If you sweated your way through the ferocious, unprecedented heatwave that hit parts of the UK and Europe this June, the idea of a summer ‘coolcation’ may sound very tempting indeed!
With temperatures rising as high as 40°C (104°F) at home, fewer holidaymakers are jetting off in search of summer warmth. By contrast, many are swapping balmy beaches for snowy mountains, sun-warmed seas for sheltered lakes, and hot, crowded shopping streets for lush, breezy forests.
A recent study also shows that online searches for “coolcation” have rocketed by 74% in 2026, so if you’ve been craving some cold comfort this summer then you’re far from alone!
But if you’re not sure where to start – searching for cool summer holidays is new to lots of us, after all – don’t worry. Our carefully curated list showcases some of the most unusual ‘coolcation’ retreats the world has to offer.
They include a Swedish hotel delicately carved from ice and snow, designer sea cabins in the atmospheric north of Norway, and cosy Icelandic yurts set close to the iconic Golden Circle.
In fact, these are the world’s coolest retreats… in every sense of the word!
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Apukka Resort Rovaniemi | Lapland
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