Coolcations Abroad: New Index Unveils Top Summer Getaways

Understanding the Rise of Coolcations

As summer temperatures continue to rise, a new trend known as “coolcations” is gaining momentum among travelers. This trend involves seeking out cooler destinations to escape the heat, and it’s becoming increasingly popular in Europe. A recent travel index has been developed to help identify the best European spots for those looking to beat the summer heat.

The Summer Heat Escape Index

The travel app Polarsteps has launched its first “Summer Heat Escape Index,” which evaluates 25 European countries based on various factors that contribute to a comfortable summer experience. This index takes into account not just air temperatures but also other elements that influence how pleasant a destination feels during the warmer months.

The research was conducted following a survey carried out by Polarsteps in April 2026, which revealed that 35% of British travelers had opted for a cooler destination for their summer holiday this year. Moreover, more than one in five travelers made the switch to a cooler location for the first time.

Factors Considered in the Index

The index combines six different factors that influence comfort during the summer months:

Average daytime temperatures in August
Average night-time temperatures in August
Coolest average sea water temperatures in August
Forest coverage
Population density
Wild camping access

Each factor was normalized to produce a final score out of 100. Air temperature data was sourced from Meteostat and EN Climate Data using climate averages from 1991-2020/2021, while sea temperatures were based on the past decade of observations from seatemperature.info.

Top Destinations According to the Index

Iceland tops the overall ranking with a score of 83.81 out of 100. This is attributed to its average August daytime temperatures of just 10.7°C, cool nights of 8.1°C, legal wild camping, and the lowest population density in Europe. Additionally, Iceland offers some of the continent’s coldest sea swimming, with water temperatures around Akureyri averaging just 9.5°C.

Finland secures second place, earning the highest marks for nature. Nearly three-quarters of the country is covered by forest, and August temperatures average a comfortable 17°C, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures during the height of summer.

Norway completes the top three, combining mild summer temperatures with Europe’s coldest sea swimming. Waters at Ny-Ålesund average just 5.3°C in August, while the country’s extensive wilderness and legal wild camping add to its appeal.

Sweden ranks fourth, with daytime temperatures in August averaging 17°C. The country also benefits from its vast forests and the constitutional right to roam, known as “Allemansrätten”.

Emerging Alternatives in the Baltic States

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania all feature in the top 10, highlighting the Baltic states as emerging alternatives for travelers seeking cooler summer holidays without venturing as far north as Scandinavia.

Polarsteps recommends that travelers should head to Europe’s Atlantic coast if they are seeking warmth with a “cool-off option.” Atlantic currents mean that parts of France (Portsall, 15.1°C), Spain (A Guarda, 16.6°C), and Portugal (Viana do Castelo, 16.6°C) offer some of the coldest sea swimming in Europe despite their warm summer climates.