Seven travel experts have revealed their top European destinations for escaping the summer heat, as several countries in Europe experience extreme temperatures exceeding 40°C. England recorded its warmest-ever June this year, with a maximum of 37.7°C in Norfolk.
Zeeland, Netherlands
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 reach 35-40°C, Zeeland stays around 25°C in July and August due to cooler winds from the North Sea. It offers wide sandy beaches at Domburg and Renesse, cycling on dikes, fresh Zeeland mussels and oysters, and medieval streets in Veere and Middelburg.
Lithuania's Baltic coast
Lucy Daltroff, a travel writer with 18 years of experience who has visited 28 European countries, praises Lithuania's Baltic coast for its inviting beaches, beautiful nature, and consistently good food. Summer temperatures of a pleasant 23°C attract local crowds, but quiet spots on the sand are easy to find. Regular direct flights from the UK to Palanga start from £88 return.
Normandy, France
Brandon Shaw, COO and co-founder of The Tour Guy, highlights Normandy's D-Day Beaches, a short drive from Paris, where summer temperatures typically peak around 24°C. The area features natural wonders like the chalk arches and white cliffs at Étretat, as well as belle-époque boardwalks. Alternatively, Chamonix sees pleasant highs of around 19°C, set beneath Mont Blanc, offering cool mountain air, hiking, and cable cars to glacier views.
Andorra
Alex Andreichuk, CEO of Altezza Travel, names Andorra as his favourite European country for summer heat. Situated high in the Pyrenees, the whole country sits well above sea level, creating a natural cooling effect. In July and August, day temperatures range between 24-28°C, with nighttime lows around 14°C. It is ideal for hiking, cycling, and outdoor adventure holidays, and is less crowded and more affordable than Alpine hotspots. Must-see attractions include Mirador Roc del Quer, Tristaina Lakes, and the old streets of Andorra la Vella.
Southern Norway
Davide Guzzardi, founder of expedition travel company Exped Tribe, suggests exploring southern Norway, a forgotten gem often overlooked for the Lofoten islands. The route between Oslo, Stavanger, and Bergen blends mountain and sea landscapes, with road trips offering views of Folgefonna National Park and its glacier, and pristine beaches like Åkrasanden. Activities include driving through fjords, swimming in the Nordic Sea, and camping under the midnight sun.
Faroe Islands
Alice Murphy, Metro's Travel Editor, recommends the Faroe Islands, a short flight from the UK. This 18-piece jigsaw of islands lies about 200 miles north of Scotland and 300 miles southeast of Iceland. It is wild and windswept, with summer temperatures rarely above 13°C. The scenery is breathtaking, with fjords and mountains. Tórshavn offers a top-notch food scene, including dinner at Roks.
Iceland's Laugavegur Trail
Oliver Browne, mountaineer, Atlantic rower, and founder of True Summit Adventures, picks the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland as one of Europe's best cooler destinations and one of the best multi-day hikes in the world. Glaciers, hot springs, and volcanoes provide the backdrop. Travel to Reykjavik then drive or take the bus to Landmannalaugar, the trail's northern start point.
Top 10 heat escape destinations
Travel app Polarsteps has 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), Norway (76.06), Sweden (75.14), Estonia (72.18), Latvia (68.37), Lithuania (65.27), Switzerland (60.10), Ireland (54.44), and the UK (50.74).
