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Shade-seekers may rejoice, but vacation travel trends are changing and summer vacations spent tanning, refreshing and soaking up the sun are on the decline.
In light of the ongoing climate crisis, Britons who are habitually keen to go abroad are looking to explore Europe, where they don’t have to worry about being trapped in a hotel room’s air conditioner or sweating during the day’s UV index. I have a wanderlust towards the coast.
The shift to a milder climate is not surprising. From Rhodes to Gran Canaria, the furnaces of Mediterranean travel heavyweights are ablaze with wildfires during the 2023 peak travel season, as temperatures continue to hit record highs year after year.
Now is the time to trade mainland Spain’s scorching Andalusia for the cool Canary Islands, Portugal’s Algarve for Poland’s Baltic coast, and the blockbuster Greek Islands for a German variation.
Put off chasing the scorching sun and discover destinations that will bring some breeze to your summer getaway, from wind-swept islands to the beautiful coastlines of Scandinavia.
Read more about traveling to Europe:
Ostend, Belgium
Belgium’s 68 km coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, seafood and Flemish culture (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 21°C, average minimum temperature in August: 15°C
Best known for its chocolate, beer and Brussels, the center of EU democracy, you’d be foolish to turn your nose up at Belgium’s beach resorts. This summer, hit the golden sands of Ostend, Flanders’ largest city, spend the morning kitesurfing and enjoy fresh oysters on Albert I Promenade in the afternoon. You don’t have to run away from the heat all together.
oslo, norway
Norway’s waterfront capital is not your standard city break (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Average maximum temperature in August: 21°C, average minimum temperature in August: 13°C
Norway’s capital is home to trendy neighborhoods, especially the lively Gronerlokka, with its boutique stores and outdoor dining spots surrounded by deep Marka forest (where you can enjoy active activities like ziplining and mountain biking). It’s a mixed area. Sophisticated museums such as the Munch Museum in the Oslo Pass meet the cultural criteria for a city vacation, while taking a dip in a saltwater pool or sweating it out in a Scandinavian sauna. Perfect for the R&R element of your summer vacation.
La Gomera, Canary Islands
This summer, turn sweltering mainland Spain into the serene Canary Islands (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 28℃, average minimum temperature in August: 21℃
While mainland Spain is scorching hot, Atlantic coastal winds blow through the Canary Islands, blessing La Gomera with year-round temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius, where vacationers enjoy hiking, black sand bathing, melon lobster and marmalade. You can enjoy rabbit gourmet food to your heart’s content. Even in bearable heat, you won’t have to sacrifice sunlight, and you’ll get about 9 hours of vitamin D in August.
tartu, estonia
The 2024 Capital of Culture will deliver a cool city break (in two senses of the word) (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 21°C, average minimum temperature in August: 11°C
Comfort is key on a city vacation where sweaty scenic climbs, winding snack lines and logging thousands of steps every day are inevitable, and Tartu, the 2024 Capital of Culture, offers just the right amount of Estonia. It has a perfect climate to explore. There’s the elegant Town Hall Square (yes, really), where mass kissing events are held, the stylish Estonian National Museum, and the Emajogi River, where wooden barges allow sailors to take in the peaceful scenery.
sopot, poland
Poland’s Baltic coast has perfect temperatures for a beach holiday (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 22°C, average minimum temperature in August: 12°C
Seaside Sopot, in the Tri-Cities region of the ‘Baltic Riviera’, is an affordable alternative to the popular big names, further south and during August’s warmest month. Just a short train ride from historic Gdańsk, with an enchanting 4 km beach, Europe’s longest wooden pier, and stylish health spas dotted with fairy-tale facades, locals love Sopot’s seaside resorts. We appreciate the nightlife scene and, of course, the decadent waffles.
Sylt, Germany
The North Frisian Islands’ microclimate and pale sand beaches are popular with savvy German travelers (Getty)Average maximum temperature in August: 20°C, average minimum temperature in August: 16°C
Attracting Germany’s elite, the North Frisian Islands’ mild microclimate, pinstriped Strandkolb (a wicker chair with a hood wide enough to seat two) and pristine pale sand beaches lure travelers to Sylt’s west coast. It’s natural to be attracted to. With its Michelin rosette gourmet scene, thatched cottages and lighthouse-dotted peninsula, this secluded and peaceful beach is one to add to your holiday list.
lake bled, slovenia
Bled’s attractive glacier waters help keep you cool (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 28°C Average minimum temperature in August: 16°C
Slovenia’s most famous tourist attraction sparkles in the summer sun, and Lake Bled’s enchanting turquoise glacial waters cool off during a climb to medieval Bled Castle and romantic columns around the fantastic island. Helps keep you safe. Where Italy’s legendary Lakes Garda and Como sweat with crowds, Bled’s section of the Julian Alps is inevitably crowded, but there are forest trails suitable for secluded alpine hikes.
Machiko, Madeira Island
Machico was the capital of Madeira for a short time in the 15th century (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 26°C, average minimum temperature in August: 21°C
Leave the scorching heat of the Algarve for the warmer waters of Portugal’s Madeira Islands. Nestled between mountains, Machiko in the Far East has visions of man-made beaches undulating with golden grains imported from Africa, manicured gardens and terracotta roofs dotting its landscape.
Pori, Finland
Windsurfing, bird watching and barbecuing at Iteri Beach on the west coast of Finland (Getty)Average maximum temperature in August: 21℃, average minimum temperature in August: 12℃
The city of Pori, on Finland’s west coast, is the center of jazz music, Finnish street food (like polilainen, a fancy sausage sandwich), and Scandinavian star Iteri Beach. 6 km of white sand beach perfect for windsurfing, bird watching and beaching. Volleyball and BBQ. Home to the Kokemaenjoki River and the Bothnian Sea National Park, this diverse destination is no stranger to sub-30 degree summers.
haarlem, the netherlands
Enjoy the coolness of the Netherlands in Amsterdam’s less crowded store next door (Getty Images)Average maximum temperature in August: 19℃, average minimum temperature in August: 15℃
Head to Haarlem to enjoy tulips, vinyl flowers, hidden Hofhier courtyards, and pretty canals. Amsterdam’s less-crowded, next-door shop lets you experience the coolness of the Netherlands without getting sweaty with strangers. As well as a popular shopping scene, there is also a brewing culture that dates back to the 14th century, and South Kennemerland National Park is buzzing with activity.
Skagen, Denmark
Denmark’s northernmost town has museums and fine dining to rival those of Copenhagen (Getty) Average maximum temperature in August: 19℃, average minimum temperature in August: 13℃
The port city of Skagen, on Denmark’s northeastern peninsula, has museums and fine dining to rival those of the country’s effortlessly cool capital, Copenhagen. Cloud droplets paint the sky, and wild nature roams among the pale grains of the Gränen Spit, which straddles the Baltic and North Seas. Even better, August’s T-shirt and light layering weather is perfect for exploring this stretch of the Lovejag Mile, a migratory coastal dune.
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