6 Must-Watch Movies That Capture the European Summer Holiday Vibe
20 August, 2025There’s something irresistibly cinematic about summer in Europe- sun-drenched coastlines, winding train rides, chaotic backpacking trips, and chance encounters in romantic cities. Whether you're planning your own European adventure or just want to soak up the vibe from your couch, a great road trip movie can transport you straight into the heart of summer!
As the season begins to come to an end and you’re probably preparing to come back to reality, here are 6 films that you can make one (or several) final escape with.
1. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
If we’re talking about summer movies that evoke the feel of that sun-soaked European vibe then you could arguably put any of Wes Anderson’s pastel-coloured movies into that conversation. But we’ll go with The Darjeeling Limited. It may be set in India, but it perfectly captures the essence of a spiritual and scenic summer journey.
Three estranged brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman) reunite on a train trip across the vibrant Indian landscape in an attempt to reconnect after their father's death. With its quirky tone, undeniably Wes Anderson visuals, and heartfelt undertones, the film explores personal growth and familial bonds through the lens of slow travel. While not a European road trip in the literal sense, its themes of self-discovery and spontaneous adventure will resonate with anyone dreaming of a transformative holiday abroad (and not just those annoying ones where people claim to have “found themselves” in Thailand).
2. EuroTrip (2004)
If you’ve seen any clip from this movie, it’s probably the one where Vinnie Jones is road-raging through the streets of Paris- and that sort of hilariously over-the-top chaos is dialled up to a hundred in this teen comedy. Jeff Schaffer’s EuroTrip is the ultimate fantasy of what happens when a group of American friends spontaneously hop across Europe in search of love, freedom, and maybe a little trouble. Having its release in 2004, EuroTrip fits into the same category as things like Superbad and American Pie- certainly a product of its time when teen sex-comedies were unapologetically raunchy, male-centric, and driven by a mix of gross-out humour and coming-of-age awkwardness.
From the Eiffel Tower to the beer halls of Bratislava, this movie is packed with ridiculous moments, cultural mishaps, and classic backpacking vibes. The film's chaotic energy and love of exploration make it a nostalgic nod to the kinds of youthful adventures that many associate with European summers.
3. Before Sunrise (1995)
One of the most iconic romance films ever made, Before Sunrise by director Richard Linklaterm follows two strangers- an American man and French woman, played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy- who meet on a train and decide to spend the night wandering through Vienna. With no destination in mind and only hours together, their conversations meander through love, philosophy, and human connection, set against the backdrop of a golden European evening.
Before Sunrise evokes the dreamy unpredictability of meeting someone new in a faraway city- a hallmark of any memorable summer abroad- and, released in 1995, before the internet and social media made long-distance connections as effortless as they are today, it carries a looming sense of fleeting time- a poignant tension that adds emotional weight to every moment they share, knowing they may never see each other again.
4. The Trip to Italy (2014)
Beloved British comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon return with director Michael Winterbottom to expand on their hit TV series The Trip. Taking their scenic road tripping and gourmet dining to Italy, Coogan and Brydon play fictionalised versions of themselves as they cruise in a Mini Cooper along the Amalfi Coast, through Rome, and into Tuscany.
The duo engage in the kind of witty banter that only the Brits can, there’s also celebrity impressions and existential musings while sampling some of the best food Europe has to offer. Equal parts travelogue, comedy, and meditation on middle age, this film is a sun-drenched love letter to Italian landscapes and long conversations over lunch.
5. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Set in the American Southwest, Jonathan Dayton’ and Valerie Faris’ Little Miss Sunshine embodies the chaotic charm of a group road trip, making it a thematic fit for any travel-themed list. A dysfunctional family made up of Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin pile into a yellow VW bus to get their daughter to a beauty pageant across the state, navigating breakdowns- both mechanical and emotional- along the way.
Its mix of dark humour, tender moments, and on-the-road bonding speaks universally to the transformative power of travel, even when the destination is uncertain and the journey is wildly off-script.
6. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Set in the idyllic Italian countryside during the summer of 1983, Call Me by Your Name is about emotional journeys- but it’s hard to imagine a film that better captures the sensual, slow pace of a European summer. As a teenager (Timothée Chalamet) falls in love with a visiting American scholar (Armie Hammer), the two explore local towns by bike, swim in ancient rivers, and savour the tastes and rhythms of Italian life. It’s a deeply atmospheric film, using its visuals to produce depth instead of the plot, and each frame feels like it could be on a postcard reading “Wish you were here (except not really).”
Whether it’s cruising the Amalfi Coast, navigating train stations in Vienna, or getting hopelessly lost in Bratislava, these films remind us why travel stories hit differently in the summertime.
So, if you’re craving a bit of escapism or need inspiration for next year’s getaway- or to squeeze another one in for 2025, these road trip films offer the perfect mix of wanderlust and storytelling.
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