These are the best places to enjoy cooler climes over the summer season
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen
Copenhagen offers a cool escape for travellers with average highs under 22 °C in summer, and the city remains refreshingly temperate compared to the Gulf’s soaring temperatures. A recommended place to stay is Hôtel d’Angleterre, Copenhagen’s most prestigious hotel, which first opened in 1755. Located on Kongens Nytorv opposite Nyhavn, it offers elegant rooms and 1‑star Michelin dining at Marchal. For refined dining, Levi Restaurant impresses.
Designed by Johannes Torpe, it blends Danish, Italian and Japanese aesthetics in a spacious, calm setting. The interiors offer a serene counterpoint to warm days, making it ideal for a relaxed evening meal. No visit to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Tom’s Oyster Shack, a stylish, laid-back waterfront spot on Trangravsvej.
Known for fresh Irish oysters, lobster and a creative drinks menu, it provides light, seafood‑focused fare in a laid‑back atmosphere. While in the city, visit the Botanical Garden and Tivoli Gardens, both offer shaded green escapes. Museum-goers should plan a visit to the city’s SMK. For a breezy summer experience, cycle along the waterfront or enjoy a canal boat tour along the city’s beautiful waterways.
Cape Town, South Africa
Nestled between Table Mountain and the Atlantic, Cape Town’s pleasant winter months coincide with the GCC summer. A top hotel recommendation is Belmond Mount Nelson, a historic retreat set in lush gardens at the foot of Table Mountain. Open since 1899, it offers 198 rooms, a renowned spa and iconic afternoon tea, complete with pink-cushioned elegance and seamless service.
For upscale dining, Marble Restaurant at the V&A Waterfront stands out. With its imported wood‑fired grill and sweeping harbour views, it offers a dramatic setting to unwind after cooler coastal adventures. Be sure to make time to visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and a sunset cruise from the V&A Waterfront, to enjoy cooling ocean air while viewing Cape Town’s coastline.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki has average summer highs around 23 °C with crisp sea breezes, verdant parks and seamless urban style. Hotel Maria in Kruununhaka is a standout luxury option while visiting the city. Opened last year by Olympian‑turned‑developer Samppa Lajunen, it occupies four historic buildings with 117 rooms and 38 suites. Guests enjoy in‑suite saunas, a spa with pools, steam rooms and jacuzzis, plus Lilja, the main restaurant blending Nordic ingredients with French fine‑dining ambition. For fine dining, Savoy, open since 3 June 1937, remains Helsinki’s gastronomic icon.
Designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto and overlooking Esplanadi park, it serves classic French‑influenced cuisine in a timeless functionalist setting . Things to do include a visit to Amos Rex, the contemporary art museum beneath Lasipalatsi, which opens its summer programme today with a new installation by British artist Yinka Ilori. Art lovers can also explore the Design Museum and wander Esplanadi’s leafy boulevards . For a cooling ritual, the waterfront Löyly sauna, recognised for its architectural awards, offers harbour‑side saunas and terraces .
Dublin, Ireland
As temperatures soar across the Gulf, Dublin is the perfect temperate summer escape. Known for its combination of heritage and contemporary culture, the Irish capital delivers refined hospitality and curated experiences.
The five-star Merrion Hotel, set in a restored 18th-century Georgian building, offers discreet luxury and is particularly suited to discerning guests, with spacious suites and private dining options available. The hotel’s afternoon tea in its Drawing Rooms remains a highlight. For fine dining, Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen is recommended. The Michelin two-star restaurant offers a tasting menu combining Irish ingredients with Scandinavian precision.
