6 reasons to visit Europe during shoulder season
We all have our bucket-list European sites: the canals of Amsterdam, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Swiss Alps. But since so many other travelers have the same list of must-sees, the crowds can be crushing and the costs prohibitive when you visit during the peak-travel months (June to August). And if you decide to go to Europe during the off season—November through March—you could miss the very best of what your destination has to offer.
That’s why shoulder season, the period between the peak season and the off season, can be a great time to book overseas flights. In Europe, shoulder season runs from late April to early June and again from September to late October. Traveling during these magic windows can offer a treasure trove of perks and a far more authentic and relaxing travel experience, thanks to shorter lines at attractions, affordable flights and accommodations, and a greater opportunity to see how locals spend their days (since they’re more likely to stay put than during the summer months).
Here are six reasons why you should take your next trip to Europe during shoulder season.
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1. Better hotel, flight and restaurant options
During peak travel times the demand for flights to Europe often means that the airfares are inflated. But traveling during shoulder season can save you beaucoup bucks. In fact, flights can cost up to 23 percent less than during peak season. And the fact that fewer people are flocking to your destination means not only lower fares but also higher odds for scoring a window or aisle seat on the plane. Booking a room in a boutique hotel with a view is also easier, as is reserving a table at a must-try restaurant.
2. Temperate weather
There’s nothing less pleasant than sightseeing in Venice’s Piazza San Marco or London’s Piccadilly Circus when the sun is blazing. Also, a lot of smaller, more charming European hotels lack two summer essentials: pools and air -conditioning. Shoulder season is a comfortable compromise between the sizzling summer temps and the frigid chill of winter, so you can spend more time outside taking in the iconic sights all around you and less time searching for air-conditioned cafés.
3. A more authentic experience
Hanging out in a throng of tourists isn’t what life is like year-round for the people who live where you’re visiting. Traveling to Europe during shoulder season will give you a better opportunity to live like a local, observe their day-to-day life, and see where actual residents shop, eat and relax. When the crowds aren’t wrapping around the base of the Eiffel Tower, for example, you’ll be better able to appreciate the beautiful gardens that surround it. And there’s no more authentic experience than sitting in a bistro surrounded by regulars.
4. Better photo ops
With fewer tourists around, shoulder season is the perfect time to truly hone your photography skills. You can capture the glory of the Trevi Fountain, Prague Castle or the Brandenburg Gate without throngs of selfie-stick holders in every frame. Instead of having to edit out the background in every photo, you’ll go home with beautiful pictures that showcase the iconic sights from every angle.
5. More spontaneity and flexibility
Traveling in the less-crowded shoulder season will give you more wiggle room to make spur-of-the-moment decisions. You don’t have to plan your entire day around your ticket time for the Acropolis in Athens or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. This buys you time to stroll the areas around whatever sights you’re planning to visit and spontaneously pop into a trendy boutique, buy bread and cheese for an impromptu afternoon picnic or take in a beautiful sunset with a glass of wine in hand.
6. Support local businesses
Small businesses get a steady stream of customers during the peak tourist season, but store owners have operating expenses, like rent and payroll, year-round. Your travel dollars can help local mom-and-pop shops weather the quieter times and stay open so everyone can enjoy them. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to visit smaller shops and restaurants that typically close for a few months during the off season, making your trip all the more memorable.
