Best European Holidays by Ferry

Imagine the gentle sway of the deck as a cool sea breeze brushes your face and the city skyline melts into the glittering horizon. This is the magic of ferry travel in Europe, where every voyage becomes part of the adventure. As the coastline slowly drifts past, travelers are rewarded with uninterrupted sea views, salty air, and some of the continent’s most stunning views.

From sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords to drifting between sun-soaked Mediterranean islands, ferries connect Europe’s most beautiful destinations in a relaxed and memorable way. Many ships now feature comfortable lounges, cabins, restaurants, and even onboard Wi Fi, allowing you to relax, work, or share the journey while crossing the sea.

Whether you are travelling across the Adriatic, exploring the Greek islands, discovering southern Italy, or crossing the English Channel with operators such as Brittany Ferries or a DFDS ferry, every route promises scenic coastlines and unforgettable experiences.

Contents

• Perfect Destinations for a Beach Holiday in Europe
• Perfect Destinations for Festivals in Europe
• Perfect Destinations for Hiking Holidays in Europe
• Plan Your Holiday in Europe

Perfect Destinations for a Beach Holiday in Europe

Sicily

Sicily is a beach lover’s paradise, where long ribbons of golden sand meet crystal-clear water and dramatic cliffs. As one of the highlights of southern Italy, the island blends incredible beaches with rich culture and cuisine.

Visiting in September allows you to enjoy quieter beaches, warm sunshine, and a more relaxed pace compared with peak summer months. Evenings are perfect for dining outdoors with sea views, enjoying local dishes like pasta alla norma or freshly grilled swordfish paired with a glass of Sicilian wine.

Sicily’s ports connect to a network of Mediterranean ferry routes. Travellers can sail between the island and mainland Italy or continue to nearby islands and neighbouring countries.

Using a mediterranean ferry routes map can help you visualise the many connections available, making it easy to combine multiple islands or destinations into one seamless holiday.

Sicily’s ports are gateways to a world of adventure. From Palermo, Messina, Catania, and Trapani, ferries connect not only to mainland Italy but also to enchanting islands like Pantelleria, the Egadi, Aeolian, and Pelagie archipelagos, as well as international routes to Tunisia and Malta.

• Sunshine hours (September): 8–9 per day
• Air temperature: ~28 °C by day, 19 °C by night
• Sea temperature: Around 24 °C

Corfu & the Ionian Islands

Corfu, one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands, combines lush landscapes with sparkling turquoise waters. Its coastline ranges from wide sandy beaches to secluded pebble coves surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees.

Beyond the beaches, Corfu offers Venetian architecture, charming villages, and scenic coastal roads with endless stunning views. Couples often visit the famous Canal d’Amour, where legend says that swimming through the narrow channel together guarantees lasting love.

The island’s ferry port makes exploring neighbouring islands easy. Routes connect Corfu to Italy, Albania, the Greek mainland, and nearby Ionian islands such as Lefkada and Paxi.

• Sunshine hours (September): 9 per day
• Air temperature: ~29 °C by day, 17 °C at night
• Sea temperature: Around 23 °C

The Balearic Islands, Spain

Few archipelagos rival the beauty of Spain’s Balearic Islands. From Ibiza’s lively beach clubs to Formentera’s quiet shores, these islands offer endless opportunities for sun and relaxation.

Mallorca’s famous Es Trenc beach features Caribbean-like waters and miles of white sand. Meanwhile, Formentera’s Playa de Ses Illetes regularly ranks among the world’s best beaches. Sunset gatherings at Cala de Benirràs in Ibiza add a unique cultural atmosphere to the island’s natural beauty.

Ferries make island hopping simple and enjoyable. Travellers can easily combine Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera in a single itinerary while enjoying spectacular coastal scenery along the way.

Routes connect the islands to mainland Spain, such as the Palma to Denia ferry, Ibiza to Valencia ferry, or Formentera to Barcelona.

• Sunshine hours (September): 8–9 per day
• Air temperature: 27 °C by day, 18 °C at night
• Sea temperature: 22–24 °C

Perfect Destinations for Festivals in Europe

Bergen Food Festival & Norwegian Cider Festival – Bergen, Norway

Surrounded by mountains and fjords, Bergen hosts one of Scandinavia’s most exciting culinary celebrations. The Bergen Food Festival and Norwegian Cider Festival transform the city centre into a lively marketplace filled with local producers and chefs.

Visitors can sample regional delicacies, watch live cooking demonstrations, and taste award-winning ciders produced in Norway’s orchards. The event attracts food lovers from across Europe.

Bergen is also one of Europe’s busiest ferry hubs. Routes connect the city with coastal destinations across Norway and international ports. Travelling by ferry allows passengers to enjoy remarkable sea views of the fjords and Norway’s dramatic coastline.

• Where? Nordre Nøstekaien 1, 5011 Bergen, Norway
• When? 5–6 September 2025
• What? Food tastings, cider festivals, cooking workshops

Visualia Festival of Light – Pula, Croatia

Each September, Pula’s Roman amphitheatre and historic streets glow with colour during the Visualia Festival of Light. This unique event transforms the Croatian city into an outdoor gallery filled with projections, installations, and digital art.

The festival celebrates creativity and technology while illuminating some of the city’s most historic landmarks.

Getting to Pula is simple thanks to Adriatic ferry routes. Travellers can sail from Croatian islands or arrive from Italy via the popular Venice to Pula ferry route.

• Where? Across the city of Pula, Croatia
• When? 18–20 September 2025
• What? Light shows, installations, visual art

Golden Days Festival – Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen’s Golden Days Festival is one of Scandinavia’s most celebrated cultural events. Over two weeks, museums, theatres, concert halls, and cinemas host exhibitions, performances, and lectures.

Visitors arriving by sea can take ferry routes from Germany such as the Rostock to Gedser ferry, which offers one of the fastest crossings into Denmark.

• Where? Venues across Copenhagen, Denmark
• When? 5–21 September 2025
• What? Cultural performances, exhibitions, lectures

Perfect Destinations for Hiking Holidays in Europe

Sardinia

While Sardinia is famous for its beaches, the island is also a fantastic destination for hiking. Trails pass through rugged mountains, oak forests, and coastal cliffs with breathtaking sea views.

• Capo Figari Nature Park – Scenic coastal paths.
• Monte Pino – A panoramic trail above the Gallura region.
• Cala Luna – A stunning bay accessible via adventurous trails.

What to know: Some trails are poorly signposted, so using GPS or offline maps is recommended.

The Croatian Islands – Coastal Paths and Olive Groves

The Croatian islands offer hiking trails that reveal peaceful landscapes far from the busy beaches. Walk through olive groves, climb panoramic viewpoints, and follow quiet coastal paths.

• Vidova Gora, Brač – The highest peak on the Adriatic islands.
• Sudbinska Luka, Korčula – A scenic coastal trail.
• Lošinj Coastal Walks – Relaxed paths beside the sea.

The Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Isle of Skye is one of Britain’s most dramatic hiking destinations. Reaching the island often involves scenic travel through the Scottish Highlands before boarding a ferry from Mallaig.

For travellers arriving from southern England, routes like the Plymouth ferry to France with operators such as Brittany Ferries can form the start of a longer European adventure before heading north toward Scotland.

Long-distance travellers also often combine their journey with comfortable overnight ferries Europe offers, allowing them to rest while crossing major sea routes.

Highlights include Talisker Beach, Neist Point Lighthouse, and tidal walks to Oronsay Island, all offering spectacular coastal scenery and stunning views.

Plan Your Holiday in Europe

Whether you are exploring Mediterranean beaches, attending cultural festivals, or hiking rugged coastlines, ferry travel offers one of the most scenic ways to experience Europe.

Modern ferries provide comfortable cabins, onboard dining, and even Wi Fi, making long crossings enjoyable. Many travellers choose overnight ferries Europe offers to save time while travelling between countries.

From a DFDS ferry across northern waters to island hopping among the Greek islands, ferry journeys allow you to slow down, admire the coastline, and enjoy unforgettable sea views along the way.