Summer after summer, Europe sets new heat records. Heatwaves, wildfires, and temperatures well above 40°C have pushed more and more people to consider alternative destinations. The trend even has its own name: coolcation — a blend of "cool" and "vacation" — where travelers deliberately choose a milder, more comfortable climate instead of risking yet another heatwave summer in the south.
Sørlandsleia in Tvedestrand is a great example of why coolcation and this shift toward northern destinations is growing, and more Europeans have already discovered the spot. Here, you don't have to choose between warmth and cool relief. You get both.
Real summer warmth, without the heatwave
The Agder region is among the sunniest and warmest parts of Norway in summer. The county's July record stands at 33.7°C, and temperatures of 27°C and above are far from unusual along the coast in July and August. The coastal stretch from Kristiansand eastward also has some of the highest sunshine figures in the country, averaging close to 1,800 hours of sunshine a year.
At the same time, the sea is never far away. Sea temperatures off Tvedestrand can reach up to 21°C at the height of summer, while forests, islets, and archipelago waters offer cool shade and refreshing swims the moment the heat becomes too much.
It's exactly this combination — genuine summer warmth with a cool alternative close by — that is drawing more European travelers toward places like Sørlandsleia, instead of taking their chances on yet another heatwave summer in the south.
So what exactly is a coolcation?
The trend isn't about trading summer for cold. It's about choosing places where you don't have to battle extreme heat, sleepless tropical nights, and overcrowded beaches, and can instead enjoy long days with comfortable temperatures, clean air, and room to breathe. Travel data for 2026 shows that searches for cooler destinations have risen sharply compared to the previous year, with Scandinavia among the regions benefiting most from this shift.
It's not just retirees heading north — families with children and climate-conscious travelers are all turning the compass northward too. Behind the trend lies a simple realization: a mild summer day on a sun-soaked skerry can offer an experience no scorching beach can match, without the health risks that come with extreme heat.
Nature does the work for you
Sørlandsleia lies on the edge of Raet National Park, which stretches across 607 square kilometers of coastal nature from Grimstad to Lyngør. Just below the cabin development, a brand-new beach and jetty area has recently been completed, with a coastal path winding along the smooth rocks down to the sea, a new jetty, and a sheltered sandy beach perfect for families. All cabin buyers are also offered their own boat berth at Åstø Marina, a short walk away.
For those who want to explore further, there's plenty close by: island-hopping in the genuine southern Norwegian archipelago toward the car-free island community of Lyngør, one of Norway's finest golf courses at Nes Verk, hiking trails with views from Fagerhei, and the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park, just an hour's drive away.
