Where can we go on holiday? Not too hot, interesting but has a beach?

[Meredith99]

I've run out of ideas. We love holidaying in the UK but want to go abroad again for a change. Daughter isn't keen (17) says she doesn't want to sit by a pool/beach for a week. This is exactly what I want. She doesn't like it hot either. Was thinking maybe a northern country?

The Alps? Several countries to choose from, lakes, pools, etc

Lanzarote, short flight,4hrs, volcanoes, interesting landscapes, so much to do and see. Consistent temperature. Great value to eat out. Would recommend.

Croatia

Barcelona or my favourite is Valencia or is that too hot?

Barcelona is sweltering. It is incredibly humid. Mid 30s feels more like 40degrees.

You haven't said when and ‘too hot’ varies through the year….
Budapest(spas, culture, music and hiking)
Latvia(forests, very different beaches and culture in the towns)
Northern Italu

its not what I’d call hot! And depends when you go!

What about a cruise? Then you can each do what you want.

Another vote for Croatia.

Alternatively, San Sebastian in northern Spain? I'd love to go.

If you mean July/August it’s actually not that easy to find places that are reliably sunny but not too hot.

A mountain & lake holiday might fit the bill. Italian Lakes, Alps, Slovenia?

Depends on time of year.

Barcelona is lovely in early June.
We also love Madeira in June which is usually around mid 20s

When in the year ?
we had a lovely time in side in October. Warm not too hot. Beach and ton to walk to with more romanruins than they know what to do with ! ( it’s not a holiday for us without an amphitheatre at least 🤣)

Lisbon. Coastal breeze keeps it cool for most of the summer, lots to see in a relatively small city, Cascais/Estoril for the beaches and then there's Sintra for a touch of history!!

What sort of things would she like to do?
The Dolomites/Northern Italy (although can be very very hot)
Switzerland
Iceland
Denmark
Holland
Outer Hebrides

Denmark has nice sandy beaches and cities with the museums etc. not sunbathing all day weather but you can swim if brave and have nice walks.

Another vote for Barcelona! Amazing city with a perfect mix of everything from culture to food to beaches and generally pretty lovely weather. Most things are walkable but there's an easy transport system too!

If you are thinking of the summer OP then perhaps France but not right in the South on the Med as it’s roasting. We went to the Loire and the Vendee last summer and it was lovely and warm but not too hot! Nice towns and beaches, and chateaux to explore but sitting by a pool is also possible!

Latvia, Ventspils in Summer. A mid sized town with sandy clean beaches, lots to do and cheap for hotels :) We spent a few days there js summer I love the place, it is surrounded partially by forest.

Northern Spain - Asturias

best wine!!

Lisbon, and get the train to Cascais if you fancy a beach day.

Or Barcelona if you want the beach right there.

Lisbon wasn't too hot when I went in June, Barcelona was hot but lovely end of July but the Metro was sweltering.

Sweden

Northern or mid France , Holland are all scenic & relaxing, beautiful towns & villages & walks. Not guaranteed good weather though, much like the UK.

Croatia may be too hot for your DD in high summer

Scandinavia?

Malta is interesting. It obviously has coastline but not a lot of beach options but it has some interesting things to do.

failing that and not peak of summer, so may half term or October half terms I’d pick somewhere like Cyprus or Rhodes. Rhodes has really fabulous places to visit - climb up to the top of the acropolis in Lindos, drive down to prasonissi beach where the Aegean and Med meet (and you can stand with one leg in one sea and the other in the other!) Rhodes Town is fascinating historically, take a hydrofoil over to Symi for the day, plus tons of lovely beaches. It won’t be too hot if you avoid June/July/August.

We stopped going to southern Europe in Summer as it is just too hot to do anything during the day, we went to Rhodes in 2022 and really didn't enjoy it anymore.

This year we booked Germany, 6 days Berlin and then one week Chiemsee in Bavaria, lots of things to do and you have beaches and lidos to go swimming.

For October we loved Cyprus, still warm, we had the odd day with rain, but you could still swim and there is lots to do and see.

Aarhus, Denmark