You can tell a lot about someone by how they do Europe in the summer. There’s the forest-and-lakes type, who pretends not to care about Wi-Fi but posts perfectly lit hiking shots from a thermal pool. There’s the city-lover, who somehow always finds the coolest rooftop bar and remembers the names of emerging designers in Antwerp. And then there’s the beach person—let’s be honest, we all want to be her—wearing Loewe on a boat and pretending she’s “just here to decompress.”
So, where are they all going in 2025? From alpine design hotels to Grecian glamour, here’s your European travel cheat sheet—based entirely on your seasonal personality.
🌲 You Romanticise Trees: For Forest & Mountain People
1. The Dolomites, Italy
Not your average mountain moment. This is where you go when you’ve outgrown Switzerland and want something with more edge—and better pasta. Book Forestis if your suitcase is full of cashmere and you plan to meditate at sunrise. Go hiking for the content, spa for the silence, and stay for the altitude-induced clarity.
2. Lake Bled, Slovenia
It’s giving fairy tale but make it minimal. A mirror-still lake, medieval castle, and an island church you have to row to (not optional—it’s half the charm). You’ll swim, paddleboard, and pretend you're writing a novel. Think of it as your Wes Anderson summer chapter.
3. Lofoten Islands, Norway
No one casually “ends up” in the Lofoten Islands. This is intentional travel, a place where you wear your Patagonia over your The Row trousers and kayak past mountains that look like they were Photoshopped. Come for the midnight sun, stay because your soul insists.
4. Geneva, Switzerland
A luxury that doesn’t scream. Think quiet watches, quiet water, quiet wealth. Base yourself at The Woodward, do laps in Lake Geneva, and book a boat out to Montreux if you’re feeling jazz-curious. Not a “flashy” destination, which is exactly the point.
🏙️ You’re Here for the Vibe Shift: For City Travellers
5. Paris, France
With the Olympics descending on Paris this July, expect crowds and couture in equal measure. It’ll be chaos. It’ll be chic. Stay at Cheval Blanc if you’re feeling spendy, or Hotel Grand Mazarin if you want something slightly less obvious. Pack sneakers and a silk slip—you’ll need both.
6. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is still cool, in that undercut-and-ceramics kind of way. Spend mornings in Alfama, afternoons on rooftops, and evenings pretending you know how to pronounce “petiscos.” The Marvila district is where the gallery girls are, and the food scene keeps surprising even the jaded.
7. Venice, Italy
Yes, Venice in summer is humid. Yes, it’s crowded. But it’s also Venice. And if you do it right—water taxis only, spritzes by the canal, avoiding San Marco like it’s Times Square—it becomes cinematic. Stay at Aman Venice, bring your best vintage linen, and let the lagoon do the work.
Find our comprehensive guide on visiting Venice here.
8. Antwerp, Belgium
If you like your cities small, stylish, and obsessed with silhouette, go to Antwerp. Home of the Royal Academy, concept stores, and more gallery openings than time allows. It’s a fashion week without the stress. Bonus: fewer influencers, more designers.
9. Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is not trying to be anyone else. It’s part Soviet, part Parisian, part psychedelic rave. You’ll find wine bars inside brutalist buildings, sulphur baths next to fashion studios, and possibly the best bread in Europe. You’ll leave feeling smarter, dirtier, and wanting to go back immediately.
10. Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s thing is being effortlessly elegant. It’s not screaming for attention, it’s just serving candelabras and Klimt and perfect patisserie. Come in July, walk everywhere, and book into Rosewood Vienna if you want to live like you’re married to a conductor.
🏖️ You Packed Six Swimsuits: For Beach People
11. Mykonos, Greece
You already know the story: dancing on tables at Nammos, martinis at Scorpios, and the kind of beach hair that only happens when you don’t try. But 2025 Mykonos is a little calmer—think private villas, sunrise swims, and post-party pilates. Still bring your best swimwear. It’s still Mykonos.
12. Menorca, Spain
For those who want the Balearics without the scene. It’s all hidden coves, soft beaches, and rustic-chic villas. Vestige Son Vell is where the design crowd books in. You’ll eat sobrasada, drink too much vermouth, and start googling local real estate. Again.
13. Comporta, Portugal
The coastal crush of fashion editors. Comporta is a barefoot-luxury fantasy: pine forests, thatched rooftops, sand everywhere, and no one’s wearing makeup. It’s like someone turned down the volume on Ibiza. Try Sublime Comporta or rent a house. Either way, pack white.
14. Sorrento, Italy
It’s Capri’s quieter, slightly more grounded cousin—easier on the budget and heavy on lemon-scented romance. Spend your days boat-hopping, eating gelato, and wearing silk scarves like you’re being followed by Slim Aarons. Stay at Bellevue Syrene or Maison La Minervetta for serious retro appeal.
15. Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia’s secret is out, but it’s still glorious. Yes, the Costa Smeralda is very yacht-core. But if you move south—toward Chia or Villasimius—you’ll find emptier beaches and unfiltered beauty. Come for the water, stay for the ravioli. Fashion-wise, it's all about understated glamour.
Final Thought
Whether you’re running toward a beach club or away from your inbox, summer in Europe this year has a destination—and a wardrobe—for everyone. Book early, bring linen, and don’t forget to leave room in your luggage for whatever you accidentally buy on the way.
