We all know July is peak summer, whether you're into fireworks displays or escaping that scene entirely like a runaway dog and jetting off to Cancun, or in this case, Europe.
As beaches in the Motherland fill up faster than Usain Bolt after chugging a Red Bull, Europe becomes far more enticing.
The flight may be long, but the payoff is almost always worth it.
Experts from The Points Guy team revealed their top picks for July, and all 3 European jaunts are equally surprising in their own right.
Ranging from a city often mistaken for Scandinavia to Rhodes, Greece’s history-packed island escape, and a classic European icon perfectly suited for summer, let’s cut the small talk and get right to it, shall we?
Helsinki: It's Cooler Than You Think
You don't often hear of people scoping out Finland, but that's what separates travel nerds like me from regular folk like you.
I had the pleasure of visiting Helsinki, not once, but twice last year, and fell in love with it despite its less-than-stellar weather around Christmas time.
No, you won't get to indulge in the delights of the city's beloved Christmas Market, set below the staggering Helsinki Cathedral.
However, Helsinki is one of Europe's most vibrant cities come summer, with lesser-known historic islands costing about $3 by ferry despite its expensive reputation, amazing food halls whipping up local delicacies, and some of the continent's friendliest people, despite Europe's notoriously being a bit standoffish.
What really makes Finland's capital really stand out is that it doesn't always feel European; it depends which street you're exploring at any given time.
Boasting grand neoclassical architecture around Senate Square, Helsinki switches gears from one neighborhood to the next with seaside streets, colorful Art Nouveau facades, and unmistakable Nordic flair (not Scandinavian)
But hey, one of my favorite travel memories that instantly took me all the way back to my childhood was being able to go deep into Finland's thick pine forests to hand-feed reindeer, but you don't have to brave the dreary weather to do so.
Only 30 minutes outside the city, you can visit Nuuksio Reindeer Park 3 days per week throughout summer.
Helsinki is remarkably safe to explore too, currently scored 90/100 on our Safety Index:
While you're planning out logistics, you might as well double-check travel alerts and tourist fees for your trip.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam has put up red lights in more ways than one; most notably yanking the welcome mat from tourists with various anti-tourism campaigns to prevent a certain kind of crowd that maybe goes a little too hard in the paint with a city renowned for nightlife.
But the truth is there are so many different aspects to this iconic city that there's no need to pump the brakes — well, unless you're on a bike.
Don't crash into the canal.
Summer sees loads of festivals where its all but impossible to find you're niche, such as these:
- WorldPride Amsterdam: July 25 – August 8, 2026
- Dekmantel Festival: July 29- August 2, 2026
- Grachtenfestival: August 7–16, 2026
The only downside is that given the city’s popularity, even more visitors are expected to pour in, so not only will you need to pump the brakes but also clink your bell through waves of distracted tourists.
Crowds may be unavoidable in July, but if there's one thing Amsterdam has going for it despite its notorious underbelly is safety.
Fellow travelers claim it's one of Europe's safest cities with a 89/100 safety score:
Rhodes, Greece
Our Senior Lead Writer Vini has been to over 20 Greek islands, but the one that draws him back year after year is Rhodes, one that doesn't quite belong in the same conversation as Santorini — the reason being you can actually afford to stay here for an extended summer vacay, all while enjoying some real surprises you may not expect for a small island.
Take Rhodes’ UNESCO-protected Old Town, for example. It’s not the quintessential blue-and-white dreamscape many Greek islands are known for — think more medieval fortress than Santorini postcard.
It's a labyrinth of cobbled walkways, and mostly not whitewashed alleys draped in bougainvillea.
As pretty as that may be, it's just not Rhodes' style.
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, The Points Guy team is hyping them up as well for its stunning coastline, nocturnal nightlife, and of course, its astounding landmarks that have stood the test of time just like Athens with less crowds and better beaches.
Like Amsterdam, travelers are saying it's also one of Europe's safest getaways with a 89/100 safety score:
