Cool Weather Summer Destinations in Europe
Are you looking for the best cool weather summer destinations in Europe?
You’re in the right place! If the idea of spending your summer vacation sweating in the streets of Athens or Rome or lying on the scorching beaches of Spain doesn’t sound appealing, you’re not alone.
As much as I wish I were a hot weather person, I’m simply not. If I had to choose between endless summer and endless winter, I’d choose the latter. I’m most comfortable traveling and exploring new destinations when the weather is chilly, and I can wear a light coat and long pants outside.
If you’re looking to beat the heat and experience a cooler destination this summer, I’ve put together this list of the best cool weather destinations in Europe. Now, most places in Europe aren’t truly cold during the summer. But you can definitely expect weather ranging from mild and pleasant to downright chilly.
Here’s a look at the top cool weather summer destinations in Europe:
1. Iceland
Iceland is one of the best places to go in Europe if you’re looking for cool weather. In fact, I would say that this is one of the coldest places in Europe you can visit during the summer months. Even in July and August, temperatures rarely go above 60° F in Iceland, and it’s more often in the forties and fifties.
This is a great place to travel if you’re looking for stunning nature — waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, beaches, and more await you in the Land of Fire and Ice. The best way to explore Iceland is on a road trip, and you can easily see many of the highlights of this country in one or two weeks.
2. Edinburgh, Scotland
If you’re looking for a cool weather city to visit in the summer, Edinburgh is one of my favorites. While the UK as a whole typically has milder summers than much of continental Europe, it gets cooler the further north you go. I’ve been in London during extreme summer heatwaves, but Edinburgh tends to stay mild.
Edinburgh is a great city to explore in the summer, when the days are long and the weather is nice. You can expect daytime highs in the summer in the mid-sixties, with things getting chilly in the evenings.
There are tons of amazing free things to do in Edinburgh, many of which are outdoors. You can also find cool weather even further north of Edinburgh if you want to explore the wild and rugged Scottish Highlands or check out the northern islands of Scotland like the Isle of Skye, Shetland, or Orkney.
3. Ireland
Ireland is a beautiful country to visit during the summer months. Nicknamed the Emerald Isle, everything is lush and green, and you can enjoy cool and mild weather. I visited Ireland in early August, and it was chilly enough that I needed to wear a heavy sweater everywhere the whole time that I was there.
Typically, the highest temperatures you’ll experience are in the mid-sixties, although it can be even chillier than that during the summer. Ireland is another destination that is perfect for road trips, or you could also base yourself in Dublin and take day trips around the country since it’s pretty small.
4. Normandy, France
Northern France is a great destination for the summer months. The French Riviera may be known as an iconic summer destination, but it’s part of the Mediterranean Coast and gets very hot.
On the other hand, Northern France has beautiful beaches and scenery too, but it’s much cooler. The region of Normandy is a great destination for mild weather in the summer, with average temperatures typically hovering in the low seventies even in July and August. The Atlantic Ocean beaches of Normandy are famous for their connection to World War II history, which is a reason why many people visit.
However, Normandy also has more to offer, including cities like Rouen and Caen, charming coastal towns like Honfleur and Etretat, and impressive destinations like ancient Mont-St-Michel.
5. The Baltics
The Baltics is an underrated region of Europe that I’m totally obsessed with. I visited all three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) last summer in late June, and the weather was perfect.
You can expect daytime highs in the low seventies and chillier evenings. Each country is pretty small, and all three combine perfectly into a trip of one or two weeks. You can start in Tallinn, Estonia, make your way to Riga, Latvia (a city with some great day trips) before finishing your trip in Vilnius, Lithuania.
If you’re looking for a low-key destination with gorgeous historic cities, charming countryside, and mild weather, you can’t go wrong with a summer trip to the Baltics, one of Europe’s hidden gems.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
Another region of Europe that stays pretty cool in the summer is Scandinavia. If you’re looking for a great city break destination, I highly recommend Copenhagen. The Danish capital is a colorful, historic city that is filled with charm. It’s also hip and effortlessly cool, with great cafes, boutiques, and galleries.
There are so many things to do in Copenhagen in the summer, including strolling along the city’s waterways, visiting the 19th-century amusement park Tivoli Gardens, or visiting a historic castle. The weather in Copenhagen rarely goes above 70° F even in July and August, the two warmest months.
7. The Alps
If you’re looking for a mountainous getaway, the Alps are a great summer destination. While many people think of skiing in the Alps in the winter, it’s popular in the summer too. You can go hiking and enjoy lots of other outdoor recreation in this mountain range, which spans several European countries.
France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy all have their own excellent destinations in the Alps. The higher the elevation, the chillier it tends to be. In general, you can expect mild weather in the low to mid-sixties in most towns and cities in the Alps, making it a nice break from hot weather.
8. Sweden
Finally, Sweden is another great cool weather destination to visit during the summer. This part of the world is known for being pricey, but Sweden is actually cheaper than the other four Nordic countries (Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Finland), so your money will go further on a vacation here.
Stockholm is a really cool city to spend a few days in, but you should also go experience more of Sweden’s natural beauty, including lakes and beaches. The days are long, and the weather is pleasant during summer in Sweden, with average highs in the low seventies in Stockholm, and even cooler further up north.
Cool Weather Summer Destinations in Europe
This guide showed you the best cool weather summer destinations in Europe.
If you’re looking to escape the heat and enjoy a destination with cooler weather this summer, you can’t go wrong with any of these destinations. It’s possible to enjoy charming European cities, beautiful beaches, and stunning nature without having to deal with hot weather if you visit one of these destinations.
Enjoy your trip to Europe!
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