Best Spring Destinations in Europe for 2025 [Top Places to Visit This Season]
Summer might be the obvious choice for a holiday, but there’s something special about travelling in spring. The crowds are thinner, the weather is milder, and there’s more room to soak up local life at a relaxed pace. It’s the perfect time to wander historic streets without the sweltering heat, grab a seat at that must-visit café, and see landscapes come alive with spring blooms.
We’ve put together a list of places we think are perfect for when you’re looking for where to visit in Europe in spring 2025 (and beyond). Whether you’re after a culture-packed city break, a scenic coastal escape, or somewhere to just slow down and enjoy the season, these destinations have you covered.
The Unique Streets and Architecture of Valetta, Malta
Athens, Greece
Best for a City Break by the Sea
If you’re ready for some sunshine after a long winter, and you’re looking for where to visit in Europe in the spring, Athens will treat you well, with just over 300 days of sunshine a year. Most commonly known as a summer destination, Athens is slowly emerging as a year round destination with something to offer no matter the season. After spending just about three years here, Athens in the spring is easily my favourite time of year. Although it's gone in the blink of an eye in favour of sweltering and sun-drenched summer days, springtime in Athens and the Mediterranean in general have an air like nowhere else.
Temperatures start warming up from the winter around April and remain quite pleasant and enjoyable until early-mid June. We live by the beach, and our absolute favourite time to swim at our local spot is in May and June, the water is fresh and untouched, not too cold, and crowds are minimal, with higher numbers of visitors starting to visit Athens around June.
Stroll through the historic centre without the summer crowds and step back into antiquity at the Acropolis and Parthenon. For great food, Exarcheia offers excellent mezze spots, while Koukaki is perfect for artisanal coffee and pastries. And when you're ready for a break from the city, head to the Athenian Riviera for a beach day in Vouliagmeni or a fresh seafood meal in Glyfada.
For a more detailed guide to visiting Athens, check out our comprehensive guide to visiting Athens here.
The Magnificent Acropolis at Sunset
Utrecht, Netherlands
Springtime Tulips & Canal Side Cafés
While Amsterdam is a must-visit, parts of the city can easily become saturated with tourists and an overall “less than local” feel. For an alternative, Utrecht, the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, is just under half an hour by train from the centre of Amsterdam. We stayed in Utrecht a few years ago for just under two weeks and quickly fell hypnotised by this lush green, medieval city.
There’s a real local feel in Utrecht, and it’s quite apparent in its suburbs, medieval centre and university areas that the city is consistently voted one of the happiest places in the world. The Oudegracht, or “old canals” are dotted with quintessential cafés and exhaustingly scenic views. Other must-sees are the Netherlands’s tallest church tower, Dom tower, the city’s three UNESCO sites, the iconic Rietveld Schröder House, the Dutch Water Defense Lines and The Lower German Limes. For the best friet, Dapp Frietwinkel in the heart of the old town serves up memorable, hand cut, twice fried spuds with house made sauce.
While you likely won’t see vibrant, blooming tulips synonymous with spring in the Netherlands until around mid-April, some varieties do tend to bloom early so if you’re visiting in March, you still have a chance at getting a glimpse.
Blossoming Central Utrecht
Peloponnese, Greece
Best For a Road Trip Through Ancient Ruins, Mountain Villages, and Rugged Coastlines
Although still less visited than other parts of Greece such as Athens or the islands, the Peloponnese is quickly gaining traction as a must-visit destination in Greece and the perfect backdrop for a wonderful spring road trip.
The Peloponnese, a vast peninsula south of Athens, is connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth. Its landscape is a mix of rugged mountains, rolling valleys, and dramatic coastlines, featuring some of the most striking beaches in Greece. Relatively untouched by tourism, the Peloponnese offers a stark contrast to the city's urban sprawl.
Spring arrives early in the Peloponnese, with mild temperatures and blooming landscapes starting in March. By April, the days are comfortably warm, ranging from 18–22°C, while May feels almost summery, with highs reaching 26°C. Rain becomes less frequent as the season progresses, making it the perfect time for a road trip through the region’s ancient ruins, mountain villages, and coastal routes before the summer crowds arrive.
Fly into Athens, pick up a rental car, and head south, stopping in Corinth to admire the dramatic Corinth Canal before continuing into the Peloponnese. First, visit Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, where grand ruins like the Temple of Zeus and the ancient stadium transport you back in time. Then, head east to Epidaurus, home to the stunning ancient theatre with its legendary acoustics. Continue to Nafplio, a seaside town with neoclassical mansions, a Venetian fortress, and picturesque waterfront dining. From there, drive south to the medieval gem of Monemvasia, a fortress town carved into a massive rock island.
Further down the Mani Peninsula, explore Areopoli, a rugged, stone-built village near the stunning Diros Caves. If time allows, take a quick ferry from Neapoli to Elafonisos, a tiny island with Caribbean-like beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Elafonisos Island
Basel, Switzerland
Best for Art and Slow Living on the Rhine
As the host for Eurovision 2025, there’s a real buzz around Basel this year, and it’s easy to see why, with a cool artsy ambiance, Basel is known for being one of the most “laid back” cities in Switzerland, and when we visited this past summer, we were completely blown away.
Situated along the Rhine in northern Switzerland, Basel is a vibrant fusion of cultures, shaped both by its location at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Switzerland, and by its rich history of being passed back and forth between these nations.
In Basel, the weather starts to warm up in late March to early April, with average temperatures rising steadily throughout spring and the warmest period in spring is typically around late May to early June, with temperatures reaching around 25°C (77°F) or higher.
Start your visit in the Altstadt, Basel’s beautifully preserved old town, where medieval buildings stand alongside bold contemporary architecture. Walk across the Mittlere Brücke for panoramic views of the Rhine before stopping by the striking red Rathaus. Art lovers will want to spend time at the Fondation Beyeler and Kunstmuseum, both showcasing world-class collections. For a different perspective, take a ride on one of Basel’s traditional wooden ferries, which glide across the river without motors, powered only by the current. Then, head to Kleinbasel, the city’s edgier district, where indie boutiques, lively bars, and international eateries create a buzzing yet laid-back vibe.
As the sun sets, grab a drink along the Rhine, where locals gather to unwind by the water. And if you’re visiting Basel in May, you might just catch the city in full Eurovision fever, Basel is ready to put on a show.
For a more detailed guide to visiting Basel, check out our comprehensive guide to Basel here.
The Heart of Social Life in Basel is Along the Rhine River
West Cork, Ireland
Best for Rugged Atlantic Views, Friendly Irish Villages, and Fresh Seafood
We’re absolutely enamoured with Ireland, and when we visited for the second time in 2023, we were seeking a corner of the country that wasn’t riddled with many tourists, and shaped by soul healing coastlines. Originally, we planned on just staying in Cork city and doing day trips to the greater Cork region, but we changed our plans last minute and chose to stay in a small village by the coast. When we arrived, we very quickly knew that we made the right decision. There was an air that we hadn’t felt elsewhere in Ireland, and we even had a few moments where we thought we could happily live there, in a house by the sea.
West Cork, the westernmost part of County Cork and Ireland’s southernmost tip, is known for its rugged Atlantic coastline, great food scene, and friendly locals. Its small villages have a strong artistic community, and whether you’re exploring the coast, trying local seafood, or visiting a gallery, there’s plenty to experience.
Spring in West Cork is a calm and refreshing time to visit. From March to May, temperatures gradually warm, ranging from 8°C in March to around 14°C in May. The days get longer, and the countryside bursts into green, while the rugged coastline comes alive with wildflowers along the cliffs. The region shakes off the winter chill, making it a perfect time to explore the small villages without the summer crowds. Fresh local produce, from seafood to artisan cheeses, is abundant, and the laid-back pace of life offers a true taste of West Cork's charm.
For dramatic coastal scenery, head to Mizen Head, Ireland’s southwesternmost point, where the cliffs drop dramatically into the Atlantic. The Sheep’s Head Peninsula offers some of the most peaceful and unspoiled hiking trails in the country, with panoramic views at every turn. The Beara Peninsula, wilder and less visited than Kerry’s Ring of Beara, is a haven for slow travellers, dotted with colourful villages, ancient stone circles, and winding coastal roads. West Cork’s villages, including Skibbereen and Schull, are full of independent cafés, galleries, and traditional pubs where you can soak in the region’s artistic spirit.
Mizen Head, West Cork
Malta
Best For a Journey Back in Time & Secluded Beauty
If I had to choose my favourite spring getaway in Europe, my first instinct might be France or Italy, both incredible, of course, but my heart says Malta. We visited in March, unsure if it would be warm enough, but the island proved effortlessly magical The sun was warm, the shade crisp, and the air carried the scent of the sea. Malta is full of contrasts, ancient yet modern, familiar yet unexpected, a crossroads of cultures with an almost mystical allure.
Set in the heart of the Mediterranean with millennia of fascinating history, Malta is home to honey coloured limestone cities, crystal-clear waters, and a blend of European, North African, and Middle Eastern influences that shape its unique identity.
Spring in Malta arrives early, with mild temperatures already settling in by March. Daytime highs range from 17–20°C in April, climbing to 22–25°C by May. As the season progresses, the island bursts into bloom, and outdoor cafés, coastal promenades, and UNESCO-listed sites become even more inviting before the peak summer heat and crowds arrive.
Start your visit in Valletta, the historic capital, where Baroque palaces and grand fortifications overlook the sea. Walk down the bustling streets to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio’s largest masterpiece, before heading to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views of the Grand Harbour.
For a taste of Malta’s natural beauty, take a ferry to Gozo, the island’s greener and quieter sibling, where rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and historic sites like the Ġgantija Temples await. Or head to the Blue Grotto on the main island, where boat tours reveal luminous sea caves. End your day in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, dining on the catch of the day as the iconic, colourful luzzu boats bob in the harbour, because in Malta, history and island life are inseparable.
The Beautiful Walled City of Mdina, Malta
