WeatherFinder

Summer Sun Without the Heatwave: Where Europe Stays Pleasant

In July and August, the challenge is often too much heat rather than too little sun. Where to find bright, comfortable summer weather, from Atlantic coasts and islands to the Baltic and the mountains.

4 min read · Last reviewed 28 September 2026

For most of the year, SunFinder helps people find more sun. In high summer, many travellers want something different: sun without 38 °C afternoons. Heatwaves in southern Europe have become more frequent and more intense, and for many people the most comfortable summer weather is found closer to the sea, higher up or further north.

What makes summer weather comfortable?

Most people find daytime highs of 22–28 °C with a breeze and cooler nights ideal for being active. Above about 32 °C, sightseeing, hiking and cycling become hard work, and when nights stay above 20 °C, sleep suffers.

The key factors are:

  • The sea: coastal areas stay several degrees cooler than inland, especially where the water is cool.
  • Altitude: temperatures fall by roughly 6–7 °C per 1,000 m of height.
  • Latitude: further north, days are long and bright but rarely hot.

Atlantic coasts: fresh and bright

The Atlantic keeps Europe's western coasts much cooler than the Mediterranean in summer:

  • Portugal's west coast. Lisbon averages about 28 °C in August, and coastal towns such as Ericeira, Nazaré and the Costa Vicentina are fresher still. Mornings can be foggy, with afternoon sun and a strong breeze.
  • The Basque Country and Cantabria. San Sebastián and Santander typically reach 23–25 °C. Greener and more changeable than the south, but pleasant when it is sunny.
  • Brittany and the French Atlantic coast. Around 22–26 °C, with long evenings and large tides.

The islands: the Canaries and Madeira

The Canary Islands are known as a winter destination, but their climate is also mild in summer: coastal highs are typically 25–29 °C, moderated by the cool ocean current and the trade winds. Madeira is similar, with Funchal around 25–26 °C in August. Both can be affected by occasional hot, dusty air from the Sahara, called calima, but in general they are among the most comfortable warm places in Europe in summer.

The Baltic and the Nordic countries: long, bright days

Northern Europe in summer offers something the south cannot: very long days. Around midsummer, Stockholm and Helsinki have more than 18 hours of daylight and Copenhagen about 17.5, and even in late July there are 16–17 hours.

  • Temperatures are typically 20–24 °C, occasionally reaching the high 20s or low 30s during heatwaves.
  • Sunshine is plentiful: around the Baltic, June and July are among the sunniest months of the year, and coasts and islands, like the Danish islands, Germany's Rügen and Usedom, Gotland and the Swedish and Finnish archipelagos, often get the most.
  • The sea warms up to 17–20 °C in the shallow bays by late July, occasionally more.

The weather is more changeable than in the south, which is why short-notice planning works well here. When high pressure settles over the region, it offers some of the finest summer weather in Europe.

The mountains: cool air, bright sun

The Alps, the Pyrenees, the Dolomites and the Tatra Mountains offer relief from heat within reach of many cities:

  • Mountain resorts at 1,000–1,500 m are typically 5–10 °C cooler than the lowland cities nearby.
  • Mornings are usually clear. In summer, clouds and thunderstorms often build in the afternoon, so start hikes early.
  • UV is stronger at altitude. See the UV index explained.

Mediterranean summer without the worst heat

If you want the Mediterranean in summer, a few choices make it more pleasant:

  • Choose coasts and islands over inland cities. Seville, Córdoba, Florence, Rome and Athens are regularly above 35 °C in July and August, while nearby coasts are cooler and breezier.
  • Go to windy places. The Cyclades in Greece are cooled by the meltemi wind in July and August. It makes for rough ferry crossings, but pleasant temperatures.
  • Go north within the Mediterranean. The Croatian coast, Istria and the Ligurian coast are usually a little less hot than the far south.
  • Consider late June or September instead of July and August.

Heatwave-proof travel tips

  1. Check the forecast about a week ahead. Heatwaves are usually visible in forecasts several days in advance. If a heatwave is forecast, consider heading to the coast, the mountains or the north.
  2. Plan around the heat. Sightseeing early in the morning and in the evening, rest at midday, as locals do.
  3. Drink before you are thirsty, and carry water on walks.
  4. Know the warning systems. National weather services issue heat warnings. Take them seriously, especially with children or older travellers.
  5. Watch for wildfire risk. In hot, dry, windy weather, forest fire danger can be very high in southern Europe. Follow local restrictions and alerts, and check whether hiking areas are closed.

Using SunFinder in summer

In summer, SunFinder's comparison works in both directions: it shows where the weather is sunnier than home, and also where it is warmer or cooler. On a hot spell, look for destinations with plenty of sun but a daytime high a few degrees below your own. The coast or the hills might be exactly the right answer for this weekend.