I think I would like heaven to be a June day in Europe. I would like blue skies, with the occasional fluffy cloud. There would be pavement cafés, busy, but with a table in the shade just for me. I would hear live music drifting down the street and smell some fresh prawns on a nearby plancha.
Deciding where in Europe I would like this paradise to be is the difficult bit. There are so many options as to where is best in Europe in June, but I’ve narrowed it down to three for now.
Ravenna in Italy, for beautiful mosaics, a beach and pine forest, and a performing arts festival that takes over the city in June.
The Engadin valley in Switzerland, for the cooler air, authentic Swiss vibes and the sporting opportunities offered by lakes and mountains.
Berlin, a city that buzzes all year round but in June it positively vibrates. The parks fill with sunbathers and there is live music in the streets.
Ravenna, Italy in June
Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region might be the most underrated town in Italy, and if I’m honest I don’t understand why. It has no less than 8 UNESCO heritage sites as well as a charming town centre and some of the best beaches on the Adriatic coast.
One of the biggest draws to the town is the Basilica di San Vitale. It is a UNESCO heritage church. The exterior is a humble, unadorned, octagonal structure which gives no hint of the splendour hidden within. The mosaics inside are breathtaking in their beauty. Shimmering gold, emerald and sapphire images cover the walls and ceiling. Dating from the Roman and Byzantine eras they are masterpieces in the truest sense of the word.
The Basilica would be enough reason to go to Ravenna on its own, but there are seven more UNESCO sites you can visit; including two more basilicas and a 5th century Baptistery so beautiful that Carl Gustav Jung described it as a wonderful hallucination.
In June Ravenna hosts a performing arts festival, transforming the entire city into a stage for all types of performing arts, including opera, dance and jazz. Over 120 performances will take place, some inside the Basilicas themselves. The festival was founded by Cristina Mazzavillani, the wife of renowned conductor Riccardo Muti. Muti will be performing twice during the festival.
Where to stay in Ravenna
Once a noble residence, the Albergo Cappello is a restaurant and small hotel with just 7 rooms. Built in 1468 the hotel maintains much of its historic past, with painted frescos, Murano glass chandeliers and silk wallpaper. The restaurant is that wonderful mix of elegant and rustic, with a seasonal menu and a particularly good wine list. Tables are available outside on the pedestrian street as well as inside the historic building.
Engadin, Switzerland in June
Possibly best known for the luxury town of St Moritz and its ski resorts, the valley often gets forgotten by summer tourists. But for sports enthusiasts it is a haven during the summer months. It is one of Europe’s highest valleys, which keeps the temperatures fresh, and still maintains an authentic Swiss vibe. The Maloja wind runs through the valley, particularly affecting the lake of Silvaplanna, making it a popular spot for wind surfers and kite surfers. Sitting by the lake in the afternoon gives you a free performance of the water sports. If you prefer to take part rather than watch then there is a surf school to the south of the lake. There are public firepits so you can barbecue in the evening. It is a very social scene.
The area boasts 580km of hiking trails with gentle hilltops and lush alpine meadows. June is the perfect time to enjoy them as the wildflowers are out, but the peaks still have snow at the top giving the perfect Swiss scenery.
There are also 400km of mountain biking routes, with routes for all levels. One of the easiest, and most enjoyable is the route from Sils to Val Flex, a car free valley. If you are less sporty you can take a horse drawn carriage to get there. It is a valley that is under special protection meaning there are no cars, no parking, and no ski lifts, making it one of the most beautiful natural valleys in Switzerland.
Numerous cable cars run in Engadin through the summer to get you up to the best viewpoints. If you want to check the weather conditions, you can see the live web cams of the valley.
Where to stay in Engadin
The Parkhotel Margna, sitting at the northern end of the Sils Lake, is the perfect option for sporty travellers. Within the mature gardens on the lake side is a tennis court and a pitch and putt golf. They even have a rowing boat guests can use to go out onto the lake.
Berlin, Germany in June
Last year Museum Island in Berlin celebrated the start of its 200th anniversary year with a festival and open air concert. The day was so successful they are repeating it this year.
Museum Island has 5 world class museums covering much of European history. It has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1999 and the celebration ties in with UNESCO World Heritage Day.
The Inselfest, or Island Festival will see Kolonnadenhof transformed into a huge open air concert. There will be 100 guided tours offered to the museums, including some by the museum directors themselves. Tickets to the event cost 16€, which includes entry into all 5 museums, as well as the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche and PETRI Berlin. (under 18s are free).
Other festivals take place during the month, including a neighbourhood festival on the 13th June to mark the Museums Meile Mitte, a mile long stretch in Berlin with 4 more world class museums. (which I talked about in this itinerary)
Berlin is always a lively city, but in June it positively vibrates, the parks are full of people enjoying the sunshine and the nightlife is in full swing. June in Berlin feels like one giant open air festival.
Where to stay in Berlin
The Kreuzberg district, is a good place to appreciate the vibe of Berlin in June. Once largely cut off from much of West Berlin it was home to artists and political radicals. It still maintains an edgy character and is shielded from much of the standard tourist menus and such like. The district is joined to the Friedrichshain district in former East Berlin by the Oberbaumbrücke. This Neo-gothic style brick bridge, once a foot crossing between East and West, is now one of the most recognized symbols of the city’s unification.
The Oriana.Berlin (the full stop is part of the name) is a short walk from the bridge. It is a stylish hotel in a 111 year old Art Nouveau style building. This is not your usual polished luxury, this hotel has character and charm, from the Steinway grand piano to the comfortable lounge area (with open fires in winter).
As you would expect from a hotel run by a Michelin-starred chef (Philipp Vogel earned a Michelin star for his time at Edvard in the Kempinski in Vienna) gastronomy is important here, from the breakfast/brunch which is served until 2pm to the very popular X-berg duck which is the hotel’s signature dish.
It is also a live music venue, with 14 different performances planned for the month of June. The concerts are popular with Berliners and free to hotel guests.
Where is the best place to go in Europe in June
These are three very different places and would offer a very different experience, yet they would all be fabulous. A combination of all three would perhaps be my perfect heaven. Live music, good food, and a bit of exercise to sharpen the appetite.
If you are planning your first trip to Europe then make sure your read How to plan a trip to Europe: the 3 essential first steps
If you need help with planning your trip then check out our services
If you have any questions about travel itineraries in Europe then drop us a line. We are happy to help.
If you want more tips and ideas for visiting Europe then FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM