Summer will always be a popular time to travel, with the kids out of school and everyone ready for a mid-year getaway, but soaring temperatures and intense summer heatwaves make us want to steer clear of some destinations. More travelers are looking to escape the hot weather of the season and get a little relief in cooler climates, a trend known as the “coolcation.”
They’re becoming more popular, according to new research from tour company Inghams Walking, searches for “coolcation” climbed 42% year-over-year. Some destinations are perfect for “coolcations” and their new ranking reveals the top ones worldwide.
- According to Inghams Walking, Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, tops the list.
- The “small, but vibrant” arctic city had the biggest increase in travel interest in the last year, with searches up 48.39%.
- Nuuk is ideal for anyone looking to cool off in the summer, as the city enjoys temperatures in the mid-40s from June to August.
- There are also around 20 hours of daylight in the summer, giving travelers a lot of time for hiking, kayaking, and exploring the surrounding fjords.
- Les Contamines-Montjoie [[lay KON-tah-meen MON-zhwah]], France, located in the French Alps, comes in second.
The Top 10 Coolcation Destinations for Summer 2026
- Nuuk, Greenland
- Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
- Beara Peninsula, Ireland
- Jotunheimen [[YO-tun-hame]] National Park, Norway
- Tasiilaq [[tah-SEE-lahk]], Greenland
- Voss, Norway
- Lake Bohinj [[BOH-heen]], Slovenia
- Lech, Austria
- Dolomites, Italy
- Arinsal, Andorra⠀
Source: Travel & Leisure more information from iNGHAMS HERE: https://www.inghams.co.uk/walking-holidays/
Scott's Thoughts:
- Summer in the chilly French Alps sounds a lot better than sweating in 95-degrees at Disney!
- The mountains are generally cooler than the lower altitudes. Even in the south.
- I am so cold natured now, I crave hot temps!
