Article: Top 10 places to brew espresso outdoors
Top 10 places to brew espresso outdoors
Published: March 2025 · Updated: March 2025 · By Marc Hulsman, founder PureBarista
There are coffees you drink. And there are coffees you remember forever.
The difference is rarely the beans. It's the moment. The cold morning air on a mountain pass. The sound of waves crashing below a cliff. The silence of a forest at dawn.
These are the places where a shot of espresso becomes something more — a ritual, a reward, a memory.
We put together a list of the 10 best places on earth to brew an espresso outdoors. Some are iconic. Some are hidden. All of them are worth the trip.
1. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Why: Few places on earth match the raw, dramatic beauty of Lofoten. Steep mountains rise straight out of the Arctic Ocean, and the light — especially during midnight sun season — is unlike anything else.
The spot: Find a rocky outcrop overlooking one of the fjords near Reine or Hamnøy. Set up at sunrise (or sunset — in summer, they blur together) and brew while the mountains reflect in still water.
Best season: June to August for midnight sun. September for northern lights.
2. Swiss Alps — Grindelwald First
Why: Switzerland and coffee share a common value: precision. Brewing a perfect espresso at 2,168 meters above sea level, with the Eiger north face staring you down, is a peak experience in every sense.
The spot: Take the gondola to Grindelwald First and walk 10 minutes past the cliff walk. Find a quiet bench with an unobstructed view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Best season: July to September for clear skies.
3. Scottish Highlands — Glen Coe
Why: Moody, wild, and hauntingly beautiful. Glen Coe is one of the most atmospheric landscapes in Europe. The mist, the mountains, and the silence make every cup feel deeply personal.
The spot: Park at the Three Sisters viewpoint. Walk 5 minutes off the road onto the valley floor. Brew in the silence, surrounded by ancient peaks.
Best season: October to November for peak atmosphere. May to June for longer days.
4. Algarve Coast, Portugal
Why: Portugal has one of the strongest espresso cultures in Europe — so brewing your own on a golden cliff above the Atlantic feels almost poetic.
The spot: The cliffs near Praia da Marinha or the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. Find a flat rock overlooking the turquoise water, pull a shot, and watch the waves.
Best season: April to June or September to October. Warm enough, without the summer crowds.
5. Dolomites, Italy
Why: Italy invented espresso. The Dolomites are Italy at its most dramatic. Combining the two is non-negotiable.
The spot: Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Hike to the Auronzo rifugio viewpoint, then walk 15 minutes further to escape the crowds. Brew with a view of three of the most iconic rock towers in the world.
Best season: July to September.
6. Sahara Desert — Merzouga, Morocco
Why: Sand dunes, silence, and stars. Brewing espresso in the Sahara is as far from a city café as you can get — and that's the entire point.
The spot: Book a camel trek to a desert camp near Merzouga. Wake before sunrise, walk to the top of the nearest dune, and brew while the desert turns gold.
Best season: October to March. Avoid summer heat.
7. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Why: Possibly the most photogenic lake in Europe. A medieval church on an island, a cliff-top castle, and the Julian Alps in the background.
The spot: Rent a Pletna boat or walk to Ojstrica viewpoint. Brew on the ridge overlooking the lake, the island, and the mountains.
Best season: September to October for autumn colors. May for spring blossoms.
8. Trolltunga, Norway
Why: Brewing espresso on a rock tongue hovering 700 meters above a fjord is not for everyone. But if you've hiked 10 kilometers to get there, you've earned it.
The spot: The rock itself. Arrive early (start hiking at 6 AM) to avoid crowds and have the tongue to yourself.
Best season: June to September. The trail is closed in winter.
9. Camino de Santiago — Galicia, Spain
Why: After walking hundreds of kilometers, the final stretch through green Galician hills deserves more than a vending machine coffee. This is where your portable espresso machine earns its place in your pack.
The spot: Any quiet stretch of the Camino between Sarria and Santiago. Find a stone wall, a shaded eucalyptus grove, or a hilltop with a view of the cathedral in the distance.
Best season: May to June or September to October.
10. Your Own Backyard
Why: You don't need a plane ticket to have a meaningful coffee moment. A balcony at dawn. A park bench before the world wakes up. A garden in autumn rain.
The spot: Wherever you feel most yourself.
Best season: Every day.
What You Need to Brew Outdoors
Great outdoor espresso comes down to three things: good coffee, clean water, and a machine that doesn't depend on electricity or cables.
The PureBarista Travel Edition was built for exactly this. It heats cold water on its own, builds 20 bar of pressure, and works with Nespresso® capsules, Dolce Gusto® capsules, or freshly ground coffee. The user-replaceable battery means you can carry a spare and brew all weekend without searching for a power outlet.
Add a protective hard case, and you have a complete outdoor espresso setup that weighs 803 grams.
90-day money-back guarantee. 2-year warranty. Free shipping within the EU.
Where is your favorite place to brew espresso outdoors? Tag us on Instagram @purebarista and share your spot.
Marc Hulsman — Founder, PureBarista
Marc tests every batch of portable espresso machines himself — measuring warm-up times, extraction pressure, and battery performance. Questions? support@pure-barista.com
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Written by Marc Hulsman
