Europe in shoulder season: better weather, lower fares

What shoulder season means

Shoulder season sits between the busy summer peak and the quiet winter months. In most of Europe that means April to early June and September to October.

The weather is usually mild enough for long days outdoors, attractions are less crowded, and flights and hotels are often cheaper than in July and August.

Cities at their best in spring and autumn

A few favourites that suit walking, terraces and day trips:

• Lisbon: warm, bright days and easy trips to Sintra and the coast
• Rome: comfortable temperatures for the Forum and long dinners outside
• Barcelona: beach weather from late May, minus the summer crowds
• Paris: gardens in bloom in spring and golden parks in autumn
• Istanbul: ideal for walking between the old city and the Bosphorus

Getting the best fare

Search a whole week or two rather than fixed dates, and compare flying into one city and out of another, for example into Rome and home from Barcelona, using a multi-city search.