I am not a hot-weather person. As soon as the thermometer starts climbing toward 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll find me indoors with the air conditioning blasting. So it should come as little surprise that I prefer to skip typical summer vacations to warm-weather destinations in favor of milder — or perhaps even snowy — climes.
Fortunately, since northern summer is southern winter, there’s the entire Southern Hemisphere to explore. But there are also destinations across the Northern Hemisphere that remain delightfully cool all summer long.
To help inspire your next “coolcation,” here are nine destinations around the world for those looking to escape the heat, whether you’re looking for snow, sweater weather, or simply a lack of oppressive heat and humidity.
Grampians National Park, Australia
Australia is known for its soaring temperatures in its harsh desert interior and tropical rainforests along the northern coast. But the southern part of the country does cool down throughout the winter months of June, July and August — particularly if you get up in elevation.
That’s why Grampians National Park in Victoria, about a three-hour drive from Melbourne, is an ideal cool-weather vacation destination. The average August temperature is in the mid-50s Fahrenheit.
With hiking trails along mountain ridges dotted with waterfalls, cool-climate wines, and art ranging from ancient Aboriginal rock art to contemporary galleries, there’s plenty to do, taste and see here. Cool weather aside, winter is also the offseason, so there will be fewer crowds.
Accommodations vary from campgrounds to private rentals to hotels. For the last, we recommend the Royal Mail Hotel (rates start at $159 per night), known for its two restaurants: the fine-dining Wickens by executive chef Robin Wickens, which serves a seasonal tasting menu, and the more relaxed a la carte restaurant Parker Street Project.
Bariloche, Argentina
Are you craving a summer ski getaway? Make your way south to San Carlos de Bariloche, more typically called Bariloche, in Argentinian Patagonia. The ski season in this Andean alpine town begins in July and runs through September, with temperatures hovering just above and below freezing.
Bariloche is a great dupe for the Swiss Alps, so long as you are OK with the flip in seasons. Germans who had originally immigrated to Chile founded the town at the end of the 19th century, with immigrants from various Alpine countries following in subsequent decades. In the 1930s, the town redesigned its center to emulate Swiss Alpine architecture to boost tourism. (Bariloche is also particularly known for its chocolatiers.)
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For a points-friendly city-center stay, book the Sheraton Bariloche Hotel (rates start at $170 or 18,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night), or for a more picturesque stay outside of town, try the Llao Llao Hotel (rates start at $240 per night).
Lapland, Finland and Sweden
This northern region in Finland and Sweden is often thought of as a winter wonderland — particularly the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. But Lapland is also a pretty magical place to spend the summer.
Temperatures are typically in the 60s Fahrenheit, with sunlight lasting up to 24 hours. For that reason, you shouldn’t expect to see the northern lights during a summer visit, but you can hike or bike through the Arctic wilderness here at pretty much any time of day.
Many visitors, including domestic Swedish and Finnish tourists, stay in cabins, but there are a few hotels in the region. The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (rates start at $257 per night) near Rovaniemi has a collection of stand-alone stilted “nests” with picture windows.
Newfoundland, Canada
Summer temperatures in Newfoundland, Canada, are usually in the pleasant high 60s Fahrenheit (though heat waves are not uncommon, so beware). Start this road trip by flying into St. John’s, the largest city on the island. Be sure to visit its colorful “jellybean” houses on your way to the scenic overlook at the Scenic Hill National Historic Site. Stay at the Alt Hotel St. John’s (rates start at $189 per night) for harbor views and a top-notch restaurant.
Then, drive 3 1/2 hours to Gander, home of the iconic Gander International Airport. Once a crucial refueling stop for transatlantic flights, this airport has welcomed the Beatles, Queen Elizabeth and even Fidel Castro. The airport’s lounge is now a little museum dedicated to this history and its heartwarming role in receiving passengers diverted on 9/11 (you might be familiar with this story from the Broadway musical “Come From Away”).
Finally, visit Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a hiking, camping or boating adventure. Parks Canada operates special programs throughout the summer — don’t miss the Indigenous programs, from a fireside sharing circle to a guided hike with Mikmaw interpreters.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
It might be hard to believe that a destination on the equator can be cool, but the northern summer months start the Galapagos’ cool season. Thanks to the Humboldt current that ferries frigid water from Antarctica up to the archipelago, July and August can prove quite cool in the Galapagos, usually in the 60s or 70s Fahrenheit.
That makes hiking across the islands a pleasant experience versus the hot season when temperatures are regularly in the 90s. Plus, the current brings up vital nutrients for sea life, meaning the waters are teeming with fish, sharks, turtles, rays — the list goes on.
While most visitors to the Galapagos cruise around the islands, land-based options are available. You can even use points; stay at the Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton (rates start at $251 or 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night) or Hotel Indigo Galapagos, an IHG Hotel (rates start at $413 or 85,000 IHG One Rewards points per night).
Related: Best Galapagos cruises for an epic wildlife adventure of a lifetime
Iceland
Iceland is certainly not an under-the-radar destination, with big-name hotels — looking at you, The Reykjavik Edition (rates start at $615 or 68,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) — and dozens of cruise itineraries. But for a cool-weather summer vacation, the island nation is a pretty ideal spot, with temperatures in the 50s Fahrenheit from June to September.
To escape the high-season crowds — and the volcano that may soon erupt again on the Reykjanes peninsula — rent a car and make for the Ring Road that circles the country. The farther you get from Reykjavik, the less crowded it’ll be. Visit small towns and villages, swim in a local pool or hot spring, and hike along volcanic hills or black-sand beaches (Reynisfjara is a favorite, but Diamond Beach by the glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon sparkles with ice).
Are you looking for something even more remote? Head to Iceland’s central highlands and stay at the Highland Base Kerlingarfjoll (rates start at $430 per night), which the team behind the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon opened in 2023. This summer, the property debuted a series of geothermal baths, a welcome respite after hiking in the wilderness of Asgardur Valley.
Alaska
Interior Alaska can get fairly warm in the summer, but if you stick to the coast, it’ll likely be fairly brisk all season long: Temperatures will range from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit, depending on where you go.
If you stay in Anchorage (or just about an hour outside it at the Alyeska Resort, where rates start at $299), you can explore cultural sites, museums and state parks, like Chugach State Park. It has over 280 miles of maintained hiking trails, including dozens of shorter 2- to 5-mile treks that are ideal for day trips.
Or you can opt for a cruise in Southeast Alaska to explore small towns like Ketchikan and Skagway, see wildlife like bald eagles and brown bears, and perhaps even catch an iceberg calving off a glacier. Bring a raincoat, though, as this region is notoriously rainy, particularly in the late summer.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s capital makes a great city getaway in the summer. Edinburgh’s temperatures usually max out in the 60s Fahrenheit in July and August, which is perfect for city strolling. Wander the cobblestone streets, visit Edinburgh Castle or stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The city has no shortage of luxury hotels, but for something more unusual, consider Fingal, a converted supply ship docked in the Leith port district (rates start at $456 per night).
When you’ve had enough of city life, take day trips into the Scottish countryside or seaside. Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, is just 20 minutes from Edinburgh by train, while the oceanfront town of North Berwick is just 30 minutes away by train.
Svalbard, Norway
The icy Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is another destination most commonly visited by cruise ship, but you can book a stay at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen (rates start at $182 per night) to stay in the main town of Longyearbyen. From here, you can take day trips to see wildlife (polar bears and walruses and sea birds, oh my!), have a beer at the world’s northernmost brewery, and go glacier hiking.
Bring a hat, coat and gloves, as temperatures often sit comfortably in the 40s Fahrenheit throughout the summer. And while this is a popular northern lights destination, remember that you won’t be able to see the aurora unless there’s darkness at night — and there won’t be any in Svalbard until the autumn.
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