As southern Europe braces for another scorching summer, with Greece closing the Acropolis amid a 43°C heatwave and Majorca hit by unprecedented flooding, British holidaymakers are seeking cooler alternatives. From the Norwegian fjords to the Baltic shores of Lithuania, these six destinations offer respite from the sweltering heat.
Oslo, Norway, boasts summer highs of just 22°C, with natural attractions like sparkling fjords and dense forests. Visitors can swim at Tjuvholmen pier or Sørenga seawater pool, hike forest trails, and explore the Munch Museum or the National Museum. Dining at SALT offers alfresco street food with views of the fjord, while the Sommerro hotel, housed in a former electric company headquarters, provides stylish accommodation from £225 per night.
Madeira, Portugal, maintains mid-20°C highs thanks to Atlantic winds. The northern coast and mountainous interior offer cooler conditions, with hiking trails along levada irrigation channels, volcanic caves at São Vicente, and the dramatic Cabo Girão sea cliff. Restaurante São Cristóvão serves grilled fish and meat with ocean views, and Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal features a seawater pool and elegant rooms from £360 per night.
Palanga, Lithuania, offers a beach break with temperatures in the low-to-mid-20s°C. The 18km-long sandy beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, while the Curonian Spit National Park, a UNESCO site, provides dunes, birdwatching, and lighthouses. The Amber Museum details the region's amber history, and the Palanga Botanical Park offers a peaceful retreat.
Other recommended destinations include Slovenia's Lake Bled, with its mild alpine climate and refreshing waters; the Azores, Portugal, where volcanic landscapes and ocean breezes keep temperatures pleasant; and the Swiss Alps, where high-altitude resorts like Zermatt offer cool hiking and glacier views.
These unconventional getaways prove that summer holidays can be both enjoyable and comfortable, without the extreme heat that has become common in traditional hotspots.
