European country has beaches as beautiful as Mediterranean but without scorching 30C heat

If you don't love the sky high temperatures that summer holidays can bring but you still want to enjoy a gorgeous trip away, there's one country that is just as beauitful as the Mediterranean - but without the scorching temperatures. Lithuania is a perfect alternative to some of the busier holiday hot spots and with summer temperatures of around 24C you won't have to escape into the air conditioning every 10 minutes.

Just under three hours from the UK, Lithuania has recently been named one of Lonely Planet's top European destinations for 2025, positioning itself as the ideal family-friendly alternative to traditional holiday hotspots. As southern Europe braces for another summer of extreme temperatures, Lithuania's refreshingly temperate climate and wealth of outdoor activities make it the perfect cool-down destination.

One of Lithuania's jewels is the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This stunning stretch of land extends into the Curionian lagoon and boasts incredible windswept dunes and a rich forested area that's home to unique flora and fauna.

Nearby is the town of Nida, one of Lithuania's most famous settlements. It has some of the cleanest beaches in all of Europe, but draws fewer crowds.

For something a little more lively, why not visit Palanga? This seaside town has a more traditional resort feeling and is jam packed with open-air cafes serving delicious local delicacies.

Šaltibaršiai, a bright pink beetroot soup, served cold, was named the best cold soup in the world in 2024 by TasteAtlas and is definitely worth trying.

There's also Kepta duona, crispy fried rye bread with garlic; and the national staple, Cepelinai - hearty oval-shaped potato dumplings stuffed with meat or curd, and topped with sauce.

Just up the coast, Šventoji offers a quieter, more budget-friendly option. It's also a great place to explore the culture and history of Lithuania. Home to emaii Alka, a reconstructed pagan sacred site and ancient paleo astronomical observatory, this is the perfect place to see sculptures of Baltic deities and learn about ancient Lithuanian religious rituals.

For a little more culture, try visiting Lithuania's most popular museum, the Palanga Amber Museum. Housed in a former palace, the museum grounds feature over 18km of walking paths and botanical gardens filled with roses and other plants. Inside, visitors can explore over 28,000 amber exhibits with many featuring plants and insects which date back over thousands of years.

With direct flights from the UK to Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga, Lithuania is easy to reach - and yet still feels off the beaten path - perfect for a holiday with a bit of difference.