You used to have to go abroad for sweltering temps and relentless sunshine. But now we can’t avoid it in the UK – heatwave after record-breaking heatwave has rolled in this year, leading to inescapable warmth.
Our homes trap heat in, too, meaning these conditions feel especially punishing.
As a result, new research from Inghams Walking suggests online searches for “coolcations” are on the rise. They’re up a whopping 3,500% from 2024, and have risen by 42% since last year.
In case you haven’t heard of them yet, “coolcations” involve travelling to a colder location to get a break from soaring temperatures.
So where are most people going?
The most popular coolcation spots of 2026
Inghams Walking looked at year-on-year search trends across destinations, accommodation-related queries, and weather searches for nearly 200 global colder destinations.
They found that the top 20 destinations include:
- Nuuk, Greenland
- Les Contamines-Montjoie, France
- Beara Peninsula, Ireland
- Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
- Tasiilaq, Greenland
- Voss, Norway
- Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
- Lech, Austria
- Dolomites, Italy
- Arinsal, Andorra
- Tröllaskagi Peninsula, Iceland
- Wilderswil, Switzeland
- Kandersteg, Switzerland
- Balestrand, Norway
- Murren, Switzerland
- Fiordland, New Zealand
- Sils Maria, Switzerland
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Iceland
- Torridon, Scotland
- Cape Breton Highlands, Canada.
Travel experts expect coolcations to rise
Laura Mason, Head of Destinations at Inghams, said: “As temperatures continue to rise, travellers are seeking respite from their typical go-to summer holiday destinations.
“Instead, more and more people are opting for these coolcation-led holidays in destinations that allow for more comfortable conditions for connecting with nature, personal wellbeing, and outdoor exploration.”
In other words, expect more people to join you on your chilly journeys in the future.
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