After the long chill of winter, the warmer weather of Spring and longer days makes it a perfect time of the year for exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Of course, the sunny days of summer are perfect for a long, hot, relaxing holiday, but I think March to May and late spring is the best time of year for a European city break. Think spring blooms, local festivals and some long-awaited warmer weather.
Why visit Europe in Spring?
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As well as milder temperatures, flights and hotels are more affordable in the low season. Tourist attractions are also usually less crowded in the shoulder season, so you’ll spend less precious holiday time standing in queues.
I also think in early Spring there’s a more upbeat vibe. Everyone’s looking forward to the warm weather and the locals aren’t yet jaded by the influx of tourists.
A spring break is often the best way to explore European destinations, but there are more options for a European city break than the obvious places like Paris, Rome or Madrid.
I’ve compiled my pick of the best places to visit in southern Europe in Spring, including stunning historic cities, idyllic Mediterranean islands and even a mountaintop city-state. I’ll also share the main attractions in each location for some added Spring city break inspiration.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia is a vibrant port city in southern Spain. It effortlessly combines historic charm with modern architecture and natural beauty, but is often overlooked in favour of major cities like Madrid or Barcelona.
Spring is a great time to enjoy Valencia’s beaches, green spaces and cultural attractions without the crowds of summer time tourists. As an added bonus, the mild temperatures are more comfortable, too.
Las Fallas, a series of festivals commemorating Saint Joseph, is held in Valencia every March. The main celebrations are from 15 to 19 March and firework displays take place every day between 1st and 19th March.
There’s so much to enjoy in Valencia, from the historic Silk Exchange (La Lonja) and Valencia Cathedral in the Old Town to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. The stunning architectural complex featuring an aquarium, planetarium and science museum sits in a beautiful park where a river originally ran through the city.
The bustling Mercado Central is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Its food stalls, souvenir shops and restaurants offer an authentic taste of local life inside an eye-catching Valencian Art Nouveau market hall. It’s a great place for picking up some local flavour. And, of course, Valencia is the birthplace of paella, so be sure to tuck into this delicious dish at La Malvarrosa Beach. Yes, Valencia’s a beach city too.
Read my Valencia city guide to help plan your visit
Malaga, Spain
In peak season, the Andalucian city of Málaga is best known as the gateway airport to the Costa del Sol. But the city has so much more to offer, and the mild Spring weather makes it the best time to explore before the summer tourists and long lines of queues arrive.
Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, combines a rich cultural heritage with laid-back Mediterranean charm. The beautiful city centre, peaceful parks and stylish waterfront area are all very walkable, while street art and stunning architecture lie around every corner.
Art lovers should visit the colourful Centre Pompidou Málaga and the Picasso Museum, which showcases the artist’s works in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace.
History buffs can explore the ruins of a Roman theatre, climb up to the 11th-century fortified Alcazaba palace for a glimpse into Málaga’s Moorish past or head even higher to the Gibralfaro Castle for stunning views over the town and sea.
Don’t forget to visit the city’s large food market, enjoy a coffee in one of the pavement cafes or relax with lunch on La Malagueta beach.
Read more in my Malaga city guide to see why this city is a great choice for a Europe in spring city break.
Valletta, Malta
The island nation of Malta offers the perfect blend of cultural highlights, historical sites and outdoor activities, so there’s something to please every traveller. Spring is ideal for exploring its historic streets before the summer heat arrives, and by April, the sea is warm enough for swimming and scuba diving.
Malta’s capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as European Capital City of Culture in 2018. The tiny city only covers an area of around one square kilometre, so it’s easy to cover on foot in a single day.
Valletta’s city centre is filled with flamboyant baroque architecture like the Auberge de Castille and the Hostel de Verdelin, also known as Palazzo Verdelin. Although the exterior of St. John’s Co-Cathedral is relatively modest, it’s worth a visit to see its lavish Baroque interior and Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
Wander at leisure through the city’s charming alleys, stopping off at cosy cafés, cute boutiques and the impressive Grand Master’s Palace. Stretch your legs with a lunchtime stroll to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for breathtaking harbour views accompanied by the midday cannon salute. Alternatively, you can save your legs and take the elevator instead!
If you visit Malta in the days leading up to Easter Sunday, the streets are turned into open-air theatres hosting grand Holy Week processions and rituals marking the life and death of Jesus.
Read more in my Valletta city guide.
Pisa, Italy
Mention the Tuscan city of Pisa, and most people’s minds will immediately conjure up an image of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. But there’s much more to Pisa than the Tower, and Spring is the perfect time of year to explore with fewer crowds of tourists.
The Leaning Tower is actually the bell tower of Pisa’s grand Cathedral, and you’ll find them both in the stunning Piazza dei Miracoli, or Square of Miracles. This walled square is one of the world’s finest architectural complexes and an important centre of medieval art.
Other miraculous buildings in the Piazza include the Pisa Baptistery of St. John, the Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) and the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo).
Wander along the banks of the Arno River to marvel at the dramatic exterior of PIsa’s smallest church, Santa Maria della Spina. It’s thought by some to be one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Europe.
The famous De’Coltelli gelato shop is another great reason to visit Pisa in spring time. Its long winter break starts in November each year, so you’ll need to visit Pisa from early March onwards to satisfy your gelato cravings.
Read more about Pisa, there’s a lot more there than its famous leaning tower.
Matera, Italy
Matera is one of Italy’s most unique cities, renowned for its ancient cave dwellings known as the Sassi. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and was named European Capital of Culture in 2019.
The summer months in southern Italy can be too hot for exploring Matera in comfort. On the other hand, the sunny weather of Spring offers mild temperatures ideal for exploring Matera’s fascinating history and stunning landscapes.
Walk through the atmospheric stone-carved streets, visit rock-hewn churches and explore the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario to discover how people lived in these traditional cave homes for centuries.
But there’s more to Matera than the Sassi. You can’t miss the 13th-century Cattedrale di Maria Santissima della Bruna e Sant’Eustachio, known more frequently as Il Duomo. Its rather plain Romanesque exterior towers over the medieval city, but it’s worth popping inside to admire the ornate ceiling frescoes and gilded decoration.
If you have time, a hike up to the Belvedere di Murgia Timone offers dramatic views of Matera’s skyline against the rugged Puglia countryside.
Read more about Matera and the secrets of the Sassi
San Marino
More than just a city, the city-state of San Marino is one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics. It sits on top of Mount Titano, surrounded by the Emilia-Romagna and Le Marche regions in northern Italy.
You can easily visit San Marino by bus from Rimini, and it’s a good destination for day trips from cities like Florence and Bologna. I took the train from Bologna to Rimini and then finished the journey by bus.
San Marino’s medieval charm, winding streets and spectacular mountaintop views make it perfect for exploring in the pleasant weather of Spring. Take a stroll through the steep streets of San Marino’s historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by medieval stone walls. It’s filled with quaint shops and museums like the quirky Museum of Curiosities and the gruesome Torture Museum.
Next, head to Piazza della Libertà to witness the changing of the guard outside the grand Government Palace. The neoclassical Basilica del Santo is also worth a visit, but be sure to dress appropriately for a religious building, i.e. avoid low-cut tops and ensure shoulders and knees are covered.
The three fairytale turreted Towers of San Marino offer breathtaking views over the surrounding Italian countryside to the Adriatic Sea. Known as La Rocca, Guaita Tower is particularly Insta-worthy.
If you visit San Marino in late March or early April, you might even spot some springtime cherry blossoms in the gardens near Monte Titano and around San Marino’s Old Town. San Marino’s mountain location has a slightly cooler climate than the surrounding area, so they’ll stay in full bloom a little longer.
Catania, Italy (Sicily)
Summer temperatures in Sicily can rise above 35°C, so Spring is a better time to explore the historic streets and nearby natural wonders of the island’s second-largest city, Catania.
Catania is known for its delicious street food and stunning Sicilian baroque architecture. Curved facades, dramatic flourishes and stone masks add a distinctive flamboyance to historic buildings like the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, dedicated to Catania’s patron saint.
Close to the cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, Fontana dell’Elefante, Catania’s famous elephant fountain, protects the city from enemies and natural disasters. The Egyptian obelisk on its back used to stand in the city’s amphitheatre, one of the most important Roman theatres.
Many of the buildings in Catania are made from dark grey basalt lava rock, a constant reminder that the city lies at the foot of Mount Etna. Adventure seekers can take a day trip to Mount Etna for stunning views of Sicily’s dramatic landscape.
This brooding backdrop contrasts with the vibrant colours of Catania’s market stalls. Don’t forget to visit the lively La Pescheria fish market for an authentic taste of Sicilian daily life, and indulge in coffee and Sicily’s famous Cannoli in one of the city’s street-side cafes.
Read more about Catania, Sicily
Paphos, Cyprus
The sunny island of Cyprus in Southern Europe is ideal for a Mediterranean holiday, with over 70 Blue Flag beaches. No fewer than 18 of these beautiful beaches are in Paphos on Cyprus’s southwest coast, making it the perfect place for swimming and water sports.
Paphos’s sandy beaches range from popular beaches with great amenities like Alykes Beach to family-friendly beaches with calm, shallow waters like Coral Bay and crowd-free hidden gems like Neo Chorio.
Paphos is steeped in ancient history and mythology, and the warm but comfortable Spring climate is a good time for exploring ancient ruins. Paphos Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can explore Greek and Roman ruins in the Tomb of Kings. This archaeological site also has stunning Roman mosaics that are considered some of the finest in the world.
It’s also worth checking out the street art and markets in Paphos Old Town. Head to the pedestrian zone of Ktima for handicrafts, jewellery and fresh local produce.
Nature lovers will enjoy the nearby Akamas Peninsula, one of the best places to visit in Europe in Spring. This time of year has the perfect weather for enjoying a boat ride in the crystal clear waters of the Blue Lagoon or following hiking trails and bike paths.
We visited in April and the spring flowers were gorgeous.
Read more about the best 21 things to see and do in Paphos, Cyprus.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s sun-kissed capital city, Lisbon, blends rich history with a vibrant modern culture and heaps of historic monuments. Spring is the ideal time to explore Lisbon’s seven scenic hills and riverside promenades before the crowds of tourists arrive for the high season.
Take a ride on one of Lisbon’s historic trams or wander through the charming Alfama district, where fado music drifts through the narrow streets of cafes and shops selling traditional handicrafts.
When in Lisbon, you have to try one of the city’s iconic pastries, Pastéis de Belém. These little cups of flaky pastry filled with rich custard are so good that they’ll tempt you all day long.
Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Lisbon’s most eye-catching monuments. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument to the Discoveries, and both of these monuments pay testament to Portugal’s maritime history.
For breathtaking views over terracotta rooftops, walk up to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte viewpoint or take the Santa Justa Lift from the lower streets of the Baixa to the higher Largo do Carmo. Alternatively, find a seat in one of the rooftop bars overlooking the Tagus River and just soak in those stunning city views.
Check out this 3-day Lisbon itinerary.
Porto, Portugal
Spring is the perfect time to visit Porto, Portugal’s enchanting second city. Not too hot, not too busy.
The charming old town and picturesque riverside setting make Porto the perfect European city break location. Douro river cruises generally start and end in Porto, and the comfortable springtime temperatures are ideal for exploring the city’s colourful streets or strolling along the Ribeira.
Don’t miss the colourful 18th-century buildings in Praça da Ribeira, the popular riverside square, or the Mercado do Bolhão, the buzzy food market that lies in the heart of Porto.
The narrow streets of Ribeira are filled with tiny bars and restaurants serving local delicacies like the bifana. This popular snack is a traditional sandwich stuffed with thin slices of marinated pork and spicy piri-piri sauce.
Bookworms will adore the Livraria Lello, which is surely one of the world’s most beautiful bookshops. The stunning Sao Bento train station is also worth a visit to check out its intricate blue-and-white azulejo tiles.
Enjoy panoramic views of Porto as you cross the Dom Luís I Bridge into Vila Nova de Gaia where you can enjoy port wine tastings in one of the city’s many wine cellars.
Porto is a wonderful city. I’ve had three visits and love it more each time. Read my top picks for what to see and do in Porto.
Heraklion, Greece
Crete, Greece’s largest and southernmost island, is a destination rich in history and natural beauty. Its capital, Heraklion, is not only the island’s largest city but also the heart of one of its four diverse regions.
History buffs with enjoy the Minoan Palace of Knossos and its ancient road said to date back as far as 2000 BC. After exploring the vast complex pay a visit to Heraklion Archaeological Museum which houses a collection of over 5000 artefacts to learn more about Cretan history and the Minoan civilisation.
Explore the old town with its Venetian Loggia, Morisino Fountain, churches and city walls. The pretty harbour is home to Koules Fortress and if the weather’s good enough you’ll find Ammoudara beach just 5km away.
The spring temperatures are perfect for hiking and taking in some of Crete’s beautiful scenery. And don’t forget to enjoy the incredible Cretan food.
Read more about the best things to do in Heraklion, Crete.
Ready to plan your European Spring city break?
Are you tempted to visit Europe in spring? The spring months are a wonderful time for city breaks in European cities, in fact I think it’s the best season.
The combination of warmer average temperatures and fewer tourists make exploring your chosen destination more relaxing, and you’ll also benefit from more affordable prices on flights and accommodation. Local attractions sometimes offer off-peak reductions too.
From the stunning architecture of Malaga and Pisa, to the island paradises of Valletta and Paphos and the fairytale towers of San Marino, you’ll be spoiled for choice by these European cities in Spring. Which one will you visit first?
Suzanne Jones is a full-time travel blogger and writer at The Travelbunny which she started in 2011 during her time as a professional travel planner. Suzanne enjoys exploring new destinations, culinary encounters and the outdoors. When not travelling or writing about her adventures you’ll most likely find her, camera in hand, enjoying coastal walks in Sussex.
Suzanne also runs Hello Sussex a website which showcases the best of East & West Sussex. Read more about Suzanne.