How to stay cool in the Balkans this summer—our tips

If you’re in Albania, Montenegro or Croatia in July, your first question may be, “is it always this hot?” The answer is—well, yes. Welcome to a Balkan summer. ☀️

But unlike what some of the British media headlines might suggest, this is no freak heatwave. For those of us who live in the Balkans—and love nothing better than jumping into rivers or the sea, or kayaking to hidden beaches—this is just normal. It’s supposed to be hot in Southern Europe. That’s the point—and you just need to embrace it.

Yes, temperatures can reach the high 30s, but this isn’t the sticky, airless heat of a terraced house in August. It’s dry, breezy and delightfully swimmable. The Mediterranean sun sets the pace here—and if you follow its rhythm, you’ll not only cope, you’ll thrive.

Here’s how we—and our guests—stay cool, while loving every sweaty second of our adventure holidays.

So, how hot is the Balkans in summer?

Along the coast and inland valleys, daytime temperatures tend to hover around 35°C from late June to July and August, sometimes a little more. In higher areas, it can be 10-15 degrees cooler – another reason to love the mountains this region is famous for.

The heat is dry, not humid. That means shade and water go a long way, and evenings are often breezy and a bit fresher. British guests sometimes find it a shock at first – but that’s mostly a matter of expectations. If you’re coming from 18C and drizzle, of course it’ll feel intense. But this isn’t dangerous heat, as long as you follow these top tips.

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Here are our favourite ways to stay cool.

1. Embrace the elements (and plan around them)

Hot days aren’t an inconvenience here—they’re an invitation. You just need to know how to respond. Locals rise early, take a break in the middle of the day, and don’t rush anything. Follow suit, and you’ll discover a kind of summer most people never get to experience: unhurried, sun-drenched, and really good for swimming.

2. Make water your best friend

There are endless ways to cool off naturally in the Balkans, and not just in the Adriatic Sea. Whether it’s kayaking on Lake Skadar, whitewater rafting the Cetina in Croatia, river wading through Albania’s Osumi Canyon, or canyoning at Serbia’s Tribuća gorge, water is where we go to play — and cool off.

Slow, lazy rivers like the Morača are made for swimming. Fast ones like Tara, shared by Bosnia and Montenegro, are ice-cold all year round — ideal for a splash after a paddle. And then there are the wild swimming spots that don’t make it into the guidebooks: secret waterfalls, hidden canyons, emerald pools in forests you’ll have entirely to yourself.

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3. Get up with the sun

Early mornings are your golden window. That quiet hush before the heat builds is the time for activity—hiking, cycling, climbing, or even that 5k run.

By midday? You’ll find us eating lunch by a river, sipping homemade juice in the shade, or gently floating in a kayak somewhere cool.

4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Carry a refillable water bottle everywhere — filtered ones like Water-to-Go are brilliant for refilling at springs or rivers. Start and end your day with a big glass of water, keep sipping through your activity, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Make sure to have some electrolytes on you too, just in case.

5. Dress for success–with a hat that’s ‘wettable’

Wear loose, light clothing, breathable shoes, sunglasses, and most importantly, a sun hat. Soaking your head gear, and/or scarf or buff, with water can be magic – especially during active adventures like cycling on the Dalmatian coast, or hiking the Valbona Pass in Albania.

6. Keep cool indoors

Traditional Balkan houses were built to handle the heat. The trick is to treat your room like a cave. Keep shutters closed through the day, open everything up at night, and take a quick cold shower before attempting to sleep. At Villa Miela, where we rely on natural insulation, fans, and those glorious thick stone walls, you won’t miss the A/C (and neither will the planet).

7. Know your limits

When it’s 37°C, your body won’t perform like it does in spring. That’s not weakness—it’s biology. So adapt your plans. Hike shorter trails, take more breaks, and build your route around shady forests, water sources and places to stop for a swim or a snack.

And know the signs of overheating: confusion, irritability, headaches. If you or someone in your group is struggling, stop, drink, snack, and rest. There’s no prize for pushing through.

8. Head for the highlands

If you want to stay cool in the Balkans, don’t forget this is one of Europe’s most mountainous areas, with 70% of landmass covered by beautiful limestone peaks. Still feeling warm? Then go up. At 1,000m+ above sea level, it’s a whole different climate. Mountain resorts like Zabljak in Montenegro or Tara in Serbia are 10-15 degrees cooler than the coast. You can explore shady beech forests, or walk through alpine meadows with barely a soul in sight.

9. Remember–this is how it’s meant to be

Summers in the Balkans are designed for long swims, late dinners, riverside naps, and the kind of conversations that stretch until midnight on a shaded terrace. It’s hot, yes—but it’s a good kind of hot. One that invites you to slow down, tune in, and enjoy the elements.

And when you do it right—with a river in reach, a hat on your head, and a mountain breeze in your hair—it’s a summer you’ll remember for all the right reasons.

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