With summer fast approaching, you haven’t got much time left to figure out where to head. If you’re someone who can’t handle the heat, you might think your options are limited. But don’t worry; Kiwi is here to fill you in on the new Coolcation trend and help you find out where you can enjoy summer without melting.
What Are Coolcations?
Cool weather + vacation = Coolcation — you get the idea. These getaways are the type where someone jets off to places with milder climates that don’t see nearly as much heat, sparing you from having to change your clothes three times a day. Some might turn their noses up at this sort of trip. However, there’s a real market for it nowadays, with people preferring fresh mountain air over melting on a Spanish beach any day.
Traditionally, everyone would chase the sun, but over the years, that has shifted. Unfortunately, climate change has made the world hotter overall, so when summer hits, things are a bit more unbearable than they used to be. That’s not just me scaremongering, either. Reuters reported that last year (2024) was the hottest summer ever, and if that’s anything to go by, this year might be even worse.
Another reason some are staying clear of the usual summer hot spots is the crowds. Warmer destinations tend to attract way more tourists since lots of people still want their dose of Vitamin D. But when you head somewhere a bit colder, you’re less likely to run into massive groups following the man with the flag through the streets of an Old Town.
Best Destinations for a Coolcation in 2025
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Danish capital looks great any time of year, but summer really brings things to life. Daily highs of between 12°C and 14°C make it a lot nicer to roam around outside than during those freezing winters, especially down by Nyhavn’s Old Harbor, where all the action happens.
Once in Copenhagen, the city is yours to enjoy without constantly running indoors to cool off under an air conditioning unit. Rub shoulders with some friendly Danes at the famous Tivoli Gardens (tickets from DKK 170 (€23)) and take a spin on the wooden rollercoaster that’s been making people scream since 1914. Check out Amalienborg Palace (tickets from DKK 125 (€16.76)) to get a peek into the Danish Royals’ lives, and don’t miss Freetown Christiania; it’s like a whole other world there with its own rules, laws, and even flags separate from Denmark.
Dublin, Ireland
You know what they say: the luck of the Irish, but not when it comes to the weather. The Irish, myself included, are always moaning about it. We don’t really know what a hot summer feels like; it’s usually just rain, cold, or a mixture of both. We’ve learned to live with it, but for anyone looking for a Coolcation, there’s no better spot. It never gets too hot; anything over 20°C is considered a heatwave.
A visit to Ireland has to start in Dublin. It’s the gateway to the rest of the country, but she’s well worthy of a few of your travel days. Our humble yet characterful capital is all about the craic! First-timers love the hustle and bustle of Temple Bar, but don’t nurse your first pint there, or else your wallet will be empty before you know it. A few classic summertime experiences everyone should have while visiting include a stop at the Guinness Storehouse (tickets from €22) to see how the good stuff is brewed and a tour of Trinity College to marvel at the Book of Kells (tickets from €25).
Alaska, USA
Always dreamed of seeing Alaska but not keen on lugging around heavy snow gear? A summer Coolcation is the right way to do it. You never really know what you’re going to get with the weather in this part of the USA, but it sure beats the frosty winters. Temperatures are known to be mild in May, but sometimes they can reach over 27°C, so maybe try to diversify your packing list. However, no matter how warm it might be by day, when darkness creeps in, there’s always a chance things get cold again.
Summer isn’t just a great time to visit Alaska in terms of weather; it also happens to be the bear-viewing season. From June to August, you’ll have the chance to spot brown bears in the wild, especially on tours from Anchorage to places like Lake Clark National Park (from $250 (€220). It’s also an excellent time to get out on the water, whether you’re cruising by Portage Glacier or kayaking your way through Resurrection Bay.
Atacama Desert, Chile
High teens and not a drop of rain in sight sounds too good to be true, right? Not in Chile’s Atacama Desert, which is the driest place on Earth (besides the Poles). Scraping the borders of Bolivia and Argentina, this place gets hardly any rain, only about 1 mm a year. Believe it or not, some parts haven’t received any in over 500 years. Winter arrives in the Atacama in June due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing significant temperature drops that are welcomed after the intense summer season.
Many who visit the Atacama Desert choose San Pedro de Atacama as their base. It’s a cute little desert town full of charm, with tonnes of amenities to make your trip smoother, including car rental companies, tour agencies, and a heck of a lot of restaurants; the evening meal deal at La Picada Del Indio is a must. On the outskirts of town, Pukará de Quitor (entry CLP 5,800 (€5)) provides some impressive views of the surrounding landscapes, and the Valley of the Moon (entry CLP 10,800 (€10)) will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into a scene from The Martian with its Mars-like rock formations. A bit further afield lies the reddish rock lagoon of Piedras Rojas (entry CLP 15,000 (€14)), which sits 4,200 meters above sea level, so be sure to acclimatize, or else the altitude will get the better of you.
Because the attractions in the Atacama Desert are so spread out, many opt to take a full-day guided tour. However, I suggest hiring a car from a rental agency and visiting the ones you want yourself, as there’s so much to see. Rent a car — Chimpi Way is the best company in town; you’ll get solid 4x4s for affordable rates starting at CLP 120,000 (€112) a day. Although it sounds pretty high, it was the cheapest this penny pincher could find.
Queenstown, New Zealand
As summer sets in, New Zealand braces for its winter, especially in Queenstown, which is a prime spot for skiing among Kiwis, Aussies, and anyone else who can get the time off flock here to hit the slopes. But even if you can’t ski to save your life, this little pocket of the South Island has so much to offer.
Throw on your beanie and gloves, then hop on the gondola up to Bob’s Peak for some killer views of Queenstown from above (NZD 66 (€35)). After you get back down, you won’t be able to resist a jetboat ride through the local lakes (from NZD 100 (€52)). Just make sure you wrap up because that water gets seriously freezing come June.
The ultimate day trip from Queenstown has got to be Milford Sound. It’s the only fjord in New Zealand you can reach by road, but the real magic is when you board the boat and head out onto the water. Think towering mountains and waterfalls everywhere, and maybe even spotting some rare Fiordland crested penguins. Winter is a superb time to cruise Milford Sound since there are fewer visitors, meaning you can snag a solid deal. Usually, you’ll find packages for around NZD 145 (€76), which include hotel pickup, transport, and the cruise itself.
Handy Tips for Your First Coolcation
- Know your seasons: The Southern and Northern hemispheres have weather that is pretty much opposite to each other. So, while June means summer and sunshine in Western Europe, it’s winter down in places like Australia. So, pick your destination wisely.
- Do the research: Don’t assume that just because a country has a reputation for being on the chillier side, it’s going to be cool everywhere. Be sure to do a deep dive into the average temperatures in the specific locations you plan to visit before booking anything, or you could end up facing more sunshine than you expected.
- Sunscreen is still required: Colder regions still get their fair share of sunshine, you know? Since they’re often at higher altitudes, this means you’ll be more exposed to UV rays, which increases your chances of getting burned, so don’t forget your SPF.
- Book ahead: You know what they say, cold is the new warm. There’s never been a greater demand to visit these places during summer. Hotels and flights can book up faster than you’d think. So, if you want to avoid being let down at the last minute, get everything sorted nice and early.
Top Budget-Friendly Coolcation Destinations
Don’t get your hopes up for a cheap Coolcation; in most cases, they tend to be on the pricier side of things. That said, if your budget is on the slim side, there’s still someplace out there you can visit. Even the picks we’ve listed can be done as long as you have a solid plan.
The Latvian capital of Riga has been getting a lot of love lately as an affordable spot to get away from the sun without spending a fortune. Cape Town is another excellent option, although your expenses can rack up quickly depending on your money habits. It doesn’t get too hot either, but it’s also their rainy season, so expect the odd downpour.
What to Pack for a Coolcation
Going on a Coolcation involves getting a little clever with your packing. Your bag won’t be as light as it would be for a beach holiday; those extra layers take up space. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got your back with our handy packing guide.
- Light coat (or a heavy one, depending on how cold it will be).
- Waterproof windbreaker for when the heavens open up
- Hoodies
- A handful of t-shirts with some workout tops for daytime adventures
- All-purpose footwear like hats and gloves (if necessary)
- Comfortable trousers like athletic pants or tracksuit bottoms, as well as a pair of jeans for the evening
- A few pairs of light and heavy socks
- Walking shoes or hiking boots
- Long-sleeved thermals
- Shorts
- Underwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Layering is the name of the game on a Coolcation. Despite it being chilly, there’s still a chance it will get warm; it’s going to be summer in certain countries, after all. Rather than packing lots of heavy gear, bring lighter layers that you can easily put on or take off based on the temperature.
Best Time to Go On a Coolcation
Summer has always been a prime time for a Coolcation. When things start warming up, there’s always a cohort of people who want to escape the heat. Some try to sneak in trips during the shoulder seasons, but even then, it can still be pretty warm. So, if you’re really after that cold weather, we say go for June to August. But if you can’t get time off, then May and September are decent alternatives.
Try Your First Coolcation This Summer
Now that you’re in the know about coolcations, there’s only one thing left to do. Book them flights to travel this summer in 2025, and give a cheeky smile to those in shorts at the airport as you breeze past them. You’re off somewhere cooler and blissfully humidity-free.