Europe hosts the majority of French travel in 2025. Our selection covers 11 destinations across the continent, from Sicily to the Norwegian fjords. Easy short-haul flights, cheaper tickets than Asia, but local codes differ from one country to the next more than expected. Count 2 to 4 hours flight, sometimes zero with the direct train.
🔄 Updated May 22, 2026
Europe at a glance
Destinations covered
12
Sub-regions
4
Min flight from Paris
Direct train
Max flight
~4h (Iceland)
Average / day
€60 – 250
Time difference
0 to ±1h
Best overall season
April to October (South), June to September (North)
Choose in 30 seconds
Short-haul doesn't mean interchangeable. Climate, prices and local codes vary sharply, even between neighbours. Here are the gateways by profile.
For a long weekend
Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia. 2-to-3-hour flights, hotels available 48 h ahead, English or French spoken.
For value for money
Albania, Portugal outside Algarve, Greece off-season. Count €40 to 70 per day in comfort.
For natural drama
Iceland, Norway (fjords + Lofoten), Scotland (Highlands). Tight June-August window for the Far North.
For the Mediterranean summer
Greece (islands), Croatia, Sicily, Sardinia, Balearics. Book 3 to 4 months ahead for July-August.
For winter sun
Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote), Madeira, Andalusia. 20-25 °C in January-February, 3-4 h flights.
Calendar
Europe splits into three travel climate zones: the Mediterranean South (May-October), the North (June-August), and year-round for the Macaronesian islands (Canaries, Madeira, Azores).
| Month | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| January – February | Canary Islands, Madeira, ski in Alps and Pyrenees, late Christmas markets in the North |
| March – April | Portugal, Andalusia, Sicily (before the crowds), Easter in Spain |
| May – June | Italy, mainland Greece, Croatia, Albania, Scotland, Ireland |
| July – August | Iceland, Norway, Lofoten, Ireland (high season). Mediterranean packed and pricey |
| September – October | Italy, Greece, Croatia, Portugal (before cool spell), Scotland late season, Azores |
| November – December | Christmas markets (Norway, Germany, Strasbourg), Canary Islands, Madeira, early ski season |
All destinations
🇮🇹 €1,200 – 2,500
🇪🇸 €900 – 1,800
🇵🇹 €800 – 1,600
🇬🇷 €1,100 – 2,200
🇭🇷 €1,000 – 1,900
€800 – 1,500
Decide
Long weekend (3-4 days)
Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Rome, Florence, Venice, Edinburgh, Dublin, Athens. Direct flights from Paris in 2-3 h.
1 week
Sicily loop, Croatian Adriatic coast, Andalusia road trip, full Azores, Lofoten in Norway.
2 weeks or more
Italy grand tour (Sicily + Puglia + Tuscany), full Portugal (Lisbon + Porto + Algarve + Madeira), Scotland + Edinburgh, Iceland ring road.
| Style | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Backpacker < €1,200 | Albania, Portugal outside Algarve, Greece off-season |
| Comfort €1,500 – 2,500 | Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, Ireland, Malta |
| Premium €3,000 – 5,000 | Norway, Iceland, luxury Scotland, Swedish Lapland |
Family with children
Spain (Mediterranean coast), Portugal (Algarve), Italy (Tuscany and beaches), Crete. Short distances, mild temperatures, family infrastructure.
Honeymoon
Santorini, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Madeira, Azores, Sicily.
Backpacking
Albania, mainland Croatia, Andalusia, Greece outside tourist islands. Plenty of hostels, bus and trains accessible.
Cultural travel
Italy, Spain, Greece. Concentration of UNESCO sites unrivalled elsewhere on the continent.
Diving
Croatia (Adriatic coast), Azores (manta rays), Canary Islands (Lanzarote), Malta.
Road trip
Iceland (ring road), Scotland, Ireland, Norway (Lofoten + western coast), Sicily.
Before you leave
Schengen (national ID is enough for EU citizens)
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia (since 2023), Malta, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia.
Outside Schengen, visa-free for EU
Albania (90 days visa-free), United Kingdom (no visa but passport and ETA required).
UK (Scotland): ETA since 2025
Passport mandatory. ETA to request online before departure (£10, valid 2 years). Non-EU passport holders may also need an ETIAS for Schengen from late 2026.
Official source
The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is free and valid 2 years: request before departure, it covers urgent care across the EU. No mandatory or recommended vaccines for EU travel in 2026.
Essential comparisons
The EHIC covers care but not cancellation, repatriation or baggage. Insurance remains relevant for these aspects.
View →Euro payments are free with a standard card outside the UK (2-3 % fees on GBP payments with a classic card).
View →Data included in most European mobile plans (Roam Like At Home since 2017). eSIM useful only for UK and Albania.
View →Interrail, OBB Nightjet, TGV INOUI, RENFE-SNCF: alternatives to flying for Italy, Spain, Germany and Central Europe.
Compare →FAQ
Explore elsewhere
Laura Petit ✓
·Europe specialist
Laura Petit covers this geographic area for L'Heure du Voyage.
