{"id":141250,"date":"2025-03-18T08:16:53","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T08:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/where-and-how-to-visit-europe-in-the-off-season\/"},"modified":"2025-03-18T08:16:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T08:16:53","slug":"where-and-how-to-visit-europe-in-the-off-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=141250","title":{"rendered":"Where and how to visit Europe in the off-season"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It may be called the off-season, but don\u2019t let that actually put you off.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Europe<\/a>, it\u2019s no surprise that summer, from late May to late September, is the on-season, bringing the year\u2019s highest temperatures and peak visitor numbers. However, this time is also when the northern hemisphere schools are on break, the cruise ships are at their capacity and the temperatures can reach scorching \u2013 not everyone\u2019s cup of tea.<\/p>\n

This leaves the rest of the year: October through April, with the exception of December because it can get a little busy with New Year\u2019s and the Christmas markets, as the off-season (aka, the low season).<\/p>\n

The months leading up to summer and occurring right after (April and October) are the shoulder months. These times are often quoted as the ideal times to visit due to lower crowds but transitional warm weather. For those who aren\u2019t tied down to travelling at certain times of the year due to school holidays or other calendar breaks, the shoulder seasons are often the most recommended travel time.<\/p>\n

The low season also has its perks, though \u2013 think no queuing for famous sights, good temperatures for exploring, walk-in availability at popular dining spots and getting to experience a destination as the locals do.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019ve got your eye on Europe and can opt away from the high season, here are a few destinations to choose from, some expert recommendations from Intrepid\u2019s international team and a couple of handy things to know before you go.<\/p>\n

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Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where off-season still feels like on-season<\/h2>\n

I get it; it\u2019s easy to be tempted by a European summer. With the sprawling blue water and the lure of Aperol\u2019s by the beach \u2013 it\u2019s a pretty picture. But what if I told you that you could have all that and<\/em> fewer people to share it with?<\/p>\n

Europe is struggling with peak season overtourism, but the good news is that there are a few alternative months to choose from \u2013 spoiler, low crowds, sprawling sailboats and beach-side dining.<\/p>\n

\"Two\"Two<\/figure>\n

1. Greece<\/h3>\n

Why go? <\/strong>On land, the heat has eased but water keeps its warmth a little longer<\/p>\n

In summer, the temperatures in Greece <\/a>step into the \u2018very hot\u2019 territory, making it uncomfortable to spend long days outside exploring ruins \u2013 but people love it for swimming. Want the best of both worlds? Greece in October means the heat has left the streets but has thoroughly warmed up the waters making for great off-season sailing adventures.<\/p>\n

And while the islands and coastal regions close their shutters around November, from here until summer is a great and, importantly, comfortable time to travel both the coasts and the interior \u2013 seafood by the beach, then a visit to Delphi, anyone?<\/p>\n

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\u201cI sailed Intrepid\u2019s Santorini to Mykonos trip in the last week of September to the first week of October. We had wallet-friendly accommodation both pre- and post-trip in the notoriously expensive Santorini and Mykonos Islands. There were fewer crowds, so we could eat at the waterfront tavernas as a group. The water was still blissfully warm, so we could swim every day.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

-Liz, USA<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

2. Croatia<\/h3>\n

Why go? <\/strong>Almost no cruise ships in port means you get the streets to yourself<\/p>\n

What\u2019s one of the biggest frustrations travellers can have with Croatia <\/a>in summer? The crowds. But thankfully there are times outside summer that still feel like summer \u2013 but don\u2019t have the summer crowds. Too much summer? I thought so.<\/p>\n

Instead, look to October and September when the waters are still warm and the crowds and cruise ships have set sail.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, on the other side of winter, April sees sunny skies but cooler days perfect for wandering the historic towns dotted across the country. You\u2019ll also find residents enjoying their spaces, especially as they travel around public holiday weekends.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI visited Croatia in April. I booked the trip to coincide with Easter and, therefore, maximise my annual leave, but as the date approached, I was very nervous about the weather! There was no need, though \u2013 the entire week was a beautiful 20+ \u00baCelsius. I thought Dubrovnik was pretty busy, but I discovered during a walking tour that it was nowhere near the summer capacity! Our guide told us that Dubrovnik hosts thousands more tourists during summer due to cruise ships docking.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

-Niamh, Ireland<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Places that are better for sightseeing in the off-season<\/h2>\n

The best thing about the off-season? It doesn\u2019t have summer\u2019s infamous crowds and heat. So, if you\u2019re looking to wander through cities or go on day trips to the great outdoors, look to book from October to April. Need more convincing? Think, walking right into the Colosseum because there are no long queues or joining a Gaudi small walking tour through Barcelona on a cool autumn day \u2013 you\u2019re sure to thank us later.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"An\"An<\/figure>\n

3. Italy<\/h3>\n

Why go? <\/strong>Feel like a local but walk right into the traveller hotspots<\/p>\n

For a place famous for its ancient cities, medieval churches and packed metropolitan hubs, the low season might be a better time to visit. Especially when you\u2019re planning on spending long days outdoors in places like Pompeii or the Roman Forum, which get a lot of sun and not much shade.<\/p>\n

European local Teresa says, \u201cI visited Pompeii in April, and it wasn\u2019t crazy busy, so I got to see everything in my own time, no long queues, and the heat wasn\u2019t intense \u2013 perfect!\u201d<\/p>\n

Even better, you\u2019re not the only one benefitting from travelling outside the busy season as it\u2019s great for the local economies when travellers visit in the low months, too. And that\u2019s not exclusive to Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI visited Venice in January and couldn\u2019t recommend it more! It was a sunny day, still warm (for winter) and we didn\u2019t have to line up for anything! You could take all the pictures without crowds and there\u2019s also the positive of helping to spread the benefits of tourism to the city over winter as well!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

-Emme, New Zealand<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

4. Spain<\/h3>\n

Why go? <\/strong>Feel like you have Spain to yourself<\/p>\n

Like many European countries, Spain<\/a>\u2019s treasures are best seen on foot, so that means packing good walking shoes and picking your preferred wandering weather. If you\u2019re thinking of a mild sunny day that\u2019s not too hot, the shoulder season is your best bet.<\/p>\n

October, November, March and April are best suited for days spent ducking in and out of Spain\u2019s many museums, parks, palaces and markets before toasting to a day well spent in a local eatery over tapas and sangria. Salud to that.<\/p>\n

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\u201cVisiting Spain in the peak time of June\/July was lovely but the heat can really get to you. So much so that you\u2019re often just wanting to find a place to cool off.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

-Sam, United Kingdom<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Destinations where the off-season is just\u2026 prettier<\/h2>\n

There are places that are just best visited outside summer. From the northern lights<\/a> in an Icelandic winter to Scottish valleys adorned in fiery colours during autumn and, how fitting \u2013 a Halloween trip through Romania<\/a>\u2019s Transylvania in October.<\/p>\n

\"A\"A<\/figure>\n

5. Iceland<\/h3>\n

Why go? <\/strong>Days spent exploring frozen landscapes, long evenings looking for the northern lights<\/a><\/p>\n

From late September to late March, Iceland<\/a> becomes a destination for aurora borealis hunters. The days are short, but really, that\u2019s ideal if you\u2019re here to gaze up at the stars in hopes of crossing this natural phenomenon off your list. Added bonus? Some of Iceland\u2019s already impressive waterfalls freeze over winter (not a sight you\u2019ll see every day). And when you\u2019re ready to warm up and chill out, the many natural hot springs will welcome you with metaphorical open arms.<\/p>\n

6. United Kingdom and Ireland<\/h3>\n

Why go? <\/strong>Off-season here means you don a few extra layers and carry on<\/p>\n

The UK<\/a> and Ireland <\/a>may just be some of those places where spring and autumn are better for travel than summer. Think national parks like Snowdonia <\/a>ablaze with bright orange, comfy evenings warming up by a fire, dining on a classic Sunday roast, shopping for knitted woollen wares in cosy villages and toasting to a day well spent over a pint of Guinness \u2013 this region definitely knows how to make the best of any weather.<\/p>\n

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What you need to know<\/h2>\n

Costs<\/h3>\n

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