Travel experts pick seven European 'coolcations' to beat the summer heat
With Europe sweltering through a heatwave—England recorded its warmest-ever June at 37.7°C, while France, Spain, and Portugal saw temperatures exceeding 40°C—travel experts have shared their top destinations for escaping the heat. From a little-known Lithuanian resort to a tiny Alpine state, these spots offer cooler weather and unique experiences.
Zeeland, Netherlands: North Sea breezes keep temps around 25°C
Chris Oberman, author of the Moving Jack travel blog who has visited 60 countries, recommends Zeeland, the Netherlands' southwestern coastal province. 'While southern Europe can be incredibly hot at 35-40°C, Zeeland always stays a bit cooler, around 25°C in July and August, thanks to the cooler winds from the North Sea,' he says. 'It has the longest coastline in the Netherlands, with wide sandy beaches at Domburg and Renesse that rarely feel too crowded. You can cycle on the dikes, eat fresh Zeeland mussels and oysters, and walk around the medieval streets of Veere and Middelburg.'
Lithuania's Baltic coast: pleasant 23°C and white sand beaches
Lucy Daltroff, a travel writer with 18 years of experience, praises Lithuania's Baltic coast. 'I have travelled to 28 European countries, and I'm not sure I have been rewarded with such inviting beaches, beautiful nature and consistently good food as on my recent visit to the Baltic coast of Lithuania,' she says. 'Summer temperatures of a pleasant 23°C attracts local crowds, though even at the height of the season it is easy to find quiet spots on the sand.' Direct flights from the UK to Palanga start from £88 return.
Normandy, France: historic beaches and 24°C highs
Brandon Shaw, COO and co-founder of The Tour Guy, highlights Normandy. 'Normandy's D-Day Beaches are just a short drive from Paris, but while the capital smoulders, summer temperatures here typically peak around 24°C,' he explains. Visitors can explore the sites of the liberation of France after World War II, the chalk arches at Étretat, and belle-époque boardwalks. For mountain lovers, Chamonix offers pleasant highs of around 19°C, with hiking and cable cars up to glacier views beneath Mont Blanc.
Andorra: Alpine summer at 24-28°C with fewer crowds
Alex Andreichuk, CEO of Altezza Travel, names Andorra as his favourite. 'Andorra is my absolute favourite European country to visit during summer heat. It's situated high in the Pyrenees, and the whole country sits well above sea level,' he says. 'In July and August, you can expect day temperatures between 24-28°C, while nighttime temperatures usually go as low as 14°C.' He recommends visiting smaller mountain villages, the Mirador Roc del Quer suspended viewpoint, the Tristaina Lakes, and the old streets of Andorra la Vella.
Southern Norway: fjords, glaciers, and midnight sun
Davide Guzzardi, founder of expedition travel company Exped Tribe, suggests southern Norway. 'Escape the scorching European heat by exploring southern Norway, a forgotten gem often overlooked by travellers heading further north to the Lofoten islands,' he says. The route between Oslo, Stavanger, and Bergen offers stunning landscapes including Folgefonna National Park and its glacier, pristine beaches at Åkrasanden, majestic fjords, and the chance to camp under the midnight sun.
Faroe Islands: wild, windswept, and rarely above 13°C
Alice Murphy, Metro's Travel Editor, recommends the Faroe Islands. 'The Faroe Islands are only a short flight from the UK, yet they're miles off most travellers' radars,' she says. 'Adrift in the North Atlantic, this 18-piece jigsaw of islands erupts from the ocean about 200 miles north of Scotland and 300 miles southeast of Iceland. It's wild and windswept, and even in summer, temperatures rarely rise above 13°C.' She highlights the breathtaking scenery and top-notch food scene, particularly dinner at Roks in Tórshavn.
Iceland's Laugavegur Trail: glaciers, hot springs, and volcanoes
Oliver Browne, mountaineer, Atlantic rower, and founder of True Summit Adventures, recommends the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland. 'The Laugavegur Trail in Iceland is definitely one of Europe's best 'cooler' destinations,' he says. 'It's also one of the best multi-day hikes in the world. Glaciers, hot springs and volcanoes provide the backdrop of this otherworldly landscape.' The trail starts at Landmannalaugar, accessible from Reykjavik by car or bus.
Polarsteps 'Summer Heat Escape Index' ranks Iceland top
Travel app Polarsteps analysed 25 countries through its 'Summer Heat Escape Index', scoring each on daytime and night-time temperatures, sea swimming temperatures, forest coverage, population density, and wild camping access. The top 10 are: Iceland (83.81/100), Finland (77.02/100), Norway (76.06/100), Sweden (75.14/100), Estonia (72.18/100), Latvia (68.37/100), Lithuania (65.27/100), Switzerland (60.10/100), Ireland (54.44/100), and the UK (50.74/100).
