With record-breaking heatwaves sweeping across Europe and temperatures pushing past 40 degrees in many spots, holidaymakers are rethinking the traditional beach break this year.
Wildfires have already forced thousands from their homes in Spain, Portugal, and Greece, and even staying home hasn’t offered much relief after England recorded its hottest June on record. If you’re after somewhere that stays comfortable rather than scorching, here’s a full rundown of destinations across Europe where the mercury tends to stay well under 30 degrees.
Transylvania offers cool mountain air and plenty of history.
Best known for its ties to Dracula legend, Transylvania in central Romania sits comfortably in the low twenties throughout summer, ideal for exploring without overheating. The region’s medieval city of Brașov makes a great base, with its ornate main square and gothic Black Church, named after fire damage from centuries ago.
Beyond the history, Piatra Craiului National Park offers genuinely stunning hiking through limestone ridges and spruce forest, home to brown bears, wolves, and lynx. Romania is also a brilliant option for budget conscious travellers, with its capital Bucharest recently ranked as one of Europe’s cheapest city breaks, where a local beer costs under £3.
Upper Svaneti in Georgia stays mild even in peak summer.
While Georgia’s capital Tbilisi can get genuinely hot in summer, the mountainous Upper Svaneti region stays pleasantly mild, sitting around nineteen degrees even at its warmest. Wildflower filled alpine meadows and snow capped peaks make this remote region, tucked between the Black and Caspian Seas, feel genuinely untouched.
The area’s ancient Svan towers, defensive stone dwellings built centuries ago, are particularly striking at the UNESCO listed village of Ushguli. Fuel your hikes with local dishes like cheese filled khachapuri bread, and try the region’s distinctive amber coloured orange wine while you’re there.
Lofoten in Norway offers a genuinely different kind of summer.
Sitting north of the Arctic Circle, Norway’s Lofoten Islands stay a cool seventeen degrees in summer, far too chilly for sunbathing but perfect for hiking through dramatic mountain landscapes and exploring small fishing villages. It’s a different kind of summer escape compared to the usual beach holiday.
Between May and July, the region experiences the midnight sun, meaning it never fully gets dark thanks to how the earth tilts on its axis. A midnight kayak trip under the glowing sky, with a guide sharing Viking stories along the way, offers an unforgettable experience.
Lake Bled in Slovenia stays warm enough for a swim.
Slovenia’s showpiece lake, Lake Bled, sits a short distance from the capital Ljubljana and reaches a pleasant 21 degrees during July and August, warm enough for a proper swim thanks to the thermal springs feeding it. Tear shaped Bled Island sits at its centre, home to a baroque church reached by traditional wooden gondola.
Local legend claims ringing the church’s bell three times grants a wish, and the medieval castle perched dramatically on a nearby cliff edge offers wine tasting in its old cellar. Don’t leave without trying kremna rezina, a rich cream cake with roots dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
San Sebastian delivers incredible food alongside milder weather.
While southern Spain continues to swelter, the country’s less explored north, particularly San Sebastian, offers a noticeably more comfortable 24 degrees alongside rugged coastal scenery. The city already boasts more Michelin stars per square metre than anywhere else in Europe.
Local bars here serve up pinchos, the Basque take on tapas, piled high with everything from foie gras to fried goat’s cheese. Beyond the food, the golden curve of Playa de la Concha beach backs onto the old town, and a funicular ride up Monte Igeldo rewards visitors with a retro fairground and sweeping city views.
Kühlungsborn brings old-fashioned seaside charm to Germany.
Dubbed the pearl of the German Riviera, Kühlungsborn sits on the Baltic coast and stays a comfortable 21 degrees throughout summer, making overheating unlikely. This historic spa town charms visitors with Art Deco buildings backing onto dunes and Germany’s longest seafront promenade, stretching four kilometres.
A steam operated railway called the Molli connects the town’s main attractions, including a marina lined with boutiques and galleries. For an unusual pairing, try currywurst alongside champagne at a local bistro known for its closely guarded spicy sauce recipe.
Vilnius stays cool while much of Europe swelters.
Lithuania’s compact, walkable capital Vilnius sits comfortably in the low twenties throughout summer, offering real relief while cities like Rome and Madrid bake in far higher temperatures. Its baroque old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with amber jewellers, craft markets and winding cobblestone streets.
Near the cathedral, the Stebuklas tile marks the endpoint of a two million person human chain formed in 1989 across three Baltic states protesting Soviet occupation. Climb the freestanding belfry nearby for sweeping rooftop views, and enjoy an impressive food scene at prices well below most European capitals.
The Azores offer volcanic landscapes and consistently mild weather.
Sitting roughly eight hundred miles west of mainland Portugal, this nine island volcanic archipelago stays mild year round, reaching around 25 degrees in summer, though its mid-Atlantic location means packing a rain jacket is essential. Domed volcanoes, crater lakes and black sand beaches sit alongside lush green pastures dotted with hydrangeas.
After a day of hiking, iron rich thermal springs offer a relaxing soak for tired muscles. The region’s traditional Cozido dos Açores stew is cooked using volcanic steam buried underground for hours, and whale watching between April and August offers a chance to spot humpback and even blue whales passing through.
Masuria and the Dolomites round out the coolest escapes.
Poland’s Masuria region, just two hours from Warsaw by fast train, offers more than 2,000 interconnected lakes alongside lush forest and rich birdlife, staying a comfortable 24 degrees in summer. History buffs can visit the crumbling remains of Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s former military headquarters, hidden deep in surrounding forest.
Italy’s Dolomites, meanwhile, blend Austrian, Italian, and ancient Ladin culture against a backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery, staying around 21 degrees throughout summer. The emerald waters of Lago di Braies, sitting almost fifteen hundred metres above sea level, make a stunning highlight, though it’s best to avoid visiting in August when both restaurant tables and accommodation prices become difficult to secure.
