I've Done Euro Summer 6 Different Ways. Here's My Honest Ranking

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At this point, Euro Summer has become a total phenomenon. It’s more than just a seasonal trip; it's a vibe, an aesthetic, and a travel experience you have to do at least once. While Greece and Italy’s Amalfi Coast are classic options, there are so many more destinations worth exploring (ones that won't leave you packed shoulder-to-shoulder on a ferry with everyone else). After visiting 25 countries across Europe and more summer trips than I can count, I've ranked the six Euro Summer destinations that I keep returning to.

#6: Montenegro

Euro Summer Vibes: Montenegro is the newest “hotspot” when it comes to Euro Summer destinations. It’s regarded as the more affordable alternative to your classic summer spots like Italy and Spain. While it is a great option if you’re working with a tight budget, Montenegro still has some work to do to compete with the top spots. Come with the right expectations, and you’ll have a great time.

Beaches: Some of the beaches are exceptionally beautiful, while others feel a bit run-down. They can get fairly full and have some decent beach club-esque amenities. The water is crystal clear and very swimmable. My favorite was Mogren Beach II.

Things to Do: There is definitely enough to do here for every type of traveler. Boat trips, fortress hikes, day trips to small towns, historical centers, beaches, jet skis, paragliding, the works.

Crowds: Since this is more of an up-and-coming destination, I found the crowds manageable. Definitely less than a place like Italy, but growing every year. Kotor, especially, gets more crowded by midday since it’s a popular cruise ship stop. Budva feels a lot more laid back, and at times, the streets of the Old City are almost empty, which is rare for a Euro Summer destination these days.

Price: Prices overall are fairly inexpensive compared to the rest of the spots on this list. Nice lounge chairs at the beaches in Budva cost around $35 for the day. In Kotor, I splurged (my version) for a hotel that cost $660 for three nights. My Budva Airbnb in a high-rise apartment building was $406 for three nights.

Transportation: Montenegro is fairly easy to access (I took a bus straight from Dubrovnik), but once you’re there, it can be tough to get around without a car. For that reason, I highly recommend renting a car or getting a driver. There’s no Uber in the country, and there are extremely limited taxis, specifically in Kotor (I’m talking a 30-minute wait for a 5-minute drive). Buses come very infrequently, and there’s no clear schedule for them.

#5: South of France

Euro Summer Vibes: I consider the South of France an old-school classic Euro Summer destination and the most luxurious of the bunch. Cities like Nice, St. Tropez, and Cannes make for a high-end, top-tier summer vacation. It's also the reason this destination ranks #5 for me; the old-money energy and price tag can feel more exclusive than inviting.

Beaches: The beaches in the South of France are undeniably stunning: Gatorade-blue water with striped umbrella-studded beaches. A majority of the beaches are rocks (not soft sand), so they aren’t always the most comfortable if you’re not on a lounge chair. The beach clubs are dreamy and feel straight out of a film.

Things to Do: Other than beach club hopping, there is a fair amount to do in this region. Great shopping, farmers markets, wine tasting day trips, and hikes (more like long walks along the coast).

Crowds: The South of France has long been a popular summer destination, so it’s safe to assume there will be crowds. However, other than a little extra fight to get a reservation at Le Plongeoir, I didn’t feel bothered by the mass of people here. Oftentimes, the crowds are full of seasoned travelers who know how to keep to themselves. There are also tons of tiny towns dotted along the coastline that can offer respite and a little more quiet. 

Price: Prices are expectedly very high here. Most of these towns cater to the ultra-rich, so hotel, restaurant, and beach club prices are expensive. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to visit on a budget. I personally stayed in a lovely Airbnb that was not at all expensive.

Transportation: The South of France is very well connected with trains, so it’s easy to city-hop. Other than a bit of risky driving and some parking difficulty, it’s also super convenient to rent a car.

#4: Puglia

Euro Summer Vibes: While there are many ultra-popular spots to Euro Summer in Italy, Puglia is still somewhat under-the-radar. With a bit of everything — beaches, beautiful small towns, wineries, gorgeous villas — it’s everything you’d want for a summer trip. 

Beaches: Puglia is home to some of the greatest little beach towns. The most iconic being Polignano a Mare, accompanied by lesser-known, but equally lovely spots like Monopoli, Gallipoli, and Otranto. The beaches in Puglia are beyond beautiful, with sparkling turquoise water tucked into little coves. That being said, most of them are rock beaches, so lying out on nothing but a towel for a long period of time gets pretty uncomfortable. 

Things to Do: As a fairly diverse region, Puglia has tons to do. Of course, there are the beaches, but there are also beautiful vineyards for wine tasting, olive farms, and iconic towns like Alberobello and Matera. I also highly recommend staying at a masseria (converted farmhouse estate) for a night or two. 

Crowds: There are parts of Puglia that are definitely crowded: the main beach in Polignano a Mare; mid-day in Alberobello; pretty much anywhere a giant tour bus might stop and let out a load of people. That being said, most of the region still feels undiscovered and is beautifully empty. 

Price: Prices in Puglia are in the middle range. There are some incredible villas and hotels you can splurge on, but for the most part, accommodations feel very reasonable for summertime stays compared to somewhere like the Amalfi Coast or Rome. You can also get some of the best wine you’ll ever have for less than $5, so that’s always a plus.

Transportation: Depending on where you are visiting and staying in Puglia, it can be a little tougher to get to. This is a region you absolutely need to rent a car or have a driver in. There are so many towns to visit and not a ton of public transport that connects them. It’s easiest to fly into Bari, but flights there may be more expensive, so flying into a bigger city like Rome, then driving over is also an option (about a 4-hour drive).

#3: Croatia

Euro Summer Vibes: This is the destination if you want 5 different Euro Summer trips rolled into one country. You can party in Split, island-hop to Hvar, chase waterfalls at Plitvice, taste wine on Korčula, or lie on the beach in Dubrovnik. Croatia has it all.

Beaches: A majority of beaches in Croatia are rocky, but you can find the odd few sandy spots. The water is the perfect sparkling turquoise, ideal for an afternoon swim.

Things to Do: Of all the destinations on this list, I’d say Croatia has the most expansive and diverse list of things to do. There are stunning national parks filled with glistening waterfalls, delicious wine regions, beautiful coastal towns, beaches, boats, islands, parties, and old cities filled with history. If you are an active traveler who loves a range of activities, this is your spot.

Crowds: People will argue that the big cities like Dubrovnik and Split are very crowded these days, and I don’t disagree, but after visiting a few times, the crowds here don’t bother me. The worst it will get is mid-day in the Old City in Dubrovnik because of the cruise ship travelers. The other areas are far less crowded.

Price: Prices here are trending upward, and fast. Many of the decent hotels and Airbnbs are running $400 to 500 per night. Restaurants have raised prices, and activities like boat rentals will also cost a bit more here. It's not quite South-of-France-expensive, but it's no longer the "cheap" destination it once was.

Transportation: Croatia is very easy to fly into; there are typically fairly priced flights to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. This is another destination where I highly recommend renting a car. It’s very easy to road trip around the country and see a ton of sights. Otherwise, there is a decent bus system, and Uber is available.

#2: Portugal

Euro Summer Vibes: Portugal doesn't fit neatly into the Euro Summer conversation, and that's exactly why it’s ranked so high on my list. It's not Ibiza or the Amalfi Coast or the Greek Islands — it’s a country with world-class cities, a stunning coastline, one of Europe's greatest wine regions, and islands that feel more like Hawaii than Europe.

Beaches: There are multiple areas of Portugal with beautiful beaches — Cascais (just outside Lisbon), Nazare (famous giant surf waves), and Ericeira (picturesque surf town). But the most notable is the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, filled with golden sandy beaches and dramatic cliffsides.

Things to Do: You can truly never run out of things to do in this country. From sightseeing in Lisbon to wine tasting in the Douro Valley to learning to surf in Lagos, Portugal has a bit of everything. And if you really want to go off the beaten path, the Azores deserve a trip of their own.

Crowds: I’m not going to lie, the big cities in the middle of summer are quite crowded. The popular touristy spots are definitely packed with people. That being said, no amount of people can take away from the charm of this country. And if you plan it right, you can strategically avoid the peak summer crowds and have an incredible trip.

Price: Pricing is a bit all over the place because it heavily depends on what areas of the country you visit and how you prefer to travel. Lisbon in peak summer gets expensive fast, but most of the other cities are very affordable when it comes to accommodations, food, and activities. Think of it this way: Portugal can be whatever kind of trip you need it to be, budget or splurge, and it delivers either way.

Transportation: Trains, trams, buses, cars, private drivers — you really have all the options when it comes to transportation around Portugal. All are seamless, affordable, and approachable. It's the easiest country on this list to navigate without a car.

#1: Mallorca

Euro Summer Vibes: This is the ultimate Euro Summer destination in my eyes and well deserving of the #1 spot. A beautiful island filled with crystal clear water, beaches that you have to see to believe, gorgeous villas, charming towns, and over 300 days of sun per year. You can easily get the party vibe in Palma, stay with your family in Camp de Mar, or completely disconnect in Pollença.

Beaches: Seeing as Mallorca is an island, there is a beautiful beach just about every half mile. Most of the beaches are rocky, but there are a fair few sandy ones, and they are ALL gorgeous. Mallorca is also home to some world-class beach clubs that are second to none.

Things to Do: While I’d say Mallorca is primarily a beach hop, boat day, lounge-at-the-beach-club type of destination, there are also lovely small towns, great wineries, and tons of shopping to be done in Palma.

Crowds: Mallorca is a top choice for a summer trip, especially for Europeans, but it’s well spread out and has easy-to-find places that feel relaxing and not overwhelmed with crowds. Since some of the popular towns like Valdemossa, Deia, and Soller, and top beaches like Caló des Moro are quite small, they can feel packed during mid-day. I highly recommend exploring in the morning and beaching in the afternoon to combat this.

Price: Hotels in peak summer will be expensive, point blank. But when it comes to villas, if you can wrangle a larger group, you can actually get some really beautiful places that come out fairly affordable when split between everyone.

Transportation: There are tons of daily flights from Spain and other large European cities that are typically under $100 round trip. When you get there, rent a car. There are some trains and buses, but they are not super well-connected or frequent. It’s super easy to drive around the island, and it gives you much more freedom to explore different areas. Parking can be tricky in some of the smaller towns, but patience is rewarded. Be sure to pay attention to no-park zones to avoid tickets.

Every single destination on this list is worth a visit at some point. The best Euro Summer is the one that matches what you're actually looking for.

Pro-tip: The actual best time to visit any of these spots is in September. If you can swing it to go a little after summer, the crowds thin out, the prices drop, and the weather is still perfect.