Best Time to Travel: Where to Go Month by Month (2026)

Going at the right time changes everything: the same city can be magical in May and stifling in August, empty in November and packed in July. Here is our guide to the best time to travel, month by month and region by region, with the ideal destinations for each season, what to avoid and our tips for enjoying the best weather at the best price. All these recommendations match those in our city guides.

The golden rule: aim for the shoulder seasons

For most European destinations, the best times are the shoulder seasons: late April to June and September to mid-October. It is sunny and mild, major sights are less crowded, the sea is already or still pleasant, and accommodation is often much cheaper than in July and August. Going two or three weeks before or after the summer peak is often enough to transform a trip.

Spring (March to May): cities in bloom

Spring is perfect for big cities, before the heat: Rome, Lisbon and Seville from March-April, Paris, Florence, Prague and Amsterdam in April-May. Seville celebrates Holy Week and its Feria, Lisbon finds its mildness again, and Tokyo is covered in cherry blossoms in late March-early April. It is also a great season for Marrakech and Istanbul, before the big heat.

Summer (June to August): the sea and the North

June is one of the most beautiful months of the year: long days, a warming sea and fewer crowds than in August. It is the time for Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Dubrovnik, Puglia and Barcelona. In July and August, favor the sea and cooler northern destinations such as Berlin, London or the Azores, and avoid Rome, Seville or Marrakech in the heat if possible, often above 35°C.

Autumn (September to November): golden light

September is often the best month for the Mediterranean: a still-warm sea, fewer crowds, superb light. It is perfect for Greece, Croatia, southern Italy and Portugal. In October-November, it is city time: Prague, Istanbul, New York and Porto are magnificent in autumn colors, and Tokyo enjoys mild weather again. November also opens the Christmas market season.

Winter (December to February): sunshine or Christmas magic

Two options. Winter sun: Marrakech, Seville, Dubai, Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro offer mild or hot weather while Europe is cold. Or holiday magic: the Christmas markets of Prague and Berlin, the lights of Paris, London and New York, and New Year's Eve in these great capitals. On the other hand, avoid the Greek islands and the Amalfi Coast, where many hotels and restaurants close.

The best time by destination

Rome: March to May. Paris: April to June and September to October. Barcelona: April to June. Lisbon: March to May. Porto: May to October. Seville: March to May and October. Santorini and the Cyclades: mid-May to early October, ideally June and September. Dubrovnik: May-June and September-October. Marrakech: October to April. Istanbul: April-May and September-October. Prague: May to September, and December for the Christmas markets. New York: April-June and September-November, and December for the holidays. Tokyo: late March to May and October-November. Bangkok and Dubai: November to March.

Times to avoid

July and August in very hot southern cities (Seville, Rome, Marrakech, Athens at midday) and in Dubrovnik or Santorini at peak cruise hours. Summer in Dubai, when temperatures are extreme. The depths of winter on the Mediterranean islands, often asleep. And major school holidays, when prices and crowds peak.

Travel at the right time with NavorAI

Give NavorAI your dates: your itinerary takes into account the season, opening hours and known closures, with tailored tips such as visiting early in summer or booking major sights in advance. And if you are unsure where to go, our suggestions change with the season to offer you the ideal cities of the moment.