Where to go in Europe? Summer 2023 edition.
March 15, 2023 9:00 AM Subscribe
Husband and I are spending the summer traveling through Europe. We will have about 10 days unaccounted for, and need some recommendations on where to spend that time. More below...
We are starting in London, and will be going up to Scotland, and from there going to Berlin. We are planning to do 3 days in Berlin (is that enough?) and then have about 10 days of un-planned time before we need to be in Amsterdam.
Other places we know we will be visiting later on in the summer include: Barcelona, South of France, Paris, Zurich, as well as doing some travel through Italy.
Where should we go?
Things we like: walkable cities (although after Berlin, wouldnt mind a more quiet vibe), coffee, bread and bakeries, eating, some museums (which is we know is all of Europe).
We have not really spent much time across the continent and so were thinking Croatia? Hungary? Poland? Scandinavia? You tell me!
We are starting in London, and will be going up to Scotland, and from there going to Berlin. We are planning to do 3 days in Berlin (is that enough?) and then have about 10 days of un-planned time before we need to be in Amsterdam.
Other places we know we will be visiting later on in the summer include: Barcelona, South of France, Paris, Zurich, as well as doing some travel through Italy.
Where should we go?
Things we like: walkable cities (although after Berlin, wouldnt mind a more quiet vibe), coffee, bread and bakeries, eating, some museums (which is we know is all of Europe).
We have not really spent much time across the continent and so were thinking Croatia? Hungary? Poland? Scandinavia? You tell me!
Vienna, absolutely. (Prague way too touristy now, not worth it for me.)
posted by caoimhe at 9:44 AM on March 15, 2023
posted by caoimhe at 9:44 AM on March 15, 2023
I spent 3 days in Berlin last summer and still had a very long list of things I wanted to do/see.
posted by kbuxton at 9:45 AM on March 15, 2023
posted by kbuxton at 9:45 AM on March 15, 2023
Depending on when it is, I would recommend either Oslo or Stockholm. Oslo and Stockholm are both quite interesting and would be cooler (temperature wise). Oslo has fantastic museums, great public transportation and a dense, walkable central area, super nice people. Stockholm is similar, but bigger.
Alternatively, I am a huge Bordeaux fan and it's a fantastic and interesting place with lots of great side trips you can do (Arcachon, for example). It's not a very touristed city either, so should be quieter.
In a general sense, I wouldn't spend 10 days in August anywhere in a city in Europe south of, say, Paris, unless you're planning a beach destination. It will likely be hot and miserable and it'll seem like everyone who lives there is somewhere else and things are closed, and the beach destinations will be busy.
posted by urbanlenny at 9:50 AM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Alternatively, I am a huge Bordeaux fan and it's a fantastic and interesting place with lots of great side trips you can do (Arcachon, for example). It's not a very touristed city either, so should be quieter.
In a general sense, I wouldn't spend 10 days in August anywhere in a city in Europe south of, say, Paris, unless you're planning a beach destination. It will likely be hot and miserable and it'll seem like everyone who lives there is somewhere else and things are closed, and the beach destinations will be busy.
posted by urbanlenny at 9:50 AM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
I too would go for the Scandinavian capitals, and also include Helsinki and Copenhagen. They make sense en route from Berlin to Amsterdam. Also, good food is a b it scarce in the three Northern capitals, or very expensive, but cakes are excellent.
Even Berlin is normally insanely hot from July on because of it's continental climate. When in Berlin, make a day trip to Potsdam to visit Charlottenhof, a very charming park, with a tiny palace and other building ensembles.
posted by mumimor at 10:17 AM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Even Berlin is normally insanely hot from July on because of it's continental climate. When in Berlin, make a day trip to Potsdam to visit Charlottenhof, a very charming park, with a tiny palace and other building ensembles.
posted by mumimor at 10:17 AM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ten days is a long time, even if you extend the stay in Berlin by a couple of days (which I would do).
Helsinki is an interesting idea because you can take day trip(s) to Tallin and St Petersburg (latter may be tricky, depending on your citizenship).
But really the answer is probably Vienna (not via Prague, instead go via Munich and/or Salzburg and/or the lower Alps, e.g. Garmisch)
posted by caek at 10:30 AM on March 15, 2023
Helsinki is an interesting idea because you can take day trip(s) to Tallin and St Petersburg (latter may be tricky, depending on your citizenship).
But really the answer is probably Vienna (not via Prague, instead go via Munich and/or Salzburg and/or the lower Alps, e.g. Garmisch)
posted by caek at 10:30 AM on March 15, 2023
If you're going to Amsterdam, you can/should spend a couple of days in neighbouring Belgium - Brussels/Antwerp/Bruges/Ghent are all well worth a visit. Bruges is the really historic touristy one (but can be busy as a result), Antwerp has a lot of variety packed into a small space (historic, important port, the most beautiful railway station in the world), Ghent is a cosmopolitan artsy kinda place (the Design Museum is absolutely world class) and Brussels is, well, Brussels.
All are ridiculously easy to get to/around on foot/by public transport and I'd also recommend hiring a bike if that's your thing (Belgium, like the Netherlands, is legendarily flat so it's a very bikeable country)
I second what others have said about avoiding southern Europe in August unless you're on a beach and plan to stay there the entire time.
posted by parm at 10:50 AM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
All are ridiculously easy to get to/around on foot/by public transport and I'd also recommend hiring a bike if that's your thing (Belgium, like the Netherlands, is legendarily flat so it's a very bikeable country)
I second what others have said about avoiding southern Europe in August unless you're on a beach and plan to stay there the entire time.
posted by parm at 10:50 AM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Sarajevo is fairly compact and walkable, and has a strong cafe culture. The annual film festival begins on August 11.
posted by champers at 11:37 AM on March 15, 2023
posted by champers at 11:37 AM on March 15, 2023
From Amsterdam there is Giethoorn, which should work as a day trip though you'd have to plan transport.
Vienna pairs nicely with Bratislava, because they're very close - there's both a train and a boat trip down the river, so you can do one one way and one the other. (The train is nothing special but fast; the boat is down a river valley with the occasional castle.) you can also make a triangle with Budapest, which is a little further.
Tallinn's old city is amazing for walking around.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 12:02 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Vienna pairs nicely with Bratislava, because they're very close - there's both a train and a boat trip down the river, so you can do one one way and one the other. (The train is nothing special but fast; the boat is down a river valley with the occasional castle.) you can also make a triangle with Budapest, which is a little further.
Tallinn's old city is amazing for walking around.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 12:02 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'd definitely do Vienna and Budapest with those requirements - quieter, fantastic bakeries, food and museums basically defines them. Or the other option is a quick Baltic tour (or even a cruise?) - Tallin, Vilnius and Riga, plus possibly Gdansk thrown in (though ugh, Gdansk and Sopot and Gdynia in July are peak of tourist invasion).
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:02 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:02 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
I assume you need to be back in Amsterdam because you're flying out of Schiphol? You could spend a few days in the Netherlands beforehand. It's a great country for bread, museums, and walkability. I highly recommend Utrecht; it's not far from Amsterdam and has a lovely city center. The Hague and Rotterdam are also nice; maybe a little bit less walkable, but all four cities have an excellent tram and bus system. I think the deciding factor might be which museum(s) you're interested in.
Alternatively, something I recommend to folks who want to see smaller Dutch cities is to visit Haarlem one day and Gouda the next. Both city centers give you a feel for Dutch history, and they have interesting museums. And if you go at the right time, you can see the cheese market in Gouda.
posted by neushoorn at 1:08 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Alternatively, something I recommend to folks who want to see smaller Dutch cities is to visit Haarlem one day and Gouda the next. Both city centers give you a feel for Dutch history, and they have interesting museums. And if you go at the right time, you can see the cheese market in Gouda.
posted by neushoorn at 1:08 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ok, so this isn't a city, but if you're going to Zurich, I'd strongly recommend adding a few days in some town in the Alps. Even if you're not big hiking/nature people, there are many trails that are mostly flat that go through the most insane/breathtaking scenery I've every experienced - and the cable cars do the hard part for you! I stayed in Murren and loved it - the rental had a little balcony with an incredible view of the Alps, and there were many nearby trails that even my dad who had recently had a hip replacement could do (albeit slowly).
posted by coffeecat at 1:33 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 1:33 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
Vienna, Budapest, plus maybe Salzburg and/or Munich. You can also do Bratislava, it's much smaller do not over allot your time there. The boat on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest is worth doing. Any train route that goes through the alps is worth doing.
posted by plonkee at 1:37 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by plonkee at 1:37 PM on March 15, 2023
Another vote for Helsinki. It feels very different from many other bits of Europe you are going to. And in the summer you will have ALL the sun! Plus you can go to the public saunas, plus it's the time of year where they basically have the world's biggest flea market every weekend. If you like design or thriftshopping or coffee, Helsinki is amazing. And the ferry to Tallinn and back is great fun, as is Tallinn itself.
A vote for a place no-one here has named: Luxembourg! The country isn't much bigger than Rhode Island, but it's got castles galore, Roman ruins, great wine (that they don't export - and it's cheap) and lovely scenery. Also, because it's Luxembourg, there are things that are free that would be at least $15 elsewhere, like the 70m glass elevator ride from the top of the cliffs to the bottom. From Luxembourg it's an easy trip to Trier in Germany, which is full of well-preserved Roman ruins and Karl Marx stuff.
Another one I'm surprised no one recommended: Hamburg. Worth going to for Miniatur Wunderland alone. (Pro tip on Miniatur Wunderland: if it's part of your trip make your reservation as soon as you know your Hamburg dates, and make your reservation for first thing in the morning. It is Germany's most popular tourist attraction.)
posted by rednikki at 3:00 PM on March 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
A vote for a place no-one here has named: Luxembourg! The country isn't much bigger than Rhode Island, but it's got castles galore, Roman ruins, great wine (that they don't export - and it's cheap) and lovely scenery. Also, because it's Luxembourg, there are things that are free that would be at least $15 elsewhere, like the 70m glass elevator ride from the top of the cliffs to the bottom. From Luxembourg it's an easy trip to Trier in Germany, which is full of well-preserved Roman ruins and Karl Marx stuff.
Another one I'm surprised no one recommended: Hamburg. Worth going to for Miniatur Wunderland alone. (Pro tip on Miniatur Wunderland: if it's part of your trip make your reservation as soon as you know your Hamburg dates, and make your reservation for first thing in the morning. It is Germany's most popular tourist attraction.)
posted by rednikki at 3:00 PM on March 15, 2023 [3 favorites]
I love Croatia, and I've been there three times. Never been to Dubrovnik but I hear it's great; honetly, every Croatian town I've been in has had nice hotels, with good service, and lovely walkable cobbled streets.
I'm going to Provence in mid-July because my brother lives there and because of lavender, but definitely am avoiding August.
posted by Peach at 3:02 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm going to Provence in mid-July because my brother lives there and because of lavender, but definitely am avoiding August.
posted by Peach at 3:02 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you feel like a drive, Budapest to Vienna to Krakow is definitely doable and all three cities are hands down AMAZING.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:19 PM on March 15, 2023
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:19 PM on March 15, 2023
Go to Poland!
It couldn’t be easier. Take the train from Berlin to Gdańsk, a lovely Baltic port, then head south to the museums and contemporary history of Warsaw and the jewel-box old town of Kraków; Auschwitz is a day trip from Kraków. Grab a train back to Amsterdam via Berlin, or grab a short flight.
Poland doesn’t get enough visitors and has everything you like. In particular: it is excellent value compared to the rest of Europe and especially Scandinavia, and has plenty of smaller spots off the main routes like the intimate red-brick old town of Toruń, the forests and waterways of the Lake District in the northeast, and the rural villages and hiking available in the Tatra Mountains south of Kraków and the Bieszczady Mountains down in the far southeast.
Finally, I can also tell you that Poland is home to thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses who would appreciate as many tourists as possible this summer given the generosity the whole country has shown to the one-million-plus Ukrainian refugees who’ve moved there in the last year — and the fact that lots of tourists who might have headed there this past summer skipped a visit because of their worries about the war.
posted by mdonley at 9:10 PM on March 15, 2023 [4 favorites]
It couldn’t be easier. Take the train from Berlin to Gdańsk, a lovely Baltic port, then head south to the museums and contemporary history of Warsaw and the jewel-box old town of Kraków; Auschwitz is a day trip from Kraków. Grab a train back to Amsterdam via Berlin, or grab a short flight.
Poland doesn’t get enough visitors and has everything you like. In particular: it is excellent value compared to the rest of Europe and especially Scandinavia, and has plenty of smaller spots off the main routes like the intimate red-brick old town of Toruń, the forests and waterways of the Lake District in the northeast, and the rural villages and hiking available in the Tatra Mountains south of Kraków and the Bieszczady Mountains down in the far southeast.
Finally, I can also tell you that Poland is home to thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses who would appreciate as many tourists as possible this summer given the generosity the whole country has shown to the one-million-plus Ukrainian refugees who’ve moved there in the last year — and the fact that lots of tourists who might have headed there this past summer skipped a visit because of their worries about the war.
posted by mdonley at 9:10 PM on March 15, 2023 [4 favorites]
Smaller Netherlands cities like Haarlem, Leiden, and Utrecht are all worth visiting IME.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:29 AM on March 16, 2023
posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:29 AM on March 16, 2023
If you are already in barecelona , madrid (Prado, Reina Sophia and Thryseen) and valencia ( Science city alone is worth the trip) are quick train rides away and meet most of your criteria.
posted by radsqd at 8:12 AM on March 16, 2023
posted by radsqd at 8:12 AM on March 16, 2023
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