The Best European Destinations to Escape the UK Heatwave For 2026
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Polarsteps has analysed 25 European countries through its ‘Summer Heat Escape Index’, scoring 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.
Henry Hurt Junior Content Editor
Henry Hurt Junior Content Editor
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The study complements a survey conducted by Polarsteps in April 2026, in which 35% of Brits said they had chosen a cooler destination this year (with more than 1 in 5 of them doing it for the first time).
Unsurprisingly, Northern Europe dominates the ranking, but emerging destinations are redrawing the map of European summer tourism.
Iceland
Iceland tops the index overall (83.81/100). With average daytime temperatures of just 10.7°C in August and nights dropping to 8.1°C, Iceland is Europe's coolest summer destination by a considerable margin.
It also has the lowest population density on the continent, just 3.74 inhabitants per km², making it ideal for those wanting to escape the crowds entirely.
Wild camping is legal, sea swimming is bracingly cold, and its vast wilderness makes it the perfect destination for outdoor adventurers.
Finland
Finland (77.02/100) is the standout for nature lovers. A remarkable 73.7% of the country is forested, the highest of any destination in the index, with August days averaging a pleasant 17°C.
Wild camping is legal and forest trails are entirely walkable even at the height of summer.
Norway
Norway (76.06/100) offers the coldest swimming in Europe. Sea temperatures at Ny-Ålesund reach just 5.3°C, with average daytime highs of 16.9°C and nights at 12.5°C. Vast, uncrowded wilderness and legal wild camping complete the picture.
Baltic states
The Baltic states are an underrated alternative. Estonia (72.18/100), Latvia (68.37/100) and Lithuania (65.27/100) all feature in the top ten. All three permit wild camping, population densities are low, and average daytime temperatures hover around 17–18°C in August, cool enough to be comfortable, warm enough to enjoy.
Closer to home the UK ranks 10th (50.74/100), Bolstered by some of the coldest coastal swimming in Europe: sea temperatures around the UK average 12.8°C, the coolest of any country in the index after Norway and Iceland. Ireland comes in 9th (54.44/100) presenting a solid option for those who want cool, green, and somewhere closer to home.
Polarsteps, based in Amsterdam, is a leading travel app helping more than 20 million travellers worldwide to plan, track and relive their adventures simply and beautifully.
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