The best scented candles for summer

After a bit of a delayed start, it looks as if summer is finally here in northern Europe. So, I’m continuing my seasonal guide to the best scented candles with an updated round-up for the warmer months ahead.

I’m always amazed by the power of fragrance to transform the ambiance of a space, spark distant memories or transport me to other places, and at this time of year I tend to find myself drawn towards heady scents that evoke sun-drenched days in the garden and balmy evenings under the stars. I’m also yearning for a bit of escapism in the form of fresh, coastal-inspired fragrances and scents that conjure up the Mediterranean and beyond. There are so many wonderful candles to choose from, but after a lot of deliberation I’ve narrowed my selection down to the 21 below, with some old favourites alongside new discoveries for 2024. I’ve tried and tested many of them myself, and most are produced by small, independent brands using natural ingredients. I hope you find something you like!

1. ‘Wild Mint & Camellia’ candle by OLIV (£14.95 for a standard jar or £29.95 for a large three-wick one; also available as a reed diffuser and wax melts) – a clean, uplifting summer fragrance with notes of refreshing wild mint among sweet florals
2. ‘Sundown’ candle by Kip Candle Co (£32) – a blend of bergamot, eucalyptus, thyme, jasmine, cedarwood, iris and amber that conjures up beach sunsets, fading light and summer bonfires
3. ‘Mandarin’ candle by Miller Harris (£55) – layers of Sicilian green mandarin, grapefruit, herby marjoram, geranium and orange, with a base of cedar, moss and sweet musk
4. ‘Santorini’ candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio (£57 / €65) – a mix of woody sandalwood, earthy amber and fruity redcurrant and fig to make you dream of Greek island escapes
5. ‘Redolent’ candle by Beloit (£17.20 for a jar or £9.70 for a travel tin) – a blend of sensual jasmine and comforting vanilla, evoking walks through the warm Italian countryside
6. ‘Sicily’ candle by Sincerely Lumière (£42 for a jar or £18 for a travel tin) – layers of zesty citrus and delicate white flowers over peppery basil, caraway seeds, velvety patchouli and green vetiver, inspired by sultry Sicilian summer nights
7. ‘Bergamot, Orange & Coconut’ candle by Woodspring Co (£20 for a standard jar or £8.50 for a small one) – zingy notes of bergamot and orange over smooth coconut, transporting you to a remote tropical island
8. ‘California’ candle by Ash + Ember (£20; also available as an oil) – a fresh, energy-boosting blend of sweet orange, grapefruit and bergamot that will lift your mood throughout the day
9. ‘Tides’ candle by Evermore London (£36 for a standard jar or £60 for a large one) – a heady mix of wild fig, thyme and cedar, reminiscent of dusty paths leading to sandy Mediterranean beaches
10. ‘Seychelles’ candle by Helm London (£29) – notes of bergamot, bright orange and rich amber over warming coconut and vanilla, inspired by travels around the Indian Ocean
11. ‘Moon’ candle by Evermore London (£36 for a standard jar or £60 for a large one) – layers of delicate rose and spicy saffron over a smoky base of vetivert and cade, evoking nocturnal flowers unfurling under the light of the moon
12. ‘Jardin de la lune’ candle by Earl of East (£24 for a standard jar or £50 for a large one; also available as a room spray and incense) – a luxurious ode to the gardens of Versailles, where hundreds of tuberoses perfumed the nighttime air
13. ‘Potted Geranium’ candle by Harvest Skincare (£32) – the uplifting, herbaceous and gently sweet scent of geraniums, inspired by strolls along sun-kissed French cobbled streets flanked by balconies bursting with flowers
14. ‘Illumination Jasmine’ candle by Ostens (£65) – the radiant fragrance of night jasmine drifting through open windows on a Mediterranean summer evening
15. ‘ØY’ candle by Skandinavisk (£37 / €42 for a standard jar or £20 / €24 for a small one; also available as a reed diffuser and a candle refill) – a blend of crabapple, dog rose, water mosses and green leaves that takes you to a peaceful uninhabited island somewhere in Scandinavia
16. ‘Coconut & Lime’ candle by Oré Mi (£12 for a small jar, £25 for a medium one and £55 for a large one) – a tantalising fusion of fresh coconut, lime and verbena soothed by luscious vanilla
17. ‘Herbanum’ candle by Verden (£55; also available as a reed diffuser) – the purifying, botanical essence of fresh herbs and wild grasses
18. ‘Citrus + Basil’ candle by Hobo + Co (£22 for a standard jar, £30 for a large one or £12 for a travel tin; also available as a reed diffuser) – a fresh, summery fragrance with zesty lemon, lime and mandarin over herby notes of basil
19. ‘Light’ candle by Evermore London (£36 for a standard jar or £60 for a large one) – an uplifting combination of bergamot, grapefruit, petitgrain and rosewood, inspired by sun beams filtering through citrus groves
20. ‘Freyja’ scented candle by Cedar Lifestyle (£22 for a standard jar or £32 for a large one) – delicate notes of rose, geranium, mandarin and orange, created to connect you with nature and your inner self
21. ‘Summer 24’ candle by Great House Farm Stores (£54; refills available) – a fresh, floral blend that transports you to a cottage garden with banks of billowing cow parsley, backed by coastal paths and washed by sea air

Top and bottom two images by Abi Dare; all other photos via the respective brands above