Best Coolcation Destinations in Europe

Temperatures across Europe reached triple digits in June, while a simultaneous heat dome covered much of the U.S., bringing record-breaking temperatures on a world tour. Things are getting rather spicy when it comes to the weather, which may have you thinking about ways to chill out—enter the “coolcation.”

Just as the name implies, a coolcation is a getaway to a destination where the climate is always sweater-weather perfect. If that sounds appealing, you’re not alone. Searches for “coolcations” spiked 624 percent over the last year, according to an analysis from Inghams Walking, a tour company based in the United Kingdom.

To help people find the perfect place to go on their chillier getaway, the team at Ingrams evaluated nearly 100 different European destinations to find the top coolcation spots for 2025. To come up with the list, Inghams Walking assessed traveler “intent” by looking at online searches across general destination terms, hotel-related queries, and flight searches. The team then compared year-on-year searches to see which destinations experienced the largest increase in interest.

And it turns out, the No. 1 destination is located in the heart of the land of fire and ice, with Akureyri, Iceland, taking the top spot. That designation is thanks to a 264 percent jump in popularity for the city.

Akureyri is considered the capital of Iceland’s northern region, according to Visit North Iceland. Despite its small population of about 19,000 residents, the city offers travelers an ideal mix of culture and nature all wrapped into one. Visitors can explore the Akureyri Art Museum, the Icelandic Aviation Museum, and the stunning modern Akureyrarkirkja church during their stay. Later, set off on an unforgettable whale watching adventure in the surrounding waters or go for a walk through the Akureyri Botanic Gardens, which opened in 1912 as Iceland’s first public park.

Joining Akureyri at the top of the list was Tisvilde, Denmark. The small seaside spot, which sits along what is known as the “Danish Riviera,” is known for its miles of sandy beaches, tiny colorful beach huts, and quaint eateries that serve local delights. The area also happens to be a favorite destination among poets and creatives. It even played host to Hans Christian Andersen himself when he spent six weeks at the Hellebæk Inn, according to Visit Nordsjælland.

Akureyi and Tisvilde were followed by other top coolcation destinations, including Nuuk, Greenland, which came in at No. 3 on the list. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Lahemaa National Park, Estonia; Lucerne, Switzerland; Malmö, Sweden; Arlberg, Austria; the Belgian Riviera, Belgium; and Ghent, Belgium, rounded out the top 10.

For the full list and to learn more, visit inghams.co.uk.