![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096653-abe6.jpg\")
\n\t\tA marina in Vlissingen, Zeeland province, Netherlands (Picture: Allard Schager\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tA marina in Vlissingen, Zeeland province, Netherlands (Picture: Allard Schager\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just the UK that\u2019s sweating through a heatwave this summer<\/a> \u2013 several countries in\u00a0Europe<\/a>\u00a0are experiencing even hotter weather than us right now.<\/p>\n While England recorded its warmest-ever June this year (with temperatures reaching a maximum of 37.7\u00b0C in Norfolk), places like France, Spain and Portugal\u00a0have also endured extreme heat spikes, with temperatures exceeding 40\u00b0C in some areas.<\/p>\n The planet\u2019s oceans were hotter than scientists had ever seen them.<\/p>\n The climate news<\/a> is heavy reading, and the weather sweeping the continent<\/a> does not make for ideal holiday conditions.<\/p>\n So, we asked a few travel experts to share their favourite destinations for escaping the heat.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n From a little-known Lithuanian resort to a tiny Alpine state, these are the places you can visit without fear of getting frazzled.<\/p>\n Zeeland, the Netherlands\u2019 best-kept secret<\/p>\n Chris Oberman (author of Moving Jack<\/a> travel blog who has visited 60 countries): \u2018My choice for a cooler European summer escape is where I grew up: my home country\u2019s best-kept secret, Zeeland, the Netherlands<\/a>\u2019 southwestern coastal province.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018While southern Europe can be incredibly hot at 35-40\u00b0C, Zeeland always stays a bit cooler, around 25\u00b0C in July and August, thanks to the cooler winds from the North Sea. <\/p>\n \u2018It has the longest coastline in the Netherlands, with wide sandy beaches at Domburg and Renesse that rarely feel too crowded. <\/p>\n You can cycle on the dikes, eat fresh Zeeland mussels (world famous!) and oysters straight from the sea, and walk around on the medieval streets of Veere and Middelburg.\u2019<\/p>\n Lithuania\u2019s white sand coast<\/p>\n \t\t Lucy Daltroff (travel writer with 18 years of experience): \u2018I have travelled to 28\u00a0European\u00a0countries, and I\u2019m not sure I have been rewarded with such inviting beaches, beautiful nature and consistently good food as on my recent visit to the Baltic coast of\u00a0Lithuania<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018A most wonderfully underrated place<\/a>, with regular direct flights from the UK to Palanga from \u00a388 return.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Summer\u00a0temperatures of a pleasant 23\u00b0C attracts local crowds, though even at the height of the season I am told it is easy to find quiet spots on the sand.\u2019<\/p>\n Normandy\u2019s historic beaches<\/p>\n \t\t Brandon Shaw (COO and co-founder of The Tour Guy): \u2018Normandy\u2019s D-Day Beaches are just a short drive from Paris, but while the capital smoulders, summer temperatures here typically peak around 24\u00b0C.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018The sites where the liberation of France<\/a> began after World War II welcome travellers together with natural wonders including the iconic chalk arches and dramatic white cliffs at \u00c9tretat, as well as belle-\u00e9poque boardwalks.<\/p>\n \u2018Alternatively, Chamonix<\/a> sees pleasant highs of around 19\u00b0C. It\u2019s easily reachable from Geneva or Milan. Set beneath Mont Blanc, it offers cool mountain air, hiking, and cable cars up to glacier views. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a genuine break from the heat rather than a milder version of it.\u2019<\/p>\n Adorable Andorra<\/p>\n \t\t Alex Andreichuk (CEO of Altezza Travel): \u2018Andorra<\/a> is my absolute favourite European country to visit during summer heat. It\u2019s situated high in the Pyrenees, and the whole country sits well above sea level.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018This creates a natural cooling effect, so you get to experience Alpine summer at its best. In July and August, you can expect day temperatures between 24-28\u00b0C, while nighttime temperatures usually go as low as 14\u00b0C. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s the perfect weather and landscape combination for hiking, cycling, and outdoor adventure holidays. And compared to hotspots in the Alps, it is much less crowded and more affordable.<\/p>\n \u2018To get a good taste of the country, you should visit smaller mountain villages and high-altitude nature areas. <\/p>\n \u2018Combined with signature attractions such as Mirador Roc del Quer (suspended viewpoint), a hike around the Tristaina Lakes, and the exploration of old streets and caf\u00e9s of Andorra la Vella<\/a>, you\u2019d be in for a real European summer treat.\u2019<\/p>\n Norway\u2019s southern shores<\/p>\n \t\t Davide Guzzardi (founder of expedition travel company Exped Tribe<\/a>): \u2018Escape the scorching European heat by exploring southern Norway<\/a>, a forgotten gem often overlooked by travellers heading further north to the Lofoten islands.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018The route between Oslo, Stavanger, and Bergen blends stunning mountain and sea landscapes<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u2018Road trips offer perfect views of the Folgefonna National Park and its glacier, and the pristine beaches of \u00c5krasanden.<\/p>\n \u2018Drive through\u00a0majestic fjords, take a refreshing dip in the Nordic Sea, and for the bravest, camp under the midnight sun.\u2019<\/p>\n The Faroe Islands, an Atlantic jigsaw<\/p>\n \t\t Alice Murphy (Metro\u2019s Travel Editor): \u2018The\u00a0Faroe Islands<\/a>\u00a0are only a short flight from the UK, yet they\u2019re miles off most travellers\u2019 radars.<\/p>\n \u2018Adrift in the\u00a0North Atlantic<\/a>, this 18-piece jigsaw of islands erupts from the ocean about 200 miles north of\u00a0Scotland\u00a0and 300 miles southeast of\u00a0Iceland.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s wild and windswept, and even in summer, temperatures rarely rise above 13\u00b0C. <\/p>\n \u2018Dwarfed by fjords and mountains that stretch into the clouds, the scenery is breathtaking. <\/p>\n \u2018There\u2019s also a top-notch food scene. After a day of exploring, head to T\u00f3rshavn and have dinner at Roks. 10\/10.\u2019<\/p>\n Iceland\u2019s top wilderness trek<\/p>\n Oliver Browne (mountaineer, Atlantic rower, and founder of True Summit Adventures<\/a>): \u2018The Laugavegur Trail in Iceland<\/a> is definitely one of Europe\u2019s best \u2018cooler\u2019 destinations. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s also one of the best multi-day hikes in the world.<\/p>\n \u2018Glaciers, hot springs and volcanoes provide the backdrop of this otherworldly landscape. <\/p>\n \u2018Fly to Reykjavik then drive or take the bus to Landmannalaugar, the trail\u2019s northern start point.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAll expenses paid, where would you like to go? <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway Expert, your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro’s travel editor, Alice Murphy.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tThe best places to beat the heat in Europe\t\t\t<\/p>\n With above-average temperatures across Europe this summer, travel app Polarsteps<\/a> has analysed 25 countries through its\u00a0\u2018Summer Heat Escape Index\u2019. <\/p>\n It scores each on daytime and night-time temperatures, sea swimming temperatures, forest coverage, population density, and wild camping access, to identify the best places to beat the heat, away from overcrowded hotspots.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the top 10: <\/p>\n Iceland (83.81\/100) This article was originally published on July 13, 2026.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Palanga-190a.jpg\")
\n\t\tMany don\u2019t even realise that Lithuania has a coastline (Picture: Visit Neringa)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096646-c4ae.jpg\")
\n\t\tA view from the cliffs of the Normandy coast to the charming town of Etretat (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096647-bc85.jpg\")
\n\t\tCanillo town from Roc del Quer viewpoint at Andorra (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Small](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_305096552-9b7c.jpg\")
\n\t\tSmall island in Hardangerfjorden nr Bergen, Western Fjords, Norway (Picture: Peter Adams\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_258417440-211e-e1783940421544.jpg\")
\n\t\tM\u00falafossur waterfall in Gasadalur, on the Faroe Islands (Picture: Alice Murphy)<\/p>\n
\nFinland (77.02\/100)
\nNorway (76.06\/100)
\nSweden (75.14\/100)
\nEstonia (72.18\/100)
\nLatvia (68.37\/100)
\nLithuania (65.27\/100)
\nSwitzerland (60.10\/100)
\nIreland (54.44\/100)
\nUK (50.74\/100)<\/p>\n
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