10 Best Late Summer Breaks in Europe

The Algarve is a famously beautiful stretch of the Portuguese coast at the very southern end of the country. Being so far south – not quite the southernmost point of mainland Europe, but not far off – the temperatures stay higher for longer. That makes the large area’s golden sands and turquoise seas great for a late summer escape.

The Algarve’s major resort towns like Portimão and Lagoa are very convenient choices. Aside from the famously fabulous shorelines, the region also hosts plenty of water parks and family-friendly resorts. If you’re looking for a more relaxed break, there are plenty of stunning landscapes and historical landmarks to explore.

The Costa del Sol is one of the most renowned shorelines in Europe. Its claim to fame is right there in its name – the ‘sunshine coast’. This informal area of Spain’s Mediterranean shore is great to visit throughout summer, though arguably more so as summer starts to become autumn since the beautiful beaches will be less busy.

There’s a lot of variety to be found along the Costa del Sol. The towns behind those famous beaches combine historical and modern attractions, with highlights ranging from fairy-tale castles like Colomares or La Duquesa to exciting water parks like Aquamijas and Aqualand. Even further back from the coast, the mountains provide endless adventures in nature, as well as striking views over the area.

The south-coast county of Hampshire is a very popular destination at any time of year. Arguably its star attraction is the New Forest National Park, with its ancient woodlands and quaint villages. The western end of the South Downs is also worth a visit.

Once you've had your fill of nature, there are also some manmade attractions to enjoy. Portsmouth, Southampton, and the county town of Winchester are all found here, with each offering a wealth of historical and cultural highlights. Visit in September, towards the end of summer, to see the Southampton Boat Show – one of the largest events of its kind in Europe.

The Loire Valley is a beautiful region in central France that, as the name suggests, follows the course of the Loire river. The central section of the river’s course has been added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites for its historical significance – the fertile riverbanks and the many farms and plantations on them earned it the title of the ‘Garden of France’.

Among the most notable sites in the Loire Valley are historic towns like Tours, Angers and Blois, stunning castles like Château de Valençay and Château de Chambord and, of course, the many vineyards taking full advantage of the unusually warm climate created by the river.

The northern part of the historical Midi-Pyrénées region provides a lovely mix of natural beauty and historical charm. We’re looking at the area away from the Pyrenees mountains, so expect the comfortable warmth of South France instead of the harsh mountain chill.

A very peaceful part of France, Midi-Pyrénées Nord is all about lazy late summer days enjoying good food and wine. Explore the striking Lot Valley or historical cities like Albi and Cahors. The list of small towns and villages in the area that are ranked among France’s most beautiful is virtually endless, too, making a great place to explore on a road trip.

Finistère in western Brittany is actually the westernmost part of mainland France. Armorica Regional Natural Park, provides a central core to the region, with its rugged coastline, granite peaks and dense forests. Much of the area surrounding the park consists of the charming rolling countryside that’s typical of rural France.

Dotted around this delightful landscape are the historic cities of Brest, Landerneau and Quimper. However, it’s the coastline that’s the most remarkable aspect of Finistere. Be sure to check out such striking sights as Pointe du Raz and Pen Hir Point, as well as the various offshore islets with their historic forts and lighthouses.

Castilla-León is a large area of north-western Spain that mostly consists of wide, open spaces. The region is effectively a high plateau ringed with mountains and dotted with only a handful of major historical cities. This provides a great combination of natural and manmade attractions, though you might need to do a lot of driving to get from one to the next.

The area’s historical highlights include the walled city of Ávila and the cathedrals of Burgos and Leon, as well as various structures in Salamanca and Segovia. The traditional Holy Week celebrations of several of Castilla-León’s cities are also worth seeing, though these fall in spring, not late summer. If you’d rather enjoy the scenic landscapes, be sure to check out Las Médulas.

Historically the largest county in England, Yorkshire is now divided up into 4, with each subdivision named after the compass points and having its own unique character. Nature undoubtedly stars among the top attractions in each, whether it’s the stark North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales to the north, the Yorkshire Wolds, and the coast to the east or the Peak District in West and South Yorkshire.

The cities, towns and villages are equally interesting. Historic and beautiful York is obviously the star of the show, but other highlights include sunny Bridlington and Scarborough, cultural Sheffield and Leeds and a seemingly endless list of iconic little market towns and sleepy villages.

The Principality of Asturias is a rugged, mountainous place. Found on Spain’s northern coast, the shoreline is mostly sheer cliffs and weather-beaten rocks, as well as charming historical towns with terracotta-tiled roofs. Further inland, the scenery has a distinctly alpine feel – think snow-capped mountains, steep-sided valleys, pine forests and winding rivers of crisp, clear waters. The Somiedo Natural Park and Picos de Europa National Park, in particular, look like they were transplanted from Switzerland.

Despite that wealth of natural attractions, the most popular destination in Asturias is undoubtedly Gijón. The area’s largest city is noted for its sandy beaches, unique cuisine (especially Asturian cider) and its sporting pedigree. The area is dotted with historical sites, too, especially in Oviedo and Avilés – the region’s other major cities.

The southwestern corner of England is arguably one of the country's most beautiful regions, with Devon standing out even here. It's the home of the English Riviera, Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley, the Jurassic Coast, and other areas of outstanding natural beauty. A predominantly rural county, it’s a hiker’s heaven and a delight for landscape photographers, but also has plenty to keep families happy, including some of the UK’s best beaches.

The main city of Devon is Exeter, which has no shortage of interesting sights on its own. The city’s cathedral is especially impressive and there are interesting museums, theme parks and castles nearby. If you’re looking to enjoy a beach break for one last blast of summer fun, there’s Westward Ho! and Woolacombe in the north or Blackpool Sands and Exmouth in the south, among plenty of others.