Best Time to Visit Northern Europe
The best time to visit Europe’s northern countries depends largely on what you’d like to do there, as each season is tailored better to specific experiences and activities. The busiest time of year is usually the summer, between June and August when northern Europe has its best weather and longest daylight hours. However, this can also mean higher prices, crowded attractions, and difficulty booking the hotel you might want.
If you can travel outside the school holidays, the weather in Europe in May is still very pleasant, albeit cooler than the summer months, and you’ll find fewer crowds. September and October are also a beautiful time to visit northern Europe when the weather is crisp and cool.
The kind of activities you might do in northern Europe will vary throughout the year, depending on the weather. In winter, there’s skiing, snowboarding and the magical Northern Lights in Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Spring brings weather suitable for outdoor activities like hiking and biking, and this is a great time of year to soak up the vibrant cultural scene in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen. Summer is perfect for getting out on the water in western Sweden’s beautiful coastline, plus there’s the Midsummer festivities, which take place all over the country. Autumn shows off this part of Europe’s beautiful landscape, with stunning foliage, making it an ideal time of year to see the fjords in Norway.