8 destinations to escape extreme heat this summer

Follow these trends to more palatable temperatures as a heat wave sweeps much of the U.S. and Europe

Staff writer
Updated July 18, 2023 at 11:04 a.m. EDT|Published June 21, 2022 at 2:46 p.m. EDT
(Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post; iStock)

Vacations are meant to help us unwind from the stress of daily life, but that dream goes out the window when extreme weather hits your travel destination (unless you’re into that kind of thing). And it’s happening more and more lately, thanks to climate change.

Excessive heat has swept across the United States, with record temperatures and heat index values topping 110 degrees in some places. Europe and Asia are experiencing punishing heat, too. Relief isn’t coming anytime soon.

“Things are generally getting hotter. But on top of that, variability is also changing,” says climate scientist Nick Cavanaugh, founder and chief executive of Sensible Weather, a climate risk company that offers travelers weather insurance coverage.

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Planning is becoming more difficult as travelers try to anticipate whether wildfire smoke will affect a honeymoon in Spain or a record heat wave will hit during a cruise to Greece.

While you can’t predict the unpredictable, there are some weather trends that can help you pick a vacation spot where the temperature is more palatable.

Hawaii

Andy Turlington, owner and travel adviser at Wildest Dreams Bookings, recommends Hawaii for a temperate vacation — like the city of Lihue on the island of Kauai, where the average temperature is between the 70s and 80s during the summer. Plus, “there aren’t many heavy storm fronts in the area,” Turlington said.

Shayna Mizrahi, founder and CEO of Vive Voyage, also vouches for Hawaii in the summer.

“With all of the current unreliable temperature changes, traveling to Hawaii is a safe bet that you will enjoy the trip with fantastic weather and great sunshine,” Mizrahi said.

Seattle

Seattle is a perfect place to find relief from the heat with summer temperature highs in the upper 70s. Go for the forecast, stay for Seattle’s restaurants, book shops, parks and museums. Our Seattle City Guide writer Seth Sommerfeld says, “We don’t dispute the ‘it’s always rainy in Seattle’ stereotype, because we don’t want any of y’all to find out that summer here is perfect.”

Sweden

For comfortable weather (highs in the 70s) and long daylight hours in the summer (like sunrise at 3:40 a.m. and sunset at 10 p.m.), ​Jill Fischbarg, an OvationNetwork travel adviser, recommends Sweden. Start your trip in Stockholm for museums — such as the ABBA museum, the National Museum and the Vasa Museum — and a vibrant food scene that highlights seasonal and local ingredients (Fischbarg’s musts are Ostermalm Market Hall and chef Fredrik Eriksson’s restaurant at the National Museum).

And for people looking for outdoor activities, “take a boat over to the Stockholm Archipelago, for hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, swimming or biking,” Fischbarg said.

Mexico

While parts of Mexico experience brutal heat, tropical cyclones and floods, it also has places that are never too hot or too cold.

With temperatures in the summer averaging in the low to mid-80s, San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico is a top pick for Terika L. Haynes, owner of Dynamite Travel. The walkable city is famous for its Spanish Baroque architecture and cultural attractions.

“It is also one of the more safer travel destinations, which makes it great for a solo explorer,” Haynes said.

For a beach, InteleTravel travel adviser Trish Smith sends clients to Puerto Vallarta — the region has some hurricane risks, but less so than other parts of the country. Travelers can expect weather around the 80s and 90s.

Slovenia

A top summer vacation pick for Eeva Ruuska, Riskline travel intelligence’s head of U.S. operations, is the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Based on Weather Spark’s tourism score, visitors should aim for mid-June to early September for their Ljubljana trip for highs in the 70s and 80s.

The city’s old town is fully pedestrian, so no rental car required. If you do need to get somewhere in the car-free zone a little quicker, the city has “Kavalir” electric vehicles available to use free year-round. Ruuska recommends adding some side trips to hike nearby Alpine peaks, visit vineyards or sunbathe at the Adriatic Sea.

San Diego

With some of the most pleasant weather in the country, San Diego ranks high for travelers looking for reliable sun. July through October are the Southern California city’s warmest months, with average highs in the 70s. Catch a Padres baseball game, learn to surf or take a food tour through La Jolla.

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Argentina

When in doubt, head south — like way south. Like to Argentina in the Southern Hemisphere where it’s currently winter. Take a cue from chef Francis Mallmann who’s swapped scorching heat for the snowy tundra of Argentina’s Patagonia region where you can appreciate epic views, wildlife watching and sports. If a winter wonderland adventure isn’t for you, head to the country’s capital city Buenos Aires for July and August high temperatures around 60 degrees.

Aruba

Aruba is always the first destination Elaine Esposito, a travel adviser at OvationNetwork, recommends to clients looking for a vacation destination with consistent weather.

“The temperature is almost always in the 80s,” Esposito said. “Aruba is an arid island with a dry climate where trade winds blow to lessen the heat.”

Beyond selling points such as pristine beaches and excellent snorkeling, Aruba is south of the hurricane belt, making such disasters rare.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness. Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare, including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario, from canceled flights to lost luggage. Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas, including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed. Submit your question here. Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves.