Escape the heat: 10 cooler places to visit in summer

The hottest summer holiday trend: coolcations. Increasingly, travelers are escaping traditional hotspots in favor of destinations with milder climates. Places with cool summer temperatures also often come with good deals on flights (plus, fewer crowds, too). Here’s where to chill out this summer, in the US and beyond.

In this post:

Cooler places to visit this summer in North America
Cooler places to visit in the summer beyond North America
Tips for finding cheap summer flights
A cool summer ahead

Cooler places to visit this summer in North America.

When it comes to places with cool summer temperatures, it’s logical to go north. And in North America, that means Alaska and Canada. Here, my top picks.

Anchorage, Alaska.

Best for: Adventure-minded travelers craving an outdoorsy summer getaway

Highlights: Anchorage boasts a thriving brewery scene. After a day of outdoor exploration, toast to your adventures over a few made in Alaska pints.

A female hiker walking along the coast of a blue lake beneath the tall mountains.

Alaska’s most populated city appeals to summer travelers seeking not only with cooler temps but abundant ways to explore the Frontier State’s rugged landscapes. Biking, fly fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing: You’ll find more than enough to keep you busy, minus the scorching temps of the US mainland.

The mercury averages just 60 degrees for a high in July and August, while flights average $661.

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Fairbanks, Alaska.

Best for: Outdoor lovers who prefer to stay Stateside to get a glimpse of the aurora – and anyone looking to dive into Alaska’s famed outdoor playground.

Highlights: Basking in the long rays of the Midnight Sun, which continues through late July, while late-summer trips coincide with the August 21 kickoff of aurora season.

A man with a lit headlamp stands in the foreground, amazed by the Northern lights dazzling in the sky.

This Alaska city doesn’t just beckon visitors with cooler summer temps (an average of 61°F in July and August). Natural wonders abound year-round, thanks to the city’s far northern latitude.

Celestial phenomena include what’s known as the Midnight Sun, when Fairbanks experiences 24 hours of sunlight for the 70-day period between May 17 and July 27, and the otherworldly Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.

Average flights are $689 – well worth it for access to such breathtaking natural beauty.

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San Francisco, California.

Best for: In-the-know travelers looking for a (literally) cool California summer getaway

Highlights: Music lovers shouldn’t miss Outside Lands, the city’s largest music festival, which takes place in Golden Gate Park in early August.

A couple of cars descending a sloping street with colourful houses and a view of buildings across the valley.

As a former resident of San Francisco for nearly a decade, I can personally attest to the not exactly summer-y summers in the City by the Bay. (Nicknames like June Gloom and Fogust capture the typical weather patterns, with temps averaging 68°F in July and August).

The fog swirling around the Golden Gate Bridge is a sight to behold, but beyond the dramatic landscapes, San Francisco has plenty else up its sleeve during the summer (and year-round).

A world-class culinary scene, a cool counterculture vibe, and easy access to wine country all make for a memorable getaway. Also appealing: $339 average round-trip flights (insider tip: San Francisco International Airport is a destination on its own).

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Calgary, Canada.

Best for: Travelers who love urban adventure with a dash of Western flavor

Highlights: Every July, Calgary Stampede draws more than 1 million visitors with its cowboy-centric performances and events, including one of the world’s largest rodeos, stage shows, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing, and First Nations exhibitions.

A roadside walkway with a gateway monument of a lion statue towards a cluster of modern skyscrapers under a morning sky.

Calgary may be the sunniest major city in Canada, but it still stays refreshingly cool in the summer, with average temps in July and August at just 69°F.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy all that sunshine: This former oil hub is home to the longest trail network in North America, which means you’ll be spoiled for choice for hiking and biking.

In addition, watersports abound, thanks to the city’s riverside location. Another incentive for a summer visit? Round-trip flights are just $403 on average.

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Vancouver, Canada.

Best for: Active families and couples who love outdoorsy itineraries

Highlights: Vancouver’s home peak, Grouse Mountain, boasts an abundant array of activities the whole family will love: gondola rides, ziplining, a wildlife refuge, just to name a few. An ascent up the Grouse Grind, a 1.5-mile stepped trail, will test even the fittest of the bunch.

A gracefully curved suspension bridge spans the turbulent streams of a mountain river, surrounded by verdant forests, ethereal white fog, and rugged towering mountains.

When it comes to outdoor adventure within easy reach of city limits, it’s hard to beat this beloved British Columbia city.

Temps in July and August average a lovely 69°F, ideal weather for pursuits at all athletic and adrenaline levels, from jogging or biking around Vancouver’s Seawall Waterwalk Trail to testing your mettle on the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.

For a more mellow experience, Stanley Park is sublime for soaking up the season’s vibe. Summer flights to Vancouver average at just $409, making it an affordable and accessible Labor Day getaway, especially if you live on the West Coast.

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Cooler places to visit in the summer beyond North America.

Scandinavia offers some excellent options with much milder weather than some of Europe’s warm weather hotspots. So does South America – whose winter season is the equivalent of summer in North America. You’ll need your passport for these destinations, but the weather payoff will be well worth it.

Stockholm, Sweden.

Best for: Scandi-obsessed travelers craving a unique cultural escape

Highlights: The Stockholm Archipelago Trail, opened in late 2024, is the city’s newest hiking trail. Twenty sections of varying length and difficulty, the trail spans 21 islands and brings hikers through pristine landscapes and charming coastal villages.

A happy couple on a cliff overlooking the traditional houses by the lake against the cloudy sky.

Sweden’s hip capital city is delightfully cool – both literally and figuratively. Average highs of just 63°F during summer make for lovely urban exploration, and more than 100 museums and cultural attractions offer options for all tastes.

Not to be missed: strolling Stockholm’s oldest neighborhood, the 13th-century Gamla Stan, and enjoying fika, Sweden’s traditional coffee-and-pastries break, at one of the city’s charming cafes.

Return flights to Stockholm this summer sit at around $800.

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Oslo, Norway.

Best for: Families who love blending beach days with city exploration

Highlights: Don’t miss joining the locals for a sauna session. Even during the summer, it’s an essential part of life for Norwegians.

A man wanders on a cobbled street between compact houses.

Norway’s capital shines in June and July, when temps average a lovely 64°F – perfect for alfresco dining at restaurants and bars, exploring the city by bike, and taking a bracing dip in the Oslofjord, the waterway that flows right through the city center.

Families will especially love the beaches located smack in the middle of the city, too: Tjuvholmen City Beach and Operastranda are perennial fan favorites.

Flights to Oslo average $873 during July and August.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Best for: Stylish couples who want a sophisticated city getaway

Highlights: Enjoy street tango performances in San Telmo, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic neighborhoods.

A building with colourful walls with human statues and country flags on its balconies.

Argentina’s stylish capital is located in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere, which means travelers won’t have to swelter under tropical conditions. Another bonus: Summer in North America means winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Average temps in July and August hover at just 64°F, which means you can explore B.A.’s vibrant neighborhoods in cool comfort.

Summer flights average $1,073 – a bit of a splurge, but the US dollar remains strong against the peso, which means your budget will stretch further.

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Dublin, Ireland.

Best for: Bookworms and literary lovers will be right at home in Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature boasting a rich legacy of writers, poets, and playwrights.

Highlights: Dublin has museums and tours aplenty, but for an honest look at Ireland’s tumultuous history, it’s hard to beat a visit to the 18th-century Kilmainham Gaol – an attraction I highly recommend.

A peaceful river reflects the nearby row of homes across an arch bridge.

One of my all-time favorite cities, Dublin is a great idea any time of year. But it’s especially delightful during summer, when its verdant parks and squares are brimming with people – and temperatures average just 64°F.

Flights are a reasonable $819 round-trip, and perhaps with the luck of the Irish (and KAYAK’s handy Price Alerts tool) you can score an even better deal.

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Zurich, Switzerland.

Best for: Culture-loving types who love experiencing local entertainment while traveling

Highlights: Soak up dramatic views of Zurich and the Alps beyond with a hike up 2,858-foot Uetliberg mountain

A bridge across a lake towards a church with a tall spire surrounded by city structures.

This buttoned-up financial and banking hub lets its hair down in the summer, with plenty of long, sunny days (and an average high of 70°F) and nights. The city boasts scores of ancient churches, medieval architecture, and museums – but one that football fans won’t want to miss is the FIFA Museum, located in the heart of the city.

After a day of exploring, open-air concerts, performances, and movie nights make the most of the perfectly pleasant weather.

Flights are on the pricier side at $946 – check for midweek or red-eye flights for better deals.

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São Paulo, Brazil.

Best for: Culture seekers and girlfriend getaways looking for a sophisticated South American escape

Highlights: Don’t miss a stroll through the city’s most famous street art spot, Beco do Batman, or “Batman Alley,” a pedestrian-only street in the Vila Madalena neighborhood.

A cable-stayed bridge across a calm river bordered with roads and a cluster of high-rise buildings.

With a metropolitan area population of nearly 23 million, Brazil’s financial hub is a massive city brimming with museums, top-notch restaurants, and shopping galore. But focus on a few neighborhoods, and you’ll be all set for urban exploration.

Bonus: You won’t be sweating, as July and August, winter months in Brazil, average just 64°F. Expect average flight prices of around $845.

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An airplane flying through a sky with red and blue hues.

Tips for finding cheap summer flights.

Whether you’re searching for cool weather summer vacations in the USA or beyond, a few helpful strategies can help you score the best possible deal on flights.

Here, a few key tips and tricks to remember during your planning and booking process.

Consider which day you fly. Sometimes, you can save some cash by flying on certain days that are cheaper.
Stay flexible with your destination. With KAYAK’s Explore tool, you can make quick work of seeing where the flights that best meet your budget will take you.
Don’t rule out business class seats. Sometimes, scoring a deal in this coveted cabin is easier than you may think.

A cool summer ahead.

Looking for additional inspiration and intel for your summer trips? Here, some refreshing ideas, including places with cool summer temperatures both in the USA and beyond.

Our recommendation ranking of where to go is based on the author’s travel experience and the presented factors: average flight prices and average high temperatures. Each factor is given equal importance to maintain a balanced assessment. Some destinations may have been left out due to data limitations or travel practicality.

Flight prices are estimated using KAYAK internal data from the search period 01/01/2025 to 01/06/2025 for the travel period 01/07/2025 to 31/08/2025.

Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data is based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.

Chill out: A guide to cooler places to visit this summer.