
  1. Cyprus
    Cyprus 9.0/10
    Highs 29°C · 4 rain days
  2. Spain
    Spain 8.6/10
    Highs 22°C · 9 rain days
  3. Serbia
    Serbia 8.5/10
    Highs 19°C · 7 rain days
  4. Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.3/10
    Highs 19°C · 9 rain days
  5. Gibraltar
    Gibraltar 8.1/10
    Highs 22°C · 9 rain days

Climate heatmap

Best time to visit Europe

Month score out of 10 for each country. Tap a country for its month-by-month weather.

Month scores out of 10 for the countries of Europe
Country Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Albania 2.8 4.4 4.7 6.1 6.5 7.9 7.0 6.8 8.1 7.8 5.7 3.9
Austria 1.2 1.9 3.8 5.6 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.4 6.3 2.9 1.2
Belgium 1.0 2.0 3.4 5.7 7.5 7.8 7.7 7.6 7.7 5.7 2.5 1.0
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.1 3.8 5.4 7.6 7.0 7.5 6.7 6.0 8.1 8.3 4.5 2.5
Bulgaria 2.7 4.0 5.0 6.9 6.9 7.4 7.5 7.6 8.9 7.9 4.7 3.0
Croatia 2.6 4.0 5.7 7.8 7.4 7.9 7.7 7.8 8.4 8.0 4.7 3.1
Cyprus 6.3 7.3 7.8 8.5 8.1 7.7 6.7 6.5 7.7 9.0 8.7 7.6
Czechia 1.6 2.5 3.9 6.3 7.5 7.7 7.7 7.9 8.2 5.9 2.2 1.6
Denmark 1.0 1.8 2.3 4.0 5.8 7.0 6.6 6.7 6.6 3.6 1.2 0.7
Faroe Islands 0.5 1.0 1.4 2.0 2.6 3.7 4.3 4.3 3.1 1.5 0.6 0.3
Finland 0.7 1.7 2.6 3.1 6.0 7.7 7.1 7.1 5.6 1.8 0.7 0.5
France 3.2 4.7 6.0 7.6 7.8 7.9 7.6 8.0 8.5 7.8 5.1 3.7
Germany 0.8 1.9 2.5 5.0 7.2 7.6 7.4 7.6 8.1 4.6 1.2 0.9
Gibraltar 6.6 6.8 6.9 8.2 9.2 9.5 9.5 9.1 9.0 8.1 8.2 7.2
Hungary 2.3 3.1 5.4 7.7 7.6 7.4 7.1 7.2 8.4 7.9 3.5 2.2
Ireland 1.5 2.1 2.9 4.6 5.9 6.9 7.0 7.1 6.4 4.6 2.6 1.6
Italy 4.6 5.6 6.7 8.2 7.6 7.9 6.3 6.3 8.1 7.9 6.2 5.0
Latvia 0.7 1.7 2.5 4.3 7.4 7.7 6.9 7.1 7.4 3.0 0.9 0.5
Liechtenstein 1.4 2.2 3.7 5.5 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.2 6.8 3.4 1.4
Lithuania 0.9 1.8 2.8 4.8 7.5 7.9 7.0 7.6 8.0 3.8 1.2 0.6
Moldova 2.6 3.1 4.5 7.6 8.1 7.7 7.1 7.4 8.8 8.1 3.2 2.3
Montenegro 2.0 3.3 3.8 5.5 6.4 8.1 7.0 6.7 8.4 7.2 4.4 2.8
Netherlands 0.9 1.7 3.2 5.3 7.4 7.4 7.0 7.4 7.6 5.2 2.1 0.8
Norway 0.7 1.3 2.1 3.3 4.7 6.0 6.6 6.4 4.9 2.0 0.7 0.4
Poland 1.2 1.9 2.9 5.2 7.0 7.5 7.2 7.6 7.5 4.8 1.9 1.2
Portugal 5.1 6.2 6.3 7.5 8.2 8.5 9.3 9.5 8.9 7.4 6.2 5.2
Romania 2.2 3.0 3.6 6.1 7.0 7.0 7.5 8.3 8.2 6.8 2.9 2.1
San Marino 2.4 3.3 4.2 6.0 7.1 8.0 7.4 7.4 7.9 7.4 4.0 2.8
Serbia 2.1 3.7 5.3 8.0 7.4 7.3 6.8 7.0 8.5 8.5 4.6 2.4
Slovakia 1.9 2.4 4.5 6.5 7.1 7.3 7.2 7.4 7.9 6.4 2.8 1.8
Spain 7.1 8.0 7.9 8.5 8.8 7.7 5.9 5.8 8.0 8.6 8.2 7.7
Svalbard and Jan Mayen 1.1 1.5 2.3 3.7 3.4 3.9 3.2 3.0 1.8 1.3 1.1 0.4
Switzerland 1.3 2.3 3.7 5.6 6.7 7.1 7.2 7.5 7.8 6.1 2.1 1.5
Vatican City 4.7 6.2 7.0 8.1 7.6 7.3 4.3 4.3 7.5 7.7 6.6 5.4

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Country guides

Countries in Europe

FAQ

Travelling in Europe

What is the best time to visit Europe?

September works well across most of Europe. Of the 35 countries with data, many list September among their best months, including Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, and Bulgaria. Summer heat has eased by then, crowds thin out, and prices often drop, making it a reliable choice for a wide trip across the continent.

Is Europe good to visit in August?

Yes, August suits southern and northern Europe for different reasons. Portugal, Gibraltar, and Romania top the August list, giving warm beach weather in the south. Meanwhile Norway, the Faroe Islands, and the UK also list August as a best month, offering longer daylight and milder conditions in the north.

Where should I go in Europe in October?

Cyprus, Spain, and Serbia are the top picks for October. Cyprus and Spain still offer warm, dry weather as summer fades elsewhere. Serbia, along with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary, also lists October among its best months, giving cooler but pleasant conditions for inland and city travel.

Where is warm in Europe in winter?

Spain, Cyprus, and Gibraltar lead the rankings from December through February. These three countries appear at the top of the month-by-month list for January, February, and December, making southern Spain, Cyprus, and Gibraltar the most reliable choices for milder winter weather in Europe.