There are stunning places across Europe that will give you a break from extreme temperatures09:49, 29 Jun 2026Intense heatwaves have already swept Europe this summer, with many struggling to cope with the soaring temperatures. When it comes to booking holidays, plenty of Brits want to seek out some summer sun.‌However, the extremely high temperatures have left tourists sweltering as they set out to explore destinations across the continent. France and Spain have been the hardest hit by the latest heatwave, with hundreds of deaths already reported.‌France recorded its hottest day ever last week, with Spain reaching its highest daily average since 1950 as the heat dome brought dangerous conditions to swaths of the continent.‌The countries are popular holiday destinations for Brits, but for those who don't want to battle intense heat, there are still plenty of options.Travel expert Simon Calder has named three places across Europe that are "guaranteed" to give you a break from heatwaves and provide a "coolcation".Scottish islands‌When asked where people should travel to escape the heat, Simon said on his weekly podcast, The Travel Expert with Simon Calder: "Well, it is very straightforward, just head north. Scotland, obviously being closer to the North Pole, has a lot more cool options."If you go all the way to Shetland, the northern most group of islands than you are two thirds of the way to the North Pole. You are on the same latitude as Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki."You are going to be guaranteed not to be too warm. I would suggest everybody should explore these beautiful islands in midsummer is the time to be here as it is almost the midnight sun."‌Tarifa, south of SpainNot everybody wants to head closer to the North Pole for their summer holiday, so Simon's Travel Expert podcast co-host Greg Dickinson suggested Tarifa in southern Spain.While it sits in one of the hottest parts of Spain, the town is on the Strait of Gibraltar and gets the breeze from the Atlantic. Greg said: "As a result, it is four or five degrees cooler than places like Malaga and Almeria."My tip for a little microclimate in the South of Spain is Tarifa." Simon added, "I am so fascinated that you could be so close to the so-called 'frying pan of Europe', Seville, and yet still be cool."Article continues belowPyreneesIf you still want to head to France and Spain but want to escape the heat, Simon recommends the Pyrenees, which separate the two countries. He said it is "incredibly easy to reach" by flying into Lourdes airport before catching trains or buses into the hills.Simon suggested staying in spa towns and exploring "to your heart's content". He said: "Fantastic food, lovely places to stay and you are guaranteed to be away from the excessive heat."