A few years ago almost nobody had heard the word. Today coolcation is one of the biggest travel trends in Europe, and it is also the title of my book. So I get the question a lot: what is a coolcation, really? Here is my answer, and my favourite places to have one.
What Does Coolcation Mean?
A coolcation is a holiday in a cooler destination. Instead of chasing 40 degrees on a crowded beach in southern Europe, you travel north or up into the mountains, where the summer is mild, the nights are fresh and nature is right outside the door.
For me it is more than the temperature. A coolcation is about travelling slower and more consciously, without compromising on comfort and quality. It is about unique places to stay, great food made by local heroes, and having time to actually feel the place you are in.
Why Is the Coolcation Trend Growing?
The obvious reason is the heat. Summer temperatures in southern Europe now regularly approach 40 degrees, and more travellers are looking for alternatives. In 2026, Hotels.com reported that French searches for Copenhagen jumped by 246 percent after the first heatwave of the year, and Fora Travel saw bookings to Oslo and Helsinki more than double. Norway’s own tourism agency found that around one in five foreign visitors mention the cooler summer as a reason for choosing the country.
But I think there is a deeper reason too. Many of us are tired of overtourism and stressful holidays. We want space, silence and nature. And the cool destinations of the north are very good at exactly that.
The Best Coolcation Destinations in Scandinavia
These are some of the places I return to again and again. Most of them can be reached by car, train or ferry, so you do not even need to fly.
- Fjord Norway: Glass rooms at Juvet Landscape Hotel and mornings above the clouds at The Bolder Sky Lodges. See all my favourite nature hotels in Norway.
- Lofoten and Northern Norway: Midnight sun in summer and northern lights in winter. Start with my Lofoten guide.
- The Swedish High Coast: One of the most beautiful coastlines in Scandinavia. Read about Höga Kusten.
- Lapland: The ultimate winter coolcation. Find my best hotels in Lapland.
- Denmark: Wild west coast beaches, Skagen’s light and cosy autumn days. See autumn in Northern Denmark.
Want five more? I picked my favourite Nordic places from the book in Coolcation in Scandinavia: 5 Nordic Destinations for Slow Travel.
When Is the Best Time for a Coolcation?
Summer is the classic season, when the north is green, bright and pleasantly warm. But do not forget autumn and winter. A coolcation in October or November gives you colourful forests, empty roads, cosy fireplaces and, if you go far enough north, the northern lights. Some of my best trips have been in the off season.
My Tips for the Perfect Coolcation
- Travel slowly. Stay at least two nights in each place.
- Choose the journey, not just the destination. A road trip by electric car or a ferry across the sea is part of the experience.
- Sleep somewhere special. A treetop cabin, a historic hotel or a glass room by a river makes the trip.
- Pack layers. The weather changes fast in the north, even in July.
- Eat local. Some of the best meals of my life have been in small places run by local heroes.
The Book: COOLCATION
I wrote COOLCATION because I wanted to show that some of the most magical holidays are right here in the north. The book is written in both Danish and English and is filled with the places, hotels and restaurants I love most. It makes a beautiful gift for anyone who dreams of their next slow adventure.
So, what is a coolcation? For me, it is the holiday where you come home more rested than when you left. And honestly, is there a better kind?
