What is a coolcation?
A coolcation is a holiday where you head somewhere cooler instead of chasing the sun. Fresh air instead of a heatwave. A fjord instead of a crowded beach.
Why coolcations are growing
Hotter summers in southern Europe have made many travellers rethink the classic beach holiday. Tour operators, airlines and tourist boards across the Nordics now report growing interest from visitors who want a summer break without the heat.
Why the Nordics work
- Mild summers. Comfortable days for hiking, cycling and city walks.
- Long light. The midnight sun in the north, long evenings everywhere else.
- Nature close to the city. Fjords, archipelagos and forests are rarely more than an hour away.
- Easy travel. Safe, well connected and English is widely spoken.
When to go
June to August brings the long light and the mildest weather. September and October offer autumn colours and the first northern lights. From December to March, the coolcation turns into a real winter holiday with snow, saunas and auroras.
Where to start
Our guides cover places to stay in Tromsø, Helsinki and Stockholm, plus reasons to visit Norway in autumn and where to see the northern lights.