Europe has adventure on its doorstep, from paragliding over Swiss lakes and rafting through the deepest canyons in the Balkans to hiking on Icelandic glaciers and husky sledding in Lapland. Most of these destinations are less than four hours from the UK.
Here are 10 of the best adventure holidays in Europe for 2027, with the top activities in each, the best time to go and how to get there. You can book many of the adventures below with free cancellation.
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Best adventure holidays in Europe at a glance
| Destination | Best for | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|
| Interlaken | Paragliding and canyoning | June to September |
| Chamonix | Mountaineering and via ferrata | June to September |
| The Dolomites | Hiking and via ferrata | Late June to September |
| Soča Valley | Rafting, kayaking and canyoning | May to September |
| Durmitor and the Tara Canyon | Rafting and ziplining | May to September |
| Iceland | Glacier hikes and ice caves | Summer, or winter for ice caves |
| The Norwegian fjords | Kayaking and epic hikes | June to September |
| Finnish Lapland | Husky sledding and snowmobiles | December to March |
| Madeira | Levada walks and canyoning | Year-round |
| The Azores | Whale watching and volcanic hikes | April to October |
Find your flights: search flights from UK airports to any of the destinations below.
1. Interlaken, Switzerland: paragliding and canyoning
Set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken is Switzerland’s adventure capital. Paragliders drift down over the town on most summer days, and the gorges nearby are made for canyoning.
When you need a break from the adrenaline, a rack railway climbs to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, for views over the Aletsch glacier.
Top adventures in Interlaken:
- Tandem paragliding over the town and lakes
- Canyoning in the gorges around Interlaken
- White-water rafting
- The Jungfraujoch by train
Best time to go: June to September for summer adventures, or December to March for skiing.
Getting there: Fly to Zurich, around two hours from the UK, then take the train to Interlaken, which takes around two hours.
2. Chamonix, France: mountaineering and via ferrata
At the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, Chamonix has been the home of mountaineering since the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to 3,842 metres, and the valley has via ferrata routes, guided glacier walks, mountain biking and paragliding. In winter, it’s one of Europe’s great ski resorts.
Top adventures in Chamonix:
- The Aiguille du Midi cable car
- Via ferrata and guided glacier walks
- Trail running and walking on the Tour du Mont Blanc
- Paragliding from the surrounding peaks
Best time to go: June to September for climbing and hiking, or December to April for skiing.
Getting there: Fly to Geneva, around one and a half to two hours from the UK. Chamonix is around an hour and a quarter by road.
3. The Dolomites, Italy: hiking and via ferrata
The jagged limestone peaks of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are perfect for hiking and for via ferrata, the fixed-cable climbing routes that let newcomers reach high ridges with the right kit and a guide. Many of the routes date back to the First World War.
Classic walks include the loop around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and bases such as Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val Gardena have cable cars to take you straight into the mountains.
Top adventures in the Dolomites:
- Via ferrata routes with a guide
- Hiking around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Mountain biking
- Climbing and paragliding
Best time to go: Late June to September, when the high trails and mountain huts are open.
Getting there: Fly to Venice, Verona or Innsbruck, around two hours from the UK, then allow two to three hours by road.
Compare hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo
4. Soča Valley, Slovenia: rafting, kayaking and canyoning
The Soča river runs a startling emerald colour through the Julian Alps, and the little town of Bovec is Slovenia’s outdoor capital, with rafting, kayaking, canyoning and ziplining on the doorstep.
Combine it with Lake Bled, around two hours’ drive away, for paddleboarding, hiking and the famous island church.
Top adventures in Soča Valley:
- White-water rafting on the Soča
- Kayaking and canyoning around Bovec
- Ziplining
- Hiking in Triglav National Park
Best time to go: May to September, with the liveliest water for rafting in late spring.
Getting there: Fly to Ljubljana, around two hours from the UK. Bovec is around two hours by road.
5. Durmitor and the Tara Canyon, Montenegro: rafting and ziplining
The Tara River Canyon is one of the deepest in Europe, at up to around 1,300 metres, and rafting through it is one of the great adventures of the Balkans.
Durmitor National Park, around the mountain town of Žabljak, has hiking trails and a zipline across the canyon beside the Đurđevića Tara bridge. On the coast, you can kayak in the Bay of Kotor.
Top adventures in Durmitor and the Tara Canyon:
- Rafting on the Tara river
- Ziplining across the Tara Canyon
- Hiking in Durmitor National Park
- Sea kayaking in the Bay of Kotor
Best time to go: May to September.
Getting there: Fly to Podgorica or Tivat, around three hours from the UK.
6. Iceland: glacier hikes and ice caves
Iceland is an adventure playground of glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls. Guided glacier hikes run on the south coast, and you can snorkel between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park.
In winter, from around November to March, guides lead trips into natural ice caves, and whale watching and the northern lights add to the list.
Top adventures in Iceland:
- Guided glacier hiking
- Snorkelling in the Silfra fissure
- Ice caves in winter
- Whale watching and northern lights tours
Best time to go: June to August for long days and hiking, or November to March for ice caves and the northern lights.
Getting there: Fly to Keflavík, around three hours from the UK.
7. The Norwegian fjords: kayaking and epic hikes
Norway’s fjords are best explored under your own steam. Kayak the Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO-listed arm of the Sognefjord, or take on the famous hikes to Trolltunga and Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).
Trolltunga is a long, demanding day hike from near Odda, so be ready for a full day on the trail, and go with a guide outside the summer season.
Top adventures in the Norwegian fjords:
- Kayaking on the Nærøyfjord
- Hiking to Trolltunga
- Hiking to Preikestolen
- Fjord cruises and glacier walks
Best time to go: June to September, when the mountain trails are free of snow.
Getting there: Fly to Bergen, around two hours from the UK. Odda is around three hours by road.
8. Finnish Lapland: husky sledding and snowmobiles
For winter adventure, head to Finnish Lapland. Rovaniemi, on the Arctic Circle, is the base for husky and reindeer sledding, snowmobile safaris and hunting for the northern lights.
Snow usually covers the ground from around December to March, and there are direct flights from the UK in winter.
Top adventures in Finnish Lapland:
- Husky sledding
- Snowmobile safaris
- Reindeer sleigh rides
- Northern lights tours
Best time to go: December to March.
Getting there: Fly to Rovaniemi, around three and a half hours from the UK, with direct flights in winter.
9. Madeira, Portugal: levada walks and canyoning
Madeira’s mountains are laced with levadas, old irrigation channels with walking paths alongside, which lead through the laurel forest and tunnels to waterfalls.
The island is also good for canyoning and coasteering and for the high-level hike between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, and whales and dolphins live in the waters around it.
Top adventures in Madeira:
- Levada walks
- Canyoning and coasteering
- The Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike
- Whale and dolphin watching
Best time to go: Year-round, with the driest weather for hiking from around April to October.
Getting there: Fly to Funchal, around four hours from the UK.
10. The Azores, Portugal: whale watching and volcanic hikes
Out in the Atlantic, the volcanic Azores islands are one of Europe’s best places for whale watching, with whales and dolphins seen through much of the year.
On São Miguel, you can hike around the crater lakes of Sete Cidades, go canyoning and soak in the hot springs at Furnas.
Top adventures in the Azores:
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Hiking around the crater lakes
- Canyoning
- Hot springs at Furnas
Best time to go: April to October.
Getting there: Fly to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, usually with a connection in Lisbon or Porto.
Compare hotels in Ponta Delgada
How to choose your adventure holiday
- Summer or winter: most mountain, water and hiking adventures run from June to September, while Lapland, ice caves and skiing are winter trips.
- Your fitness and experience: rafting, levada walks and guided via ferrata suit beginners, while long hikes such as Trolltunga need a good level of fitness.
- Go with qualified guides: book activities such as canyoning, glacier hiking and paragliding with licensed operators, who provide the right equipment.
- Check your insurance: make sure your travel insurance covers every activity you plan to do.
Travel insurance for adventure holidays
Book your cover as soon as you’ve paid for your trip, so you’re protected if you need to cancel. Some policies exclude activities such as paragliding, canyoning or glacier hiking, or only cover them with an add-on, so check the details before you go. In EU countries, take your GHIC too, but it isn’t a substitute for travel insurance. Healthcare arrangements differ outside the EU, so check the latest advice for each country on GOV.UK.
