Summer Holidays 2026: The Best Destinations in Europe

The summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to explore Europe’s diverse destinations. In the first part of this blog series, we focused on Germany and Southern Europe. However, with its breathtaking landscapes, charming cities, and exciting outdoor activities, Northern Europe is becoming increasingly popular for summer holidays.

To inspire your next getaway, we've rounded up some of the most popular destinations across the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway.

Contents

• Overview
• Netherlands
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Finland
• Norway

Overview: summer holidays in Europe 2026

The Netherlands: City breaks and seaside escapes

With its long sandy beaches, charming coastal towns, and relaxed atmosphere, the Netherlands is a great choice for a summer getaway. Better still, it's easy to reach from the UK, with regular ferry services to both Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Travelling by ferry also gives you the flexibility to take your car, pet, bicycle, and all the luggage you need for your trip.

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht are popular for city breaks, with their historic canals, world-class museums and vibrant culture. Along the North Sea coast, well-known seaside resorts such as Zandvoort, Noordwijk, and Scheveningen attract visitors with their beach clubs and opportunities for water sports.

The West Frisian Islands, including Texel, Terschelling, and Ameland, are also very popular. With their impressive dune landscapes, nature reserves, and tranquil atmosphere, they're ideal for cyclists, hikers and families looking to leave everyday life behind.

Denmark: Family holidays by the sea

With its miles of coastline, charming seaside towns and relaxed atmosphere, Denmark is a popular choice for families. The Jutland peninsula is home to some of Denmark's best-known holiday destinations. Along the North Sea coast, you'll find picturesque resorts and dramatic dune landscapes, whilst the Baltic coast offers quieter beaches and numerous leisure activities. The island of Bornholm is also one of the country's most beautiful holiday regions, renowned for its picturesque fishing villages, sandy beaches, and excellent cycling routes.

The islands of Funen and Zealand are also well worth exploring. Here you'll find historic castles, idyllic coastal towns and Copenhagen, Denmark's vibrant capital city, known for its colourful waterfront, amazing foodie scene and hygge culture.

Denmark is easy to combine with a ferry-based holiday from the UK. Many travellers choose to sail to the Netherlands and then continue their journey to Denmark by road. Once you're in Denmark, you can also easily explore the region by ferry too, with services connecting the mainland with islands such as Bornholm and Samsø.

Sweden: Outdoor activities and Scandinavian charm

Sweden combines natural beauty with modern cities and a relaxed Scandinavian lifestyle. During the summer months, long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures make it an especially attractive destination for outdoor adventures and city breaks alike.

One of the most popular holiday regions is, of course, the area around the capital, Stockholm. The city blends historic architecture with contemporary Scandinavian design and a unique location surrounded by water. The Stockholm archipelago consists of thousands of islands that are ideal for boating, hiking, and swimming.

On the west coast, the region around Gothenburg is also very popular, with picturesque fishing villages, rugged coastlines, and some of the country's best seafood. Inland, large lakes are perfect for water sports, and parks and forests offer opportunities for hiking, canoeing, camping and other outdoor activities.

Although you can't get a direct ferry from the UK to Sweden, once you've arrived, ferry travel is a great way to explore Sweden's islands and beyond. Regular ferries go between the mainland and destinations such as Gotland, whilst local services connect the Stockholm Archipelago, offering a scenic way to sightsee!

Finland: Lakes, islands and city breaks

Finland is often called the Land of a Thousand Lakes – although in reality, it has many more. This is what makes the Finnish Lakeland region particularly popular with visitors. Here, you can enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing and hiking, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. We'd recommend choosing a holiday home right on the water for a quintessential Finnish holiday experience.

Made up of thousands of islands, the Turku archipelago, is also amongst the most popular summer destinations in Finland. The numerous islands offer spectacular landscapes and are partially connected by ferries. From Turku, ferry services also operate to the Åland Islands and Stockholm, offering the opportunity to combine more than one destination in just one trip.

Of course, the Finnish capital Helsinki is also a major draw. With its modern architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and attractive seaside setting, the city is not only ideal for a city break, but also an excellent base for further adventures, with regular ferry crossings from Helsinki to Tallinn.

Norway: Fjords, mountains and coastal towns

When you think of Norway, dramatic fjords, majestic mountains, and picturesque coastal towns come to mind – and these features are exactly what make the country a dream destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. During the summer months, long daylight hours provide even more time to explore the country's beautiful landscapes.

Amongst Norway's most popular destinations are the world-famous fjords of western Norway. The Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Hardangerfjord offer spectacular scenery and are considered some of Europe's most impressive natural attractions.

In the south of the country, regions like Kristiansand and Stavanger entice visitors with a pleasant summer climate, coastal scenery, and family-friendly attractions. Norway is also easy to combine with a wider Scandinavian ferry trip, with many travellers sailing from Denmark to southern Norway via the Copenhagen to Oslo ferry route.

Looking for more inspiration?

On our blog, you'll find plenty of ideas for your trip to Northern Europe, including:

• The best cities to visit in Scandinavia
• European road trip
• Norway's west coast with Fjord Line
• Travelling from Tallinn to Helsinki
• Travelling from Hull to Rotterdam
• Travelling from Newcastle to Amsterdam

Northern Europe also boasts some of Europe's most exciting summer holiday destinations. Each destination has its own unique character – from sandy beaches to beautiful archipelagos, vibrant cities and dramatic fjords. Incorporating ferries into your adventure makes it even more exciting, allowing you to easily combine multiple destinations in a single trip.

Compare ferry routes and book your summer holiday for 2026 today. Also, don't forget to visit our blog and Instagram for more travel inspiration.