Destinations for Summer 2026 Travel | 8 Getaways in Spain and Europe

Eight destinations to discover this summer among historic cities, Atlantic landscapes, and corners full of personality.

Having a good summer doesn't always depend on the distance traveled or the number of places visited. Sometimes it has to do with a street you stumble upon, with a meal by the sea, with a city's architecture, or with a landscape that seems impossible until it's right in front of you.

If you're looking for destinations to travel to in summer 2026, this selection brings together eight places in Spain and Europe that stand out for their identity, their beauty, and their particular way of being experienced. Historic cities, volcanic islands, fishing villages, and natural landscapes that offer much more than a list of must-sees.

Because traveling also means knowing what to see, what to do, and where to eat in each destination, but above all, understanding what makes each place special. Strolling through historic neighborhoods, discovering small local businesses, finding a restaurant that justifies the trip, or relaxing by the sea as time seems to move differently.

The best destinations to travel to in summer 2026 share precisely that: personality. Places with their own identity, capable of surprising with their history, their culture, and those small details that rarely appear on quick internet lists.

Cities full of character like Porto, Florence, or Vienna, volcanic landscapes in the Azores, Atlantic towns in Sintra and Cascais, the coastal elegance of La Rochelle, or two essential getaways to northern Spain: O Grove and Combarro, and Asturias. This selection gathers some of the best destinations to travel to in Europe in summer, combining historic cities, nature, and seaside escapes. For those looking for more than just a vacation.

Eight distinct destinations, with something in common: the possibility of discovering what to see, what to do, and where to eat while getting to know the authentic character of each place, beyond the must-sees and usual recommendations. This is our selection of destinations for summer 2026 travel.

01 | PORTO: The city you always want to return to

There are cities you visit once, and others that, for reasons you can't quite explain, end up becoming a place you always want to return to. Porto belongs to the latter category. Its cobblestone streets, tile-covered facades, the reflection of light on the Douro River, and that balance between tradition and innovation make each visit different from the last.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Porto retains a serene and authentic beauty. The Ribeira neighborhood, on the banks of the river, the Sé neighborhood, or Cedofeita allow you to discover different facets of the city, while Foz do Douro offers a quieter, coastal version, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean.

If you're looking for what to see in Porto in summer, in addition to its monuments and historic neighborhoods, it's worth spending time in its cafes, markets, and those small corners you stumble upon. Because Porto has something hard to explain: you never truly finish knowing it.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Bacalhau
Facing the Douro River and with one of the most beautiful views of the city, Bacalhau is one of those restaurants that effortlessly combine location and cuisine. Although cod is the star of the menu, you'll also find other carefully prepared fish dishes and Portuguese cuisine. An essential stop to savor Porto from your table.

02 | AZORES: The greenest summer in the Atlantic

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, more than a thousand kilometers from Lisbon, emerges one of Europe's most surprising landscapes. The Azores are volcanoes, lagoons, cliffs, hot springs, and exuberant nature that seems to multiply in every corner.

This archipelago of nine volcanic islands has become one of the most sought-after destinations for those who desire a summer vacation in contact with nature. Roads lined with hydrangeas, black sand beaches, tea fields, and viewpoints over volcanic craters create a unique, ever-changing landscape.

What to do in Azores has many answers: hiking, whale and dolphin watching, thermal baths, surfing, canyoning, or simply contemplating the immensity of the ocean from one of its viewpoints.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Caldeira Velha
Surrounded by lush vegetation and traversed by hot springs, Caldeira Velha is one of those unforgettable places. Its natural pool next to the waterfall, with warm waters and an almost jungle-like setting, perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Azores: wild nature and pure beauty.

03 | FLORENCE: Where art is part of life

Florence needs no introduction. Cradle of the Renaissance and one of Italy's most beautiful cities, it is a place that impresses with its artistic heritage but, above all, captivates with its atmosphere.

Located in the heart of Tuscany, Florence combines centuries of history with a vibrant daily life. Walking through the historic center means discovering monumental squares, artisan workshops, centuries-old facades, and some of the world's most important museums. But it also means sitting on a terrace at sunset, crossing the Ponte Vecchio, or getting lost in the streets of Oltrarno.

If you're looking for what to see in Florence, there are many must-sees, although the city's true charm lies in its ability to surprise beyond its monuments.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | La Bussola 1960
Florentine tradition and contemporary cuisine meet in this historic restaurant. Homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and Tuscan specialties like bistecca alla fiorentina make La Bussola one of those addresses worth saving to return to.

04 | SINTRA / CASCAIS: Forests, palaces, and the Ocean

Few places gather so much beauty in such a small distance. Sintra seems straight out of a fairytale: colorful palaces, exuberant gardens, medieval castles, and an atmosphere that has made it one of Portugal's most fascinating destinations.

But the journey doesn't end in the town. The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park extends to the Atlantic, revealing wild beaches, coastal villages, and cliffs that transform the getaway into a much broader experience.

What to see in Sintra and Cascais involves discovering emblematic monuments like the Pena Palace or Quinta da Regaleira, but also driving scenic roads and stopping by the ocean.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Azenhas do Mar
One of the most beautiful villages on the Portuguese coast. Its white houses cascade down the cliff to the ocean, creating an unforgettable image. The natural pool by the sea, its restaurants, and the tranquility that pervades it make Azenhas do Mar an essential stop.

05 | VIENNA: Europe's most elegant summer

Vienna possesses a beauty that doesn't need to call attention to itself. Its avenues, palaces, gardens, and historic buildings form a monumental city that is, at the same time, approachable and easy to navigate.

During the summer, Vienna shows one of its most pleasant sides. Parks fill with life, terraces extend outdoors, and the Danube becomes a meeting point for locals and travelers.

What to see in Vienna goes far beyond its major icons. It also means discovering its neighborhoods, its markets, and that blend of tradition and modernity that has made the Austrian capital one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Palmenhaus
Between imperial gardens and a spectacular iron and glass structure, Palmenhaus is one of Vienna's most special places. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, or ending the day with a drink as evening falls. An urban oasis that encapsulates the city's relaxed elegance.

06 | LA ROCHELLE: French charm by the Atlantic

There are cities that are discovered little by little, and others that captivate from the first stroll. La Rochelle belongs to the latter. Its historic port, its white stone facades, its arcaded streets, and its close relationship with the ocean make it one of the most special destinations for the French summer.

If you're looking for what to see in La Rochelle, the Old Port, its medieval towers, and the nearby Île de Ré form a perfect combination to enjoy the French Atlantic coast.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Île de Ré
A few kilometers from La Rochelle lies one of the greatest treasures of the French Atlantic coast. Île de Ré is an island of fishing villages, wild beaches, and bike paths that cross salt marshes, vineyards, and white houses with mint-green shutters. A place that seems designed for enjoying summer.

07 | O GROVE AND COMBARRO: Where summer tastes like the sea

In Galicia, summer has a different rhythm. It tastes of freshly served seafood, fishing villages, and sunsets over the estuary. O Grove, located in the heart of the Rías Baixas, brings all of this together on a small peninsula surrounded by beaches, nature, and gastronomy.

What to see in O Grove includes beaches, viewpoints, furanchos (traditional taverns), strolls along the estuary, and one of the best gastronomic experiences in northern Spain.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Combarro
Nearby is Combarro, one of Galicia's most unique villages. Few places are as photogenic and authentic as Combarro. Over sixty hórreos (traditional granaries) lined up facing the sea paint a unique picture of Galicia. A small village in size, but immense in identity, having managed to keep the maritime essence of the place intact.

08 | ASTURIAS: The north that always makes you return

Asturias brings together some of Spain's most spectacular landscapes. Green-covered mountains, wild beaches, cliffs, and fishing villages form a territory full of contrasts and natural beauty.

Exploring the Green Coast means discovering places like Llanes, Lastres, Cudillero, or Luarca, each with its own personality. But it also means enjoying the gastronomy, cider, and the welcoming character that defines Asturias.

What to do in Asturias in summer is almost inexhaustible: hidden beaches, coastal routes, viewpoints, fishing villages, and nature that always surprises.

LE PERIPLO RECOMMENDATION | Guadamía Beach
A different beach, hidden among cliffs and connected to the sea through a narrow natural inlet. When the tide goes out, the landscape changes completely, revealing one of the most surprising scenes on the Asturian coast.

These suggestions are for those planning their summer 2026 vacations and looking for destinations with personality, great gastronomy, and places worth discovering.

Le Periplo travel guides are born precisely from this idea: to help you know what to see, what to do, and where to eat, while discovering the essence of each destination through its neighborhoods, its culture, and those small stories that make each trip different.

Because sometimes the best destination isn't the furthest, but the one you still want to return to, even after you've come back.