While crowds pack the beaches of the Mediterranean each summer, Europe’s mountain ranges stay cooler, quieter and refreshingly uncrowded. From the towering Swiss Alps to the Julian Alps of Slovenia, these high-altitude escapes offer more than just scenic views. They’re places where the pace slows, clean air fills your lungs and wellness is built into everything you do. 

If you’re looking to unwind in Europe without the chaos of peak-season hotspots, trade the beach towel for a trail map this summer. Take a hike, relax in a sauna or sip mountain tea on a quiet balcony—this is your invitation to embrace the mountain lifestyle.

Albanian Alps

While the Albanian Alps have become one of the trendier destinations of recent years, it’s not without good reason. The popular hike from Theth to Valbona is the epitome of mountain vacation perfection—scenic and serene in equal measure. Start your journey by spending a night or two in Theth, where wild horses drink from crystal-clear streams, kids play soccer on dirt roads and guesthouses welcome you with a smile and home-cooked meals. 

Tackle the 6-8 hour hike at your own pace. Heading from Theth to Valbona, you’ll face a steep initial climb that gives way to a gradual descent through wildflower-strewn meadows, where bursts of red poppies dot the green hillsides and snowcapped peaks rise sharply in every direction. From Valbona, travelers often continue to Fierza and board the Lake Koman ferry—a journey hailed as one of Europe’s most scenic boat rides. 

Swiss Alps 

The Swiss Alps are a dream destination for many, and they’re every bit as spectacular and full of adventure in summer as in winter. Base yourself in Grindelwald, a storybook village where flower boxes spill over wooden balconies and cowbells echo across the valley. Take a gondola ride up to walking trails that wind through green pastures, with surreal views of the Eiger and Jungfrau peaks.

Everything in the Swiss Alps feels effortless and dreamlike. Pause to rest beside a glacial stream, snack on Swiss chocolate at a sunny overlook and end your journey at one of the area’s laid-back mountain restaurants, where you’ll find hearty alpine fare like bratwurst, rösti and fresh cheese plates—all best enjoyed with a cold local lager. 

Travelers looking for even more adventure will find it in paragliding, canyoning, river rafting and mountain biking. 

Slovenia’s Julian Alps 

Slovenia is always a pleasant surprise for travelers who don’t know what to expect beyond the social media photos of Lake Bled and its church-topped island. But the Julian Alps are one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for mountain lovers. 

Head past the crowds of Bled and into the heart of Triglav National Park, where Lake Bohinj offers a quieter, wilder kind of beauty. Surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, the lake is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking. Trails wind through pine-scented valleys, over suspension bridges and up to panoramic viewpoints like Vogel, where the Julian Alps stretch endlessly in every direction. Hiking trails here are endless, with options for everyone, from avid trekkers to families with young kids.

Slovenia gives off lazy Sunday afternoon vibes all the time. Wellness here is built into the pace of everyday life with morning swims in glassy water and afternoon walks spent foraging for mushrooms and herbs in alpine meadows. This is the kind of place that reminds you how good slow, outdoor living can feel. 

Skip the crowded beaches this summer and head to higher ground—your soul reset is waiting in the Alps.