{"id":37794,"date":"2026-03-24T13:33:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/37794\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:33:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:33:24","slug":"best-cool-summer-destinations-in-europe-for-2026-travelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/37794\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Cool Summer Destinations in Europe for 2026 Travelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tThis summer, consider ditching the usual European hotspots \u2014 as in smoldering heat and packed tourist destinations \u2014 and opt for cooler climates that are still\u00a0hot\u00a0on the travel<\/a> radar. Across Switzerland, the Alps, the Nordics and the British Isles, temperatures often hover comfortably below Mediterranean highs, making them ideal for hiking, lake swimming and leisurely al fresco lunches. They also happen to be places where many Hollywood insiders have quietly escaped the spotlight (and smartphone-wielding crowds) for decades. Consider escaping to these spots for a\u00a0coolcation, if you will, instead.<\/p>\n

\t\tSwitzerland\t<\/p>\n

\n\tSwitzerland is best known for skiing, but summer reveals emerald green mountains and crisp alpine air. Located in the country\u2019s southwestern Bernese Oberland region, Gstaad remains one of the Alps\u2019 most discreet luxury enclaves. The legendary Gstaad Palace<\/a>, opened in 1913, has welcomed generations of A-listers; The Alpina Gstaad <\/a>has been known to host such guests as Leonardo DiCaprio and Madonna; and Le Grand Bellevue<\/a> blends glamour with modern wellness. Summer activities include hiking around Lake Arnen and Lake Lauenen or crossing Glacier 3000\u2019s dramatic Tissot Peak Walk.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tSwitzerland\u2019s Gstaad Palace.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMelanie Uhk\u00f6tter<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tLuxe-rustic accommodations at The Alpina Gstaad.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSwitzerland.com<\/p>\n

\n\tFurther east, Saint Moritz offers high-altitude elegance. Badrutt\u2019s Palace Hotel<\/a> and Kulm Hotel<\/a> anchor the town, where summer visitors swap ski slopes for sailing, alpine hikes and events like the St. Moritz Celebrity Golf Cup. The Glacier Express <\/a>panoramic train links Saint Moritz and Zermatt for one of Europe\u2019s most scenic journeys.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn Zermatt, known for its walkable village dominated by the Matterhorn, The Omnia<\/a> offers a luxurious, modern alpine retreat with floor-to-ceiling windows and 30 rooms.<\/p>\n

\n\tTucked high in the Swiss Alps, the LAAX mountains<\/a> area welcomes guests for year-round adventure. Hikers can explore the UNESCO-listed Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona (an exceptional window into the processes of mountain formation) and the Rhine Gorge. Nearby Lake Cauma, a turquoise alpine lake, is ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and picnicking.<\/p>\n

\n\tAt Lake Lucerne, enchanting properties include B\u00fcrgenstock Resort<\/a> and the castle-like Park Hotel Vitznau<\/a>. \u201cLake Lucerne has become increasingly popular with my clients,\u201d says luxury travel adviser\u00a0Kara Slater<\/a>. \u201c[B\u00fcrgenstock] sits high above the water, offering cinematic views of the lake and the Alps and feels like a modern alpine sanctuary where nature and luxury coexist in perfect balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tThe view from a Contemporary Lake View Bay Suite at B\u00fcrgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa in Switzerland.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tB\u00fcrgenstock Hotels AG<\/p>\n

\n\tTom Marchant, co-founder of bespoke travel company\u00a0Black Tomato<\/a>, says he\u2019s seeing interest in an even more under-the-radar area of the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tA room at Huus Quell in Switzerland\u2019s Appenzell region.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJulien L. Balmer<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe hidden side of Switzerland is where we\u2019re sending clients who think they\u2019ve seen Switzerland. This isn\u2019t Gstaad or Saint Moritz. It\u2019s the Appenzell region<\/a>, the rolling hills between Lake Constance and the S\u00e4ntis mountain range, where the cheeses have 700-year-old recipes that never get exported and the wines stay local,\u201d says Marchant. \u201cFor entertainment clients exhausted by places that market themselves aggressively, this represents the ultimate form of cultural fluency: knowing about something precisely because it hasn\u2019t been packaged for tourists.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tElsewhere in the Alps\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAs global warming increasingly bakes southern Europe, the Alps often remain refreshingly cool. London-based producer Kristin Jones tells\u00a0THR\u00a0that the heat has changed how many families plan summer trips. \u201cBy the time [U.K.] schools let out in July, places like Greece or the South of France are already pushing 40 degrees [Celsius],\u201d she says. \u201cYou start thinking, \u2019What are we in for?\u2019 A lot of people are choosing the Alps instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn northern Italy, the Dolomites have surged in popularity thanks to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Passionate hikers love tackling the multiday Alta Via alpine treks, while cyclists take on legendary mountain passes. Located in Avelengo, Chalet Mirabell<\/a> offers family-friendly accommodations with a spa, alpaca farm and the region\u2019s largest natural swimming pond. The family-owned sprawling property recently debuted nearby Chalet Zuegg<\/a>, a more private residential-style lodging.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI love the Dolomites in the summer. No mosquitoes, relatively few folk and so much cooler than other parts of Southern Italy,\u201d says Emily FitzRoy of Bellini Travel. \u201cWith the recent opening of the Aman Rosa Alpina <\/a>and the Ancora<\/a> in Cortina \u2014 where we sent Snoop Dog and Stanley Tucci for lunch during the Olympics \u2014 there\u2019s never been a better time to explore this extraordinary landscape, even more so when the mountains are carpeted with wildflowers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tThe hall tea room at Ancora Cortina in the Dolomites.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Leading Hotels of the World<\/p>\n

\n\tIn Austria, alpine wellness is the focus of many a star\u2019s visit. The iconic Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt<\/a> has hosted everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba to Arnold Schwarzenegger, featuring spa facilities, tennis courts, Europe\u2019s largest boxing ring and a working children\u2019s farm, plus myriad activities for all ages. About two hours away, Hotel Nesslerhof<\/a>, in Hohe Tauern National Park, offers more than 400 kilometers of hiking and biking trails through alpine meadows, lakes and traditional mountain huts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tAustria\u2019s Stanglwirt resort.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStanglwirt<\/p>\n

\n\tIn France, Four Seasons Resort Meg\u00e8ve<\/a> benefits from mild alpine temperatures. Guests enjoy priority access to Golf du Mont d\u2019Arbois, while other activities include hiking, overnight treks, canyoning, mountain biking, exploring the nearby medieval village, helicopter tours or paragliding. An hour and a half to the south, the luxe village of Courchevel offers golf, artisan markets and scenic hikes all summer.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tFour Seasons Resort Meg\u00e8ve.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFour Seasons<\/p>\n

\t\tThe Nordics & Iceland\t<\/p>\n

\n\tScandinavia offers the ultimate cool-weather escape. Per Fora Travel, bookings increased 131 percent to Norway, 128 percent to Iceland and 117 percent to Denmark in the past year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tLuxury estate Rauhalinna<\/a>, on Lake Saimaa in Finland, dubbed the \u201cHamptons of Finland,\u201d features boating, kayaking, cycling, lakeside sauna rituals and summer-long daylight. Ewan McGregor visited during filming of his Apple TV+ travel series\u00a0Long Way Home. Plus, the Savonlinna Opera Festival in July adds culture to your itinerary (unless you are Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tFinland\u2019s Villa Rauhalinna.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVilla Rauhalinna<\/p>\n

\n\tAdditionally, Norway\u2019s fjords offer dramatic scenery \u2014 cliffs, waterfalls and UNESCO-listed hiking trails.\u00a0\u201cScandinavia is having a real moment, specifically Norway. It\u2019s ideal for summer because the weather is pleasant \u2014 not too hot \u2014 and it isn\u2019t super crowded,\u201d says luxury travel adviser Michael Torbiak, founder of M.Domo Travel. Torbiak is a fan of Isbreen the Glacier,<\/a> a luxury igloo retreat with five geodesic domes located above the Arctic Circle in Norway.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tIsbreen the Glacier in Norway.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsbreen The Glacier<\/p>\n

\n\tIceland maintains mild temps all summer, with highs in the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit. Travelers can hike volcanic landscapes, explore black sand beaches or unwind at Blue Lagoon. \u201cIceland is easy to reach, and the long daylight summer hours mean you can stack a full day of adventure,\u201d says Slater. \u201cMy clients love to stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon <\/a>for its subterranean spa, private lagoon and total discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tThe U.K. & Ireland\t<\/p>\n

\n\tEngland\u2019s Cotswolds region, two hours from London, combines rolling hills, honey-colored villages and mild summer temperatures perfect for countryside walks and pub lunches. Creative Londoners retreat to Soho Farmhouse<\/a>, frequented by the Beckhams, Prince Harry and Eddie Redmayne, or stay at the historic Lygon Arms Hotel<\/a> in Broadway or at Estelle Manor<\/a>, which offers a members-club feel with a Roman-inspired spa.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tThe south terrace of Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMark Anthony Fox<\/p>\n

\n\tKnown for its cinematic landscapes, Scotland is another top draw for cooler summer climes. This summer, Christopher Nolan\u2019s\u00a0The Odyssey\u00a0will features scene shot along its northeast coast, while The Highlands\u2019 misty mountains have long been the backdrop for\u00a0Outlander productions. The Gleneagles<\/a> in Perthshire remains a classic retreat. Travelers can also check in to Knipoch House<\/a>, overlooking Loch Feochan, the perfect base for a day trip to the village of Glencoe or to set out on boat trips to Inner Hebrides islands Mull and Iona.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tThe bar at Knipoch House Hotel in Scotland.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSonas Collection<\/p>\n

\n\tIn Ireland, Adare Manor<\/a> is preparing to host the 2027 Ryder Cup, making this summer a prime opportunity to discover its championship golf courses. And in Dublin (just a six-hour flight from the East Coast), The Shelbourne<\/a> offers mid-60s summer temperatures; the historic hotel has hosted John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, The Rolling Stones, Charlie Chaplin, Rita Hayworth and, most recently, President Obama.<\/p>\n

\n\tIf Mediterranean beaches once defined summer travel in Europe, these cool escapes \u2014 with crisp mountain air, quiet lakes, rolling hills and dramatic landscapes \u2014 signal that the continent\u2019s most appealing summer destinations may lie far from the heat.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tThe sitting area of the Lady Caroline Suite at Adare Manor in Ireland.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Leading Hotels of the World<\/p>\n

\n\tThis story appears in The Hollywood Reporter\u2019s 2026 Travel Issue<\/a>. Click here to read more.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This summer, consider ditching the usual European hotspots \u2014 as in smoldering heat and packed tourist destinations \u2014…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":37795,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[16],"tags":[50,22142,1063,22143],"class_list":["post-37794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-alps","tag-alps","tag-hollywood-on-holiday","tag-travel","tag-travel-issue"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ch\/116284411354290152","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37794","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37794"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37794\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}