The month of August in 2023 is looking like it’s going to be a blockbuster all over Europe with by far the largest crowds since 2019. The data says that pent-up demand from all of the recent COVID years is finally ready to give way and people will be flocking to all of the major destinations in numbers not scene in a decade or more.
You may know that most office and government workers in countries like France, Italy, and Germany have the entire month of August off work. It’s true and as many of them as possible will head to the beaches, often leaving continental Europe altogether. This means that the capitals and other big cities can feel somewhat empty, and the smaller crowds can make a visit more enjoyable.
Below you’ll find most of the famous cities, but you’ll also find some lesser known cities on the list, and hopefully you can put together a great Europe itinerary of your own. Generally speaking it’s better to avoid Europe’s beaches in August because nearly all of them are at maximum crowds and prices this month.
Looking to avoid the hot places? Check out our best cool places around the world to escape the summer heat
Important August 2023 Holidays in Europe
- August 15 – Assumption Day in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain etc. (major public holiday)
- August 28 – Summer bank holiday in the UK (except Scotland, which is on August 7)
It’s important to note that huge numbers of Europeans have all of August off work, and they mostly leave the cities and head to beaches (in Europe and beyond) and the countrysides. The middle of August is the peak of this, when cities like Paris can literally feel mostly empty, so it’s a good time to visit.
22 Best destinations in Europe in August
London, England
- August avg high: 71F/22C
- August avg low: 56F/13C
- August avg precip: 2.1″/5.3cm
You’ll be battling some pretty big crowds if you visit London in August, but it’s still worth it if you are considering coming to Europe at all this month. This is one of the warmer months, of course, so at least you’ll have nice weather and plenty of daylight to work with. The Thames now has many sidewalk cafes and pubs to enjoy in the warm months, which aren’t nearly as nice the rest of the year.
While London will be very crowded in August, if you get outside of the main tourist spots it really won’t feel too bad. This city is also filled with many excellent public parks and open spaces, so it’s really not too difficult to escape the masses when you want to. This is also a good month to explore elsewhere in Britain. Here are some of the best England, Scotland, and Wales itinerary ideas. Room rates in 2023 are looking lower than in some recent years so it could be a good time to come if you’ve ever worried that London wasn’t affordable.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from £83 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from £85 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from £19 per person
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Edinburgh, Scotland
- August avg high: 66F/19C
- August avg low: 51F/11C
- August avg precip: 2.1″/5.8cm
The August weather in Britain’s second most interesting city is quite nice so it seem like this might be an ideal time to visit. The tricky part is the Edinburgh is famously home to dozens of big festivals every August, most notably the Edinburgh Fringe. As a result, hotel and hostel prices pretty much double or triple, and booking early is critical.
If you aren’t fond of crowds then give Edinburgh a miss in August and come any other month. But those festivals are crowded for a good reason, and tens of thousands make a pilgrimage to Edinburgh every August to be a part of it all. As long as you are aware of the situation, the answer for you should be obvious.
It’s worth noting that Edinburgh is so far north that the days last well into the evening in summer, so coming early in August is a good way to experience that. Hotels are more expensive than London in August, even though they are generally cheaper the rest of the year.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from £124 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from £159 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from £22 per person
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
- August avg high: 70F/21C
- August avg low: 55F/13C
- August avg precip: 2.4″/6.0cm
With its location not far from London, Amsterdam is not exactly known for sunny and warm weather. August is obviously one of the better months for temperatures, so it’s worth a visit even if you’ll be fighting some crowds along the way.
One of Amsterdam’s claims to fame is that there are only a few major streets in the entire city center. This makes it the bicycle capital of the world by some measures, and also means that strolling around the historic 17th Century center is more pleasant than most other cities of this size.
The crowds in Amsterdam in summer of 2022 were really large, with most visitors coming from within Europe, and we expect the same in 2023. Amsterdam is usually crowded, but still some might consider finding another place to go, such as Paris, where crowds in August are smaller.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €114 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €121 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €27 per person
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Rome, Italy
- August avg high: 84F/29C
- August avg low: 65F/18C
- August avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm
August is a tricky month to visit Rome because it’s very warm and rather crowded, but also because so many Italians take most or all of the month off. This means that there are virtually no business travelers to compete with at nicer hotels, but still a lot of other tourists. Rome is so interesting that it’s still worth visiting in August, even if it is a bit crowded.
If you have more time you might also consider visiting Sorrento, which is a bit south of Naples, and the perfect base to visit that city as well as Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. Most visitors will instead head north to Florence on their way to Venice. All of this is explained in much greater detail on our article about the best Italy itineraries.
We are expecting Italy to be very crowded in summer of 2023, so it’s probably wise to book flights and hotels as early as possible.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €66 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €73 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €21 per person
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Florence, Italy
- August avg high: 87F/31C
- August avg low: 63F/17C
- August avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm
If this is your first trip to Europe and you are considering Italy, then the August heat should not be enough to discourage you to visit. This city, along with Rome and Venice, is one of Europe’s highlights, and the crowds are worth the trouble, unless you can move your whole trip.
You can obviously expect it to be quite warm in Florence in August. Most hotels will have air conditioning, but some of the cheapest places may not. Florence has a dense city center, which means that at least you’ll be able to walk in some shade most of the day. You might also consider a day trip to Pisa, Siena, or the Cinque Terre from here.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €70 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €84 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €14 per person
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Venice, Italy
- August avg high: 81F/27C
- August avg low: 63F/17C
- August avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm
Venice doesn’t get quite as hot as the other Italian cities, partly because it’s on a lagoon, but it does get humid as a result. Venice is an amazing city that everyone should see at least once in their life, but it’s also incredibly popular so it’s very crowded almost all year round.
The best way to visit Venice is to book a hotel on the main island for only one or two nights, as you’ll get fed up with the crowds after that. The main island is pleasantly empty in the early mornings and in the evenings when the day-trip crowds aren’t here, so those are the best times for sightseeing. You can save money by booking a hotel on the (comparatively dull) mainland, but you’ll also spend an hour or more each way as well as not having a place to relax in the middle of the day when crowds feel overwhelming.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €87 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €141 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €36 per person
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Paris, France
- August avg high: 77F/25C
- August avg low: 62F/17C
- August avg precip: 1.8″/4.5cm
You might assume that Paris would be splitting at the seams with so many tourists in August, but it’s actually a fairly quiet month. Half the local office workers and many others take the whole month off, and there are virtually no business travelers, so Paris kind of empties out. The middle of the month is almost like a ghost town, with a big public holiday closing most offices and other businesses for some time.
All of the main attractions are open in August in Paris, so it’s actually a very good time to come. This city is so far north that it rarely gets very warm, so the weather is usually good as well. Hotel room rates are lower than the rest of the summer, so you might be able to afford more than you are expecting. All indications are that August of 2023 will be very popular in Paris, but again, the city tends to be very quiet as locals head to beaches and the country, so it’s still a great time to visit.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €67 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €84 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €17 per person
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Interlaken, Switzerland
- August avg high: 74F/23C
- August avg low: 55F/13C
- August avg precip: 5.7″/14.3cm
Most people seem to know that Switzerland is the most beautiful country in Europe for scenery, but most people don’t know where to go. This is why I wrote an article called where to go in Switzerland on a short visit. Obviously August is one of the warmer months, but Interlaken is at the base of the Alps, and this means it usually gets some rain storms in summer. Still, they rarely last long.
The top attractions here are the cable car up to the Schilthorn observation deck and the train up to Jungfraujoch, which is the highest train station in Europe. There is snow in both places all year round, which can be fun in August. If you want to visit a second place in Switzerland to admire the unusual beauty, Lucerne is your best bet.
August of 2023 is looking like it’s going to be very busy after the last few years. Hotel rates are higher than in recent years and booking early is probably wise under these conditions.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €151 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €254 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €32 per person
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Dublin, Ireland
- August avg high: 65F/18C
- August avg low: 52F/11C
- August avg precip: 2.8″/7.0cm
Some other travel experts might disagree with this, but I’m one of many people who find Dublin to be a bit of a dud compared to other European capitals. It’s pleasant enough for a couple days, but really the thing to do in Ireland is to rent a car or take the trains to tour the countryside. This island is filled with historic little towns and gorgeous lush, green, scenery.
Give yourself at least a week and choose at least 3 different places to stay, if not more. Dublin is a good transit hub and place to spend a day or two, but it will be the little country pubs and castles that you’ll remember most after your Ireland tour.
Dublin and Ireland in general are very popular in summer and in 2023 they should be booming. Again, I recommend not spending a lot of time in Dublin itself and focusing more on smaller towns. This strategy should help keep your budget down as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €109 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €134 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €26 per person
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Lisbon, Portugal
- August avg high: 82F/28C
- August avg low: 65F/18C
- August avg precip: 0.3″/0.8cm
Even though Barcelona and Madrid are really too hot and crowded to enjoy in August, Lisbon is still pleasant and very worthwhile. Its isolated location unfortunately keeps many people from discovering this gorgeous city. And with the winds from the Atlantic, the summer temperatures are fairly mild.
If you want to mix some beach in with your city visit, you’ll find half of Britain packed into the hotels and flats in the Algarve, which is the southern coast of Portugal. The beaches are nice for Europe, but a disappointment for people from other areas. It’s probably more interesting to head north to Porto instead.
Lisbon is an unusual bargain in Europe as it’s very nice and yet strangely affordable. The weather is arguably the best of any large city in Europe as well, so you might as well take advantage of the situation while you can.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €51 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €88 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €16 per person
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Prague, Czechia
- August avg high: 76F/24C
- August avg low: 57F/14C
- August avg precip: 2.8″/7.0cm
Prague is famously crowded all year long, and in August it can feel like a theme park. Still, if you are looking for places to go in August, it’s better to join the crowds and experience this place rather than skipping it and wondering what the fuss is all about. Hotel prices aren’t cheap if you insist on staying in the tourist districts on either side of the river, but food and drinks are quite reasonable if you follow the locals rather than the other tourists.
Most people who visit Czechia just go straight to Prague and then leave the country again, but there is more to see here. With 2 or 3 more days in you should consider a side trip to the wonderful small town of Cesky Krumlov, which is 3 hours away on a scenic bus ride or train. It’s gorgeous, and quite a bit cheaper than Prague.
Prague is sure to be very busy in 2023, just like the other top destinations within Europe, so booking early is wise.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €43 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €46 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €17 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Prague
>>>Prague prices and travel tips
Berlin, Germany
- August avg high: 74F/23C
- August avg low: 57F/14C
- August avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm
The winters in Berlin are pretty miserable, so this is definitely one of Europe’s capitals that is best to visit in the summer, if possible. Sure, it’ll be crowded with other tourists, but this is a huge city with plenty of open spaces so it never feels to crazy.
A cruise on the River Spree is a fine way to get oriented to Berlin, since so much of the city was founded along the river. The hotels in the former East are still cheaper than those in the former West, and the area is generally more interesting as well. Berlin should be relatively crowded in August of 2023, but it’s still a good bargain and the main sights are spread out quite a bit so it shouldn’t feel overwhelming.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €78 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €89 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €16 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Berlin
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Salzburg, Austria
- August avg high: 76F/24C
- August avg low: 56F/13C
- August avg precip: 5.9″/14.8cm
The hills around Salzburg are alive with the sound of music, and August is one of the nicer months to visit in spite of the crowds. The Salzburg Festival is a large classical music event that runs from late July through August, so hotels can be full if you don’t book well in advance.
Since Salzburg is at the base of the Alps, it will get some rainfall in the summer months, although it usually doesn’t last long. Most of all you are going to want to spend some time in the lovely historic center, and also get out of town to enjoy the Sound of Music scenery, not to mention the castle on the top of the hill overlooking the town. The historic town center of Salzburg is quite small so it’s best to book early if you’d like to stay in the center of it all.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €107 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €141 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €26 per person
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Vienna, Austria
- August avg high: 78F/26C
- August avg low: 60F/16C
- August avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm
If you are coming to Salzburg (above), then it would be a shame not to visit Austria’s capital as well. Vienna is one of Europe’s grand cities, with wonderful buildings all through the city center. This city is known around the world for its culture of dance, opera, and orchestras, which mostly take August off for the top performers.
The warm weather will make sitting in Vienna’s sidewalk cafes even nicer than during the rest of the year. The two main palaces are also something to see for yourself at least once, and the huge grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace on the edge of town are especially nice in summer. Many local office workers have all of August off, so central Vienna isn’t as crowded this month as you might otherwise expect.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €71 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €80 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €18 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Vienna
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Bruges, Belgium
- August avg high: 68F/20C
- August avg low: 59F/15C
- August avg precip: 1.5″/3.8cm
If Amsterdam sounds like it might be too crowded for you in August, then Bruges can be a fine alternative. It was also built in the glory days of the 17th Century and is almost perfectly preserved, so the cities do look quite a bit alike and both are gorgeous.
Bruges, on the other hand, is much smaller and even mellower than Amsterdam, so it’s a good place to relax for a few days on a long and hectic tour around Europe. Hotel rates are actually cheaper here than in Brussels and Amsterdam as well, so you can afford more than you might expect, even in August. If you are looking for something similar with even smaller crowds you might go to Ghent instead. It’s halfway between Brussels and Bruges, so it’s fast to reach as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €95 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €111 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €22 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Bruges
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Copenhagen, Denmark
- August avg high: 68F/20C
- August avg low: 55F/13C
- August avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
Denmark’s capital is so far north that it really only has about three decent weather months each year, and August is one of them. This is a gorgeous city that would be overrun with tourists if it wasn’t so expensive and so far out of the way. Copenhagen really is stunning and worthwhile, and thanks to some low-cost airlines it’s cheap to reach as well.
Hotel prices in Copenhagen are quite expensive, but quality is high so it’s worth a bit of a splurge. The prices of food and drinks are also famously high, but you can keep costs down by doing a bit of self-catering and buying some alcohol to drink on the street, like the locals do.
Hotel rates in 2023 look pretty reasonable by recent standards so it should not be overly expensive. Booking early is usually wise in any case.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €118 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €151 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €32 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Copenhagen
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Stockholm, Sweden
- August avg high: 69F/21C
- August avg low: 55F/13C
- August avg precip: 2.6″/6.5cm
Stockholm is like Copenhagen (see above) in many ways, but the cities actually look very different from each other and it’s worth visiting both of them if you can pull it off. The August weather is actually pleasant, which will make strolling over Stockholm’s hundreds of bridges even nicer, since the city is built on a series of islands in a harbor.
Also similar to Copenhagen, things here are expensive, but there are now pretty cheap flights to get here, whether you start in North America or from somewhere else in Europe. Be prepared to gasp when you notice how good looking most of the locals are. It’s another reason to enjoy summer days and evenings here, and people watching is free.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €80 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €102 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €18 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Stockholm
>>>Stockholm prices and travel tips
Bergen, Norway
- August avg high: 66F/19C
- August avg low: 54F/12C
- August avg precip: 4.1″/10.3cm
While Switzerland probably has Europe’s most dramatic scenery with its various Alpine towns and peaks, Norway might come in second place. The fjords that line the western coast are beautiful and also very peaceful, partly because there are so few other people around.
Bergen is Norway’s second city, but it’s the gateway to the fjords and it’s more interesting than Oslo in general. You can take any number of bus or boat tours to the nearby fjord areas, or if you have time you can do the Hurtigruten, which is a cross between a ferry, a mail ship, and a cruise liner.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €118 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €174 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €53 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Bergen
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Krakow, Poland
- August avg high: 75F/24C
- August avg low: 59F/15C
- August avg precip: 3.2″/8.0cm
If those Nordic destinations mentioned just above make you wish there were some cheaper options on this list, you’ve just found what we consider Europe’s best travel bargain. Krakow is a lovely and historic city with plenty to see, and also prices that continue to be shockingly low in many cases.
The August weather will make the visit even nicer, especially as Krakow has a huge park that surrounds what is left of the historic center. Hotels and food prices here are so low that this is an ideal place to linger on a longer trip, as you prepare yourself for more expensive cities where you’ll have to move quick.
Krakow is sure to be busy in August of 2023, but there are plenty of hotels. If you want a good place in or near the historic center, which is ideal, it’s best to book early.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €40 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €51 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €11 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Krakow
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Budapest, Hungary
- August avg high: 79F/26C
- August avg low: 59F/15C
- August avg precip: 1.9″/4.8cm
A similar but less crowded version of Prague to consider is Budapest. Its location a bit farther from other major western European cities has helped keep crowd sizes a bit smaller, which is another reason you should add it to your trip. You can visit one of the city’s famous hot spring baths, which are unique to Budapest in this part of Europe.
Budapest is another grand capital that is extremely impressive in person. Most of the high-end tourism industry is found on both sides along the river, so savvy travelers book a hotel and eat at restaurants a bit inland on the Pest side in order to get the best value. Check out at least one of the famous ‘ruin pubs’ for something you won’t see anywhere else.
The public transportation system in Budapest is very good and cheap as well, so you can book a nice hotel for cheap in the Pest side of town and still be near some of the best ruin-bar nightlife.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €51 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €63 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €11 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Budapest
>>>Budapest prices and travel tips
Reykjavik, Iceland
- August avg high: 55F/13C
- August avg low: 46F/8C
- August avg precip: 2.4″/6.0cm
If you haven’t been to Iceland at all before, it’s best to minimize your time in Reykjavik itself. The city is small and rather dull, at least compared to other European capitals. And the main reason is that the rest of the island is absolutely beautiful in all sorts of unusual ways.
If you have a week it’s best to rent a car and drive it all the way around the Ring Road, which is still mostly empty even in August. Iceland has become quite expensive again, so planning ahead is critical. You can still visit Iceland on a reasonable budget with these tips. Food and accommodation are on the pricey side, but it’s worth it. Most of the cheapest hotel rooms in Reykjavik and all over Iceland come with a bathroom down the hall. It’s best to get used to that unless you want to pay a small fortune each night. They don’t have enough available labor to clean a bathroom for each guest every day, so it’s kind of how things work in Iceland.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €130 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €213 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €45 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Reykjavik
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Istanbul, Turkey
- August avg high: 83F/28C
- August avg low: 66F/19C
- August avg precip: 0.9″/2.3cm
Istanbul sounds like it should be in the desert, but it’s really surrounded by water and the August temperatures are very pleasant. Turkey has had some challenges, but nothing that has really directly affected tourists. The currency has dropped by a LOT and now everything here is very cheap in 2023.
This huge city is very good value, but it’s worth knowing that everywhere else in Turkey is even cheaper. If you have at least a week to spend in Turkey, head to Cappadocia after a few days in Istanbul, and then to Antalya for a couple days after that. It’s all very exotic and very good value at the moment.
- Good 3-star hotels in August from €40 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in August from €45 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in August from €9 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Istanbul
>>>Istanbul prices and travel tips