Canary Islands

Climate

Due to the Gulf Stream, the Canary Islands have a very mild climate all year round with only minor temperature fluctuations. Extreme cold or heat rarely occurs. The summer months can get up to 30 ° C. The lowest rainfall is expected from March to November. In the sometimes high mountains it can get very cool at night.

Best travel time

The winter months and the months in transition to summer are considered the main season. The months June to September offer ideal hiking weather due to the dry weather.

Balearic Islands

Climate

The Balearic Islands have a temperate subtropical climate with an average of 7.9 hours of sunshine a day. Due to the location of the islands, the short winters are mild and humid. There is seldom snowfall – only in the mountains. In the summer months, however, it hardly rains. The temperatures in the interior of the island can then rise to over 40 ° C. Short, heavy rains are possible from the end of August. From the end of December to January, calm, mild weather conditions are common. The small summers already lead to the famous almond blossom in Mallorca in January.

Best travel time

Spring and autumn are scenic and with mild temperatures – ideal for vacationers with active preferences. Beach holidaymakers prefer the summer months from May to September. The winters are rather calm in Mallorca.

Spain

According to Countryaah, Spain is located in southwest Europe and occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula. The country borders France to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, the Strait of Gibraltar to the south, and Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The national territory also includes the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and the provinces of Melilla and Ceuta in North Africa. The capital is Madrid.

Climate:

Spain belongs to different climatic zones, especially due to its different altitudes. In the north, for example, there is a mountain climate with snowy winters as well as an Atlantic coastal climate. On the north coast of Spain, the winters are milder, the summer months cool and temperate and there is more rainfall. In the continental, northern part of the interior, very warm, dry summers are expected. In the direction of the Mediterranean, the Mediterranean influence increases. In the subtropical Canary Islands the winters are mild, especially from October to February it rains heavily. Temperatures are pleasant all year round.

Best travel time:

Spain, including its islands, is an attractive year-round destination especially for beach holidays. In winter you can still get plenty of sunshine on the Canaries. For tours in the interior of the country, spring with its pleasant temperature values ​​is more recommended, in the Mediterranean it is often too hot for hiking in summer. Rainfalls can be expected in October.

Portugal

According to iTypeUSA, Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula, making it the westernmost state in Europe. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the east and north. The westernmost point of the European mainland is therefore in Portugal, at Cabo da Roca. The islands of the Azores and Madeira with Porto Santo also belong to the Portuguese territory.

Climate:

The Portuguese climate is temperate-maritime with warm summer months and mild winters. The mountainous north-east region shows more continental influences, here the temperatures differ more clearly in the rather dry, hot summer and the cold winters. Maximum summer temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius show the Mediterranean character of southern Portugal.

Best travel time:

Depending on the region, Portugal is a year-round destination. Skiers can use the mountainous north-east of Portugal. If you want to do without snow, you can also spend the winter in Madeira, the Algarve or the Azores. The transitional months are ideal for sightseeing, the summer brings bathing weather to the northern Portuguese coast from July to August. In the Algarve, however, it can get too hot in midsummer.

Greece

Greece is located on the eastern Mediterranean in southern Europe. It is made up of mainland Greece, the Peloponnese peninsula and numerous islands and is surrounded by the states of Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria in the north, Turkey in the east, the Ionian Sea in the west and the Libyan Sea in the south. The island of Gavdos in the Libyan Sea is the southernmost point of the country and is also geographically the southernmost point of Europe. Besides the mainland with 106,915 km², Greece consists of 3,054 islands with a total of 25,042 km² land area. That is almost 19% of the total area of ​​the country. Only 87 of the islands are inhabited. Despite its strong maritime character, Greece is classified as a mountainous country, as the mountain share is just under 78 percent.

Climate:

Greece is a prime example of a Mediterranean climate: dry, hot summers and mild winter months alternate. The north and west of Greece are a little more rainy. In winter, snow falls in the mountains.

Best travel time:

If you have no problem with heavier rainfall in autumn and winter, you can travel to Greece all year round. City trips are easy to plan in the transition period between spring and autumn. In summer, bathing holidays on the Mediterranean with pleasant water and warm air temperatures are possible. Sailors make better use of the period from April to October, in the following months there can be storms.

Germany

According to Countryaah, there are 9 countries in Western Europe. Germany is one of them. Germany borders on nine countries and naturally in the north on the waters of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, in the south the mountainous region of the Alps. With around 82 million inhabitants, it is one of the densely populated area states.

Climate:

Germany lies in the temperate climate zone, depending on the altitude (mountains) and the north-south extent, regional differences can arise. While Atlantic influences predominate in the west, the continental climate dominates to the south and southeast. In the north of Germany, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea shape the climate, while the Alps are characterized by a mountain climate. In July an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius is reached, in winter the value is around 4 degrees Celsius.

Best travel time:

Thanks to its relatively stable weather conditions, Germany offers attractive destinations all year round. Accordingly, the travel period is based on regional preferences and the interests of the traveler. In summer, a long period of good weather lures the Baltic Sea and the southeast, while autumn promises mild vacation days in southern and western Germany. Between December and March, skiers get their money’s worth in the mountains.

Switzerland

As a federal, democratic state, Switzerland is located in Europe, but is not a member of the European Union. It borders Germany in the north. According to the federal constitution, Switzerland has no capital; the seat of the federal authorities is the federal city of Bern.

According to iTypeUSA, Switzerland is a country located in West Europe. Switzerland has around 8.1 million inhabitants, including around 1.9 million foreigners, which makes up 23%. The country is one of the more densely populated countries in Europe, with the population concentrated in the central plateau in the north of the country. The largest cities are the economic centers of Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern.

Climate:

Switzerland has a largely temperate climate, with the north of the Alps being cooler and rainier. Southern Switzerland is dominated by the Mediterranean, and the altitude generally influences the temperature. On some mountains there is snow all year round.

Best travel time:

Thanks to the moderate climate and favorable location in Central Europe, Switzerland is a worthwhile travel destination all year round. Depending on the region, skiers use the period between November and April; mild summer temperatures in the Rhone Valley invite you to spend a long time outdoors. It can get even warmer in southern Switzerland. The pre-alpine region surprises with pleasantly warm autumn days, at Lake Zurich and Lake Constance it is very foggy during this time.

Austria

About 60 percent of the national territory is mountainous and has a share in the Eastern Alps. These include above all the Tyrolean Central Alps, Hohe Tauern and Niedere Tauern, the Northern Limestone Alps, Southern Limestone Alps and the Vienna Woods. For this reason, Austria is sometimes also called the Alpine republic. According to AllCityPopulation, the biggest city of Austria is Vienna with a population of 1.897 million.

Climate:

In general, Austria belongs to the moderate climate zone, with the east of the country being more continental. In the west, Atlantic influences are noticeable, while in southern Austria some Mediterranean tendencies are already noticeable. Long winters with lots of rain and snow characterize the alpine mountain regions. Thunderstorms often occur here in summer, warm down winds (called foehn) regularly bring the area to a warm 20 degrees Celsius in the transition months.

Best travel time:

You can travel to Austria all year round. With the exception of winter, city tours are actually always possible; the period between November and early April can be used for skiing in the Austrian Alps. Mountaineers find optimal conditions in summer and autumn. If you want to do water sports in the alpine lakes, you should preferably do so in summer, in Burgenland and the Carinthian lakes you can also use spring and autumn for this.

Latvia

According to Countryaah, there are 10 countries in Eastern Europe. Latvia is one of them. Latvia forms the center of the Baltic States and essentially consists of four historical regions: Courland, Livonia, Zemgale and Latgale. The mostly forested moraine hill country offers numerous lakes and a coastline along the Baltic Sea.

Climate:

The annual average temperature of Latvia is about 6 ° C and there is 600mm of precipitation. As in all Baltic states, there is a cool, temperate climate with mild summers between 16 and 17 ° C and cold winters below 0 ° C. Most rain falls in late summer and it is driest in spring. The sun shines between 1800 and 1900 hours a year. The Baltic coast usually remains ice-free in winter.

Best travel time:

The best months for good weather in the coastal region and thus Riga are from June to mid-September. On average, it gets warmest in July and August.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in the east of the Balkan Peninsula. In the north the country borders on Romania, in the south on Greece and Turkey, in the west on Serbia and North Macedonia and in the east on the Black Sea. The capital is Sofia.

Climate

Bulgaria is divided into three areas from a climatic point of view. The first area is the north. There is a continental climate, which means that there are hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The second area is the Balkan Mountains. There is a lot of snow on the north side in winter, in summer it rarely snows. The Rila and Pirin Mountains have an alpine climate. The southwest of the country and central Bulgaria, just like the Black Sea region, have features of the Mediterranean climate, which means that there are mild winters and warm summers with over 20 ° C daily.

Best travel time

The best time to travel to Bulgaria is from May to September, as this is when the best temperatures are in this region.

Albania

According to iTypeUSA, Albania is a country in south-eastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north the state borders on Montenegro and Kosovo, in the east on North Macedonia and in the south on Greece. The capital and largest city of the country is Tirana.

Climate

Due to the location of Albania and the different distances to the sea, the climate in Albania is diverse. There is a maritime climate in the coastal regions, which means that the climate is very strongly influenced by the sea and there are very mild and humid winters, but hot and dry summers. Inland, however, the climate is continental and there are cold winters with lots of snow and warm summers. Earthquakes can also occur in Albania because it is in the seismically active zone, so you should follow the local media.

Best travel time

The best time to travel to Albania is in spring (April to June) or in autumn (September / October), as the temperatures at these times in the region are very pleasant and rainfall is also limited. In summer it is very hot in Albania and in winter it is relatively cold, which is why it is not the perfect time to visit this country.

Turkey

The city of two continents can be divided into two regions: the European part, which increasingly meets western standards economically and culturally, and the poorer Asian regions, which are developing slowly. As a result of the rural exodus, almost two thirds of the more than 79 million Turks live in so-called “hut settlements” in the big cities, while another 3.5 million Turks work abroad. Most Turks enjoy gracious hospitality based on belief and trust in Allah. 99% of the Turkish population are Muslims. In addition to this extremely friendly hospitality, there is the lively negotiating skills of the Turks in the numerous bazaars, which is always an experience for our hearts. According to AllCityPopulation, the capital of Turkey is Ankara with a population of 5.7 million.

Climate:

Turkey consists of a maritime northern region, a Mediterranean west on the Aegean Sea and a subtropical south towards the Mediterranean. Snow still falls on the north coast in winter. On the coast to the Black Sea there is an oceanic climate with humid and moderate winters and humid and warm summers. Mild winters are typical for both southern and western Turkey. In Anatolia, winters are cold and very snowy, depending on the altitude.

Best travel time:

Turkey is a year-round tourist destination. Beach holidays can be planned until November, the Turkish ski tourism runs until April. If you want to get to know Istanbul, you still have the opportunity to do so in winter thanks to the mild temperatures. Only in the south of the country can summer get too hot, which is why travelers prefer to come there in spring and autumn.

Slovakia

Slovakia is a central European landlocked country that has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Slovakia has an extension of 410 kilometers in an east-west direction and from 100 to 190 kilometers in a north-south direction.

Climate:

The different altitudes of the mountain ranges primarily determine the characteristics of the Slovak continental climate. The High Tatras have snowy winters, which are also contrasted with cooler but drier summers. In the south of Slovakia, however, it is significantly warmer with hot summers.

Best travel time:

The summer months are well suited for swimming in the large lakes as well as for hiking and mountaineering tours. In some cases, the transition months are still pleasantly mild, so that September / October can still be used for outdoor activities. A lot of snow makes the Slovak slopes attractive to skiers in February and March, and the ski season generally extends between December and April.

 

Norway

According to Countryaah, the Kingdom of Norway is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian peninsula. It borders Sweden to the east and Finland and Russia to the northeast.

Climate:

The southern Norwegian coast has a mild climate, as does the western coast due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The north-east and the eastern part of Norway are characterized by a continental climate. In the deep north there is sometimes an arctic climate with very cold winter temperatures of up to minus 40 degrees Celsius and a lot of snow. It rains a lot, especially in the transition months, especially on the southwest coast.

Best travel time:

Both winter and summer offer ideal conditions for traveling to Norway. While winter sports enthusiasts in particular get their money’s worth between December and April, the summer months offer numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking or paddling. North of the Arctic Circle, with a little luck, you can see the northern lights from September to March.

Iceland

According to iTypeUSA, Iceland is the second largest island nation in Europe after the United Kingdom and the largest volcanic island in the world. It is located in the North Atlantic, just south of the Arctic Circle.

Climate:

The Gulf Stream ensures a relatively mild climate in Iceland. Nevertheless, the weather is changeable all year round, north and east Iceland are more oceanic and cool. On average, the summer temperature is 12 degrees Celsius, in winter the thermometer only drops just below freezing point.

Best travel time:

If you like the winter beauty of Iceland, you should use the period from February to April. This time is snowy, but it will be brighter again than in the earlier winter months. From the end of August you can watch the Northern Lights in Iceland, which make up for the short days. At this time, however, it is stormier. Icelandic hiking trips should be planned between late June and early September when the days are the longest and less rain is expected. From the end of June to the beginning of July you can also see an impressive display of flowers in Iceland.

Greenland

Greenland is the largest island on earth. Geographically, it is part of the Arctic North America, politically it is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is internally independent, but is represented externally by Denmark, the former colonial power. The Greenland island name is Kalaallit Nunaat – “land of the people”, in Danish the island is Grønland – “grassland”.

Greenland is a unique country: a huge island with a total area of ​​around 2.2 million km², the interior of which is covered by a huge glacier, which is surrounded by a mountainous, often steep coastal area. See AllCityPopulation for country flags of Greenland and other countries in Europe. The west coast is the most populous region, including the capital Nuuk with around 16,200 inhabitants. The north as well as the east are almost uninhabited. Since there is no road network outside of the cities, traffic takes place exclusively by ship, plane, helicopter or dog sled.

Climate:

The different ocean currents influence the polar climate in Greenland. The Irmingerstrom softens the temperatures on the west coast, here, even in winter, hardly any ice forms and in summer the temperatures in villages that are somewhat protected in fjords can rise to 20 ° C. South Greenland has more rain than the north and can even be a little cooler than the west in summer. In East Greenland there is ice on the sea and in the fjords almost all year round, which keeps the temperatures correspondingly low. The winters in Greenland are crisp and cold with little humidity and temperatures down to -33 ° C.

Best travel time:

In order to be able to use the full range of leisure activities in Greenland, the summer period from mid-June to early September is ideal. Those interested can then take part in whale watching, kayaking trips and hikes through the imposing nature. If you want to spend the winter months in Greenland, you have the opportunity to see the northern lights and pursue all kinds of winter sports. However, between November and February it gets very cold and dark here, which is why skiers should travel to Greenland in March at the earliest.

Svalbard

Svalbard is a group of islands belonging to Norway in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. In Norwegian usage, the archipelago has been called Svalbard (“Cool Coast”) since the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. However, this name is not widely used in German; the name Spitzbergen is used. It is also the name of the largest main island in the archipelago. Svalbard was primarily settled from around 1900 because of the rich coal deposits. More recently, Spitzbergen has been considered the “largest laboratory in the world” for Arctic research, which also includes a launch site for research rockets (SvalRak). According to the Svalbard Treaty, the archipelago is a demilitarized zone.

Best travel time

The season for expedition cruises in Svalbard starts in April and ends in September.