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10 cool-climate escapes to book this summer while the rest of Europe bakes
Skip the 40°C heat. Explore 10 cool-climate escapes near the UK where you can hike, sightsee, and relax without the summer crowds or sweltering temperatures.
Summer used to be about escaping the rainy, depressing weather in the UK and heading off to warm, sunny beaches in Spain, Italy, or Greece.
But the summer of 2026 is proving to be very different.
The UK is hot, humid, and uncomfortable, and southern Europe is seeing record temperatures of +40°C, with packed beaches full of tourists and locals seeking respite.
So where can you go this summer that doesn’t feel like a crowded sauna?
Read on to discover 10 cool-climate escapes that are just a short hop from the UK.
Why a cooler escape is the smart summer booking this year
While southern Europe is baking, northern and Atlantic Europe remains mild, with daytime temperatures in the high teens or low twenties. The pleasant temperatures are ideal for sightseeing, hiking, or simply relaxing outdoors without feeling uncomfortable.
Because most people are still heading to the usual European summer destinations, these 10 spots have far fewer crowds and are within a 3-hour flight from the UK.
The scenery they offer is spectacular, too, with forests, mountains, lakes, and fjords creating vibrant green and blue landscapes.
| Destination | Typical summer high | Flight time from UK |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík, Iceland | 13°C | 3h |
| Norwegian fjords (Bergen) | 18°C | 2h |
| Scottish Highlands | 17°C | domestic to 1.5h |
| Faroe Islands | 12°C | 2h |
| Irish Atlantic coast | 18°C | 1.5h |
| Finnish Lakeland | 21°C | 3h |
| Stockholm archipelago | 22°C | 2.5h |
| Tallinn & Estonian coast | 20°C | 2.5h |
| Swiss Alps (Interlaken) | 22°C | 2h |
| The Azores | 24°C | 4h |
10 cool-climate escapes within easy reach of the UK
1. Reykjavík and the Golden Circle, Iceland
Most people think of Iceland as a magical winter wonderland at Christmas, but the country is just as spectacular in the summer. Iceland enjoys cool summers with average highs of just 13°C, which feel like a welcome break from the UK’s recent 30°C heatwaves.
The Golden Circle is one of the best places to visit in Iceland in the summer. There are national parks, waterfalls, and a geothermal area with erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools. Iceland also sees 20+ hours of daylight in the summer, perfect for taking long, leisurely hikes.
2. The Norwegian fjords
The Norwegian fjords are one of the most scenic European summer destinations. The deep-blue water of the fjords contrasts with the lush green mountains, making the scenery look like a vibrant painting. The fjord waterfalls create an even more dramatic landscape, with hundreds of falls thundering down the mountain cliffs.
Daytime temperatures in August range from 16 to 20°C, and the air remains crisp. Bergen, just 2 hours from the UK, is a convenient base, with many tour companies here offering fjord cruises and day trips.
3. The Scottish Highlands
There’s one part of the UK that always manages to escape the heatwaves – The Scottish Highlands.
If you prefer to stay in the UK this summer or want to avoid flying, Scotland is the place to go. Get the train to Edinburgh and spend a few days here, exploring all the incredible things to do in Edinburgh, like the castle and Arthur’s Seat.
Then take the train to Inverness, the gateway to endless lochs, glens, and mountains. Temperatures here rarely exceed 20°C, and there’s always a cool breeze in the wilderness.
4. The Faroe Islands
Because of their remote location, many people assume it takes a long time to reach the Faroe Islands. But in reality, you can fly there in 2 hours from London, or less than 90 minutes from Edinburgh.
The Faroe Islands are a top choice for anyone who wants to get off-grid. These rural islands are always uncrowded and cool, with summer temperatures rarely exceeding 13°C. Ferries connect the islands where you enjoy long hikes through the grass-roof villages and over the sea cliffs.
5. Ireland’s Atlantic coast
Summer is the best time to visit Ireland, especially the west coast, like Kerry or Donegal. These scenic counties boast rugged coastline, rolling green hills, and charming villages.
The famous Wild Atlantic Way connects both counties. Along this scenic coastal drive, you pass by 15 attractions, including cliffs, bays, harbours, and viewpoints, while enjoying the cool sea breezes and sub 20°C temperatures.
6. Finnish Lakeland
If you’re looking for a relaxing break where you can fully switch off, you’ll love the Finnish Lakeland. Home to thousands of freshwater lakes, forest saunas, and comfortable low-20s days, this is where the locals come to recharge and reconnect with nature. Yet it’s relatively unknown among international travellers, so it feels seriously secluded.
It’s easier to reach than you would expect, too. Fly into Helsinki, then take a 2-hour train to Tampere, which will serve as your Lakeland base. You can then use buses to get around the Lakeland area.
7. The Stockholm Archipelago
The Stockholm archipelago is the ultimate cool-weather island-hopping adventure. There are thousands of islands and islets that you can travel between by ferry.
Each island is unique; some are home to vibrant towns and rich culture, while others are rural and traffic-free. This gives you both a city break and a nature escape in one.
Summer temperatures sit around 20°C, and the Baltic Sea is always cold and refreshing.
8. Tallinn and the Estonian coast
Estonia wins for both low prices and low temperatures. The capital city, Tallinn, sits on the pine-forest-lined north coast, with many sandy beaches close by. Plus, the medieval old town adds an interesting cultural edge to your trip.
The cold Baltic Sea offers refreshing swims, and summer daytime temperatures tend to sit in the low twenties with cool nights.
9. The Swiss Alps around Interlaken
Sitting thousands of feet above sea level, the towns and valleys in the Swiss Alps stay in the low 20s in the summer months. Simply fly into Zurich, then take a direct train (2 hours) to Interlaken.
The lakes around Interlaken are fresh and transparent, inviting you in for a refreshing dip. Plus, the towering peaks give hikers and outdoor enthusiasts an adventurous summer holiday without the sweltering heat.
10. The Azores
If you want a holiday that is warm enough to sunbathe, but not so hot that you can’t sleep at night, check out The Azores. These Portuguese islands are a popular summer destination among Europeans, but are relatively unknown to Brits.
Often referred to as the “Hawaii of Europe,” The Azores are incredibly scenic, with green mountains, deep blue waters, vineyards, and charming fishing villages.
Booking your cool escape before summer runs out
With the heatwave still ongoing, many Brits are considering cooler destinations when planning a trip to Europe this summer. This shift in travel trends suggests the 10 destinations on this list will likely be more popular this summer than in previous years.
With this in mind, book soon to avoid any last-minute price surges on hotels or flights. And if you have some flexibility, consider a mid-week trip, as these shoulder days will likely be cheaper and less crowded than weekends.
Finally, you might be quite surprised how cool some of these places feel compared to the UK right now. So don’t get caught up; make sure layers and waterproofs are on your international packing list, especially if you’re planning some outdoor adventures.
Stay connected wherever you cool off this summer
Swapping the heat for somewhere cooler still means new places to navigate: fjord ferry times, a Highland trail, a café to duck into when the Atlantic weather turns. A Holafly eSIM keeps you online the moment you land, with unlimited data, 5G speeds, and 24/7 customer support, so you can map, book, and share without hunting for Wi-Fi.
What’s more, every Holafly eSIM includes Always On, 1 GB of backup data at no additional cost that activates automatically as long as the eSIM stays installed, renews every month, and works across 150+ destinations. So if your main data runs low on a long day of island-hopping or a spontaneous detour further north, you stay reachable and ready to reroute.
Hopping between a few countries on your cool-climate escape? Holafly Plans keeps you covered across 160+ destinations on a single eSIM, so your connection travels as easily as you do.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
