Best European Vacations in Shoulder Season: 9 Trips at 30% Lower Prices
Southern European cities
Rome, Athens, Lisbon, and Barcelona all run 25 to 40 percent cheaper in shoulder months than in July and August for identical hotels. Weather is often better: Rome in April is 65 degrees; in August it is often 95 and humid. Shoulder-week pricing: Rome $1,500 to $3,800 per person for a week; Athens $1,400 to $3,500; Lisbon $1,400 to $3,500; Barcelona $1,500 to $4,000. Add 30 to 50 percent for peak-summer equivalents.
Central European capitals
Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Copenhagen are classic shoulder-season picks. All four have mild weather in April and October, significantly lower pricing than peak summer, and crowds that are a fraction of summer levels. Prague runs $1,200 to $3,000 per person for a week in shoulder season; Vienna $1,500 to $3,800; Budapest $1,000 to $2,800; Copenhagen $2,200 to $5,000.
Greek islands pre-peak and post-peak
Santorini and Mykonos in May and early June, or September and early October, run 30 to 40 percent cheaper than July and August for identical hotels. Water is still swimmable (68 to 75 degrees), restaurants are fully open, and crowds are a fraction of August. Santorini shoulder-week: $2,000 to $4,500 per person; Mykonos $1,800 to $3,800. Add $800 to $2,000 per person for peak-August equivalents.
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