The Coolest Places to Go in Europe This Summer
If your summer mood is slow mornings, long lunches, and golden evenings somewhere warm and beautiful — this one's for you. Here are five effortlessly cool European destinations to escape to this summer, each with thoughtful design, beautiful views, and a quieter kind of magic.
1. Comporta, Portugal
Tucked just south of Lisbon, Comporta is Portugal’s best-kept secret — a bohemian beach escape where rice fields meet pine forests and white sand stretches for miles. The vibe is barefoot luxury: think linen shirts, straw hats, and long lunches under olive trees.
Stay at: Sublime Comporta – a minimalist eco-resort with private cabanas, natural pools, and interiors that blend raw wood, concrete, and coastal calm.
Image: Beach in Comporta.
2. Menorca, Spain
The quietest of the Balearics, Menorca is all turquoise calas, stone houses, and a rhythm that insists you slow down. It’s ideal for intentional travellers — less party, more pottery, local wine, and hidden coves.
Stay at: Amagatay Menorca – a serene boutique hotel set in the countryside, where terracotta tones, olive trees, and soft linen textures create the dreamiest, slowest kind of escape. I’ve stayed here myself and absolutely recommend — it’s a place you truly exhale.
Image: The Amagatay, Menorca.
3. Puglia, Italy
Down in the heel of Italy, Puglia offers a sensory escape — whitewashed towns, sun-drenched olive groves, and food so good you’ll daydream about it all year. It’s rustic and rich with charm, perfect for those who like their summer simple but beautiful.
Stay at: Masseria Moroseta – a minimalist farmhouse near Ostuni, with clean lines, creamy stone, and sun-soaked courtyards made for slow breakfasts and golden hours.
Image: Beach in Puglia.
4. Rome, Italy
Rome might not be under-the-radar, but it’s timeless for a reason. The real magic lies in hidden courtyards, balmy evenings, and finding the rhythm between espresso shots and aperitivo hours.
Stay at: Hotel de Russie – a refined and iconic Roman retreat just moments from Piazza del Popolo. The interiors are quietly opulent, and the secret garden terrace is one of the dreamiest spots in the city for a long afternoon lunch. I’ve had dinner here myself — it’s absolutely gorgeous. Classic luxury with soul.
Image: Hotel de Russie, Rome.
5. Èze, France
Perched above the French Riviera, the hilltop village of Èze feels like stepping into a fairytale. Winding stone lanes, cliffside gardens, and panoramic sea views make it a dreamlike stop for those craving charm and quiet.
Stay at: La Chèvre d’Or – an iconic château hotel built into the cliff, where every room feels carved from a dream and the view spills endlessly into the Côte d’Azur horizon.
Image: Stairway in Èze.