Eye on Europe: Heat Waves Impacting European Travel

As we approach the middle of August and the peak of the summer travel season here in Europe, Hot Euro Summer 2022 is showing no signs of subsiding.

As I write this, my home of York, England is baking in the sunshine and 90-degree weather againwith even warmer temperatures roasting London and large parts of parched southern England. Across the Channel, record-breaking wildfires are raging in numerous countries as the continent experiences yet another round of ridiculously hot & dry conditions.

This summer has seen consecutive heatwaves harass the continent, with every round setting records (England recorded its highest all-time temperature in July) and setting off a series of head-shaking news stories about droughts, heat-warped infrastructure or the recent report about how Swiss Army helicopters were assigned to airlift water to thirsty cows high in the Alps.

So why should you be concerned about extreme heat hitting you or your client’s next summer trip across the pond?

Besides the potential—albeit small—risk that the logistics of your trip could be affected by the heat, to put it simply: hot, sweaty and sunburned is no way to go through Europe.

Remember that regardless of the season, you’re not coming all this way to sit still indoors all day, so any Europe trip is inherently going to have a good amount of urban exploring included—and temperatures flirting with triple digits can seriously sap your energy and enthusiasm for getting from Point A to Point B.

This is to say nothing of the buzzkill a heatwave can put on visiting an outdoor attraction like The Colosseum or standing in line at a landmark the Eiffel Tower.

Sunscreen, hydration, air conditioning (not quite as ubiquitous as back home, but common in much of Southern Europe) and pre-booking tickets to attractions can help. Travel in “shoulder season” (April-May & September-October) is always a good idea, too, but I can’t help but wonder if, in the future, European destinations with a cooler climate will see a surge in bookings—especially during the peak of summer.

I also wonder if savvy travel advisors—particularly those based in the Sun Belt—might start pitching clients on the possibility of taking a “refreshing” cool weather summer escape to places like Scandinavia, the Baltics and the northern reaches of the British Isles where the heat-induced dramas described above are—for now—essentially unheard of.

If so, here is a quartet of destinations to consider.

Where to Visit in Europe for Cooler Temperatures

Bergen, Norway

Spend your summer days finding a favorite fjord or chasing tall waterfalls along the coast of this naturally-stunning nation. Bergen makes for an excellent base for sampling Norway’s natural wonders, and the average daily high temperatures in July and August average 65° & 66° respectively.

Denmark

One of the most quintessentially European cities on the continent, the capital Copenhagen is a stylish, green, gourmet and cool destination all rolled into one. Feast at its world-renowned New Nordic restaurants and sit on the dock of the old Nyhavn harbor with a drink in your hand all while experiencing average July and August daily high temperatures of 71°. Then, make for a dreamy Danish island like Aero or Bornholm where windswept beaches and cute-as-a-button cottages will have you wondering why you never thought of going to Denmark before.

Scotland

Even when the mercury rises in England and Wales, Scotland usually escapes the extreme heat, with 65° being the average daily high in Edinburgh in both July and August. Soak in the view of the city’s dramatic skyline from Calton Hill and tour Edinburgh Castle before making for the Scottish Highlands and Islands where the views are more fantastic and the temperatures even fresher. Don’t worry, if you get a little chilly, there’s always some whisky for a warm-up.

Tallinn, Estonia

Home to a fairytale Old Town full of cobbled streets and a skyline full of church spires, Tallinn is the Baltic region’s most romantic city. It’s also a hub of hip cafes & shops and excellent modern restaurants, too. Oh, and the average daily high temperatures in July and August are 72° & 69° respectively.