Share the article
Last updated
For Americans, Europe is more often associated with summer, when it’s fun and enjoyable to go for a pistachio gelato on a pebble beach, ride Vespas down a cliff road in an Amalfi town, or island hop around the Aegean Sea.
Sounds heavenly, as long as the scorching July heat and the thought of an inevitable sunburn don’t upset you, and you’re not too worried about queuing for hours to visit the Eiffel Tower: it’s all about that distinctive European joie de vivreright?
What if we told you that some classic summer destinations are actually best enjoyed in colder weather, when the morning crowds are so minimal that you can have the entire city to yourself and the prices aren’t so exorbitant?
Be here 4 European gems you should visit in winter:
Paris, France
Although Paris is relatively busy all year round, it feels unusually quiet in winter.uhbecause people are not keen to pour into the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter when the temperatures drop, and museums like the Louvre or Orsay are not overrun by school groups fulfilling their summer itineraries.
Perhaps Europe’s top tourist destination, the French capital is beautiful whatever the season, with its well-planned cityscape, multitude of flowery cafes and wide boulevards, but there’s no denying that it’s much more pleasant for walking when the summer hordes have disappeared.
There are places where that is simply the case fit that somber winter aesthetic: believe us when we say there’s nothing less idyllic than sharing your ‘secret’ picnic spot in the Luxembourg Gardens with thousands of other romantic couples or sitting on the steps of a packed Montmartre in mid-July.
We would prefer to walk around neighbourhood in the crisp winter air, while the trees are barren and offer more than just a brief glimpse of the stately Haussmanian architecture that the foliage normally hides, and the local brasserie is not overcrowded with seasonal touristsbut talkative, cheerful locals.
Rome, Italy
Yet another destination that is often ruined by mass tourism is Rome. Unlike other southern European spots, it is not your typical beach destination.
Yes, there is a beach in the wider metropolitan region, more specifically on the outskirts of Ostia, but culture vultures who dream of admiring the Sistine Chapel or following in the footsteps of gladiators as they enter the Colosseum aren’t exactly going out of their way to sunbathe. an off-path, largely residential coastal zone of Rome.
That being said, why go in summer Anyway?
Rome is a hotspot for sightseeing, and between late May and early September this is literally the case ovenwith temperatures soaring over 100 degrees and miles of lines snaking around the corner for all your bucket list attractions.
Some rain is expected between December and March, and even occasional snowfall when temperatures drop dramatically, but the sun still shines. half the timeand in the worst case, if it is cloudy and cold every day, you can count on a freshly prepared one Pasta alla Gricia and a non-industrialized macchiato will keep you going cheerful, cozy and warm.
Unless you fancy pushing your way through the crowds for photos of the Trevi Fountain, we strongly recommend booking a Roman holiday out of season as you won’t be sweating profusely, the volume of tourism is lower and consumer prices are lower. not increased in response to overwhelming demand.
Seville, Spain
Third on the list is Seville perhaps that of Spain third most visited city after Madrid and Barcelona.
Famous for a colorful Plaza de Españaa group of stately buildings arranged in a semicircle bordered by a man-made canal, the maze-like Triana district, lined with narrow, whitewashed houses, and a characteristic medieval cathedral, it is truly one of the country’s most iconic cityscapes.
The only downside is that Seville is located in the hottest region of Europe, where it is virtually impossible to stay outside for more than a few hours in the blazing heat. Sevillano Summer: Don’t be surprised if the city thermometer tops 120°F even after sunset.
Needless to say, the winters are quite mildwith an average of 60.8°F and only six days of rain.
This means you can still eat outside during the day and wear light jackets and even shorts; that is, if you don’t mind the wind being quite cold.
Just like in Rome, you don’t go to Seville for a beach holiday on the Mediterranean: it is inland and there is no beach after all.
Instead, you go there for the architecture, the delicious ethnic cuisine and the peaceful urban parks, which, thanks to Andalusia’s warm weather all year round, can stay green even in low season.
Lisbon, Portugal
Fourth and final mention: Lisbon is a hilly port city on the banks of the Tagus River, right where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean, and has become a hugely popular summer destination for Americans in recent years.
However, something that many who have been to Lisbon will agree with is that unless you are of a certain physique, have well-trained lungs and can withstand overwhelming heat, you can not climb the seven hills the sprawling Portuguese capital has been built on and has no intention of exploring without pausing for an orange every now and then sumo break in an air-conditioned cafe.
We will go ahead and say that Lisbon, like Paris, Rome and neighboring Seville, across the Spanish border, should be visited in winter.
The reasons for this have somehow been mentioned before:
It is more of a tourist, cultural destinationa quality it shares with Rome, and although the Portuguese coast is an easy half-hour drive away, the average tourist won’t fly all over Lisbon for beaches, especially when the North Atlantic waters are noticeably colder than the Mediterranean.
They are attracted by the medieval castle on top of the colorful Alfama district, the ancient monasteries and the beautiful food culture.
During a moderate Lisbon In winter the nights can be cold due to the strong winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean, and you can expect more rain, but there are plenty of daylight hours and the average temperature is a very comfortable 57.74°C.
Plus, wandering the narrow cobbled alleys of Lisbon, accompanied by their partner amid the dense midwinter mist, a bottle of Carcavelos wine in hand, to the tune of a fado ballad as played by a Portuguese street musician is something we think everyone should experience at least once.
Read more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans for 2023 from $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
