Coolcation Destinations in Europe for Beating the Heat

When the UK heats up past 35 degrees and heat-health alerts start flying about, a holiday somewhere cooler sounds like bliss. You are not the only one thinking it.

Searches for cooler places to visit are up 74% year on year, and research suggests three in four Brits believe parts of Europe will soon be too hot for holidays. Welcome to the age of the coolcation.

What makes good coolcation destinations?

You still want warmth and a bit of sunbathing. The trick is to pick somewhere that stays below 30 degrees in July, with direct flights from the UK that will not wreck the budget. A travel money expert at eurochange has picked four that fit the bill. Prices below are the starting return fares quoted for July.

The expert’s view is that there are plenty of places that stay under 30 degrees in July and still feel properly warm for sunbathing and relaxing outdoors. Fares are reasonable too, which makes a last-minute booking much less painful.

The Dolomites, Italy

If you picture Italy as all heat and crowded piazzas, think again.

Highs reach 27C and lows drop to 11C. Return flights to Venice from Bristol, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Edinburgh start from £34.

The mountains are not usually thought of as a summer holiday spot, which is a shame. There are plenty of hiking routes, lakes for wild swimming and a very good food scene. It is a way to enjoy Italy without the heat of the south.

The Masurian Lake District, Poland

Expect highs of 25C and lows of 10C. Return flights from London Stansted to Olsztyn-Mazury start from £163.

Water is the star here. If you like sailing, swimming and walking in woodland, this is a lovely change of scene.

Most visitors head for Gdansk, Krakow or Warsaw, but this northern region is a paradise for nature lovers. It has more than 2,000 interconnecting lakes, dense forests, freshwater beaches and sailing spots. It rarely climbs above 25C, yet stays pleasantly warm.

Faro, Portugal

July highs are 30C with lows of 18C. Return flights from Manchester, Liverpool, Durham, London Stansted, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle and other airports start from £40.

It sits at the southern tip of Portugal, yet an Atlantic breeze keeps it cooler than much of the country. White sandy beaches and seafood restaurants overlooking the sea are only ten minutes from the airport.

Cork, Ireland

Highs of 26C and lows of 13C. Return flights from Manchester, Liverpool, London Stansted, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Glasgow start from just £26.

It is also the cheapest of the four, so it suits anyone watching the pennies.

Those fares make Cork a fine choice for a last-minute escape. Come for the food, the pubs and the coastline a short drive from the city. Do not miss Kinsale, a small town of brightly coloured houses with a star-shaped fortress above the River Bandon.

The Dolomites also pair well with a relaxed Italian food trip, while Cork is great for pub evenings and coastal drives. Fares and temperatures change, so check before you book. If the forecast at home looks grim, though, any of these could be a cool, easy way out. You can read more on the research on Europe getting too hot.

A shortlist of coolcation destinations like this proves you can swap the sweat for fresh air and still come home with a tan.