The best ‘coolcations’ in Europe for August 2026

Average temperature in August: 8-13C (46-55F)

Tourists are often put off by Iceland’s inaccessibility but routes are now opening up to visit the Nordic island. Just 40 minutes from Keflavik Airport is Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, which hosts a huge pride festival every August. From there, intrepid travellers can traverse the Volcanic Way, a 700km route passing eight volcanoes, or hike across Thorsmork Glacier Valley. In the north, whale-watching boats set off from Akureyri, a city dramatically overlooked by Eyjafjordur fjord. 

➡️ Our guide to the best hotels in Iceland

Average temperature in August: 15-18C (59-64F)

At the height of summer, the Scottish Highlands serve up long days, cool breezes, and comfortable conditions for exploring some of the most dramatic landscapes in the United Kingdom. The famous corners (think the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness) can attract serious crowds (of both humans and midges), but the real magic lies in quieter corners like the wild beaches of the northwest and the countless glens all around. The temperatures are ideal for long walks, although do be aware that rain is part of the deal. Almost certainly.

➡️ Our guide to the most beautiful places in Scotland

Average temperature in August: 10-13C (50-55F)

Sticking with the theme, summer in the Faroe Islands is a lesson in embracing the elements, and while the weather is rarely predictable (pack a waterproof), the rewards are enormous. The Faroes are a land of picture-perfect cliffs and cascading waterfalls, with wonderfully peaceful hiking routes that take visitors past villages lifted straight from postcards. The Faroe Islands offer a superb spot for finding quiet corners in amenable conditions, whether you want a long hike or simply to watch the clouds roll across the hills. You won’t get a tan, but the Faroes are hard to beat.

Average temperature in August: 12-20C (53-68F)

With midnight sun and refreshing breezes from the Gulf Stream, Norway has just about the perfect climate for coolcationers. On the Svalbard archipelago, the sun doesn’t set at all until late August. For those wanting to stick to the mainland, the Norwegian fjords – long sea inlets, carved out by glaciers and scattered along Norway’s northwest coast – offer hiking, fishing and kayaking. And no Norway coolcation is complete without exploring Oslo, home of Scandi-cool.

📍 The best things to do in Norway

Average temperature in August: 13-21C (56-70F)

August is a fabulous time to finally book that trip to Latvia. Sure, it might rain from time to time, but the drizzle will only provide a layer of drama to the striking landscapes of this heavily forested country. Riga is the obvious place to start and the perfect base for getting out and about around the country, whether that's a trip to the blustery beaches of Jurmala and Liepaja or a wildlife adventure in the gorgeous Gauja National Park (expect lynx, red deer, boar, and more).

Average temperature in August: 11-24C (51-75F)

Parts of Slovenia can get preposterously hot in August (looking at you, Ljubljana), so a trip to the Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina) is a must, and not just because summertime temperatures are on the milder side of the mercury. There is an argument that the valley provides the most beautiful views in the country, which is quite the statement when you realise where you are. Outdoor adventures take top billing, with everything from hiking to biking ready to be tackled. Logarska Dolina is around 40 miles north of Ljubljana, and the drive is spectacular.

Average temperature in August: 13-20°C (55-68°F)

Estonia enjoys a 2350-mile coastline and Pärnu is the jewel in its crown, a lively city with golden, sandy beaches where temperatures rarely exceed 20°C. Dubbed Estonia’s ‘summer capital’, the resort has museums, surf schools, restaurants, and a charming old town. But if even the modest hordes of Pärnu are too much, escape to the sleepy island of Saaremaa, where the old town centre boasts the highest number of spas per capita in the world.