Traveling to Europe was very popular last summer, but we believe that fall and winter would be better seasons to visit. How come? Costs are decreasing, particularly those of airfare.
We have a few suggestions if you’re trying to find the greatest airline prices. To start, you should be as specific as you can be with your destination search. You can look up “anywhere” as your destination using a lot of flight search tools. You’ll probably be able to negotiate a better price if you’re not set on where you’re going. Likewise, since some local airports may provide greater bargains than others, you might want to think about leaving many of them. For instance, rather than large international hubs, cheap airlines usually operate out of regional airports.
Second, you should try to be as flexible as you can with the dates you choose. “To find the best ticket prices, travelers can also save by changing their departure dates; departing midweek can often be less expensive than the weekend,” an Expedia representative explains.
Finally, after you’ve selected a few flights, use a price alert tool to monitor the flights on your wishlist. The majority of flight search engines offer this feature, and many of them will also inform you if the pricing is greater or cheaper than usual.
Expedia has provided us with a list of the top 10 most affordable cities in Europe to fly into, along with a % difference in price from this summer, to help you get started with your search. Although this ranking is based on seasonal data, many of these locations are usually among the least expensive in Europe to fly into all year round.
01 Autumn in Oslo, Norway’s Vigeland Park
The capital of Norway is a center of culture, offering easy access to many natural areas while maintaining a vibrant urban core. That makes it a great place to go on a fall vacation. Head inside one of Oslo’s amazing museums, such as the Museum of the Viking Age or the Munch Museum, if you think it’s a little too cold to be outside (daytime highs in October typically hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Whale sightings and observations of the northern lights are among the natural wonders that await you if you’re prepared to bundle up.
02 Stockholm, Sweden
Similar to Oslo, autumn in Stockholm is ideal for wearing sweaters. This implies that there’s never been a finer opportunity to wander through one of the many urban parks in the nation’s capital during the fall leaves. Stockholm offers a good selection of indoor activities as well, such as visiting renowned museums like ABBA The Museum or the Vrak Museum of Wrecks (yes, shipwrecks). If you’re feeling very daring, you can even indulge in the age-old sauna ritual, which involves dipping into the cool waters after working up a sweat.
03 Hamburg, Germany
Even after Oktoberfest ends, Hamburg offers a plethora of activities during the fall and winter seasons. Apple picking and Halloween festivals are just two of the traditional fall activities you may find in the city. We suggest stopping by a café for a hot cup of coffee if you’re looking for some winter warmth. Alternatively, you might savor international cuisine in Hamburg’s thriving multicultural food industry. Something historical to tuck into? One can spend a day visiting any of the neighboring palaces and castles, such as Ludwigslust Castle, dubbed the “Versailles of the North.”
04 Es Vedra, Ibiza, Spain
Indeed, because of its extravagant clubs and parties, Ibiza is probably best recognized as a summer travel destination. You may, however, experience Ibiza from a different angle if you travel to the Balearic island in the fall or winter. Ibiza is the perfect place to enjoy excellent eating, and in October, the annual Ibiza Sabor food festival takes place. Plus, with fewer tourists, it’s easier to get restaurant reservations. Because of the cooler weather (though it’s still warm enough for some beach days), it’s also the perfect season to go trekking or biking throughout Ibiza.
05 Copenhagen, Denmark
Though its charming alleyways are especially delightful to stroll through in the fall, Copenhagen is a bustling city all year round. More than 2,000 free-range deer graze across four square miles of lakes and forests in the neighboring Dyrehaven, also known as Deer Park, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now is a terrific time to visit. If all you want to do is cozy up with a nice book in your hotel room or vacation rental during the hygge season, which is synonymous with chilly weather in Denmark.
06 Madrid, Spain
Fall is a great season to visit this old city, with average temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees. Celebrate one of the many fall festivals in the city, such as Fiesta de la Almudena, which honors the Virgin of Almudena, Madrid’s patron saint, in addition to seeing the usual key attractions. It gets a little rainy this time of year, so don’t forget to bring an umbrella.
07 Dublin, Ireland
While green is often linked with Ireland, autumnal colors are the way to go in this season. Walk in 1,750-acre Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed city park, to take in the fall foliage. After that, stop by one of the many bars in the city; they’re always open. The annual Bram Stoker Festival honors the well-known Irish author, his writings, and everything Gothic and eerie—it’s one of Dublin’s most unusual autumnal events.
08 Brussels, Belgium
Fall is the best time of year to take a walk in a Brussels park—as long as you remember to pack your rain jacket. Choose from the English-style park Bois de la Cambre, the 18th-century Park Royale, and Tervuren’s Park, which is renowned for its fall beauty. In the winter months, you can’t go wrong with a Belgian beer at a local pub or a hot chocolate at one of the many chocolate shops.
09 Geneva, Switzerland
As fall ushers in a new cultural season in Geneva, many of the city’s museums, including the Patek Philippe Museum and the Musée D’Art Et D’Histoire, are probably hosting a new exhibit. Since you’ll be traveling before the ski season begins, autumn is also a great time to take day trips to Chamonix. While there, you should consider hiking, golfing, or just taking strolls through the quaint town.
10 Scotland’s Edinburgh
Even though it might get cold, Edinburgh is a great place to go on an enjoyable city break during the off-season. Edinburgh’s fall foliage is unlike any other. When you combine the often dismal weather with the gorgeous red foliage that grows on some of the area’s old buildings in the fall, you have the ingredients for a perfect escape. The idea of having afternoon tea sounds like the ideal way to unwind after a busy day of touring.
11 Florence, Italy
It’s harvest season in Tuscany from late summer to early October, so you may base yourself in Florence and venture out into the countryside. You can expect fantastic dinners almost everywhere in the region (though the food is great all year round), as it’s all about grapes, truffles, olives, and cereals. You should see some of Florence’s most well-known attractions, such as the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery, as there are fewer tourists during this time of year.