If you’re anything like me, you’re not just looking for “nice places” to visit—you want adventure, good vibes, and affordable travel that doesn’t feel budget. These 10 best Europe summer destinations are places I’ve actually been to, explored, lived and fell in love with.
Whether you want to swim in hidden spots, hike dramatic cliffs, or just wander through postcard-perfect towns with gelato in hand, this list has you covered.
📍 Scroll to the bottom for a Google Map with all the hidden spots mentioned in this post!
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Want to Travel Europe Without Going Broke?
Check out my separate guide:
👉 How to Travel Cheap in Europe: 8 Travel Hacks to Save Money
Packed with real-life tips I use all the time — from cheap eats and smart packing tricks to flight deals and free things to do. If you’re planning your summer on a budget, this guide is your best friend! ✈️🌍
🇵🇹 1. Portugal: Coimbra & Nazaré
Let’s start with a lesser-known Portuguese duo: Coimbra, a charming university town that slows down in summer (perfect for chill days and quiet cafés), and Nazaré, a beachside gem famous for its monster waves—and surprisingly relaxed summer energy.
💡 Tip: In Nazaré, skip the touristy promenade food—head to a local taverna for fresh seafood instead. Coimbra’s riverside is perfect for sunset walks and pastel de nata breaks.
In Coimbra, the best local cheap food, Bifana Pão Bico, is at Mijacão, a very hidden local spot that my boyfriend showed me. He is Portuguese and lived in Coimbra for years, so he knew the cheap restaurants well. The location is R. Nova 8, 3000-297 Coimbra, Portugal.
Each Bifana Pão Bico costs €2.20. Super cheap and delicious pork meat with a fresh bun—see picture below.
🇵🇹 2. Porto – Wine, Views & Sunset Feels
Porto might just be one of my favorite cities ever. It’s cute, colorful, super affordable, and every corner is a photo op. From sipping Port wine at sunset to wandering Ribeira’s cobblestone streets—this place just hits differently.
💡 Stay on the Gaia side for cheaper accommodation and the best sunset views across the river.
For cheap lunch food, I can recommend their delicious specialty sandwich with pork, cheese, and onion. I loved it so much! The bun was warm and soft, the meat super tender, and the cheese just the perfect touch.
The place is called Casa Guedes Rooftop and is located at Praça dos Poveiros 76 80, 4000-393 Porto, Portugal.
🇵🇱 3. Kraków, Poland – History, Salt Mine & Secret Swim Spots
Since I am Polish and have lived in Kraków for over 6 years, I know the best local spots for food, drinks, and where to cool down during the hot summer days! This amazing town is a dream summer city for young travelers. It’s full of history (the Kraków Old Town, Auschwitz, Wieliczka Salt Mine), street performers, and budget-friendly food spots.
But here’s the twist—did you know you can also swim in a stunning blue quarry just 15 minutes from the city? Zakrzówek is the hidden gem I always tell friends about.
💡 Grab pierogi in Kazimierz, hop on a bike to Zakrzówek for a swim, then wrap the day with live music on the square. Pure magic.
For the best pierogi, I always go to Pierogi MR Vincent at Bożego Ciała 12, 33-332 Kraków, Poland.
And for the cheapest and most delicious Polish food, head to Bar mleczny “Pod Temidą” at Grodzka 43, 31-001 Kraków, Poland. Every restaurant in Poland called ‘Bar Mleczny’ is a place where students and locals eat, as they offer super cheap Polish food like żurek, pierogi, kotlet schabowy z kapustą zasmażaną, gulasz, rosół, or bigos.
🇵🇱 4. Zakopane – Your Summer Mountain Escape
Craving fresh air and scenic views? Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains is your go-to. Wooden cabins, affordable mountain food (think cheese, grilled sausages, and soups!), and trails for every fitness level.
💡 Morskie Oko is definitely touristy, but still worth it. Just go early to avoid the crowds.
If you’re into more challenging hikes, we did the one to Granaty (photo below!) and it was such an epic day. This summer we’re already planning another one to a different peak.
And if you’re interested in hiking in the Polish mountains and exploring Zakopane more in-depth, I’m actually preparing a separate blog post all about it—covering everything from how long the hikes take, the best trails for beginners and advanced hikers, to where to stay and eat in Zakopane. Stay tuned! 🏔️🥾
For food, grab some delicious Polish dishes like oscypki on Krupówki Street at a restaurant called Karczma Góraleczka, with live music played by local mountain people and amazing Polish cuisine. The location is Krupówki 22b, 34-500 Zakopane, Poland.
🇨🇿 5. Prague, Czech Republic – Fairytale on a Budget
Prague is that friend who’s gorgeous, fun, and low-maintenance. Everything is walkable, cheap beers are a rite of passage, and the architecture is just chef’s kiss. You can party till late or just stroll over Charles Bridge at dawn and feel like you’re in a storybook.
💡 Skip overpriced boat rides and grab a view from Letná Park with a cold drink instead.
For cheap food in Prague, I have a separate post where I listed all affordable local places with traditional Czech food.
🇫🇷 6. Étretat, France – Cliffs, Calm, and Coastal Vibes
If you want a break from the big cities, Étretat is your moment of peace. The white cliffs look like they’re straight from a Monet painting (they actually were), and the coastal trails are a summer dream. It’s not super touristy, and the vibe is peaceful but not boring.
💡 Pack snacks, comfy shoes, and a playlist for the cliff hike—pure therapy.
Here, we didn’t eat as we did a road trip to Normandy and visited the magical abbey Mont Saint-Michel.
But you can read my article about Étretat to learn more.
🇮🇹 7. Cinque Terre – Colorful Charm on a Budget
Cinque Terre can get pricey, but with the right strategy, you can soak in all its beauty without overspending. I stayed in La Spezia (budget win!) and took the train into the villages each day. The hikes between towns, sea swims, and sunset Aperols? 10/10.
💡 Riomaggiore was my favorite, but Corniglia at golden hour is magical.
My favorite food during my 2 days in Cinque Terre was a Margherita pizza for €8, eaten on the rocks with an amazing view in Riomaggiore (pic below).
Read more about the amazing solo female trip to Cinque Terre in my very detailed article about hikes, hidden swimming spots, food, and activities.
🇪🇸 8. Tenerife, Canary Islands – Hikes, Volcanoes & Vanlife
Tenerife isn’t just about beach clubs—it’s full of epic nature, from volcanic hikes in Teide National Park to hidden coves for swimming and snorkeling. Plus, it’s much cheaper than mainland Spain and super warm even in early summer.
I did my solo camper van birthday trip in 2022 as a gift for myself when I was still single. It was one of the best holidays of my life!
My favorite place on the entire island was Playa de Benijo in the north. Beautiful black sand and striking rocks. I fell in love with how Tenerife is so diverse. The north is wild, green, and full of rocky beaches, while the south is calmer, with super nice sand beaches, more tourists, and plenty of surfing spots.
💡 Rent a van if you can! And bring layers—it gets chilly up in the mountains. You can rent a van from Magda in Girls in the Van like I did! It’s a small van with a kitchen in the trunk, and it’s super easy to drive anywhere.
🇬🇧 9. London, UK – Big City Buzz (On a Budget!)
My older sister has lived in London for 13 years, and I’ve visited her multiple times. Since she lives in Chiswick, we always go out to eat there, but what my boyfriend and I love the most about the UK are their brunches.
In Chiswick, our two favorite spots for brunch were:
- Urban Pantry – 15 Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU, United Kingdom. We love their big English Breakfast as you can see on the pic below 🙂
- Megan’s at the Flower Market Restaurant (Chiswick) – 214 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London W4 1SD, United Kingdom. At Megan’s we also ate some brunches but we enjoyed the most their coffee and working with laptop as they are very laptop-friendly place.
Yes, London can be expensive—but not if you play it smart. Free museums, gorgeous parks, budget bites in food markets like Camden or Borough, and walkable neighborhoods filled with charm make it an amazing summer city stop for young adults.
💡 Take the Tube to Hampstead Heath for epic city views and local picnic vibes.
And below, another photo from the amazing brunch at Urban Pantry—this place has a little cute garden out back where you can enjoy your delicious bites while sipping English Breakfast tea with milk and soaking up the sun ☀️
🇮🇹 10. The Dolomites – Alpine Drama & Hiking Dreams
If you want to escape the crowds and trade beaches for mountains, the Dolomites are calling. Hiking trails that feel like movie scenes, quiet alpine towns, and that fresh mountain air? Unreal. It’s also way less crowded than the Alps in Switzerland.
💡 Base yourself in Ortisei or Cortina, pack comfy shoes, and don’t forget a reusable water bottle—you’ll need it.
Summer is the perfect time to visit due to the ideal weather conditions, and for the brave, you can even take a plunge into the very cold lakes in the Dolomites! 🏞️
Best Europe Summer Destinations
From cliffs in France to hidden swims in Poland, these places gave me memories I’ll cherish forever.
Summer in Europe doesn’t have to be all about Ibiza or Santorini—these hidden gems and affordable picks will give you more stories to tell and less stress to deal with.
Whether you’re exploring underrated European destinations, seeking hidden gems in Europe, or looking for Europe summer destinations top hacks and tips, these 10 spots are bound to give you the adventure you’ve been craving.
🎒 Ready to plan your summer adventure?
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