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Amsterdam l
Athens l
Berlin l
Brussels
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Copenhagen
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Dublin l
Helsinki
London l
Madrid l
Oslo l
Paris l
Rome l
Stockholm l
Vienna l
Zurich
Spring rain, summer tourist crowds, autumn gloom and winter
blizzards…you never really know what to expect when you’re traveling
overseas, but here are a few general indications of the kind of weather
and crowds you might run into if you’re wandering around Europe.
 Amsterdam
Spring: Tourists flock to Amsterdam throughout the year, but spring is
the beginning of the real high seasons, when early April tulip blooms
begin to swell the number of visitors. May to Mid-June is considered the
first ‘shoulder season’, when temperatures are warm, rates are
reasonable and the crowds aren’t yet at their peak.
Summer: July and August are the peak tourist months, when the tulips
fields are at their peak, the crowds at their largest and prices are at
their highest. These months also offer the warmest days of the year
(average 70 F).
Autumn: The shoulder season from September to late November brings
lowered temperatures, more rainstorms, but also fewer tourists, lower
prices and usually a few weeks of summer-like weather in which to
continue enjoying the city.
Winter: From December to February, substantial rainstorms and 32 F
temperatures keep all but the independent travelers away. Most
attractions will shorten their hours, but hotel prices are at their
lowest, apart from a brief frenzy around the Christmas period. If the
temperature drops enough, the canals freeze over enough to permit
skating. Amsterdam is below sea level, making fog, mist, and dampness
constant throughout the year.
Athens
Spring: This is the most popular time to visit Athens, from March to
June. Temperatures hover around and the attractions aren’t too
congested. The exception April, when the Easter celebrations is cause
for price hikes, closure of most major attractions and traffic jams as
Athenians go on holiday and travel themselves. Some independent
travelers prefer the city when it’s empty. The shoulder season occurs in
May to early June, just after the Easter rush and before the summer high
season.
Summer: Summer gets very, very hot and dry. 100 F is normal, though
ocean winds can sometimes alleviate the heat (but only a little). A
hotel with air-conditioning is a necessity. Most tourists prefer to go
to the islands during summer, and tour the city during the cooler spring
and autumn months. The end of summer, specifically the 15th of August,
is another big national celebration, also accompanied with price hikes,
congestion and lots of Greeks on the move. Athens is very dry throughout
the year, so drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Autumn: The temperature drops to a more bearable 60 degrees during this
season, and holds constant in that region late until December. A light
sweater may be needed during the evenings and nights. Most beaches are
far emptier, so some independent travelers go against the trend and
beach-hop during autumn, while others prefer to stay in the cities.
Winter: Winter months can get very cold and windy, but there are often
days of strong sunshine as well. Snow is rare; the last time it snowed
was January 5th 2002. Far fewer tourists visit during winter, but many
cultural events take place during the cooler season. The meteorological
phenomenon known as the halcyons may occur, when winter is broken by
weeks of spring-like weather.
Berlin
Spring: Temperatures begin to increase, as do prices and crowds, but
prices are reasonable throughout the shoulder season stretching from
March to May, except for the beach and mountain resorts popular with
Germans. Weather is pleasant, with temperatures averaging about 60 F and
rainfall occasional. There may be times when the meteorological
phenomenon known as the Ice Saints make the days as wintry as December.
Summer: July and August are the most expensive months in the city. To
make up for the prices, the weather is at its nicest, reaching a high of
73 F. Rain is common, so bring wet weather gear. In Germany, summer can
last well into September.
Autumn: Early October to November sees a slight drop in prices and
crowds, in tandem with the temperature. The skies tend to be gloomy,
rain is more frequent, most outdoor activities are strictly curtailed
and cultural festivals and events start filling the social calendar.
More adventurous travellers choose this shoulder season to see the city.
Winter: Temperatures can drop to a chilly 26 F, so bring sturdy winter
clothes. Daylight tends to last only up to eight hours and many days are
overcast. Snow is expected, but not always seen. Crowds tend to be much
thinner and prices are at their lowest. There’s plenty of cultural
events and winter activities, except around Christmas, which in Germany
is a private family affair.
Brussels
 Spring: Rain is the predominant feature of Belgium’s weather pattern and
every month sees at least a few storms. The spring shoulder season of
April and May is dotted with fairly light showers and is a popular time
for independent travelers trying to avoid the larger crowds and higher
prices of later months. The Belgians themselves are more relaxed and
cheerful, as they look forward to the summer. Temperatures average a
cool 40 F.
Summer: Summer is the high season for the city, especially July and
August when the weather is at its finest. Temperatures soar to about 80
F and the days are much longer. The European Union is at its busiest
during this period, so the city will be filled with politicians,
reporters and their associates. Summer is also the wettest season, so
waterproof gear is recommended.
Autumn: September and October sees a dramatic increase in rain and an
equally precipitous drop in temperature to about 50 F. Crowd levels and
prices also plummet and many independent travelers with good rain gear
take advantage of this shoulder season to explore the city. Most
attractions stay open during autumn, but with shorter opening hours.
Winter: The traditional low season for Belgium. Temperatures drop to
about 35 F, daylight lasts only 6 to 8 hours when it breaks through the
overcast sky and there’s plenty of cold rain. Snow is very likely,
though not particularly troublesome when it does fall. Prices are low,
most attractions are empty and people are rather more glum.
Copenhagen
Spring: Spring comes early in Denmark, beginning in early April and
stretching until June. The weather warms up quickly, with sunbathers
appear in the parks as soon as the temperature gets above 50 F. Spring
generally offers plenty of sunshine, with occasional rainstorms, low
prices and far fewer international visitors. Proximity to the sea means
fog and rain are generally expected throughout the year.
Summer: From May to August, temperatures average 77F, though evening can
be chilly year round. Daylight hours are at their longest, regularly
stretching to about 11 hours. This is the high season, when booking
ahead is the safest way to secure a room and/or other necessities. Many
outdoor recreational sites are open May 1st to the 3rd week in September
only. Most festivals and major outdoor events take place during these
months, increasing the crowds and prices.
Autumn: Rainstorms are plentiful during this month and the temperature
drops to an average of 50 F, accompanied by fog. Crowds and prices tend
to drop off during this season, as many attractions are closed and the
street side cafes move their tables back inside.
Winter: The traditional low season. The winters are long and relatively
dreary, with temperatures hovering around 30 F. Sharp winds can push the
temperature down even further, especially at night. Prices and crowds
are accordingly at their lowest. Christmas and New Year’s both increase
the number of visitors slightly, but as both tend to be private family
affairs in Denmark, many attractions will be closed so the locals can
celebrate.
Dublin
Spring: Spring showers in May and April are common and expected — be
sure to take wet weather gear. The shoulder season stretches from March
to May, though prices aren’t as low as they used to be since a fair
number of people come for the St Patrick’s Day festivities.
Summer: Summer is high season, as Ireland becomes packed with tourists
throughout June and August. Temple Bar is at its most crowded and
reservations anywhere are a necessity. Temperatures reach a balmy 70 F,
the sun shines longer and the rain lightens up.
Autumn: The shoulder season of September and October offers less crowds
and more attractions, as many arts and cultural festivals are held
during these months. Temperatures drop to about 65 F but light jackets
and of course the umbrella are usually sufficient. The rain starts to
become more regular again.
Winter: The low season for all of Ireland. Temperatures drop to a chilly
40 F, rains pick up in intensity and darkness falls early. Snow rarely
falls. Many sites and attractions are closed, as are a lot of the hotels
and prices are at their lowest in the year.
Helsinki
Spring: The season begins a bit late in Finland, usually around April
through to August. Owing to the dry climate, it always feels warmer than
the thermometer indicates around the year.
Summer: The high season peaks around July and August, when southern
Finland is as warm as England, Holland and Belgium (about 70 degrees).
At midsummer, the days are long, as the Midnight sun may take 19 hours
to set.
Autumn: By the end of September, the temperature has dropped sharply to
about 50 F; prices and crowds quickly follow. Daylight hours shorten to
about 8 hours and both prices and crowds plummet. Many independent
travelers choose this time to explore the city.
Winter: The Gulf Stream makes the winter less harsh than it could be.
Snowfall begins in November and continues until April, and the
temperature hovers around 30 F. The coldest month is the end of January,
when temperatures can drop to about 10 F and the sea can freeze.
Tourists continue to come for the winter activities and the Northern
Lights. Days can be very gloomy and overcast. Prices are at their
lowest; it’s a good time to go for a very cheap cruise.
London
Spring: Showers aplenty from April to early July, and increasing
temperatures raise the humidity. Tourists begin to flock to experience
the proverbial joys of ‘England in May’, but prices are still reasonable
and lines at most attractions still bearable.
Summer: Temperatures are at their warmest, hovering around 75 F.
Everything and everywhere gets crowded, especially in late July and
August. Reserve far in advance, otherwise hotel rooms, restaurant
bookings and other conveniences can’t be had for love or money. Fog can
sometimes rise and rain is still an occasional hazard.
Autumn: The temperature starts to drop to about 60 F, though in some
years, summer warmth can run as late as early October. The days quickly
get much shorter and by end October, daylight is only seen for about 8
hours a day or less, with most of the day being overcast. Rain is more
likely during autumn.
Winter: Cold, grey, wet and dreary. London doesn’t see snow or ice very
much, but gloves and hats may still be welcome. Daylight hours are
short, but most attractions will still be open (albeit with shorter
opening hours) and far smaller crowds. Plenty of independent travelers
brave the gloomy weather in exchange for the lower prices, so prices
aren’t as low as they could be.
Madrid
 Spring: The March Easter festival is generally quiet, unlike the rest of
the country, as most Madrilenos head south. The shoulder season from
April to June sees lower prices and crowds, but also pleasant
temperatures averaging about 70 F, low humidity and fair weather. Madrid
is the highest-altitude capital in Europe, so the seasons are more
extreme than in the rest of the country; keeping a sharp eye on the
weather is advisable. Infrequent rain is expected during this season, as
well as strong winds.
Summer: Temperatures frequently go over 100 F in July and through most
of August.. Nighttime temperatures aren’t much cooler; an
air-conditioned room is recommended. August sees plenty of international
tourists arriving, but most of the locals traditionally take the month
off, leaving many businesses and attractions either closed or with
severely reduced hours.
Autumn: September through early November is the shoulder season, with
lower prices, cooler weather and smaller crowds. The Madrilenos
themselves are more active during autumn, enjoying the better weather
after the fiery summer. Many cultural events and festivals are scheduled
during the autumn, so there’s plenty to do. Temperatures drop down to
about 70 F.
Winter: Far fewer tourists visit Madrid during its traditional low
season. From December to February, the temperature drops to about 35 F
in the daytime, but can drop far lower during the night, so a room with
heating is recommended. Despite the chill, the weather tends to remain
sunny, dry and clear, so independent travelers can take advantage of the
low season to explore the city without the crowds. Snow is very rare and
never accumulates.
Oslo
Spring: Spring is short and sharp, at its longest only from late April
to June. Temperatures are a cool 50 F and rainfall is plentiful. The
weather in Oslo is notoriously changeable, so clothing should take into
account heat, rain and even snow all on the same day.
Summer: Summer is very short in Norway and the high tourist season is
from mid-June to mid-August. There’s long hours of sunshine, but also a
fair amount of rain so don’t forget wet weather gear. As in the rest of
Scandinavia, the Norwegians spend as much time outdoors in the summer
and most attractions are at their busiest during this time. Average
temperature is 60 F, though the day can get as warm as 80 F and the air
is often surprisingly humid.
Autumn: Temperatures fall to an average of 40 F and days quickly become
shorter. The season offers the added bonus of the Aurora Borealis, or
Northern Lights Past August, tourism slows to a crawl and many
attractions, including the tourist office, sensibly close for the coming
winter.
Winter: Norway has one of Europe's coldest climates, but is warmer than
it could be, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Winter temperatures very rarely
drop below zero degrees and usually hovers around 25 F. Snow begins
falling in November and can continue until March. In Norway, winter can
last as long as April and daylight can be a mere 6 hours long. January
and February have the shortest, coldest days. Very few visitors come
during the winter, as many hotels and attractions are closed for winter,
though the museums usually stay open.
Paris
Spring: The most popular season for tourists, who flock from April to
June to enjoy Paris in the spring. Temperatures hover around 60 F and
humidity is fairly low. Unfortunately, rainfall is fairly frequent
during spring.
Summer: July is usually the warmest month, with temperatures reaching up
to 80 F and rain being a common occurrence. Summer in Paris tends to be
a sweaty, dusty affair, with plenty of crowds and high prices to add to
the experience. In August, most Parisians make the traditional exodus
from the city for their holiday. The city is at its quietest, as most
businesses and attractions run severely restricted hours or close
entirely.
Autumn: Running from roughly September to October, this is the second
tourist season, with the weather hovering around 60 F and far less
rain-inclined than spring. The shops and attractions are open again and
consequently, the prices are also up again.
Winter: Winter in Paris is not extremely cold, though temperatures do
drop to about 35 F and light rain makes things chillier. Few people
visit the city in winter, except for the more adventurous independent
travelers, and most of the other tourists will be French. Snowfall is
common, though rarely very heavy.
Rome
 Spring: The tourist season starts early, with foreign tourists flocking
to the city during Easter, while Italians flee it. Spring is one of the
wetter periods of the year, although by May the rainy day normally
becomes a rarity. The average temperatures for this season are between
65° and 75°. The shoulder season runs from April to early June, when
prices are low and you can still see many attractions without huge
crowds blocking your view.
Summer: July is scorching hot, usually between 80 F to 90 F, but
occasionally reaching 100 F. Humidity tends to be high in the city and
daylight can be 10 hours long. Crowds can be daunting and prices are
high. In August, the traditional European month-long summer holiday sees
most Italians leaving the cities for the seaside resorts. If you’
planning a beach holiday during this period, book many months in
advance. Many attractions in the city are closed, or have shorter
opening hours.
Autumn: The grape harvest is done in this season and harvest festivals
abound. The September/October shoulder season is usually recommended as
a good time to visit for the lower prices, fewer crowds, good weather
and abundance of festivals. Temperatures hover around 70 F and daylight
lasts about 9 hours. September and October is usually fairly dry, with
winter storms only starting around mid-November.
Winter: Winters can be nippy at 50 F and rainstorms are at their most
frequent during this period, but days are often sunny and bearable. Far
fewer tourists and lower prices, but many conventions take place during
the winter, so prices aren’t always as low as expected.
Stockholm
Spring: Spring begins late and ends fast, lasting only from May to June.
Light showers are usual, as are temperatures of about. Stockholmers
spent as much time as they can in the sun, after the long dark winter.
Summer: This season runs from June to August and is the high season for
the city. Temperatures can go as high as 75 F on a good day. T-shirts
and shorts are common attire, but bringing warm clothes is recommended,
as the evenings can still be a bit nippy. Daylight seems to last forever
— 18.5 hours of sunshine a day isn’t unusual. The high point of the
season is the Solstice, when both locals and visitors celebrate the long
days of summer.
Autumn: The season takes hold quickly; nighttime in September can
sometimes see temperatures drop below 0 F, with accompanying frost. Most
outdoor attractions will be closing, or closed. Warm clothing is
essential at this point. Stockholm is surrounded by water and the wind
can be very strong and bone-chilling, so a wind-breaker can be very
welcome.
Winter: Snow begins falling from late November, all the way until late
February or March. Temperature averages about 30 F and heavy-duty
cold-weather gear is essential. Stockholm is too southerly to enjoy the
effects of the Midnight sun, so daylight in December may only be 6 hours
long, and even less in February.
Vienna
Spring: April to June is the quiet season of the year, when most of the
city’s fame concert halls and opera houses are taking a well deserved
break from the winter high season and the weather is beginning to warm
up to a cool 50 F. The spring shoulder season sees lower prices and
crowds on the one hand, but fewer cultural attractions on the other.
Summer: July and August sees temperatures averaging 66 F, with plenty of
sunshine. Wet and windy days are common however, so bringing a raincoat
and warm sweater is recommended. The influx of tourists is strong during
these months, pushing the prices higher, but the most famous concert
halls and opera houses are either shut or at their quietest during the
summer and the Viennese look outside the city for their entertainment.
Autumn: The concerts and operas begin picking up steam again towards the
end of summer and festivals bring the city to life in the autumn,
stretching the tourist season well into October. Prices continue to be
high all the way through to October, but the weather continues to be
pleasant, with temperatures hovering around 50 F.
Winter: Temperatures drop to around 30 F, with lots of rain and
occasionally snow. The city’s cultural calendar reaches its height
during the winter, with Christmas and New Year events taking place at
year’s end and the Ball season in January and February. The winter is
the second high season, but prices tend to be slightly lower and crowds
smaller, except around Christmas, New Year’s and Easter.
Zurich
 Spring: Temperatures average a cool 55 F and showers are frequent,
particularly in May. There is a short shoulder season, a dip in the
numbers in April and May, as spring skiers depart and summer visitors
wait for better weather.
Summer: In Switzerland, summertime is the first high season and usually
runs
from June to August. Temperatures average 65 F, days are long and
sunny and showers are more infrequent. The high season hits its peak
around late July to early August and prices are correspondingly high.
Autumn: During October and November, temperatures fall to an average of
50 F. Outdoor activities may be a little hectic due to increased rain;
fog and mist become more common. Prices drop from their summertime peak,
but not very far — Switzerland has no real low season, as tourists come
throughout the year.
Winter: Running from late November to mid April, winter is the second
high season for Switzerland. Temperatures average about 25 F in the
city. There is a very short shoulder season in the beginning of winter,
from late September to early November, as summer visitors depart and
skiers wait for better weather, but then prices skyrocket over the
year’s end, and again at Easter.
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