Guide
The Worst Cities for Hay Fever in Europe
Published 3 April 2026
Lengthening and intensifying pollen seasons across much of Europe mean that many of tourist hot spots are also pollen pain points for visitors.
London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin—a selection of Europe’s most beautiful and storied cities—and owing to lengthening and intensifying pollen seasons across much of Europe—these urban areas are some of the most challenging cities for allergy sufferers to visit.
| City | Main allergenic pollen types | Typical peak months |
|---|---|---|
| London | Tree (birch, plane), Grass | Apr–Jun |
| Paris | Tree (birch, plane), Grass | Mar–Jun |
| Berlin | Tree (birch), Grass | Apr–Jun |
| Athens | Olive, Grass, Cypress | Mar–Jun |
| Madrid | Olive, Grass, Plane | Mar–Jun |
And depending on the timing of a trip, allergy sufferers may find themselves running into different allergens across the continent while having to contend with prolonged pollen seasons.
And why is this happening? The impact of climate change on the flowering season for plants means that there is more pollen in the air for longer periods of time.
The 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change notes that the severity of seasonal releases of birch and alder have increased by 15-20% in regions across Europe since 2024, the last time the report was published.
If your travel plans include Europe you will want to plan ahead. Early spring and summer will bring high tree and grass pollen counts in London and Paris. Berlin peaks in summer with high grass‑pollen counts. If you’re going to be in Athens you should know that much of the country has a long allergy season, exacerbated by its Mediterranean climate and plentiful olive trees means pollen counts are often very high. Even Barcelona, with its coastal proximity experiences high pollen counts in summer.
Plan ahead!
airpollen.com provides this content for informational purposes only and it is not a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition and you should always consult a healthcare provider about medical concerns.