Top 20 Cool Destinations for Summer Escapes

Summer is a time for lounging on the sand, swimming in the surf, and strolling boardwalks with ice cream in hand—unless you’re averse to hot weather. For those seeking cooler pastures, these off-the-beaten-path vacations, from New Zealand to Greenland, are for seekers of cloudy days and refreshing breezes. Book your travels in one of these cool destinations to escape the summer heat.

Read on for all 20 of our cool-weather vacation ideas.

Iceland

Iceland maintains a pretty nice chill throughout the year, with average July temperatures in the southern part of the country (including the capital, Reykjavík) ranging from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool summer days are good for dipping into Iceland’s famous hot springs and hiking to glaciers and misty waterfalls. They’re also the best times of year to explore the highlands, which are impassable in the winter. The midnight sun in Iceland gives you up to 24 hours of daylight for sightseeing.

Garzón, Uruguay

This historic village in Uruguay was once deemed a ghost town but has become an artist enclave and hotbed of culture. When you aren’t admiring works from all over the world in the many galleries of the middle-of-nowhere town, you’ll be sampling the cuisine that makes it a top foodie destination. The highlight here is Restaurante Garzón, founded by Francis Mallmann, the Argentine celebrity chef from Chef’s Table. July temperatures in the 50s and 60s are perfect for winery hopping and hot air balloon rides, too.

San Francisco

The fog in San Francisco is so constant that it has a name: Karl. Low-lying clouds over this metropolis block out the sun that makes nearby cities hot. In July, daily highs are around 70 degrees. Many residents from other parts of the state flock to the Bay Area for refuge from the heat during summer, so you certainly won’t be alone as you snap photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, take in the seaside vibes at Fisherman’s Wharf, or dine in the Mission.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Chamonix is ​​a world-famous winter destination known for its snow sports and picturesque ski chalets. Don’t count it out for a summer getaway, though. The resort area at the base of Mont Blanc offers July highs in the 70s and 80s, ideal for hiking in the Chamonix Valley, enjoying French wine alfresco, and taking the gondola up to the top of Aiguille du Midi, the closest an average Joe can get to Mont Blanc without climbing it.

Vancouver

The mild climate is one of many things to love about Vancouver. July highs hover in the comfortable low 70s. In addition to its year-round attractions—including the Vancouver Aquarium, sprawling Stanley Park, and the historic Gastown neighborhood—there are summer festivals to plan your trip around, such as the rollicking Vancouver Pride, which usually takes place around the end of July and beginning of August.

Denali National Park, Alaska

Alaska is the perfect place for fans of mild summers. Instead of sweating it out, venture north to stunning Denali National Park, where temperatures peak at around 66 degrees in July, the warmest month. Visitors can explore the park’s six million acres, drive the scenic Denali Park Road, admire the many snow-capped peaks from viewpoints and hiking trails, and look out for wildlife like moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears. There are six campsites throughout the park where you can pitch a tent in comfortable temperatures.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Washington’s North Cascades make a cool getaway from Seattle, about a two-hour drive away. Snow melts from the highest-elevation trails by July, so this is the time when you get the most access to the park. July highs in the North Cascades are around the mid-60s to 70s, but the climate depends largely on where you are in the park. According to the National Park Service, the west side is cooler than the east side, where temperatures soar to 90 degrees in the summer. So, if you’re looking to avoid the heat, stick to the hiking trails around Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest and the Mount Baker Wilderness on those western slopes.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s White Mountains comprise stunning alpine peaks cloaked in forest. The higher you go, the cooler it will be. While low elevations see summer temperatures in the mid-70s and sometimes warmer, the high points are perpetually chilly, sometimes not even shedding their layers of snow until well into July. Temperatures on Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast, range from about 40 to 55 degrees at the height of summer. Visitors can climb out of the heat on the many hiking trails or drive up the slopes on the Kancamagus Highway, one of the most scenic roads in the US

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Summers in this East Coast province are short and pleasantly chilly, with July highs in the capital, St. John’s, rarely exceeding 68 degrees. In the city—Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest—visitors can admire the hilltop castle-like structure that is Cabot Tower or enjoy a night out on the entertainment-rich town. Outside the city, you’ll find hiking paths galore, providing stunning ocean views and a feeling of remoteness. Further up the coast, it’s not uncommon to peep icebergs offshore, adding to the cool-weather mood.

Norway

Although the sun doesn’t actually set from May to July in the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” travelers should not be fooled by Norway’s long summer days. You might not even break a sweat while out exploring the iconic blue fjords, as summer temperatures in this Scandinavian country hover around the high-50s in the north and along the coast. In addition to taking in stunning natural sites, visitors can head to Oslo for a more metropolitan experience. Its location on the North Sea makes it mild and breezy.

Scotland

The hottest it gets in Scotland between June and August is about 63 degrees, keeping visitors cool as they castle hop, hike in the Highlands, traverse the dramatic coastlines, and search for the tastiest haggis. Like its Scandinavian neighbors to the northeast, Scotland experiences extra-long days in the summer; Visit Scotland notes that the far north of the country gets four more hours of sun per day than London. That gives tourists lots of daylight for seeing the historical sights of Edinburgh, day-tripping to Loch Lomond, and exploring the otherworldly Isle of Skye.

South Island, New Zealand

Take a road trip around the South Island during New Zealand’s winter for a coat-wearing climate and access to winter sports. The Southern Lakes region—namely Queenstown and Wanaka—is a skier’s paradise, and the West Coast is home to glaciers upon glaciers. Meanwhile, on the eastern side, Kaikoura offers some of the best whale watching from June to August, when temperatures across the South Island generally range from 53 to 61 degrees.

Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia

Victoria’s largest skiable area, Falls Creek Resort, reaches down into the low 30s in July, the peak of Australian winter. It takes a bit of effort to get to—prepare to drive 4.5 hours from Melbourne—but you’ll get some of Australia’s finest powder while those in the Northern Hemisphere bask in the sun. This place is great for families because of the range of activities and constant entertainment. When you aren’t skiing, you can go tobogganing or snowshoeing, get a massage, or dine out in the picturesque village.

Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonia is a popular hiking destination during its peak tourist season, but winter is an ideal time to visit this Argentine wonderland for skiing. July sees average temperatures in the 30s and no shortage of precipitation, to the delight of year-round powder hounds. One of the most popular skiing destinations in Patagonia is Catedral Alta Patagonia, just 12 miles from the charming town of Bariloche. On your rest day, take the cable car up Mount Otto for spectacular mountain views.

Easter Island, Chile

Temperatures can reach about 70 degrees during June, July, and August on Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui), a territory of Chile. While you’re there getting a close look at the island’s signature long-faced statues (called moai), you can learn the fascinating history of the Indigenous Rapa Nui people. There are more than 900 moaiwhich were carved as early as the 10th century to represent the ancestors of Polynesians who came to the island thousands of years ago.

Cape Town

Cape Town summers can bring days where the weather is just south of 80 degrees, but from June to September, the city rarely sees highs in the 60s, which is comfortable enough to hike Table Mountain to Maclear’s Beacon, go whale watching, and see penguins at Boulders Beach (though don’t plan on swimming in the water—it’s frigid). On days when it’s a little too cool to be outside, there are many museums and other indoor attractions to explore, plus countless restaurants contributing to Cape Town’s reputation as a culinary capital.

Amsterdam

With July highs around 70 degrees in the Netherlands’ capital city, visitors can comfortably participate in quintessentially Amsterdam things like pedaling between sights on a city bike and taking a boat tour of the canals. Travelers should note, though, that July is one of Amsterdam’s wettest months. Drizzly days call for museum hopping—don’t miss the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and Heineken’s oldest brewery.

Ireland

Ireland is known for its cloudy, rainy, moody weather, so shoot for the Emerald Isle if you’re hoping for a break from the relentless sun. The daily high in Dublin is about 65 degrees during the warmest month (July). This is a great place to grab a pint of Guinness, peruse the gardens at Blarney Castle, and enjoy a picnic at St. Stephen’s Green Park. On the opposite coast, dramatic scenery beckons along the famous Cliffs of Moher and on the Aran Islands, a ferry ride from Galway.

Greenland

Get far off the beaten path this summer with a trip to Greenland, only about 50 degrees tops from June to August. This is a nature enthusiast’s fantasy vacation—the next best thing to Antarctica, perhaps. Bound by rugged coastlines, the world’s largest island is brimming with glaciers and home to polar bears and walruses. Of course, this isn’t the easiest summer destination to visit. You can get there on a cruise or by flying to Nuuk from Newark Liberty International Airport.

Slovenia

Slovenia is often tacked onto trips to Croatia, but this Balkan country holds its own with spectacular mountains and caves that keep the region cool in the summer. Imagine castles spilling out of cliffsides and crisp lakes reflecting snowcapped mountains. One of the more famous bodies of water, Lake Bled, contains Slovenia’s only natural lake island, home to a highly photogenic 17th-century church. July’s average high temperature in the town of Bled is in the mid-to-high 70s.