The best time to go on a Lakes & Mountains holiday

Dreaming of a summer holiday to Europe, but not sure when's best to go? The truth is, every month of the summer has its advantages. The best time to visit Europe's lakes and mountains really depends what you want to get from your holiday, the sorts of things you want to do and, of course, the specific place you want to go.

As a general rule, if you love warm weather and lounging by the water, July and August deliver real Mediterranean temps in places like the Italian lakes. On the other hand, if you love to get out and about and do lots of walking or other activities, you might prefer things a little fresher, meaning May and June, or September, could be a better bet.

If you're heading up high to the mountains, things change a little. Temps are cooler at altitude, so mountain destinations in places like Austria, Switzerland or the Italian Dolomites are often at their best weather-wise in July and August. 

But there's more that goes into picking the best month for your holiday then just the weather. To help with your planning, we've rounded up all the benefits to visiting Europe's lakes and mountains in each of the summer months. And if you need help working what sort of traveller you are, or where you might like to go, why not try our quick quiz to find the ideal spots for you.

The start of the summer holiday season actually kicks off in spring, and there are lots of pros to taking a trip in May. There’s plenty of sunshine but the temperatures tend to be mild – ideal if you want to spend your days being active outside, cycling along lakeside promenades or walking in the mountains, without getting too hot. The flowers are just coming in to bloom too, so you can admire colourful gardens and meadows while you wander.

May’s also one of the quietest months. Popular resorts will be less busy and you can explore at your own pace. And that counts for hotels too, so you’ll usually get a wider choice of where to stay. Even if you go during half-term, it can be a lot quieter than in the school summer holidays. 

June is a bit of a golden period for holidays, with a good balance between the weather, peace and prices in lots of places. It’s officially summer but not yet peak season, so the towns are not at their busiest and you can might be able to get a great deal. The weather’s really starting to warm up across Europe and the days are getting longer, so you can squeeze in some longer hikes or a pre-dinner stroll before the sun goes down. And thanks to spring rains, the scenery’s lush and the views prettier than ever. It's a great time of year to catch a waterfall too, as the spring snowmelt means that they're often at their most dramatic in early summer.

This is also prime time for produce. Lots of summer ingredients are coming into season across Europe, so look out for things like fresh artichokes, asparagus, strawberries and apricots on restaurant menus, and get a real taste of the local flavours.

With schools breaking up towards the end of the month, the first few weeks of July are a good chance for couples to squeeze in a warm trip before families dive straight into their summer hols.

By this point, it's usually pretty sunny wherever you go, temperatures are rising and the holiday season's in full swing. Some restaurants, mountain huts and summer lifts close down in the quieter months – but by July, everything’s open and you can really get stuck in. There's often a fun atmosphere in lots of lakeside or mountain towns, though there are plenty of places across Europe that maintain a chilled vibe through the height of summer too, so if you're after a more laidback getaway you can still find one. 

There’s a reason this is the most popular month – August is what summer holidays are all about. Spend long, sunny days lazing on the shore of a lake, paddleboarding and boat hopping from town to town, or sitting outside pavement cafés with a spritz or ice-cream.

It's a great time to explore the mountains too, especially if you like things a little cooler. Set out on high-altitude hiking trails, follow gentle routes through meadows and forests and take summer lifts up to the peaks to gaze at some of the best views in Europe.

Families can explore the great outdoors together, whether you're into hiking or watersports (or both!) – or have a blast at Lake Garda’s theme parks. Just like in July, there are plenty of quieter towns and villages to choose from if you’d rather avoid the hustle and bustle.

September is the sweet spot if you want to fit in a holiday ahead of autumn. Once the peak season is over, it's easy to find peace and quiet in some of Europe’s most popular places. You'll often have a wider choice of accommodation compared to July and August too.

It's usually still warm without being too hot, and September tends to have pretty settled weather in lots of places. It's why this is one of the best times to go walking in the Alps, but September is also a great time for a spot of lake swimming too, as the water has had the hot summer months to warm up. 

And of course, it’s not all about unwinding. Lots of towns like to end the summer in style, so look out for local festivals, from food and wine events to music festivals and cultural celebrations. 

Now you know when to go, you just need to pick where. Find out more about our Lakes & Mountains destinations and start planning your next holiday.

Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.

Author: Polly Bryan

Last updated: 08/05/2026