European school holiday destinations
How UK school breaks compare with school calendars across Europe - which weeks clash, which are clear, and the quietest windows for UK families.
Find your quietest window
School holiday data from 218 UK councils · 4 nations · 18 EU countries
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Austria4-day Oct break overlaps UK half-term exactly. Ski resorts peak in February.
Belgium3 communities, 3 calendars. French community spring break is late April, not Easter.
CroatiaNo Oct half-term since 2025. Dalmatia is quieter and cheaper in late October.
CyprusSummer runs to early September. UK Oct half-term falls in full Cypriot term time.
DenmarkWeek 42 autumn break ends just before UK half-term - narrow quiet window.
France3 zones. Zone B (Paris) breaks last - key if you're planning Disneyland Paris.
Germany16 states, own calendars. Bavaria's autumn break falls in November, not October.
GreeceOrthodox Easter can be 5 weeks after Western Easter. Oct half-term is a clear window.
IrelandSingle national calendar. Aligns closely with England; summer starts a week earlier.
Italy5 regional zones. Summer ends mid-September - early Sep still has Italian families away.
MaltaNo Oct half-term. Early July is quiet before the Maltese school summer begins.
Netherlands3 regions stagger breaks. Dutch summer starts 18 July 2026 - before UK schools finish.
NorwayAutumn break in early Oct, 3 weeks before UK half-term. Summer starts late June.
PolandNo Oct half-term. UK October half-term is the quietest week in Kraków and Warsaw.
PortugalAlgarve peak tracks Portuguese school summer (late June to mid-September).
Spain19 regions, own calendars. Most share a Semana Santa break at Easter.
Switzerland26 cantons, 3 zones. Herbstferien ends before UK October half-term. February Sportferien is ski resort peak.
TurkeyNo Christmas break - schools run through late December. Oct half-term is quiet.
Also planning a UK trip? See the UK attractions guide for theme park and family destination pressure by week.