20 of the best holiday destinations in July

Times

28-05-2025

It's officially high summer and if July doesn't always meet sunny expectations in Britain, it does so much more reliably along Mediterranean beaches, around the Loire Valley or in Copenhagen — all of which you'd best be prepared to share. Bearing in mind those who prefer a quieter coastal spot, and the Med's tendency to err on the side of too hot these days, we've also got suggestions involving lower-profile and lower-priced Spanish and German shores. The summer is also a fine time to investigate staggering caves in Vietnam, wow at whales off Madagascar or attend Mongolia's version of the Olympics. Here's our pick of the best holiday destinations for July.
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Why go in July? To see Baltic beaches at their best
With the Med sometimes too hot in July and August, Germany's coastline offers a more pleasant — and cheaper — alternative. Particularly enticing is the stretch east of Rostock, where the Baltic Sea forms wide, reed-riddled lagoons and large sand-spit islands offering dune-backed beaches. Base yourself in pleasant Stralsund, a red-roofed port full of brick gothic buildings, and spend days exploring. That might be to the large Rügen island's classic seaside resorts and remains of a former Nazi holiday park; to quieter, car-free Hiddensee; to the Jasmund National Park's forested chalk cliffs; or to Sellin for its art deco-style pier and diving gondola. Szczecin, in Poland, is the closest airport with direct UK flights.
Well run and exceptionally good value, Hotel Amber has a prime, peaceful position in Stralsund's old town — and delivers a terrific breakfast buffet.
See the best of Stralsund by boat with a one-hour harbour cruise that will whisk you along its striking coastline.
Discover our full guide to Germany
Why go in July? To see brown bears
Early to mid-July specifically — that's the best time to spot a brown bear in the Nordics, as they reappear after mating in search of urgently needed food. The thick forests and little-populated eastern reaches of Finnish Lakeland host about 2,000 of the carnivores and are your best bet. Especially if you enlist guided help and stay overnight, when the bears are most active, in a specially adapted viewing cabin. Sightings are very common. Seventy-five miles east of the gateway town of Kajaani, and a mile from Finland's border with Russia, the Bear Centre has marked trails to safely wander by day and luxurious, heated cabins through whose huge picture windows you might also observe wolves or wolverines.
It's easiest to drive to the region and base yourself primarily in a cute, ketchup-coloured self-catering chalet at the Lentiira Holiday Village. There's a restaurant, bar and shop on site, and bikes can be hired for free.
Look out for bears and get some brilliant snaps with GetYourGuide on this one-night experience, where you'll spend a night in a wooden hide beside the bears' feeding area, deep in the Finnish forest. Why go in July? For vivid blue seas with islands on every horizon
If it's hard to narrow down the choice of which Greek island to go for, you can fudge the issue most beautifully in the Cyclades, a group whose clustered arrangement and many ferry routes allow plenty of island-hopping. While July is the busiest travel period, especially on the most popular islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, the sight of whitewashed villages on blue bays is undeniably dazzling in the summer sun. Naxos makes a good hub island, with a family-friendly reputation; little in the way of resorts, but plenty of beaches. For added crowd avoidance, sail over to smaller islands that don't have their own airport, such as Sifnos or Serifos.
Overlooking the quiet bay at Naoussa on westerly Paros Island are the stonewashed Akria Seaside Suites. Full of calming Cycladic charm, the terraced rooms are just 300m from Agioi Anargyroi beach.
A Cyclades sailing adventure awaits with Intrepid Travel, visiting an astonishing nine islands — from the ever-popular Santorini and Mykonos to lesser-known Sifnos and Folegandros — on a ten-day seafaring expedition.
• Read our full guide to Greece• Best things to do in Santorini• Best things to do in Mykonos• Six Greek islands you can visit all year round
Why go in July? For a royal tour of the garden of France
As summer days unfold, the grapevines around the banks of the Loire grow heavy, adding to this region's picture of abundance. It's said that a thousand châteaux are dotted about this broad valley, including majestic Chambord; Villandry with its ornamental gardens; and Chenonceau, built out like a graceful bridge over a river. Temperatures are typically in the mid-20s and it's a perfect month to get on to long-distance cycling paths that run at the most forgiving of gradients. Loire Valley towns such as Tours, Saumur, Angers and Orléans are ripe with historic riches and are also where you'll find dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants.
For a different stay in the valley, look to the Loire Valley Lodges hotel. From the front, this beautiful French farmhouse oozes rusticity; from behind, it's an ultra-sleek forested retreat with wooden picture-window cabins that provide the ultimate escape.
Cycle the Loire Valley with Explore!'s eight-day sunlit amble, which takes in vineyards, local restaurants, wine tastings and châteaux.
• Read our full guide to France• Best walking holidays in France• Best family-friendly villas in France
Why go in July? For a classic safari experience in the winter dry season
South Africa's standout national park promises one of the best possible introductions to big-ticket African wildlife and if you visit in July, the drier and slightly cooler days make for more comfortable and easier game viewing, as greenery shrinks back and water holes get crowded. Further south among the peaks of the Drakensberg, you can expect to wake to clear skies and frosty mornings — perhaps even snow. While July can be the driest month in most of the country, rainfall patterns are the reverse around Cape Town. If you tolerate the drizzle here, it's the start of the season to watch southern right whales off the coast of Hermanus.
Among myriad high-end resorts, Lengau Lodge is a delightfully cheaper option that loses none of the luxury. Expect spacious, elegant rooms, a blissful pool, home-cooked food and dedicated hosts who see to your every need.
Go wild with safaris, bush walks, mountain hikes and simply soaking up the savannah on G Adventures' demanding eight-day Active South Africa: Kruger Safari & Tugela Falls tour.
• Discover our full guide to South Africa• Best safaris in South Africa• Best hotels in South Africa
Why go in July? For fresh Alpine air and walks in the shadow of giants
The different regions of the Alps — from France to Slovenia — echo each other in their landscapes and culture, but within this mountain range, the peaks of the Dolomites are unmistakable. These sheer walls and teeth of rock stand as a backdrop to gentler scenes of cow-cropped pastures and church spires in mountain villages. In northern Italy, as elsewhere in the Alps, the summer is short, with many huts open to hikers only from late June to mid-September. Come earlier in the season for more floral colour in meadows such as the rolling plateau of the Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi — doubly named like many places in this region that straddles language borders as well as dizzying heights.
Aeon Hotel's adults-only retreat combines deep dark colours and cool design with pastoral views over northern Italy's fields and mountains. Outside, kick back in one of the finest infinity pools in the Dolomites.
The Walking the Dolomites of Alta Badia tour from Exodus Adventure Travels is a brilliant treat for the eyes and only a moderate test for the legs. Over eight days, you'll tackle treks with great views of the dramatic landscape.
• Discover our full guide to Italy• Most beautiful places in Italy• Best cities to visit in Italy
Why go in July? For cultural discoveries and maximum hours of sunshine on beaches
Vietnam's skinny waist sees the best of the country's weather in July, even as Hanoi at the head and Ho Chi Minh City at the foot get frequent rain showers. Beach-friendly times extend all the way down the central coast as far as the bayside resort city of Nha Trang. The old imperial capital of Hue, on the banks of the Perfume River, is one of the highlights, not just for its monuments but its own sophisticated contribution to Vietnamese cuisine. Also in the region are three more world heritage sites: the beguiling old port town of Hoi An, the ancient Hindu temple remains of My Son and the cave-riddled river landscape of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
Check into the stylish Chum Boutique, with lavish dark decor, open brickwork, a terrace, a sauna and a central location along the river.
Exodus has crafted a brilliant tour of Vietnam that takes in all of its best bits, including Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An — and even a cruise in Halong Bay.
• Best places to visit in Vietnam• Best Vietnam tours and holidays• Discover our full guide to Asia
Why go in July? For a Spanish seaside break away from postcard clichés
The southern and eastern costas of Spain are the hottest of European travel hotspots in July and August, but on the opposite side of the country to Malaga and Torremolinos, the less-visited Costa Verde is part of 'Green Spain'. It too has beautiful beaches, more for surfing than sunbathing. With temperatures hitting daily highs of about 23C, and less likelihood of rain, this is the best time of year to visit if you don't require a scorcher from your summer holidays. The provinces of Asturias and Cantabria, centred around the cities of Oviedo and Santander, both host fishing villages, cider orchards, ancient stone churches and the rocky heights of the Picos de Europa.
Sat on a verdant hillside, Puebloastur Eco-Resort Wellness & Spa overlooks the immense Picos de Europa National Park. It offers four-poster beds, wooden beam garret rooms, hot tubs, a terrace restaurant and outdoor pool, and all come with incredible views.
YellowWood Adventures' historic cities and foothills of northern Spain tour heads to Asturias, Cantabria and coastal Basque Country to explore the regional traditions, cultures and landscapes. Go on coast walks, trek the Picos de Europa, take multiple city tours and enjoy local cuisine.
• Read our full guide to Spain• Best beaches in Spain• Best time to visit Spain: when to go and what to do• Best walking holidays in Spain
Why go in July? For swimming among corals and spectacular sunsets in the outback
It's the depths of winter in Australia, and while this is the coldest month of the year in Sydney and Melbourne (though still pretty bearable for British visitors), it's also a good time for an epic tour of the country's desert centre and tropical north. At Uluru, days are at their freshest, encouraging hikes around this mighty monolith, while around Darwin and in northern Queensland, the dry season is well underway. On the Great Barrier Reef, the water is clearer and currents calmer: time to get your snorkel or scuba gear on for boat trips out to this 1,400-mile wonder of nature.
Cool Cairns is a central hub for learning to dive. Before heading off to the reef to complete your certification, stay at Crystalbrook Flynn, a luxurious modern hotel with sea views and a pastel palette.
Learn to dive at the Great Barrier Reef on a five-day tour with Contiki. You'll get to grips with the basics at Pro Dive Cairns before setting sail to explore 16 exclusive dive sites with turtles, stingrays, reefs and giant clams.
• Discover our full guide to Australia• Best places to visit in Australia• The ultimate guide to Uluru: everything you need to know• Best places in the world to snorkel
Why go in July? For popular beaches with a less-explored cultural hinterland
Summer is the highest season on Bulgaria's beaches just as it is everywhere else on Europe's southern shores, but at least there are savings to be had here, while temperatures behave similarly to many Mediterranean locations. Around the two main Black Sea cities of Burgas and Varna is a coast of fine beaches in great arcs, broken up by craggy capes. Both combine at Sozopol, with its headland-set old town and more of a local vibe on the sand than the famous Sunny Beach to the north. Bulgaria has more than just all-inclusive resorts to offer, with impressive hikes in the Balkan and Rhodope mountain ranges and, in the shape of its charming second city Plovdiv, a former European capital of culture.
Stay in the French secession-style Villa Promenade by Burgas's seaside garden. This gorgeous 120-year-old residence sits on a street corner, offering great views and complimentary mini bars in comfy rooms.
Taken privately, this four-day Black Sea tour combines Varna, a beautiful city whose archaeological museum houses the world's oldest gold treasure, with beaches and cobbled Nessebar's 13th-century churches.
• Best European road trips• Discover our full guide to Europe
Why go in July? For coastal highway drives between fun-loving cities
Fourth of July fireworks look best over a great harbour city, but while New York is in its sticky summer phase, the month is a blessed one in Seattle, with only about one in six days bringing rain. It's generally a busy holiday period beside America's coasts and lakes, and in its national parks, but definitely worth it in the Pacific Northwest: the states of Washington, Oregon and by some measures northern California. An ocean-skirting drive along US Route 101 from near Seattle to San Francisco is the stuff of American road trip dreams, while inland lures include Oregon's main city Portland and the 7,000-year-old beauty of Crater Lake.
Sentinel in downtown Portland has kept all the class and charm of its century-old building, with deep wood and leather decor in its public rooms. Suites have been updated to handsome, stone-toned minimalism.
Leger Holidays' remarkably comprehensive Pacific Coast Insider is a 15-day extravaganza from Seattle to San Diego. See myriad vibrant cities, whale watch, visit Redwood and Mount Rainier National Parks, journey the Pacific Coast Highway and go wine tasting in Napa.
• Best road trips in the US• Best US national parks to visit
Why go in July? For extraordinary wildlife on and off shore
The land of the lemurs has enough of its own wonderfully unique species to fill a whole continent, but from July it gets some VIP visitors too, as humpback whales migrate to the shores of Nosy Boraha (also called Île Sainte-Marie). This island and former pirate lair lies just off Madagascar's east coast, facing the Indian Ocean, in one of the wetter and more forested parts of the country. Across Madagascar as a whole — including its highlands and the drier west, where you'll find the surreal-looking Avenue of the Baobabs and Tsingy rock formations — July is a cooler month (in tropical terms), making for more pleasant exploration than the height of heat and rain from December to March.
Full of glorious colour and character, Samaria Lodge overlooks a blissful bay on Nosy Boraha's north shore. Guests can enjoy breakfast on their bay-facing terrace, or kick back in the gardens and on the private beach.
The Madagascar specialists at Rainbow Tours curate tailor-made holidays to the Indian Ocean island, including the lesser-visited Nosy Boraha. Learn about its French rule, pirate kings and see the July courtship dances of humpback whales.
rainbowtours.co.uk
• Best cruises in southern Africa• Best Indian Ocean cruises
Why go in July? For outdoor adventures on Europe's furthest fringe
Far out in the Atlantic, the nine islands of the Azores are a volcanic yet abundantly green archipelago with an intriguing history dating from Portugal's voyages of discovery. Temperatures here are mild year-round (peaking in the low-20s over summer) but July sees an easing in the all-too-frequent rain, encouraging even more time spent in the fresh air, and also signalling smoother conditions for whale-watching cruises. The gateway island of São Miguel delivers scenic drama in its clifftop viewpoints and enigmatic crater lakes, and among its neighbours you'll find two Unesco world heritage sites: Terceira's historic Angra do Heroismo port and Pico's basalt-walled vineyards.
The boutique Farm hotel in Ponta Delgada combines total luxury with an authentic Azorean feel. It's near-unassuming exterior hides rooms in terracotta and natural tones, a banana grove, a rooftop pool and an excellent restaurant.
Join an in-depth 14-day Azores walking tour with Explore!, trekking your way around four of its pristine islands: São Miguel, São Jorge, Pico and Faial. Explore vineyards, volcanoes, hot springs, coastlines and the famous twin crater lakes.
• Read our full guide to Portugal• Best things to do in the Azores• Best hotels in the Azores• Best beaches in the Azores
Why go in July? For café terraces and music festivals in Scandinavian warmth
The Danish capital stands out among European city breaks that won't feel uncomfortably hot this month. Locals who haven't left Copenhagen for their summer travels enjoy the long days on quaysides and in parks. Bike-friendly streets invite neighbourhood browsing for the best places to stop for coffee and an open sandwich, while a sunny spell on suburban beaches can soon mean relatively warm waters thanks to the shallow Oresund strait. The beginning of the month usually brings the Copenhagen Jazz Festival with big-name headliners, plus celebrated musical acts at the Roskilde Festival a half-hour out of the city.
In the cool neighbourhood of Christianshavn, the Kanalhuset hotel is gorgeously decorated with splashes of colour, brass and bold artworks. Outside, the calm canal waters glitter and ripple beneath your windows.
Explore Copenhagen along with Gothenburg and Stockholm on a thrilling ten-day rail adventure with Exodus.
• More great hotels in Copenhagen• Best things to do in Copenhagen
Why go in July? For diverse ecosystems and heritage sights right on the equator
Apart from the Galapagos Islands way out to sea, Ecuador gets less attention than many of its South American neighbours. Its mainland, though, is a neat cross-section, from beach-fringed and surfer-friendly coast to volcanic mountain spine to rainforest. July is generally low on rain, apart from the Amazon, which is its normal steamy self. The highland capital Quito is cooler year-round and Unesco-listed for its Spanish colonial architecture. Also in the region you'll find cloud forest reserves rich in birdlife and the celebrated crafts market at Otavalo. If you visit the Galapagos this month, the seas can be choppy but you can catch the mating dance of the blue-footed booby.
The Illa Experience Hotel offers quiet opulence in the heart of the city. This heritage boutique hotel lives up to its name, offering guests authentic cuisine, neighbourhood tours and spa therapies.
Packing plenty in, Intrepid's nine-day small-group tour combines Quito with Ecuador's highlands and time in the Andes and Amazonia.Why go in July? For rugged beauty along Canada's Atlantic shores
On Canada Day (July 1), fireworks, festivals, concerts and barbecues help citizens to celebrate a country that stretches — as its Latin motto says — 'from sea to sea'. The summer months are excellent across this vast land and the long days plus relative warmth are keenly felt in the east-coast Maritimes. The three provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are defined by their relationship with the Atlantic Ocean, with lighthouses and fishing villages on the rocky shores, and the Bay of Fundy, which has the world's biggest tidal range. The Cabot Trail is an inspiring route to drive or cycle, while the Prince Edward Island farm country draws fans of the Anne of Green Gables books.
On the southern side of Nova Scotia, the Cooper's Inn is a gorgeous, intimate seafront hotel worth checking out.
Sit back and soak in the Maritime provinces on Riviera Travel's 11-day tour. You'll explore quaint Nova Scotia and it's scenic Cabot Trail, New Brunswick's whale feeding grounds and Prince Edward Island's endless pastoral scenery.
• Best things to do in Canada• Best Canada tours
Why go in July? For archery and other nomadic traditions on the endless steppe
Even among 'out there' travel destinations, Mongolia is a byword for remoteness. But in the world's most sparsely populated country, whose armies were once feared across the Eurasian landmass, you'll find a big welcome. The most celebrated event on the calendar (book well ahead) is July's Naadam Festival, a traditional Mongolian Olympics. The biggest show is in the capital Ulaanbaatar, a city that is an exception to the yurt-dwelling image that still holds in much of the country. July temperatures usually peak in the mid-20s (while -20C or lower is standard in midwinter), and though it's also the rainiest season, the steppe is at its greenest.
Best Western's Premier Tuushin Hotel in the city centre is a few steps from the capital's best sites. The familiar brand hotel offers sauna facilities, a spa, a grand bar and huge, view-filled suites.
On G Adventures' Journeys: Discover Mongolia group trip, you'll tour Ulaanabaatar's best sites, such as the Gandan Monastery and Bogd Khan's Winter Palace before exploring the Gobi Desert and Khustai National Park.Why go in July? For rains easing off to welcome reggae lovers
Caribbean tourism usually takes a six-month holiday from around June as most islands enter their rainy period. But if you're set on heading to the region now, Jamaica is a good bet. July mostly sees a dip in rainfall between the first peak of June and the wetter (and more hurricane-risky) times to come. Showers are often limited to afternoon bursts in any case and can be a respite from temperatures in the low-30s. You won't find Jamaicans hiding from the summer heat — gatherings include Reggae Sumfest, the Caribbean's largest music festival, where the stars of Jamaica's signature sound beat a path to Montego Bay in mid-month.
Polkerris Bed & Breakfast is chock-full of local charm, with rooms fanned around the outdoor pool and sun terrace — all of which overlooks the Caribbean Sea and undulating hills.
Visit Montego Bay as part of a wider Explore Jamaica small-group tour by the aptly named Explore! It visits the Blue Mountains, white-sand beaches and Bob Marley's old home.
• Best things to do in Jamaica• Best all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica• Discover our full guide to the Caribbean
Why go in July? For chilled-out days or sporting contests in the South Pacific
The jagged emerald islands and horizon-hugging atolls of French Polynesia are scattered across an area of Pacific Ocean the size of western Europe, and while temperatures don't change by more than a few degrees between New Year highs and July-August 'lows' touching 30C, it's the latter period when tropical rains are least likely to hit. As spread out as the islands are, most visitors focus on the largest one, Tahiti, and its neighbours in the Society Islands group, especially Bora Bora, set within its own lagoon. July is the month of 'Heiva' on both islands and across the archipelago. These festivals, not coincidentally built around France's national day on July 14, are celebrations of Polynesian culture, from music and dances to outrigger canoe-racing and other traditional feats of strength.
It doesn't get more paradisiacal than at Eden Private Island Taha'a: just five sunset or sunrise bungalows sit on this eco-conscious 1,200-acre private island that's far from larger resorts.
Laze away your days on Turquoise Holidays' Island Hopping in Tahiti private tour, covering Papeete; a catamaran ride to Moorea; vanilla plantations and black pearls on Taha'a; and lagoons on eye-popping Bora Bora.
turquoiseholidays.co.uk
Why go in July? For a city of culture at its most vibrant
Affordability has long been a chief draw of Riga for stag parties and clubbers, with the cultural riches of the Latvian capital remaining a seriously underrated attraction. So it is that, on a Saturday or Sunday, you might be the only person exploring the cobbled streets of its old town until well into the afternoon; perfect for spotting the feline-topped Cat House or pondering European history at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Fans of architecture will enjoy the extravagant art nouveau buildings around Alberta Street and the grand, modern expanse of the National Library of Latvia. Come the evening, head for one of the many parks and gardens, where free concerts often take place.
The Dome Hotel sits in a 400-year-old building in the old town. Though featuring light pastel and stone decor, comfy furnishings, a rooftop terrace, sauna and spa, it has also conscientiously kept plenty of its traditional features.
Tui has plenty of brilliant package holiday options to Riga, so you can pick a lovely hotel and get your flights and transfers included.
Additional reporting by Richard Mellor, Qin Xie and Jo Davey
• Best places to visit in April• Best places to visit in June