In summer 2024, it seemed like everyone and their chic pooch headed to the sun-soaked shores of Marseille for their European summer holiday. Our social feeds were flooded with scenes of the city’s vintage and vinyl shops, the dreamy turquoise waters of the Calanques and the graffiti-covered streets of Cours Julien. And before that, it was all about Albania: in 2022 and 2023, the Balkan country saw a sudden influx of festival-goers and beach-hoppers, earning it the moniker of ‘the new Croatia’.
So, where will be the Euro Summer hotspot of 2025? As ’s travel editors and writers, we have a few ideas. From a stylish Belgian city to an Italian coolcation, these are the European destinations that’ll be all over your FYPs this summer. Trust us.
RECOMMENDED: The best European city breaks in 2025
Europe’s summer 2025 hotspots
Antwerp
‘It can’t be just my For You page that’s been slowly but surely interspersed with shots of Antwerp lately. With stylish bakeries (Tinsel, Andy and Funk); funky-looking craft beer and natural wine bars (Beerlovers Bar and Amber Bottle Shop); gem-filled vintage stores (Pardaf) and striking arts spaces (the MAS and the Museum of Contemporary Art), this Belgian city could well be this year’s answer to Copenhagen, Rotterdam or Berlin.’—Liv Kelly, writer for Travel
Balkan cities
‘Balkan beach destinations have been popular (mostly with bargain holiday hunters and festivalgoers) for a while now, but the hype is heading inland. Trendy architecture heads are leading the way to the likes of Kosovo, Tirana and Skopje – the latter, in particular, is a brutalist paradise. Expect your social feeds to be crammed with whacky Macedonian concrete structures this summer.’—Ed Cunningham, UK and London news editor
Biarritz
‘Move over, Marseille – Biarritz, a breezy seaside city over on France’s Basque coast, is fast becoming the country’s go-to coastal getaway. Named the best place to live in France this year for its exceptional quality of life, I’ve since heard of more than a few people holidaying (and even moving to) Biarritz, eager to soak up its world-class waves, chic bars and gourmet food scene. It’s only a 45-minute drive from San Sebastian, so you could even pop over the border and cover two beachy Basque cities in one trip.’—Grace Beard, travel editor
Girona
‘We named it one of Europe’s best city breaks this year and now we’re seeing it all over socials – Girona is most definitely on the up. Cyclists have been heading to the small Spanish city for years thanks to the area’s varied terrain, well-maintained roads and favourable climate, but there’s a lot for the Lycra-averse to enjoy too. Around 100km north of Barcelona, Girona’s known for its impressive medieval architecture, historic Jewish quarter and excellent food scene. It’s a popular day trip from Barcelona, with fast trains from Barcelona-Sants getting you to the city in under 40 minutes. But a longer visit allows you to explore the province’s many picturesque towns as well as the secluded coves and fishing villages of the Costa Brava.’—Olivia Simpson, former translations editor
The Dolomites
‘Mountain holidays are on the up – they featured as one of Pinterest’s biggest trends of 2025 – and clued-up travellers seeking a high-altitude summer trip are zeroing in on northeast Italy. The Dolomite region of the Alps has so much going for it: incredible scenery, outdoor adventures, a dense cluster of picture-perfect wellness hotels, and the unique culture and cuisine of the German-speaking South Tyrolean region – not to mention direct flights from across Europe with regional ‘boutique airline’ SkyAlps. It’s a more-than-worthy alternative to the hectic crowds (and blazing summer temperatures) of Italy’s more famous cities and beaches’.—James Manning, EMEA content director
Tbilisi
‘Both BA and EasyJet have just launched direct flight routes from London to Tbilisi – and if London meme account @socks_house_meeting is anything to go by, the UK’s techno-loving mullet heads will be flocking to the Georgian capital this summer like it’s the new Berlin. Throw in a fantastic festival and theatre scene, a hodgepodge of supremely photogenic buildings, and several glasses of cheap, delicious Georgian wine, and you have the perfect summer city break.’—GB
Naples
‘Naples is by no stretch of the imagination a hidden gem, but it is slowly, slowly becoming the Marseille of Italy. Let me explain: Naples has the same gritty, ‘I’m too cool for Rome’ reputation, fewer tourists than its ridiculously famous Italian neighbours, and it’s still really affordable for a city break. And that goes for its food, too – expect to get one of those fresh, doughy Neapolitan pizzas for €5-10, anywhere in the city. It’s also the cheapest place on the continent for an Aperol Spritz, so there you go.’–Ella Doyle, travel guides editor
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