It may seem counter-intuitive to head for a city break in the midst of a heatwave, yet there are certain urban spots that are well suited for a summer getaway.
And there can be advantages when visiting at this time of the year.
The first is that cities are often quieter at the height of summer as many locals are off on their own hols, probably heading for a beach.
The second is that hotel prices can dip, making it a more reasonable time to go.
The 1966 classic pop song Summer In The City by The Lovin’ Spoonful begins with the lyrics ‘Hot town, summer in the city’, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here, we’ve selected some of the best places to go – and avoid crowded beach resorts.
CHILL OUT IN OSLO
Oslo residents swim at Tjuvholmen, a refreshing spot in the city with warm waters
Take a refreshing dip in the Norwegian capital’s Oslofjord, where the waters can warm to 22C in the summer (this compares with 27C in Benidorm). The Sorenga fjord pool is great, while there is the beach and swimming pier at Tjuvholmen (visitoslo.com).
Afterwards, head for the air-conditioned Munch Museum to see artist Edvard Munch’s famous Scream painting and enjoy a performance at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.
Book it Doubles at the central, modern K7 Hotel Oslo from £96 (k7hotel.com). Stansted-Oslo returns from £105 (ryanair.com).
DIVE INTO ZURICH
Lake Zurich is, in the summer, an outdoorsy haven with boats and swimmers
One of the delights of Zurich is that, after taking in the National Museum and the Fifa Museum, you can slip off to one of the city’s wonderful bathing houses on the shores of Lake Zurich.
Book it Doubles at Radisson Hotel and Suites from £95 (radissonhotels.com). Heathrow-Zurich returns from £175 (swiss.com).
FIND PERFECTION IN PARIS
French capital city Paris is not just for lovers – culture vultures will find much to enjoy too
August is one of the quietest months in Paris. Keep out of the heat by planning your visit around its top-class museums and galleries with air-conditioning, including the Louvre (home to the Mona Lisa), Musee d’Orsay (full of Renoirs, Manets and Monets) and Musee de l’Orangerie (for its Monets, Renoirs, Picassos and works by Modigliani).
Book it Doubles at Hotel Apolonia Paris Mouffetard from £104 (bestwestern.co.uk). Eurostar Paris returns from £170 (eurostar.com).
IT’S A BREEZE IN ROTTERDAM
August is the time to be in Rotterdam, with festivals keeping locals and visitors entertained
Rotterdam comes alive in August with a host of festivals, including its free Classical Music in the Park (held from August 29-30); see rotterdamcentrum.nl.
Book a boat ride along the River Nieuwe Maas to see Europe’s biggest harbour from the water (90 minutes from £26, rivercruiserotterdam.nl).
Then stay cool in the air conditioning of the first-rate Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, home to many masterpieces of Dutch art (boijmans.nl).
Book it Doubles at the central NH Atlanta Rotterdam from £72 (nh-hotels.com). Eurostar Rotterdam returns from £300 (eurostar.com).
SIMMER DOWN IN SPAIN
For food, sunshine and beaches, head to San Sebastian in Spain
On Spain’s cooler, northern Atlantic coast, San Sebastian is popular with Spaniards and renowned for its Michelin-star foodie scene.
It also enjoys a wonderful crescent beach, La Concha, with a promenade beneath which there are plenty of spots to keep out of the sun. The narrow streets of the old town also provide shade.
Book it Doubles at the stylish Social Hub Hotel from £133 (thesocialhub.co). Heathrow-San Sebastian returns from £193 (vueling.com).
TAKE THE HEAT OFF IN HELSINKI
Cooler Helsinki is a perfect choice for those fleeing the disastrous heatwaves
Temperatures touch daily highs of around 20C in Finland’s capital, so you won’t be burnt to a frazzle. There’s a central seaside bathing pool (allaspool.fi), plus a series of spots to go swimming in the Baltic Sea (the water is 17C).
Book a ticket at Musiikkitalo for an afternoon performance of the wonderful local composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) (musiikkitalo.fi).
Book it Doubles at the comfortable Hilton Helsinki Strand from £100 (hilton.com). Return Heathrow-Helsinki flights from £325 (finnair.com).
COOL OFF IN COLOGNE
In Cologne, you can enjoy medieval charm alongside riverside views
It’s nice and cool in Germany’s magnificent, medieval Cologne Cathedral. Take a walk along the River Rhine or a boat trip – one-hour rides are from £17 (getyourguide.com).
Then head to the Alter Markt, the historic central marketplace, where you can find bars serving chilled Kolsch beers in small glasses (just 0.2cl). They’re refilled regularly so your drink is always the perfect temperature.
Book it Doubles at the well-located Mondial Am Dom Hotel Cologne from £106 (all.accor.com). Return Stansted/Manchester-Cologne flights from £69 (ryanair.com).
UNWIND IN VERONA
Verona in Italy is famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
You might expect it to be hot in Italy – and it is – but you can cool down in Verona’s gothic and Romanesque basilicas, including Verona Cathedral and San Zeno Maggiore (visitverona.it).
A pleasant breeze comes off the River Adige, which is lined with cafes and restaurants. The narrow lanes of the old town also provide shade.
Book it Doubles at the elegant Hotel Leon D’Oro Verona from £112 (hotelleondoroverona.com). Gatwick/Manchester-Verona returns from £139 (easyjet.com).
TAKE A SWIM IN STOCKHOLM
Not only can you enjoy a city break in Stockholm, but you can also swim in nearby spots
Expect daily highs of just 21C in Sweden’s capital in August. It’s a great time to go, and swimming in the city is possible at a number of tucked-away beaches and piers (water temperature currently about 18C).
See ‘Beaches in Stockholm’ at visit stockholm.com. There is air-conditioning at the Nationalmuseum (nationalmuseum.se) as well as in ABBA The Museum (abbathemuseum.com).
Book it Doubles at the modern Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel from £114 (radissonhotels.com). Gatwick/Manchester-Stockholm returns from £195 (norwegian.com).
GO FOR GDANSK
Gdansk might not be the first city break of choice for holidaymakers – but it has plenty to see
Find air conditioning at the excellent European Solidarity Centre, which tells the story of the 1980s Polish union movement (ecs.gda.pl), and the Museum of the Second World War (muzeum1939.pl).
Wander medieval lanes and stay cool in St Mary’s Church, the world’s largest brick church. It’s only 20 minutes by tram to Baltic Sea beaches (visitgdansk.com).
Book it Doubles at Hilton Gdansk in the heart of the old town from £127 (hilton.com). Stansted-Gdansk returns from £134 (ryanair.com).
ENCHANTING ESTONIA
Estonia’s capital Tallinn rounds out the list, with cobbled streets to explore and lots of shopping
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, enjoys a delightful medieval centre, lively bars and restaurants, plus marketplaces with vintage clothes and food stalls.
August highs are 21C and you can take a dip in the Baltic Sea. The best place to do so is Iglupark, which also has saunas (iglupark.com).
Book it Doubles at the sleek Swissotel Tallinn from £99 (swissotel.com). Luton-Tallinn returns from £166 (wizzair.com).
