Best time to go
Best summer holiday destinations in Europe for 2027, from the UK
Twelve sunny favourites by flight time, with sea temperatures, who each place suits and how to dodge the hottest weeks.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- For an easy family summer, Majorca, the Algarve and the Costa del Sol are under three hours from London, with plenty of flights from regional airports.
- For guaranteed heat and warm sea, go further east: Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus and Turkey's coast are around four hours away.
- Southern Europe now regularly has heatwaves in July and August, so June and September are the most comfortable months if you can travel then.
| Under 3 hours from London | Majorca, Costa del Sol, Algarve, Croatia, Sardinia |
|---|---|
| Around 3–4 hours | Corfu, Sicily, Malta, Crete, Rhodes |
| Around 4–5 hours | Antalya and Dalaman (Turkey), Cyprus |
| Warmest sea in August | Eastern Mediterranean, about 26–28°C |
| Coolest sea | Algarve (Atlantic), about 20–22°C |
| Best value | June and September, outside school holidays |
Spain and Portugal: short flights, big choice
- Majorca (about 2 hours 15 minutes): family resorts at Alcúdia and Port de Pollença, Palma for a city break, and coves and mountain villages in the north-west. See our Balearics comparison.
- Costa del Sol (about 2 hours 40 minutes to Málaga): long beaches, Málaga's museums and day trips to Granada and Ronda. Very hot inland in midsummer.
- Algarve (about 2 hours 45 minutes to Faro): golden cliffs and coves, great for families, with no time difference from the UK. The Atlantic is cooler and fresher than the Mediterranean.
Italy, Croatia and Malta
- Sardinia (about 2 hours 30 minutes): some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean, especially on the Costa Smeralda and around La Maddalena.
- Sicily (about 3 hours to Catania): beaches plus Mount Etna, Taormina and ancient Greek temples. Hot in July and August.
- Croatia (about 2 hours 30 minutes to Split or Dubrovnik): pebble beaches, historic towns and island hopping. See our Croatia guide.
- Malta (about 3 hours 15 minutes): English is widely spoken, with history in Valletta and Mdina and swimming at Comino's Blue Lagoon.
Greece, Cyprus and Turkey: hottest and sunniest
- Corfu (about 3 hours): green and less windy than the Aegean islands, good for families.
- Crete and Rhodes (about 4 hours): long seasons, all types of hotel, and ancient sites such as Knossos and Lindos.
- Cyprus (about 4 hours 45 minutes): reliable sunshine from May to October, driving on the left and many British-friendly resorts.
- Turkey's coast (about 4 hours to Antalya or Dalaman): strong all-inclusive value and warm sea into October. See our Turkey guide.
Coping with summer heat
Temperatures above 35°C are now common in parts of southern Europe in July and August, and wildfires can affect some areas. Choose a hotel with air conditioning and shade, plan sightseeing for the morning, and check the FCDO travel advice and local warnings before and during your trip.
Coastal and island resorts with a sea breeze, such as Corfu, the Algarve and northern Majorca, are usually more comfortable than cities or inland areas.
School holidays and booking
Schools in England and Wales usually break up in the second half of July and return in early September, while Scottish schools break up in late June and return in mid-August. Prices rise sharply in these weeks, so book flights early, compare regional airports, and look at the last week of June or the first half of September if you are not tied to term dates.
Frequently asked questions
Where is hot but not too hot in Europe in August?
The Algarve, Corfu, northern Majorca and the Canary Islands are usually warm without the extreme heat of inland Spain, Greece or Turkey.
What is the cheapest summer destination in Europe from the UK?
Turkey and parts of Greece and Bulgaria often give the best all-inclusive value. Prices everywhere depend most on dates, so June and September are cheaper than school holidays.
Where has the warmest sea in Europe?
The eastern Mediterranean: Cyprus, Turkey, Crete and Rhodes, where the sea is about 26–28°C in August.
