The best European countries for nature lovers are Croatia, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and France. Between them they cover turquoise lakes, Alpine peaks, the Northern Lights, plunging fjords and Europe’s deepest canyon, all within a few hours’ flight of the UK.
You do not need to cross oceans for world-class wilderness. Here are the five countries that prove Europe can go toe to toe with anywhere on the planet, and exactly where to point yourself in each one.
1. Croatia — waterfalls and wild islands
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the headline act of Croatia: sixteen terraced lakes joined by waterfalls, in shades of turquoise that look computer-generated. Wooden walkways carry you directly over the water, and early-morning entry beats the coach crowds.
Krka National Park further south offers a similar spectacle with fewer visitors, plus riverside monasteries and swimming zones nearby. Off the coast, the Kornati archipelago scatters nearly ninety uninhabited islands across a sailing paradise.
Come in May, June or September, when the parks are green, the sea is warm and the trails are quiet.
2. Switzerland — the Alps perfected
No country packages mountains like Switzerland. Interlaken sits between two glacial lakes beneath the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and serves as base camp for everything from gentle lakeside strolls to via ferrata scrambles.
The Lauterbrunnen valley alone holds seventy-two waterfalls, including Staubbach’s 300-metre free-falling ribbon. Ride the train up to car-free Wengen or Mürren and walk back down through wildflower meadows straight from a chocolate-box lid.
Swiss efficiency is the secret weapon: trains, cable cars and boats connect almost every trailhead, so you can hike hut to hut without ever needing a car.
3. Sweden — Northern Lights and endless forest
Swedish Lapland delivers the aurora with fewer crowds and lower prices than its neighbours. Abisko National Park is statistically one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights, thanks to a microclimate that keeps its skies unusually clear.
Summer flips the script in Sweden: midnight sun, canoe trails through 100,000 lakes, and the right of public access that lets you camp almost anywhere. The Kungsleden, the King’s Trail, is one of Europe’s great long-distance hikes.
Aurora season runs September to March, with the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi rebuilding itself from river ice every winter.
4. Norway — fjords, falls and Arctic drama
Norway is the heavyweight of European nature. The Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are UNESCO-listed for good reason, with thousand-metre cliffs and waterfalls like the Seven Sisters pouring straight into the sea.
Hikers come for the icons: Preikestolen’s flat-topped pulpit rock, the Trolltunga ledge, and Romsdalseggen’s knife-edge ridge. Further north, the Lofoten Islands mix Alpine peaks with white-sand Arctic beaches that look stolen from the Caribbean.
Drive the Atlantic Ocean Road or ride the Flåm railway if you want the scenery without the sweat. Norway rewards both effort and idleness equally.
5. France — Europe’s most varied wilderness
Everyone knows France for cities and vineyards, but it also hides Europe’s deepest canyon. The Gorges du Verdon plunges 700 metres to a river of improbable turquoise, best explored by kayak from Lac de Sainte-Croix or from the vertiginous rim roads.
The French Alps around Chamonix offer Mont Blanc and the world-famous Tour du Mont Blanc circuit, while the Pyrenees stay wilder and emptier. Add the Camargue’s pink flamingos and white horses, and the volcanic domes of the Auvergne.
France’s national and regional parks cover nearly a third of the country. Wherever you are, real wilderness is closer than you think.
Worth a detour: Slovenia
If a sixth spot existed, Slovenia would claim it. Half the country is forest, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj sit beneath the Julian Alps, and the Soča river runs an impossible emerald green through canyons made for rafting.
It is compact enough to see in a week and remains cheaper than its Alpine neighbours. Get there before everyone else does.
When should nature lovers visit Europe?
June and September are the twin sweet spots for hiking almost everywhere on this list, with long days, open mountain huts and manageable crowds. July and August bring the best high-mountain weather but also the peak footfall.
For the Northern Lights in Sweden and Norway, aim for September to March. Croatia’s parks and France’s gorges are at their finest in late spring, when waterfalls run fullest.
Planning tips
Pack proper layers whatever the season, as mountain weather turns in minutes. Book national park entries online where possible; Plitvice in particular caps daily numbers in summer.
Trains reach a surprising amount of this list, from Interlaken’s network to Norway’s Flåm line and Sweden’s overnight Arctic sleeper. The journeys count as sightseeing in their own right.
Where to stay: huts, cabins and farmstays
Half the joy of a nature holiday is sleeping inside the scenery. Norway’s DNT network runs over five hundred mountain cabins, Switzerland’s alpine huts serve dinner at altitude, and Sweden lets you wild camp almost anywhere under its right of public access.
Croatia and France answer with agriturismo-style farmstays and gîtes, where dinner comes from the fields you hiked past. Book huts on the famous routes months ahead for July and August.
Doing it on a budget
Switzerland and Norway punish the unprepared wallet, so self-cater where you can and buy the regional travel passes, which quickly pay for themselves. Croatia, Slovenia and rural France remain genuinely affordable, especially outside August.
The scenery itself, helpfully, is free everywhere. A week of trails, lakes and viewpoints costs little more than the boots you walk it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which European country has the best nature?
Norway takes the crown for sheer drama, with UNESCO-listed fjords, iconic hikes and Arctic islands. Switzerland runs it closest for accessible Alpine scenery, with Croatia the best warm-weather alternative.
Where can you see the Northern Lights in Europe?
Swedish Lapland, especially Abisko National Park, and northern Norway around Tromsø offer the most reliable displays between September and March. Finnish Lapland is the third classic choice.
What is the best European nature trip for families?
Croatia’s Plitvice and Krka parks combine short walkways, waterfalls and nearby beaches, ideal for children. Switzerland’s cable cars and mountain trains also make big scenery effortless for small legs.
When is the best time for a hiking holiday in Europe?
Mid-June to mid-September for the Alps and Scandinavia, when snow clears from high trails and mountain huts open. Spring and autumn suit Croatia and southern France better, avoiding the summer heat.
