Best European Travel Destinations for Spring

Spring brings so much into our lives. The bright sun washes away all the troubles of winter and so our sense of adventure begins to thaw with it. Like many, you may have been given a boost of energy and looking for the perfect getaway to celebrate the return of color and life in the world. If you are anything like me, that getaway may be pointing you in the direction of Europe. Last year, I visited a few countries and I believe I have found the best European travel destinations for spring. 

5. Amalfi Coast, Italy

On the bottom of the list is the Beautiful Amalfi Coast of Italy. It is very easy to see why the Amalfi coast is one of the best travel destinations for spring. The city is defrosting from its cold winter and life has returned to the sands of the Amalfi coast. Here you will find crystal blue waters, delicious Mediterranean food, beautiful sights of the mountains, buildings, and water. 

The Amalfi coast will give you the summer feel two months early and without the heavy crowd. Because the heaviest crowds come in early June and last all the way through September, spring is the best time to enjoy the beach without overcrowding. With the lack of crowd, a springtime visit also allows you to experience the city as the locals do. You get to walk the streets where they commute and shop at their usual locations without disrupting the natural feel of it. 

The weather is also ideal. On the Amalfi Coast during the spring temperatures range between 69 and 72 degrees. This allows you to comfortably enjoy the sun while not burning and enjoy the warm breeze of the Mediterranean.  

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The only reason Amsterdam is on this list of best European travel destinations for spring is because of the flowers. When you think of spring, the first thing that pops into everyone’s mind is bright-colored flowers. From April to early May, you’ll find miles and miles of blooming tulips in fields and all throughout the city. We have all seen the images. Not only do you get to enjoy a quaint town and beautiful architecture, but you will also fill your days with museums, bike rides, and vibrant nightlife. 

Along with the beautiful views, Amsterdam in the spring is rainy. Now why is that a good thing? Because of the rain and clouds, spring is the absolute cheapest time to visit. Though you’ll be missing out on the long hours of sunlight and bright sunny aspects of spring, you’ll get a good tradeoff once you realize how much money you saved and how many pictures of the beautiful flower fields you have. 

If you are on a tight budget and looking for a beautiful European city, Amsterdam is the place to go. 

3. Paris, France

The next of the best European travel destinations for spring is Paris, France. There are so many reasons why Paris is one of the best. To start you’ll find yourself saving a lot more money than any other time of the year. Since Paris’ peak season is in summer, you’ll find cheaper flights, train tickets, and hotels, with significant discounts. Though you may think summer is the best time, though the weather is a bit cooler, and you will need a light jacket, the sun is out, brightening the city as it would in summer.

Spring is the perfect time to also see the blooming cherry blossoms all along the streets and in the park across from the Eiffel Tower. This is the perfect sight for lovers and families looking for beautiful hues of pink and green after a long white winter. 

The number one reason Paris is one of the best travel destinations for spring is because of the lack of crowds. Because the summer crowd isn’t present, you get to see Paris through the eyes of a local. This way it feels more beautiful and like a vibrant city, rather than a tourist destination. When I traveled there last spring, crowds were nonexistent, and it was very easy for my family and I to experience Paris in its purest form. 

Here is a guide detailing a few things you need to know before visiting Paris for the first time.

2. Athens, Greece

Second on the list of best European travel destinations for spring, we have Athens Greece. Athens in the spring gives you the opportunity to live like a local and take advantage of it. The months of March to May in Athens are full of local festivities. One of these festivities includes Greek Independence Day on March 25. On this day, you can join the locals as they parade down the street and learn the history of Greece. What better city than one the oldest to tell such a story? 

Spring also gives you the chance to visit on International Museum Day. This day is on May 18 and allows all visitors from everything to get into museums and monuments for no cost. This includes both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum for free. 

If this day doesn’t work for you, you’ll still find that the spring is the cheapest time to visit Athens. Because it is not quite peak time and the city is just starting to warm up, you’ll find hotels, attractions, and transportation significantly cheaper than in the summer or fall, while still having the beauty and sunshine you would see in the summertime. 

1. Rome, Italy

The best European travel destination for spring is Rome, Italy. In my lengthy spring travels, I found the one spot that brightened my world, this place was Rome. After spending a week in the cold and rainy London(internal link) and severely lacking sunshine, Rome was a breath of fresh air. Imagine not feeling the sun on your skin for what seems like forever and suddenly feeling it warm you up as soon as you step out of your plane. Rome captures the feeling completely and I recommend it for anyone coming out of a cold winter. 

In spring, the skies are bright and sunny. Though the sun is out, it isn’t bright and scalding like it would be in the summer. Temperatures range from the low to mid-70s. The air is crisp and perfect for climbing the large stairs of the Colosseum and Spanish Steps. You will have no trouble trekking through Palatine Hill or searching the streets for Gelato. Rome is a very outdoorsy city. Spring brings the perfect weather for the number of Roman outdoor adventures you will be tempted to do.  

On top of this, the springtime views of Rome are perfect. On my first drive from the airport, I was surprised to see oranges on the trees that line the streets. Then my eyes were blessed to see the foggy sunrise light up the gardens and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The fresh blooming green grass, flowers, and citrus add to the spring feel and allow you to see an authentic Rome that no other season will grant you.