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We all know that July is peak summer, whether you like fireworks shows or want to escape that scene like a runaway dog and fly to Cancun, or in this case, Europe.
As beaches in the motherland fill up faster than Usain Bolt after chugging a Red Bull, Europe becomes much more attractive.
The flight may be long, but the payoff is almost always worth it.
Experts from the Points Guy team revealed their top picks for July, and all three European outings are equally surprising in their own right.
Ranging from a city often mistaken for Scandinavia to Rhodes, the Greek island escape packed with history, and a classic European icon that’s perfect for summer: let’s skip the small talk and get straight to it, shall we?
Helsinki: it’s cooler than you think
You don’t often hear about people exploring Finland, but that’s what separates travel nerds like me from regular people like you.
Last year I had the pleasure of visiting Helsinki, not once, but twice, and I fell in love with it, despite the less favorable weather around Christmas.
No, you won’t be able to enjoy the delights of the city’s beloved Christmas market, located beneath the stunning Helsinki Cathedral.
However, Helsinki is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities in summer, with lesser-known historic islands that cost around $3 per ferry despite their expensive reputation, fantastic food halls serving up local delicacies, and some of the friendliest people on the continent, despite Europe being notoriously a bit aloof.
What really makes the Finnish capital stand out is that it doesn’t always feel European; it depends which street you are exploring at any given time.
With grand neoclassical architecture around Senate Square, Helsinki switches from one neighborhood to another with seaside streets, colorful Art Nouveau facades and an unmistakable Scandinavian flair.not Scandinavian)
Anyway, one of my favorite travel memories that took me right back to my childhood was being able to go deep into the dense pine forests of Finland to hand-feed reindeer, but you don’t have to brave the gloomy weather to do so.
Just 30 minutes outside the city you can visit the Nuuksio Reindeer Park 3 days a week during the summer.
Helsinki is also remarkably safe to explore, currently scoring 90/100 on our safety index:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam has installed a red light in more than one way; specifically, ripping away the tourists’ welcome mat with various anti-tourism campaigns to prevent a certain type of audience from perhaps going a little too hard on a city known for its nightlife.
But the truth is that there are so many different aspects to this iconic city that you don’t need to hit the brakes unless you’re on a bike.
Don’t fall into the canal.
In the summer there are many festivals where it is almost impossible to find your niche, like this one:
- WorldPride Amsterdam: July 25 – August 8, 2026
- Dekmantel Festival: July 29 – August 2, 2026
- Canal Festival: August 7 to 16, 2026
The only downside is that given the city’s popularity, even more visitors are expected to pour in, so you’ll not only have to hit the brakes but also ring your bell through waves of distracted tourists.
Crowds may be unavoidable in July, but if there’s one thing Amsterdam has to offer despite its infamous underbelly, it’s safety.
Fellow travelers claim it is one of the safest cities in Europe with a safety score of 89/100:
Rhodes, Greece
Our Senior Lead Writer Vini has visited more than twenty Greek islands, but the one that draws him back year after year is Rhodes, an island that doesn’t quite belong in the same conversation as Santorini. The reason for this is that you can actually afford to stay here for a longer summer holiday, while enjoying some real surprises that you might not expect from a small island.
Take Rhodes’ UNESCO-protected Old Town, for example. It’s not the typical blue-and-white dreamscape that many Greek islands are known for – think of a medieval fortress rather than a postcard Santorini.
It’s a labyrinth of cobbled walkways, and mostly whitewashed alleys draped in bougainvillea.
As nice as that may be, it’s just not Rhodes’ style.
The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, The Points Guy team also excites them for its beautiful coastline, nightlife and of course the amazing sights that have stood the test of time, just like Athens, with fewer crowds and better beaches.
Like Amsterdam, travelers say it’s also one of the safest getaways in Europe, with a safety score of 89/100:
