Blistering heat, soaring temperatures, historic highs: fear-inducing headlines were hard to miss this weekend, as the intensifying heatwave continues to sweep across southern Europe.
New red alerts were issued in sixteen cities in Italy and forecasters say that Sicily and Sardinia could face a record-breaking 49C over the coming days, potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe. Whilst some travel chaos is par for the course during peak tourism season, British holidaymakers are now, understandably, reconsidering their travel plans altogether and seeking milder climes.
As classic vacation destinations — including parts of Italy, southern Spain and Greece — continue to be affected by scorching heat and considered a health risk to visit, it’s now time to look to the unconventional for your last-minute summer break this year. From Oslo to Slovenia — these getaways promise cooler environs, whether through northerly location, higher altitude, reliable breezes or refreshing waters.
The city one: Oslo, Norway
Cool-factor Even without a heatwave, southern European hubs like Rome or Madrid are sweltering in summer. But the Norwegian capital boasts 22C highs and nature-coddled landscapes that let you cool down in sparkling blue fjords or dense forest. Throw in trendy alfresco dining, new museums and slick architecture, and you’ve got one cool city break.
See & Do With the city perched on the edge of a fjord, attention turns to the water in summer as locals dive in from the pier at Tjuvholmen or splash in Sørenga seawater pool. Active adventurers can head out into forested wilds – many nearby trails snake past lakes up to lush peaks – but save plenty of time for city thrills too. Sleek Scandi design abounds at the new Munch Museet, dedicated to the country’s best-known artist, Edvard Munch, and the recently renovated National Museum.
Eat At SALT, right on the fjord, alfresco street food dining meets the most Nordic of accessories: a sauna. Grab a table overlooking the water and tuck into blush-pink Scandi shrimps doused in lemon or Roman-style pizza.
Stay Set in the former headquarters of the city electric company, steps from the leafy Royal Palace grounds, art deco Sommerro channels The Ned energy with its multiple restaurants and retro-modern furnishings. From £225, sommerrohouse.com
The island one: Madeira, Portugal
Cool-factor Despite a southerly latitude that’s similar to Marrakech, the island of Madeira usually maintains highs in the mid-20Cs throughout summer – all thanks to the cooling winds that waft in from the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. The beach-dotted southern coast receives the lion’s share of heat, so stick to the Jurassic Park-wild north or lush mountainous interior to maximise refreshment.
See & Do Madeira is famed for its hiking, with trails snaking up along historic levada (irrigation channels) deep into the mountains; tackle one on a beautiful balmy morning. Later explore the cooling volcanic caves of São Vicente or be tickled by breeze at 580m-high Cabo Girão, the second-highest sea cliff in the world.
Eat You come to Restaurante São Cristóvão primarily for the view of blue Atlantic expanse, washing up against electric-green north coast peaks. But you stay for the simple fish and meat grills, washed down with icy beers.
Stay Pools don’t get cooler than the seawater number at Belmond Reid’s Palace in Funchal, set among cliffs and kissed by Atlantic Ocean spray. The grand dame hotel itself is no less impressive, an opulent pink-hued pile with elegant terrace dining and rooms draped in romantic floral fabrics. From £360, belmond.com
The beachy one: Palanga, Lithuania
Cool-factor Want a beach break minus the 40-something-Celsius sizzle? Boasting soft golden sands and blue waters, Palanga could be Mediterranean Spain – but this is Lithuania, in the comparatively bracing Baltics. Days on the 18km-long sandy banks are spent dipping in the refreshing waves, and kicking back in sun-and-cloud climes sitting comfortably in the low-to-mid-20Cs.
See & Do You’re here for the beach, of course, so spread your towel on the central stretch by the pier to enjoy the local buzz (or further to the north or south if you prefer quiet). Once you’ve had your fill of lazing around, explore Unesco-listed Curonian Spit National Park – home to dunes, myriad birds and lighthouses – on a guided tour. Or visit the Amber Museum, detailing the history and culture around this precious gemstone, found locally in abundance.
Eat Who doesn’t love Champagne and seafood? Sunset dinners at Selfish, on Palanga’s pine-backed sandbanks, come with oyster platters, tuna tataki and as much fizz as you can handle – all a two-minute stroll from the surf.
Stay Kick into full R&R mode at Palanga Life Balance Spa Hotel, where soothing mineral waters (balneotherapy) and muscle-melting massage meet an Italian restaurant. You’re about as close to the beach as it gets, too. From £158, palangahotel.lt
The mountain one: Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Cool-factor While many people save the Alps for winter, visit in summer and you’ll get a verdant wonderland and 20C climes perfect for active pursuits. Swiss village Saas-Fee is car-free and unspoilt, with Heidi-esque wooden builds and furry roaming marmots; the most picturesque of bases for exploring.
See & Do With more than a dozen 4,000m peaks surrounding Saas-Fee, there’s no end to the mountain adventure here. Expect hiking and bouldering, biking and glacier excursions. Cable car rides lend sweeping views over the epic nearby surrounds; canyoning plunges you deep between stony ridges. Twenty kilometers of groomed piste even welcome experienced skiers through July and August.
Eat Go for the full chalet atmosphere at Gletschergrotte, which has juicy burgers and apple strudel to tempt you into its wood-lined interior. Or better yet grab a seat on its sunny terrace, lined with blooms and gazing to snow-dusted peaks.
Stay Tucked into pine woods on a mountain slope overlapping the Mischabel peaks, Waldhotel Fletschhorn puts nature immersion first, with forest-bathing sessions and e-biking through the wilds. Not that you’ll be roughing it; there’s also a fabulous restaurant and a spa serving up Swedish massage. From £168, fletschhorn.ch
The on-board one: Kornati Islands, Croatia
Cool-factor Sure, Croatia is southern Europe and yes, temperatures are currently very sultry. But things cool down remarkably when you trade land for a holiday aboard a yacht – and the chic index goes up tenfold too. Corral a bunch of your best (ship)mates and set off for a week of island hopping in the enchanting Kornati archipelago, fuelled by impromptu sea dips and bottomless bottles of rosé. Ahoy!
See & Do With over 100 islands ringed in luminous crystalline waters, it’s little wonder much of the Kornati archipelago is officially a national park. The best (not to mention the coolest) way to see them is via your own yacht charter, letting you explore hidden inlets, humble fishing ports and salt lakes on islands like Levrnaka and Telascica. Having your own boat spells not just the wind in your hair but the freedom to stop as you please for a cool-down, snorkelling in the shallows or swimming in narrow straits.
Eat In the town of Kornati next to a row of bobbing boats, simple taverna Konoba Ante Vrulje dishes up crowd-pleasing seafood on umbrella-shaded tables.
Stay Helm has catamaran and cruiser hires in Croatia sleeping four to six people from £2,500 per week excluding skipper. A skipper costs an additional £1,080. helm.yt
The lakes one: Lake Bled, Slovenia
Cool-factor While verdant Slovenia is seeing an uptick in temperatures right now, the pleasant waters of Lake Bled still allow for a chilled-out blue-sky break. On the whole, you’ll still find cooler climes here than in much of nearby Italy, and plenty of lush natural wonder to escape into too.
See & Do Take to the waters in a traditional wooden row boat, gliding along the luminous blue waters; hotels rent them out by the hour. Stop off at Bled Island, where the Church of the Mother of God awaits with its postcard-gracing bell tower and an epic 99-step staircase. Time for a dip? Check out one of a number of dedicated lake lidos, such as Grajsko kopališÄe.
Eat Pair lakeside locale with Michelin-standard dining at Julijana, which alongside local-sourced meats and lake fish serves up decadent pastry-topped squares of the region’s signature Bled cream cake.
Stay Between the polished parquet and regal chateau-esque stature, Vila Bled sets the standard for Slovenian lakeside luxury. Despite the Italian-inflected terraced restaurant and the onsite spa, the main draw is still the setting: rooms come with prime views overlooking the lake. From £180, brdo.si
