Bored of the same old romantic getaways or family getaways? Well, we think it’s about time you took a travel plunge to some of Europe’s best adventure hot spots, we guarantee that you will not miss out on the adrenaline rush with our bucket list of suggestions for top adventure destinations in Europe. Our hot adventure spots in Europe cover outdoor activities like mountain climbing, bike tours, hiking, surfing, and scuba diving. From surfing the perfect sea waves in Portugal to a Glacier hike in Iceland, Europe has an abundance of breathtaking adventure getaways.
If you like to scratch the itch to travel to an adventure destination then you must read through the remainder of our blog.
#1 Comporta, Portugal
The posh beach town of Comporta in Portugal is still an under-the-radar destination that deserves your attention and takes only 1 hour to reach from Portugal’s capital Lisbon. The Portuguese village of Comporta is probably Portugal’s best kept secret destination, the main appeal of Comporta is it is a surfer’s paradise, within the town you’ll find many pristine beaches, vineyards, rice fields, and pine forests that echo its laid back beauty.
Comporta is a year-round hot spot for surfing. Summer season that runs from June to August is ideal for beginners because the waves are small around this time, the waves get bigger during the months of October to April and are ideal for experienced surfers. Those adventure junkies interested in taking surfing classes can do so at The Carvalhal Surf School which lies on an empty beach, about 5 miles from Comporta.
#2 The Matterhorn, Switzerland- Europe’s most famous peak
Switzerland’s Matterhorn is Europe’s most famous peak and an estimated 3000 people summit the peak every year, especially in the months of July, August, and September. The peak can be easily accessed and this is one of the main appeals of climbing the peak, travelers take the Matterhorn Express chair lift to Schwarzee and from there hike to the nearby Hornli hut and this is the jumping-off point for summiting the peak. Travelers generally begin their climb from here to the top just before the start of the dawn for getting good visibility of the surroundings. Climbing the mountain requires a high level of courage and fitness and is not for the easy hearted! It’s gonna take 4 to 5 hours to summit the peak from Hornli hut and the best part of the climb is the panoramic views from atop the mountain, don’t forget to take snapshots of those scenic views!
#3 La Grave France
The French Alps village is conveniently located close to three of the legendary mountain passes of Tour de France including Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier, and the Col d’Izoard. La Grave can be your perfect base camp to kick start your bike rides on these amazing mountain passes. During your rides, you will be pedaling past many tiny French villages with picturesque views of the surrounding mountain peaks and other natural settings. La Grave is truly worth the travel for an exhilarating cycling adventure.
#4 Glacier hiking in Iceland
For a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure, we suggest you do glacier hiking in Iceland which is a year-round destination for this sport. Glacier hiking is hiking on a glacier that requires special equipment like crampons on shoes for ice traction, rows, suspender belts, helmets, and ice-axes. The Skaftafell National Park is home to one of Iceland’s most popular glacier and can be your ideal choice for taking a glacier hike in a country like Iceland which boasts of having numerous glaciers countrywide, almost 300 in number.
#5 Scubadiving in Orkney Islands, Scotland
Scuba diving at the Churchill Barrier Blockships at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands is the gateway to exploring the underwater sea wreckages of World War I and World War III. During the dive, you’ll find Blockships that were sunk to protect the British Naval fleet anchored in Scapa Flow during the WWI and WWII. A visit to the Orkney Islands is a must if you want to experience some pure underwater adrenaline rush.
