There are stunning cool-weather destinations all over the world you cannot miss! Here are the bucket list-worthy destinations that will keep you cool all summer long! Plus you can fill your Insta feed with all your gorgeous summer vacation photos!
Colorado, USA
Located under 2 hours away from Denver, Rocky Mountain is one of the most popular national parks in the United States and a perfect place to cool down during summer.
Rocky Mountain is one of the highest national parks in the United States with elevations ranging from 7,860 to 14,259 feet. It’s also home to Longs Peak, one of the most famous Colorado’s fourteeners (mountains reaching at least 14,000 feet).
The park is an adventurer’s paradise with over 350 miles of trails and 150 lakes. Although not all of them are easily accessible, and some require advanced hiking and mountaineering skills to reach, there are plenty of great trails in Rocky Mountain National Park to keep you busy for days.
While winter and spring bring plenty of snow, summer is the best time to visit this national park thanks to mild temperatures. It is also the busiest time, with many tourists coming to enjoy the landscapes and outdoor opportunities of the RMNP.
Weekends tend to be especially busy and local officials have implemented a reservation system in recent years to keep the crowds at bay. While the reservation system was in effect during summer, it’s likely here to stay as RMNP is getting more and more popular with millions of tourists visiting it from all over the country.
For a better experience, skip weekends and plan your visit for a weekday to escape the crowds and have trails to yourself. Temperatures begin to drop in the evening, and it’s a good idea to bring a jacket with you, especially if you plan on camping in Rocky Mountain National Park or some of the surrounding areas.
Recommended by: Daria at The Discovery Nut
Montana, USA
While much of the US is hot in the summertime, there are places in the mountains in Glacier National Park that may still have snow well into June.
Glacier National Park is definitely a bucket list place to cool down in the summer! For starters, the average daily temperatures reach up to 75ºF in the height of summer, and the evenings are breezy 40-45ºF.
The weather is absolutely perfect, especially if you want to explore the best hikes and water adventures during a week in Glacier National Park. The weather is warm enough during the day for a swim in the famous Lake McDonald or to go white water rafting on the Flathead River.
Yet, the weather is also perfect for hiking where you won’t get too hot most of the time. A can’t-miss hike is definitely up to Grinnell Glacier, where you’ll see a glacier and glacial lake with mini icebergs floating- even in the middle of summer!
Summer is also the prime time to visit Glacier National Park for the chance to drive the whole Going-to-the-Sun Road.
This road goes from west to east across the park and is closed most of the year due to snow and is only open between late June through mid-September depending on weather conditions.
If you want great weather and a chance to spot the exciting wildlife and the beauty of Glacier National Park, then summer is the best time to visit.
Recommended by: Kat at World Wide Honeymoon
Washington, USA
Ocean Shores, Washington is a perfect beach destination in the summer months to escape the warm temperatures. Ocean Shores is a small coastal town in Southern Washington with beautiful beaches and a charming downtown area filled with boutiques and yummy restaurants.
One of the best things to do in Ocean Shores is exploring the beaches. One really fun thing about the beaches is you can drive out onto them in most areas. This makes it really easy to find a spot for yourself and not have to carry your beach gear forever. If you want to swim, you’ll most likely need a wet suit or dry suit because the water is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another fun way to explore the beach is on electric bikes or mopeds. You can easily rent either in town. Then you can cruise up the beach for about as far as you’d like. Electric Beach Bike Rentals also have pet and kid carriers if you need them.
Horseback riding, golfing and miniature golf are also popular activities in town. Be sure to stop by Sharky’s, a souvenir shop with a giant shark mouth surrounding the front door.
There are lots of great hotels right along the beach in Ocean Shores. Ocean Shores Inn and Suites has a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. It also has an indoor and outdoor pool.
Recommended by: Candice at CS Ginger
Fairbanks, Alaska
If you are looking for a place to beat the summer hit, you should add the Alaska road trip itinerary to the top of your bucket list. During summertime, Alaska has a pleasant average daily high temperature is above 59°F. The hottest month of the year in Alaska is July, with an average high of 72°F and a low of 54°F. Besides the cool temperatures, this time of the year is when you can experience the endless daylight and the famous midnight sun season where you can see daylight 24-hours a day
Alaska is packed with plenty of fun and adventure things to do, and it is a great destination for couples, solo or family trips. One of the most popular places to visit in Fairbanks,
where you can enjoy the Chena Hot Springs Resort, besides soaking in the hot springs, the resort offers a large variety of activities to enjoy during summertime such as ATV, hiking trails, and horseback tours. And since the North Pole is only 20 minutes away, make sure you plan to visit Santa Claus, where the magic spirit of Christmas happens all year long, even during the summer months.
Denali is one of the highlights of any Alaska in the summertime. It is home to the tallest mountain in North America – Mt. McKinley and plenty of hiking trails and opportunities for camping in the park. Within the park, there are lots of wildlife and vast, unspoiled wilderness with glacier rivers, and tundra, and all of this is surrounded by mesmerizing peaks!
Recommended by: Paula at Paula Pins the Planet
Buenos Aires, Argentina
One of the best ways to cool down in the summer is to travel to the opposite hemisphere! In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s winter – meaning the temperatures are cooler and there are often fewer crowds to deal with. There are plenty of things to do in Buenos Aires that make it the perfect summer destination with temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celcius).
Buenos Aires is a vibrant city overflowing with color and personality. Start your time in the city at Plaza de Mayo. The square is home to the Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada. There are a few historical sites in the square as well. Not too far away is one of the world’s most extraordinary graveyards, the Recoleta Cemetary. It almost looks like its own city. Eva Peron’s final resting spot is here and is usually covered in flowers.
If you need a city break, the Buenos Aires Ecological Reserve is home to a 360-hectare green area which home to some exotic birds. Guided tours are available on the weekend. Jardin Japones is another picturesque park that fuses together Japanese and Argentine designs.
No trip to Buenos Aires is truly complete without a tango lesson. You’ll see tango street performers all over the city, so why not try it for yourself. Even if you have two left feet, it’s guaranteed to be a good time. Most classes include dinner and a show after so you can see the professionals in action.
No matter what you decide to do in Buenos Aires, you won’t be disappointed.
Recommended by: Pamela at The Directionally Challenged Traveler
Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye is one of the best destinations to visit if you want to avoid the summer heat. Every year, numerous visitors explore the Inner Hebrides’ largest island. From admiring the Old Man of Storr’s spectacular rock formations to exploring stunning waterfalls, this island has plenty to offer for everyone.
A plethora of attractions in the Isle of Skye makes it so that you can enjoy summer break even with slightly lower temperatures. You can climb the Cuillin mountains which offer excellent views of the island or relax at Coral beach. The tropical look of the beach will make you fall in love with this place.
Dunvegan Castle, which is not far away from Coral beach is also worth a visit. Whether you want to learn a bit more about history or spend some time with nature, this island has everything you need.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Fairy Pools. Those beautiful waterfalls are a favorite spot for wild swimming in the Isle of Skye. A short trek under one hour to explore this natural beauty is one of the top things to do during summer in the Scottish Highlands. There are plenty of other amazing waterfalls and hikes in the Isle of Skye so make sure to book your holiday for at least a couple of days to see top places on the island.
Recommended by: Paulina at UK Everyday
Cornwall, England
England usually doesn’t tend to get too warm in summer no matter the month, however, places in the South of England and the UK, in general, are definitely a few degrees more pleasant than the North.
One of the best places to visit to cool down in Cornwall as the weather is perfect in summer and doesn’t tend to go beyond twenty degrees. Average temperatures throughout summer stay between fifteen and twenty degrees (Celcius).
It is quite easy to get to Cornwall as once you fly to London, the drive here takes about 5 hours depending on where you want to go. You could also directly fly to Newquay making it quicker.
Penzance is a popular spot as it is here you’ll find St. Michaels Mount. When the tide is low, you can walk right up to the castle, and when doing so make sure to key an eye out for fossils! St.Ives is also another pretty location worth a visit. Cornwall has numerous fishing villages where you’ll find not only the freshest seafood but also some amazing sunsets.
There are numerous beaches here that are worth visiting and at some places, you can also surf! When in Cornwall don’t miss out on the Cornish pasties and some fresh clotted cream ice cream!
Recommended by: Lavina at Continent Hop
Brittany, France
If you’re looking for a place to cool down in summer while in France, Brittany should be at the top of your list. The most western region of France has a cool oceanic climate; it usually does not get very cold or boiling. When a heatwave hits France, Brittany often has lovely temperatures. Families with young kids or seniors love this destination. And if you do feel hot, you’re never far from the coast and the refreshing wind and water. In summer, the sea temperature is usually between 17°C and 20°C.
Water-based activities are very popular things to do in Brittany in the summer. With the English Channel in the north, the Atlantic in the west and south, and the Gulf of Morbihan in the south, you can easily visit a different type of beach every day. The diversity of coastal landscape is impressive: from long white sandy beaches to small coves, dark rocks to pink granite, or calm bays with islands to a wild ocean with waves.
But it’s not only about the beach. Visitors also love to discover the excellent local food and the strongly present Celtic culture in the region. In addition, Brittany has some of France’s best Thalassotherapy centers (therapy of the sea) if you want to treat yourself.
Recommended by: Eloise at My Favorite Escapes
El Chorro Lakes, Spain
Not far from the entrance to one of the most renowned walks in Spain, the Caminito del Rey, there is a plethora of turquoise lakes. Perfect to cool down in the hot Andalusian summer months.
El Chorro Lakes are gaining more and more popularity, not only with the locals with their proximity to Malaga. As a result, there are plenty of rentals for kayaks, paddleboards, and pedaling boats with slides to explore the lakes from a different perspective.
There are fun places to jump off cliffs and you can paddle or hike to remote parts of the lakes with fewer people. With pine trees covering this entire area, there is plenty of shade, but the ground can be uncomfortable to walk on, so it is highly recommended to wear water hiking shoes to avoid sore feet, especially for kids.
There are picnic tables in the shade to have your lunch and some places rent out sunbeds. There is no good public transport to get to the Lakes, but alternatively, you can take the train from Malaga to El Chorro and take the Caminito del Rey bus to El Kiosko restaurant. From there, you will need to backtrack a bit on foot to get to an entrance to the lakes, especially if you want to use any facilities. Parking is about 1 Euro for the day, or you will have to park along the road. Remember to leave the entire car outside the road, or it might get towed or fined.
Recommended by: Linn at Andalucia Hiking
Algarve, Portugal
One of the best summer destinations in Europe is the beach town of Carvoeiro in the Portuguese Algarve. This tiny village has a relaxed vibe, is close to the best beaches of Portugal, and offers a great walk along the orange coastal cliffs of the Algarve.
The beating summer heat in the southern parts of Europe can be a challenge, but the Portuguese Algarve offers a somewhat more moderate climate than other destinations in this area. And it is home to picturesque beach towns like Carvoeiro.
Carvoeiro is known as a beach town, though its beach is quite small. It can be quite packed during the hot summer days, but the town is close to other hidden beaches. Our favorite is Praia do Paraisa, a small beach only accessed through a rock tunnel. But you might also love the sand beach of Praia de Vale dos Currais.
But Carvoeiro isn’t just about beaches. The coastal town is built on the iconic orange rocks of the Algarve and has one of the best places to visit this rocky coast. The Algar Seco Caves are just south of town, where a 600-meter boardwalk brings you to two spots where you can walk and climb down. You’ll see the waves crashing into the rocks while walking through tunnels, passing rock arches, and enjoying the views. One of the best parts to cool down in the summer is the natural pool, where you can take a dip after climbing all those stairs and rocks.
Recommended by: Maartje & Sebastiaan at The Orange Backpack
Dolomites, Italy
The Mediterranean coast of Italy can be sweltering in summer but for those who prefer to sweat a bit less, the fabulous Dolomite Mountains are just a short drive north of Venice. This stunning area filled with jagged limestone peaks is at a noticeably higher altitude than most of Italy, keeping the temperature cool and comfortable even in height of summer.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a famous ski resort town and the main hub of the Dolomites. Sitting at 1,200 meters above sea level, even in July the afternoon highs usually only reach around 20 Celsius, and rarely go above 25. Which makes it easy to enjoy all the amazing outdoor activities on offer in this iconic region of the Alps (not to mention the high-end shopping and fantastic restaurants).
Boasting famous peaks such as Lagazuoi, Marmolada, Civetta, and Pelmo and spectacular lakes – di Braies, Sorapis, and Misurina, just to name a few – this section of the Dolomites has phenomenal hiking, climbing, and mountaineering. Awe-inspiring Tre Cime di Lavaredo is a must-see day hike and the stunning Alta Via 1 is one of the top long-distance treks in all of Europe, passing through the heart of this extraordinary region from Lago di Braies to the enjoyable little river capital of Belluno.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is an easy 2-hour drive from Venice or if you don’t have a car there are direct shuttles from Marco Polo Airport.
Recommended by: Dean and Laynni at Routinely Nomadic
Svaneti, Georgia
Svaneti, the mountain region of Georgia, is one of the bucket list places to cool down in the summer. Backdropped with the Caucasus Mountain range, Svaneti is an excellent place for hikers with beautiful waterfalls, lush greenery, alpine lakes, deep gorges, snow-toped peaks, and medieval defense towers.
Svaneti is also home to the ten highest peaks of the Caucasus range and second-highest inhabited areas in Europe. With its UNESCO World Heritage Ushguli community, the area offers breathtaking scenery and views ideal to escape the summer heat in Georgia’s lowland cities.
Even though the region is famous for its hiking trails, there are many other things to do in Mestia, the central town, that is not necessarily hiking-related. Although you’ll still need to walk uphill to see the beautiful nature and stunning waterfalls, the trails are not difficult at all.
In addition, you can visit several museums in Mestia to understand the culture and history of Svaneti. Start with a visit to Svaneti History and Ethnography museum displaying extraordinary artifacts from archeological excavations.
Another interesting museum is the house museum of Mikheil Khergiani, the first Alpinist of Georgia, nicknamed as “tiger of rocks” due to his unique technique to climb the slopes rapidly.
Mestia is 466km away from Tbilisi, the capital of Georiga. Therefore, the best way to get to Svaneti is to take a train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi, Samegrelo region, and then a taxi, minivan, or a shared minibus to Mestia.
Recommended by: Baia at Red Fedora Diary
Kodaikanal, India
A less crowded hill station in the southern part of India is Kodaikanal. Known as the Princess of hill stations, Kodaikanal is in Tamil Nadu state. At an elevation of 2133 meters, the town of Kodaikanal was set up as an escape from summers. Even though the weather is calm and pleasant throughout the year, Kodaikanal is best visited between April and June. One needs at least 3 to 4 days to explore and enjoy what Kodaikanal has to offer.
Kodaikanal has plenty of things to do during summers that cater to all kinds of travelers. It welcomes its visitors with a charming waterfall called the Silver Cascade waterfall. At a height of 180 feet, the Silver Cascade waterfall is a natural steep waterfall.
As the town is at an elevation, it is surrounded by many lookout points where one can enjoy the panoramic views of the valley and surrounding villages. The most popular one is the Pillar Rocks lookout point that has a viewpoint of beautiful cliff formations. Other notable lookouts are Upper Lake and Green Valley viewpoints.
To enjoy a quiet late afternoon, Kodaikanal has an artificial lake in the center of the town, roughly in a star shape, where one can enjoy boating either on a row or pedal boats. There is also a walkway around the lake where one can lazily stroll around the lake.
For hikers and trekkers, the town also provides amazing walkways and hikes. Hike to Vattakanal waterfalls is surely one of the best hikes around Kodaikanal. The hike is to Vattakanal waterfall which is a cascade of rocky steps.
Recommended by: Raksha at Solo Passport
Goa, India
Palolem beach in Goa is a picture-perfect place to spend the summer chilling at a beach with a coconut in your hand in India. This particular beach is pretty special and one of the most exquisite beaches in Goa for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s known for the famous Palolem beach shacks. These shacks or huts are lined across the entire beach in various colors accompanied by coconut trees.
Most of these huts are beach resorts in various price ranges where you can stay whereas the others are beach-facing restaurants and cafés. Secondly, there are a number of things to do in and around Palolem. You can rent a kayak, take a boat cruise, explore the other secluded beaches in the area, check out the many vegan cafés at Palolem, or even take a yoga class.
To get here, take a flight to the Goa International Airport in India then book a cab from the airport to Palolem beach that takes you straight to the beach in 1.5 hours. The beach is located at the southernmost end of the state in South Goa. While you’re here, it’s worth checking out the nearby beaches – Patnem beach, Cabo de Rama beach, and Butterfly beach.
Recommended by: Soujanya at The Spicy Journey
Issyk-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan
Despite lying about 1600 meters above sea level, the world’s seventh-deepest lake never freezes over. But that at that altitude also means that the surroundings never get too hot in summer. This didn’t go unnoticed; Issyk-Kul Lake became an important stopover along the Silk Road. In Soviet times, resorts and sanatoria sprang up for people to enjoy the slightly saline waters.
Cholpon-Ata at the north coast has the most accommodation options. The tourist season starts in June. WiFi at guesthouses can be spotty, so make sure to get your own Kyrgyz SIM card to be independent. If you don’t speak Kyrgyz or Russian, you’ll need it.
On a sunny day, all you have to do is go to the nearest wild beach on the lakeshore and take a very refreshing dip. You can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance that add ice-cold mountain water to the lake in summer. If you enjoy wellness practices, go to a local Russian-style banya to jump from the hot steam into the ice-cold water. Prefer to stay dry? Take a boat trip onto the lake.
If you’ve had enough of the lake, head into the valleys for a day to see how nomadic Kyrgyz people live in their yurts, ride horses, and keep bees for wild mountain honey. Alternatively, go urban exploring at the abandoned airport of Cholpon-Ata and walk over the runway. For a cultural-historic experience, visit the open-air petroglyph museum where you can see rock carvings made by early humans.
Recommended by: Iris Veldwijk at Mind of a Hitchhiker
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