August heralds that summertime is nearing its end.
The dog days of August present plenty of opportunities to enjoy the tail end of summer. As the days grow shorter, go to the places where you can get the most out of the waning summer days.
Here are five of the best places to visit for August European trips.
Stockholm
Sweden’s capital city Stockholm is beautiful during the summertime.
This city of 1.5 million is both Sweden's largest city and Scandinavia's largest city. Its northern location on the globe means that summer days last longer here than in places closer to the equator.
While summer days are longer, winter days are darker; Stockholmers appreciate every hour of daylight summer brings, making for a vibrant, exciting environment during the summer months.
What Is There To Do In Stockholm?
Stockholm houses the nation's foremost cultural amenities and historical sites as the Swedish capital.
The Royal Palace in Stockholm is one of the Swedish Royal Family’s residences to this day and an alluring location for visitors to the city. While certain areas are restricted, visitors can take informative tours of this staple in Sweden’s long and fascinating history.
Stockholm is host to abundant attractions found in other world-class cities in its peer group: museums, concert venues, theaters, and high-quality restaurants, all with a signature Swedish flair.
Visit The Stockholm Culture Festival
The Stockholm Culture Festival occurs every year in August. Over three days, the city streets bustle with street performers, musicians, food vendors, and artists of every stripe. The festival partners with a guest country every year, fostering a deeper cultural exchange that enriches the festivities and highlights the bonds of international partnership.
With no admission fee, the Stockholm Culture Festival is an accessible way to take in all Sweden offers on a trip to Europe.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a must-see travel location for any August itinerary. The Danish capital has an estimated population of just over 800,000.
A short distance away from the Swedish border, the Øresund Bridge, completed in 1999, connected Sweden and Denmark by land, making land-based travel from Scandinavia to central Europe possible for the first time.
Travel between European nations has become easier thanks to technological innovations like the Øresund Bridge and policies like the Schengen Area. This free travel agreement simplifies international relations between participating nations.
Learn more about the Schengen Area and how it affects European travel from within and without.
What Is There To Do In Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is home to world-record holders in summer entertainment.
Tivoli Gardens, first opened in August of 1843, is the third oldest amusement park in the world. Since it first opened, Tivoli Gardens has set the archetype for every amusement park that’s followed after that.
Copenhagen has established itself as a world leader in gastronomy and cuisine. Ground-breaking restaurants in Copenhagen continue to earn blue ribbon accolades from high pedigree culinary publications and institutions year after year; best-enjoyed al fresco.
One of the most bike-friendly cities on the planet, visitors can safely and effectively get around Copenhagen by bicycle and see the whole city in comfortably warm August weather.
Taste Copenhagen At The Copenhagen Cooking and Food Festival
August hosts Copenhagen Cooking, a world-class food festival wherein visitors can enjoy cuisine that is as dynamic as it is delicious.
Foodies around the planet gather for this three-day festival in one of the most influential cities in the world of cuisine; it’s the gastronomic event of the year and the perfect reason to visit Copenhagen in August.
Edinburgh
August is the best time to see the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Four hundred miles north of London, Edinburgh's northern location benefits from longer summer days than its continental counterparts during the peak of summer.
Edinburgh has a modest size. With a population of about 500,000, it’s the second largest city in Scotland; the largest is Glasgow, 40 miles to its west.
What Is There To Do In Edinburgh?
Edinburgh city is a marvel itself; the Old and New Town districts of the city are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The stark medieval architecture of the Edinburgh Castle in Old Town is a popular attraction for visitors to the city. With its splendid neoclassical design, the New Town district established the aesthetic standard for much of the British Isles from the 18th century onwards.
Arthur’s Seat is a fort hill in the middle of the city, presenting a refreshing hike and a stunning view of this gorgeous site from its summit.
Immerse Yourself In The Edinburgh Fringe
Every August, millions of people converge on Edinburgh for the largest art festival in the world: the Edinburgh Fringe. The Fringe is massive. In 1947, this seminal performing arts festival netted more ticket sales than any event except the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Over the month, the world’s artists and performers flock to Edinburgh to showcase their talents.
Travelers who visit Edinburgh in August will have no shortage of culture, art, and food to experience at this landmark festival.
Ensure Your Travel Arrangements Are Met When You Travel
The United Kingdom does not have European Membership nor participates in the Schengen Area travel agreement. Learn more about the potential travel accommodations you may need for travel between the UK, E.U. member states, and Schengen Area-participating nations.
Valencia
The Spanish port city of Valencia has a long, storied history. It’s been a focal point for many empires: the Romans, the Moors, and the Spanish.
Valencia has been a trading hub for centuries facing the Mediterranean ocean to the east. It’s the third largest city in Spain, with over 800,000.
Modern-day Valencia retains the glories of its layered past in every street, with centuries of history to see on every street.
What Is There To Do In Valencia?
Valencia has undergone numerous transformations over its history. Visitors can see a myriad of architectural styles that make this among the most aesthetically diverse cities in Europe.
The City of Arts and Sciences is a vast exhibition of modernist architecture that points to a bright future for this burgeoning city. Meanwhile, historical sites like La Lonja de la Seda reveal the splendor of Valencia’s past – this UNESCO World Heritage Site captured the brilliance of Valencia’s golden age in the 15th century.
Beyond Valencia's cultural and historical heritage, there’s plenty of natural beauty to enjoy. As a coastal city, Valencia attracts beachgoers looking to cool off from the remaining hot days of August.
La Tomatina: A One-Of-A-Kind Festival
Just outside Valencia’s city limits, the town of Bunol hosts a strange festival on the last Wednesday of August. La Tomatina is claimed to be the largest food fight in the world, wherein participants take to the streets with tomatoes in hand.
On the last day of the annual Giants and Big Heads parade, an altercation between one of the paraders and young people evolved into a full-fledged food fight.
The festival first began the next year formally in 1946: participants staged a pre-planned altercation similar to the previous year, and tomatoes were flying yet again. La Tomatina has endured over the years and cemented itself as one of Europe’s strangest summer events.
The Hague
The Hague is a beachside city on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands.
While not the capital, the Hague houses the administrative infrastructure of the Netherlands, its seat of government, and the country's royal capital. The city is also home to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
With a population of just over 500,000, the Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands, behind Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
What Is There To Do In The Hague?
Its seaside location makes the Hague an alluring place for a beach getaway.
The Hague has miles and miles of beachfront locations, accompanied by boardwalks where visitors can enjoy several cafés, restaurants, and other summertime amenities.
In addition to the beachside resorts, the Hague has several museums and cultural sites where travelers can see the unique history of the Netherlands and its governing bodies firsthand.
See The Scheveningen International Fireworks
The third week in August every year brings the Scheveningen International Fireworks festival to the Hague.
Scheveningen is one of the Hague’s most popular beachside destinations. Over three days, it plays host to a spectacular display of fireworks curated by competing teams worldwide; it’s the perfect way to bring the summer to an end.
Enjoy Summer Travel In Europe With ETIAS
Europe has a world of opportunities to enjoy by summer’s end.
To ensure that you’re spending more of your time following your travel itinerary instead of being held up in customs, learn about if the ETIAS requirements affect you.
Sources:
Stockholm Culture Festival | Visit Stockholm