18 of the best holiday destinations in August

Times

26-06-2025

Such is the clamour for southern Europe and the Mediterranean that August's other temptations tend to escape our attention. Instead of the Greek islands, for instance, what about Greenland and its wondrous glaciers? Or consider venturing to Africa for some of the best wildlife-spotting with no dense foliage to obscure your view. And how about putting those Portuguese plans on pause and instead discovering Finland's island-studded seas, India's Himalayan reaches or the high-altitude US state of Colorado? If you did want to stick to more familiar ground, however, August is a great month to make for Mallorca and the less touristy Italian region of Piedmont. These are the best holiday destinations to visit in August.
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Why go in August? To attend a giant, jubilant flower festival
Medellin is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, but that season never seems more present than during early August's Feria de las Flores. Running since 1957 as a tribute to the wider region's flora producers, this ten-day flower festival — from August 1 to 10 in 2025 — has grown to involve fireworks displays, music, classic cars, a dog walk and a horse fair. Yet the focal point remains its parade of silletas, intricate, wood-framed flower arrangements, some as big as two metres by two metres, that a silletero carries on his or her back. Expect blooms of incredible, jubilant hues and a riot of creativity. Elsewhere, Colombia's second city has rebounded from its grisly, cocaine-cartel past to become a hotbed of entrepreneurialism, culture, green spaces and notoriously good coffee.
Complete with a rooftop pool, the Elcielo design hotel is a sister business to the chef-owner Juan Manuel Barrientos's eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant; the staff include rehabilitated guerrillas and paramilitary members.
Why go in August? For documentary-worthy wildlife
Wildebeest have their well-trodden travel rituals just as humans do, and August, the middle of the dry season, typically brings more than a million of the creatures to the northernmost point of their looping great migration. There is always some uncertainty about the timing each year. The herds may be running the gauntlet of the crocodiles in the dramatic crossing of the Mara River in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, or just north of the border in the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya, where they stay until October. Either way, there are countless other species that stay in location year-round, from big cats to elephants and giraffes, so you won't miss out while you're on game drives.
Exodus Adventure Travels offers a 14-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure that takes in a number of the national parks in and around the Great Rift Valley, providing plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting.
• Read our full guide to Tanzania• Great safari camps and lodges in Tanzania
Why go in August? For coastal inspiration and Celtic culture
Reaching defiantly into the Atlantic surf, Brittany is one of the most rain-washed corners of France, but in summer you're more likely than not to get good weather. It's a blessing for events such as the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, where musicians and other artists from across the Celtic nations renew their ties every August, or the Festival des Filets Bleus (Festival of the Blue Nets) in the small port of Concarneau, which also keeps alive some of the region's distinct traditions. Splendid beaches are tucked among the rocks on all sides of this peninsula, including rosy-hued ones along the Pink Granite Coast west of Perros-Guirec. For all the appeal of sand and fishing boats, do not neglect the interior, including the Paimpont Forest, with its links to Arthurian legend.
UTracks has an eight-day Brittany Walled Towns itinerary that starts and ends in St Malo, with a suggested route that takes you to other highlights in the region.
• Read our full guide to France• Best beaches in France
Why go in August? For tropical beaches and kite-surfing in optimum conditions
The Indian Ocean island that was once home to the dodo serves well for getaway purposes in any month: temperature and rainfall differences over the year are not that extreme, and its microclimates add variety anyway. That said, August is near the end of the 'winter' months in Mauritius, with less rain, cooler evenings and trade winds from the southeast at their breeziest. Holidaymakers naturally gravitate to the more sheltered beaches on the north and west coasts, such as the many resorts around Grand Baie, but this is also a good time for less sweaty hikes in forest reserves and kite-surfing around the southwestern peninsula of Le Morne, with its white sands and Unesco-listed peak.
On a west-facing beach, LUX Le Morne has serene villas and open-plan pavilions around tropical gardens, with a wide choice of water-based activities within easy reach.
• Read our full guide to Mauritius• Best things to do in Mauritius• Best hotels in Mauritius
Why go in August? For a glorious Alpine break at the crossroads of Europe
The triple peak emblazoned on its flag leaves no doubt about the pride that Slovenia takes in its mountains, and specifically the highest of all — Triglav. It's the focus and summit of the Julian Alps, part of the wider European mountain range. The region's lakes and turquoise-blue Soca River dazzle under an August sun, and though they are big visitor draws (particularly Lake Bled), in the mountains you'll have more room to yourself than on Slovenia's tiny stretch of Adriatic coast. Summer experiences in the north and west range from sampling local wines, cheeses and ham among the hayracks of the Slovenian countryside to whitewater kayaking and even that national rite of passage, a climb up Mount Triglav itself.
The best way to see this part of the world is on foot, and Exodus Adventure Travels offers an eight-day Walking the Slovenian Alps itinerary that also includes free time to explore Lake Bled or historic Ljubljana.
• Read our full guide to Slovenia• Best city breaks for solo travellers• Discover our guide to the best walking holidays
Why go in August? For a picture-book summer on the Baltic Sea
You can only know the full glory of a Finnish summer if you've also experienced a Finnish winter. Across the country, people flock to lakeside cabins and forage for berries in the forest (including the prized cloudberry in Lapland, which is at the tail end of its season as August begins). You may have to deal with Finland's infamous mosquitoes, but the numbers drop as the month goes on, and you'll encounter them less if there's a sea breeze. The Archipelago Sea is where southwestern Finland seems to dissolve into the Baltic, and pitching up on one of its unnumbered islands is like inhabiting a children's book illustration come to life. As in Sweden, August is the high season for crayfish parties, so get your toasts ready.
Stay at Hotel Nestor on Korpo island, a wooden farmhouse once home to cows and horses and now a boutique place with a brilliant restaurant.
• Read our full guide to Finland• The world's most underrated cities
Why go in August? For active breaks in the mountains or lazy days in wine-country villas
Pretty much the whole Italian peninsula takes a holiday in August, with the days around Ferragosto on August 15 being notorious for busy roads. Even so, the sunlit call of il bel paese (the beautiful country) draws others in too. One place to spread out in is Piedmont — the second-largest region in Italy after Sicily — in the northwest. Though it has no coast (and therefore no packed-out beaches), there's Alpine scenery as seen at the end of The Italian Job; graceful Lake Orta and the western half of Lake Maggiore, and in the southern hills of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, a Unesco-listed landscape of rolling vineyards and perched villages fit to take some of the tourist pressure off Tuscany.
Try the Walking the Wine Villages of Piedmont tour from Exodus Adventure Travels. It pairs nine days of vineyards, truffles, hilltop villages and scenic hikes with overnights in luxury hotels.
• Read our full guide to Italy• The most beautiful places to visit in Italy• Discover our guide to the best wine holidays
Why go in August? For a straight plunge into the world's largest arts festival
In August, every space in the Scottish capital that could conceivably be turned into a performance venue is roped into service for the Edinburgh Festival. Or rather, festivals — not just the open-access Edinburgh Festival Fringe, now the best-known, but also the 'official' Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and more. Whether you're there for music, drama, arts exhibitions, literary talks or the chance to spot the next big name in comedy before they're famous, there is nowhere else this month with so many options in one place. August is a high-demand time for accommodation, of course — but if you have to stay outside town, some surrounding areas such as the Pentland Hills look especially fine in summer.
Behind a typical Georgian façade in Edinburgh's New Town, Eden Locke fits in 72 studio or larger apartments decorated in soft tones, each with a small kitchen; there's also an artisan coffee lounge and bar.
• Read our full guide to Edinburgh• Best things to do in Edinburgh• Best hotels in Edinburgh
Why go in August? For the best balance of waterfall-viewing and wildlife-spotting
When it comes to choosing the month to view the world's largest waterfall (if you multiply height by width), less is arguably more. The Zambezi River is at its fullest from roughly February to June, but as mighty as the Victoria Falls are at this time, immense clouds of spray mean you might struggle to actually see them. Visit in August and you'll find the cascade still flowing but no longer so obscured. You can view more of this cross-border natural wonder from Zimbabwe's side, but a combined visa called the UniVisa allows flexible travel to and from Zambia. Away from the falls, the thinner vegetation in dry season also makes for easier sightings on safari in places such as Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park and Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.
Get Your Guide runs a half-day excursion called Victoria Falls Tour: Zimbabwe and Zambia From Both Sides. The trip includes a look at the Batoka Gorges and a Victoria Falls Bridge walk.
• Read our full guide to Africa• Best safaris in Africa
Why go in August? For an island with plenty of variety
If you're looking to dodge peak season, look elsewhere. If, however, you want more than 300 hours of sunshine in a month and sea temperatures at their warmest, bank on the largest island in Spain. In beach terms, Mallorca dishes up long stretches of sand and countless calas (little coves and inlets), while inland you'll find plenty of secluded fincas for a farmhouse stay. August events include the battle re-enactment of La Patrona in the old town of Pollenca and open-air cinema by the striking cathedral in the capital, Palma. If the heat gets too much, you can find cooler corners in the mountain heights of the Serra de Tramuntana or while touring the island's wine cellars.
The other side of the hill from Pollenca town, and five miles from the beaches of the Bay of Pollenca, Son Brull Hotel & Spa is an 18th-century monastery turned rustic luxury retreat amid the vines.
• Best things to do in Mallorca• Read our full guide to Spain
Why go in August? For an alternative city break
Lake Lucerne twists between mountain lookouts, and its shores were the 'cradle of the Confederation', as celebrated on Swiss National Day on August 1. The month attracts visitors mostly for Alpine hiking, but you don't have to go to Switzerland with sturdy boots in your bag. As well as the scenery to admire on lake cruises or mountain railways, the country offers an array of city breaks with mountain views as a backdrop. One combined option involves arriving in Zurich — Switzerland's largest city, which in summer goes wild for badis (outdoor public swimming spots) — then travelling by train to Lucerne; its attractions include a historic covered bridge and standout transport museum, while the Lucerne Summer Festival brings more than 100 classical music concerts to town in August/September.
The Art Deco Hotel Montana watches over Lake Lucerne from its hillside vantage point (the hotel has a tiny funicular railway to transport guests).
• Read our full guide to Switzerland• Best destinations for solo female travellers
Why go in August? For fluttering prayer flags on the rooftop of India
Across most of India, August means monsoon rains. This can be good for boating trips on the Ganges in Varanasi, and (by traditional belief) it's the best time to take Ayurvedic treatment. For less umbrella use, opt for the milder monsoon season in the state of Rajasthan or head up into the Himalayas, to the hidden land of Ladakh. The mountains keep out rain clouds most of the year, but it's the mild warmth of the summer months that makes these a good time to explore this starkly beautiful region, with its many Buddhist monasteries. Even in its capital, Leh, you'll be above 3,500m (11,500ft), so remember to leave time to adjust to the altitude before touring or trying activities such as rafting on the Indus River.
World Expeditions runs a 15-day Beyond the Markha Valley tour, which starts and ends in Delhi. The trek includes hidden gems of the Indus Valley and the Tibetan borderlands. Visits to villages and monasteries in Ladakh are included.
• Read our full guide to India• Best places to visit in India
Why go in August? For festive times in Asia's only city state
Lying only about 90 miles north of the Equator, temperatures in Singapore change little over the year, though this is one of its less humid months. It also brings a bevy of festivals, beginning with parades and fireworks for National Day on August 9. The Singapore Night Festival later in the month involves colourful light displays and illuminations on public buildings, while the Hungry Ghost Festival (usually in August) is a time for traditional burnt paper offerings and outdoor concerts. Big events aside, August is one of the best times of year to take advantage of Singapore's regional hub status for a stopover, as the weather is favourable in many other southeast Asian destinations.
For pure spectacle there's not much that can top the Marina Bay Sands, a resort comprising three towers overlooking all the action on Singapore's central bay, supporting a vast infinity pool 57 floors up.
• Read our full guide to Singapore• Best things to do in Singapore
Why go in August? For exploring Brazil's second-biggest natural wonder
Winter in Brazil may not feel much different from summer in Europe. The weather in August is relatively dry in most parts of the country, and in Rio de Janeiro temperatures are generally in the low to mid-20s — one of the most comfortable times of year to explore this city of irrepressible spirit and natural beauty. It's hotter in the Amazon, but also a less likely time for rain. For wildlife experiences this month, though, nothing tops the Pantanal. The world's largest tropical wetland gets overshadowed by the world's largest rainforest, but this landscape of intertwining waterways choked with giant waterlilies is home to jaguars, tapirs, capybaras and giant anteaters.
Explore!'s 14-day Pure Brazil tour is a highlights reel of the country that includes a visit to the Pantanal, as well as Salvador, the Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro.
• Read our full guide to Brazil• Best beaches in Brazil
Why go in August? For a temperate summer break
If soaring temperatures elsewhere are putting you off but you don't want to travel too far, temperate Tallinn offers a good compromise. Reachable by plane in just under three hours from the UK, the Estonian capital is infused with Scandi cool, but the experience comes at a much more affordable price. The star of the show is the medieval old town, where cobbled streets lead you uphill to a bevy of gothic architecture and views of the Baltic Sea and the modern city from terraces as you work your way back down. An incongruous highlight is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an Orthodox cupola church built in the Russian revival style. Most Estonians will be heading for the countryside at this time of year — and you should join them in aesthetically pleasing settings such as Paaskula Bog, where a trail is carved through the pine forests.
While in town, stay at the centrally located Hotel Telegraaf, a gorgeous five-star property with a pool and a courtyard.
Why go in August? For hikes and road trips in the heights of the Rockies
The first of the month celebrates the statehood of Colorado — the only US state to sit entirely above 1,000m (3,280ft). West of Denver (the 'Mile High City'), the Rocky Mountains rise up sharply. Among their peaks and forested valleys are the hiking trails, cycling paths, foaming rivers and (later in the year) ski runs that have given this state such an outdoorsy reputation. Rocky Mountain National Park may only account for a small fraction of the Rockies, but it's a showroom of stern summits, serene lakes and alpine meadows. August is a popular time to visit, as the Trail Ridge Road across the Continental Divide is open to drivers only in the summer. It's not all wilderness, though: the university town of Boulder is also a great choice for farm-to-table dining and craft beer.
In the Rocky Mountain National Park gateway town of Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel is a stately lodging dating from 1909, with an odd point of pride: its sprawling corridors inspired Stephen King to write The Shining.
stanleyhotel.com
• Read our full guide to the US• Best time to visit Colorado
Why go in August? Adventures on ice (in short sleeves, if you're lucky)
The name Greenland may be one of history's most famous examples of misleading marketing, but for a short spell over the summer the coastal fringes of the island are indeed free of snow, revealing the hardy plants that live here. Temperatures don't go much into double digits, though highs of 20C are not unknown. August days are still long in this land where every view is epic and wildlife sightings include grazing musk oxen and humpback whales passing close to shore. For all the value in seeing the country at its least frozen, one of the most impressive sights here is the Ilulissat Icefjord, which feeds icebergs into Disko Bay.
Ilulissat Adventure runs a range of tours and excursions in the Disko Bay area in August. Its day-long Disko Bay Explorer tour includes an Icefjord cruise, lunch, hiking and a visit to the village of Oqaatsut.
ilulissatadventure.com
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Why go in August? To see humpback whales
When reaching a South Pacific archipelago involves travelling 10,000 miles (from the UK) on multiple flights courtesy of tickets costing four figures, compelling motivation is essential. Luckily, Tonga has a unique string to its bow: there's no better place on earth to see humpback whales. As the mighty, musical cetaceans come here from Antarctica between July and September to calve, responsible local operators can safely get divers and snorkellers thrillingly close. Manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles should also be encountered. Try the northerly Vava'u group of islands, where some of Tonga's finest white-sand beaches await.
Adventure tour operator Natural High offers tailor-made Tonga itineraries, including helping with all the complicated travel logistics.
naturalhighsafaris.com
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