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May sees Warsaw at its best, and there’s no better time to visit. The city casts off its chill winter cloak and dons its finest mantle – green parks are flourishing, flowers are blooming and there’s a heady sense of excitement in the air. Michelle Smith drinks it in
Not many European cities combine cultural heritage and contemporary influences as comfortably as Vienna. And as summer blazes on, the capital starts to flourish – this month sees classical concerts held in Schönbrunn park, while ImPulsTanz, the international dance festival, kicks off on 10 July and runs until 10 August. Thomas Hochwarter reports.
The melting heat of Venice in July might dissolve your desire to lap up the artistic landscape. Even so, you should see the mouth-watering exhibition of 18th-century Venetian paintings at Ca’ Rezzonico before drifting between the bars and the now pigeon-free Piazza San Marco. Lisa Gerard Sharp sets an example
Turin is famous for its three F’s: Fiat, football and food. Serie A shuts up shop in summer, but you can still discover Fiat’s long tradition of innovative design (as World Design Capital 2008, the city is staging several relevant exhibitions) and sample the slow food Piedmont is famous for. Massimo Benvegnù learns more
Prague in the summertime is a force to be reckoned with. From its verdant beer gardens to its calendar packed with seasonal music, outdoor concerts and cultural festivals, this is a city that truly sparkles when the sun is out. Julie O’Shea gives us the inside scoop
Summer is the season when hardworking Porto folk come out to play. The city’s cobbled streets are bright with flowers, the river bustles with tour boats, and when it comes to alfresco drinking and dining the possibilities seem endless. Paul Blaney kicks back on the banks of the Douro river
In unruly Naples they only have amber traffic lights to brighten the place up – or so the joke goes. This subversive spirit bubbles over into a summer programme of street theatre, opera at San Carlo, classical concerts in the city’s squares and Ischia’s film festival. Lisa Gerard-Sharp tells us more
Many cities come into their own during summer, but Munich’s pretty hard to beat, packed as it is with shady beer gardens, cool museums and riverside beaches. And if you do start to wilt, you can escape to the snow-capped mountains nearby. Jill Henne catches some rays
Following infamously difficult winters, Russia’s capital really knows how to make the most of the brief summer months. Restaurants open bustling terraces and clubs move out into the open air. Of course, strolling around one of Moscow’s many parks is often the simplest, cheapest way to join Muscovites at play, as Micha Rinkus discovers
As the mercury rises, Marseille takes to the streets. July is the ideal time for a boat trip to the Calanques or a day at the beach. If you’re lucky, you’ll also be in time to catch the Festival de Marseille (festival demarseille. com), a cultural extravaganza that runs until 17 July. Neville Walker reports
With its geranium-filled balconies and colourful plazas, Spain’s capital comes into its own during the summer months. Enjoy world-class museums and excellent shopping by day before indulging in good food, fine wine and an electrifying nightlife after dark. Scott Adams arrives to find a city in full swing
At 2,000 years old, Lyon is as historically interesting as it is culturally rich. Home to chef Paul Bocuse and nestled between two wine-producing regions, it’s a mecca for foodies. And this month, you’ll be just in time for Les Nuits de Fourvière concerts. Laura Sharpe gets stuck in
Lisbon sizzles in July, but the heat is tempered by the cool sea breeze. High temperatures slow the pace during the day, but a more animated city stirs after dark. And if it all becomes too much, you can always escape to the beach. Paul Bernhardt slaps on the sunscreen and explores
As the temperature soars, Geneva undergoes something of a sea change. The snow melts, along with the city’s icy reserve, and the chic, sleek metropolis develops an almost carnival atmosphere, where sizzling days and sultry nights are broken only by cool lakeside breezes. Louise McMullen gets hot under the collar
Summer in Florence can get steamy, but luckily the ebullient renaissance city has plenty of alfresco venues to escape to once temperatures soar – you can choose from bars and restaurants with large terraces, sweeping gardens and even a beach by the river Arno. Kamin Mohammadi keeps her cool
There’s no better place to be in July than Catania. This Sicilian city offers a long sandy beach, perfect for basking in the sun by day, and once night falls you can soak up the atmosphere in one of the old city centre’s street-side cafés. Ellen Grady does just that
Summer in Budapest can be sweltering. Fortunately, it’s easy to escape the dusty sidewalks for the hiking trails and lookout points of the Buda hills. Closer to the centre, Margaret Island is home to swimming pools, a few bars and lots of picnic spots. Carolyn Bánfalvi cools off
Music and folklore dominate Brussels’ cultural calendar this month. Things kick off the medieval Ommegang festival on 1 and 3 July and culminate with national independence day, on 21 July, which sees the city centre transformed into one huge alfresco celebration of all things Belgian. Renée Cordes gets into the swing of things
Summer in Catalonia’s capital can be a heated affair. But who cares when you can chill out along the sprawling waterfront, sip iced drinks in shady medieval courtyards, cool off in world-class museums and hit festivals held beneath the stars? Judy Thomson sweats it out
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