The Best European Cities to Visit in July

One of the greatest pleasures of visiting Italy is being able to dine and drink outside in charming piazzas, and July is a perfect time to do so, with sunny weather almost guaranteed. Northern Italy is full of gems, including the capital, Rome – with its myriad of ancient archaeological sites – Florence, characterised by ornate renaissance churches and palaces – and Milan, renowned for its cutting edge fashion scene and rich artistic heritage. Gastronomic delights, meanwhile, are guaranteed wherever you go.

If perusing the stalls of vibrant bazaars in search of exotic spices and street food sounds like your ideal European city getaway, Istanbul should certainly be on your shortlist. An eclectic array of architectural treasures – such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia – are a feast for the eyes and can be explored on foot or admired from a boat cruise on the Bosphorus, at the juncture between Europe and Asia. Fancy some relaxation time as well? Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast, features some of Turkey’s most alluring beaches.

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than summer in Southern Italy – so long as you come prepared for the heat. In Naples, you’ll be able to gorge on the best pizza you’ve ever had, as well as local street food delicacies, such as ‘sfogliatelle’ and aubergine parmigiana. Head inland to Matera – renowned for its cave dwellings carved into the hillside – which featured in No Time To Die (2021). On Puglia’s Salento peninsula, meanwhile, Lecce boasts some of the country’s most magnificent, honey-coloured baroque architecture, earning it the nickname the “Florence of the South”.

For reliably excellent weather, there are few safer bets in Europe than Croatia in July. Split and Dubrovnik – on the Adriatic coast – both have delightful old towns, featuring a mixture of Romanesque, gothic, renaissance and baroque architectural styles, with narrow, cobblestone alleyways and atmospheric, bar-lined courtyards aplenty.

When we think European summer, we picture sunsets over the blue-domed buildings of Santorini, or the pristine beaches of Naxos, but there’s no reason not to blend your Greek adventure with a city break in the capital. The historic wonder of the city includes the Acropolis, as well as traditional Greek tavernas and trendy neighbourhoods like Keramikos.