Highlights
Where’s hot
August is a fantastic time to visit Europe as the weather remains hot in many places and you have an excellent chance even in the UK. It’s hot in Asia too, though you’ll have to put up with the rain from time to time…
| TOWN, Country | Temperatures | Min° | Max° | Wet Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Djerba, Tunisia | 23 | 34 | 1 | |
| Darwin, Australia | 22 | 33 | 0 | |
| Bali, Indonesia | 24 | 32 | 4 | |
| Florence, Italy | 20 | 32 | 5 | |
| Srinagar, India | 19 | 32 | 5 | |
| Lisbon, Portugal | 18 | 29 | 2 | |
| Istanbul Turkey | 20 | 29 | 4 | |
| Honolulu, USA | 24 | 29 | 13 | |
| Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | 20 | 29 | 7 | |
| Rabat, Morocco | 19 | 29 | 0 |
Where to go
There’s not a shortage of options for August holidays, so it depends on what you’re looking for when it comes to picking the best destination. For families, there are loads of options throughout Europe, whilst the more adventurous should head to Asia and India in particular. If you love wildlife, then August is an ideal time to go on safari…
Africa
Kenya
August is a great month to go on safari in Kenya. The wildebeest migration will normally arrive at the Masai Mara reserve in the month of July and will stay there through August and September, before migrating back to the Serengeti in Tanzania in October time. So for excellent game viewing in one of the safest countries in Africa, this is the best time to travel to Kenya (although viewing is also pretty good all year round). During August, there will be less rain and therefore less humidity and fewer mosquitoes to contend with. This is a major plus point for those who don’t cope well with muggy weather, but note that the parks can also get a little crowded around this time of year.
Uganda
From the snow-topped mountains of Rwenzori to the beautiful and vast Lake Victoria, Uganda’s landscape has much to offer in terms of diversity. It is also one of the best destinations in the world for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, and August is the perfect month to embark on a wildlife adventure. This is the dry season and although it’s the most popular time to visit, it never gets too crowded and you will always have plenty of room to explore. The remote Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is renowned for its fantastic gorilla sanctuary, whilst the Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest is the place to go for waterfall walks and other rare wildlife.
Republic of the Congo
Not to be confused with The Democratic Republic of Congo, The Republic of the Congo is safe to travel to and is spared the political problems of neighbouring DRC. Located on the west coast of Africa and bordering Gabon and Angola, this country is a major port and is covered by 50% rainforest. Providing a home to a large population of gorillas, with excellent viewing throughout the year. The equatorial position of the Republic of Congo means that humidity is high all year round, with daytime temps of 24°C and evening temps of around 16°C. But the driest period to visit is between May and September, making August the ideal month to avoid rain and mosquitoes.
Further Reading – Getaway
Asia
India
August is in the middle of monsoon season so it can get rainy at this time of year. But as many locals will tell you, embracing the rain will take you to some great places. Lush greenery will be all around and some of the most beautiful areas are Munnar in Kerala (with rolling tea gardens and spice plantations), Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya (great for monsoon trekking), Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu (with wonderful waterfall walks), and the Lahaul-Spiti Valleys in Himachal Pradesh (with monasteries and wildlife trails). The climate depends on where you go, but you can expect average temperatures of around 28°C during the daytime, sometimes even reaching highs of 30°C or more with lots of humidity. But this will drop to a more comfortable 26°C when the sun goes down.
Further Reading – Aussie on the Roads
Myanmar
There’s also high rainfall in Myanmar during the summer months. Rain can be constant and can last a very long time, but this is when the landscape is at its most beautiful. Vegetation will be at its greenest and the scenery is truly spectacular. Festivals include the Taungbyone Nat Festival and the Yadana Gu Nat Festival (both events dedicated to spiritual mediums and making offerings of food, flowers and money). Plus, there are endless walking routes to embark on at this time of year if you don’t mind getting wet. Daily temps will range from 24-32°C.
Further Reading – Seth Lui
Japan
Visit Japan in the hottest month of the year and hit the beaches of Shirahama or the gorgeous Miyako Islands. The islands, such as Miyakojima, are known for their spectacular resorts, beautiful beachfronts, and coral reefs. The waters are warm (perfect for snorkelling) and are abundant in exotic wildlife. Temperatures of 35°C and over aren’t unusual and it can get very humid, but this is without a doubt the best month for festivals. Some of the events you won’t want to miss are the Asakusa Samba Carnival in Tokyo at the end of the month, the Daimonji evening ceremony in Kyoto, and the Pole Lantern Festival in Akita City. Beer gardens are popular in the summer heat and there are plenty of cooling foods to enjoy (such as cold noodles or shaved iced desserts).
Further Reading – On Time Travel
Europe
Scotland
August brings warm weather to Scotland, which makes for a nice change in this northern country often branded for being a chilly destination. So for those who prefer pleasant conditions for walking and hiking, this is the perfect time to plan your visit. The Scottish Highlands has an endless choice of routes, including the seven-mile summit to Ben Lomond, The Saddle at Kintail, The Ring of Steall at Mamores, or the easy two-mile hike to The Quiraing on the Isle of Skye. The weather can still be changeable but will range from around 15°C to 17°C throughout the month.
Further Reading – Independent
Poland
Summer has definitely arrived in Poland, with average daytime temperatures of around 18°C. Making it lovely and warm for exploring cities such as Warsaw, Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan and Torun. This also a wonderful time of year to visit the Bialowieza Forest. It has a number of superb campsites and holiday sites, where you can spend a few days enjoying the wilderness. It is Poland’s oldest national park and is the perfect destination for walking, cycling and wildlife spotting (home to big mammals like the European Bison, the Red deer, Wild Boar, Elk, and Roe Deer).
Further Reading – Hand Luggage Only
Bulgaria
You can expect a daily average of 22°C, which makes August a good time to explore Bulgaria’s beautiful coastline. The Sunny Beach resort areas is particularly well known for its long stretch of sand, it’s choice of hotels and excellent water sports, and awesome nightlife. The city of Varna also boasts a lovely waterfront with stylish restaurants, whilst Sozopol is the ideal sunny spot to take the whole family as it features a great waterpark and castle. Also not to be missed when the weather is nice and hot are the Seven Rila Lakes and the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon.
Further Reading – LOREM IPSUM
Americas
Vancouver
August promises brilliant weather in Vancouver, with daytime averages of around 14-22°C and low chance of rainfall. The warm and dry climate makes it ideal for an outdoor adventure, such as exploring the cycling trails around the city, an excursion of Bowen Island, visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a speed boat whale watching tour. The city itself is home to some fantastic park areas, including Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park which are great for scenic strolls. And the stunning waterfront at English Bay is not to be missed either.
Further Reading – LOREM IPSUM
Bermuda
Expect hot weather and lively resorts during the summertime in Bermuda. This is the island territory’s busiest period for tourism, so book in advance to avoid disappointment. The daily temps can be anywhere between a lovely 25°C to a hot 30°C, so be sure to pack your sunscreen! Visit Hamilton to explore the gorgeous waterfront and pastel coloured colonial buildings, head over to St. George’s for history and architecture, or escape from the hustle and bustle at the idyllic Somerset Village.
Further Reading – LOREM IPSUM
Ecuador
August is the hottest month in Quito, Ecuador and it is also in the middle of the dry season. Making it ideal for those who prefer a pleasant climate for exploring the great outdoors. Some of the things you have to add to your travel bucket list include hiking at Quilotoa, taking a boat tour to the beautiful Baltra Island, beach camping under the stars at Galapagos National Park, and climbing the Chimborazo. For food, nightlife and culture, be sure to book a few nights in Ecuador’s most iconic cities. We particularly love the street food markets of Quito, and boardwalk shopping in Guayaquil.
Further Reading – LOREM IPSUM
Holiday types
Different people want different things, and not every August holiday destination will be the right one for you, regardless of what the weather’s like. If you want to choose your location based on what you like doing, you can see the best spots below…
Family Holidays
Kefalonia makes a great introduction to the Greek Islands for families travelling with children, and the weather is wonderful at this time of year!
Le Marche has some of the best beaches for kids, due to the warm shallow waters. An area in this region is also known as the ‘Land of Castles’, which will fuel your child’s imagination.
Expect glorious weather, long hours of sunshine and a fantastic family atmosphere in Montenegro. Don’t miss Budva for the beaches, and be sure to spend a few days by the lake at Perast in Boka Bay.
Activity
For something totally unique, why not try deep-sea fishing in Indonesia? This is the most common fishing method in Bali and tour operators will take you to the most exotic fishing locations.
Get the adrenaline pumping with a sandboarding adventure in Namibia. Both stand up and lie down boarding is available and no previous experience is necessary for this action-packed activity.
For a full-body workout and amazing views, book a cycling holiday in Catalonia. Some gentle routes to try include Girona Green Way starting in the foothills of the Pyrenees, the Terres de l’Ebre Reserve, and Montnegre Corredor Natural Park.
Honeymoon
There are plenty of brilliant destinations for a honeymoon in August. South Luangwa and Nkwichi are famed for their specialist walking safaris, ideal for newlyweds who love action and adventure.
Sunsets rarely get more beautiful than those seen on The Amalfi Coast. The view from Positano is made for romantics, and the glamorous island of Capri is the perfect place to celebrate your marriage.
The incredible city of Montreal is the ideal mix of city and sea. Enjoy fine dining, sightseeing and culture or hit the waterfront and find an urban beach to wind down and relax.
City Breaks
Discover the city of Belgrade, Serbia’s soulful capital in the heat of August. The Beogradska Tvrđava fortress is not to be missed, and the island of Ada Ciganlija is wonderful when the weather is good.
Visit Oslo in the summer for pleasant weather, with daytime highs of 21°C or more. This is the perfect time to go sightseeing and to explore the beautiful harbour area.
The charming city of Ljubljana in Slovenia comes to life in the summer months. The cobbled streets lined with locals and tourists enjoying al fresco dining, and the nearby Lake Bled is ideal for swimming in at this time of year.
Nature Breaks
Enjoy a wildlife tour of Belize and track the Margay, Ocelot, Puma or Jaguar in the jungle. Popular tours include the Black Hole Drop, the Maya Ruins, and the Belize Botanical Gardens.
A wildlife immersion experience or bear viewing day trip in Alaska is one of the most magical things you can do with the family. Brooks Falls is renowned for its bears, and you can often see them fishing in the water.
Jaguar tracking is a great summer activity. Head to the Pantanal area in Brazil where this big cat is abundant and learn more about the wildlife in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Events and festivals
You don’t need to look far for exciting events and festivals in August. Have a chuckle at the world’s largest comedy festival in Edinburgh, get soaked in tomato in Bunol or stay a little cleaner at the Palio de Siena…
Palio
Sienna, Italy
2 August
The Palio di Siena Festival is a traditional horse race, held twice every year (once in July and once in August). This is the perfect family event for the summer, with a lively atmosphere and amazing food on offer throughout the day.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland
3 August
This is the largest arts festival in the world, with a month-long programme of events suitable for the whole family. Including dance and theatre, comedy shows, live music, poetry readings and spoken word, exhibitions, opera, and kid’s workshops.
The Sziget Festival
Budapest, Hungary
8 August
One of the biggest events to take place in Budapest and Europe, this summer festival takes place on the 108-hectare island of Obudai-sziget on the Danube River. With more than 1,000 performances each year and world-famous headliners.
Esala Perahera
Sri Lanka
18 August
Sri Lanka’s Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist festivals in the world, featuring beautiful light displays and elephant parades in the evening.
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill, UK
26 August
A colourful carnival that brings the Notting Hill neighbourhood to life, celebrating black British culture since the 1960s. Expect everything from samba and reggae to the best goat curry in town.
La Tomatina
Buñol
29 August
Join in the food fight at La Tomatina, a tomato throwing festival that attracts thousands of locals and tourists each year. The event has no religious links and is purely for entertainment purposes – lots of fun if you don’t mind the mess!
Places to avoid
It’s not all wonderful news for places to visit in August. If you want to hear the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, then read on.
Here are the places we’d recommend steering clear of in August…
- Europe – without wishing to contradict ourselves, the problem with Europe being so great to visit in August, is that many people choose to do it. That means that many places are overcrowded and expensive. We’d still recommend it, but it’s worth digging a little beneath the surface to avoid the most popular places and find the hidden gems that still have great weather, but come without the hoards of tourists.
- Las Vegas – it is particularly hot in August, so out in the desert Sin City is difficult to handle. If you choose to visit, it will be the sun making you sweat, not the roulette wheel.
Here’s what we would do
Greece
The world is your oyster in August with such a huge variety of places to choose from. However, we have a sneaky passion for sailing in Greece, so we’d choose the secret option that we haven’t even talked about so far.
With beautiful weather and the potential to avoid the crowds, we would take to the seas and cruise around the lesser-known Greek Islands.
We’d explore islands like Elafonisos, Koufonisia and Milos. These places aren’t packed with luxurious resorts, but instead offer an insight into old Greece and reflect the slow pace of island life.
If you want a taste of luxury you can do this by choosing a boat befitting, but we think the joy of this trip is getting away from the pace of everyday life and enjoying the simple things.
IMAGE CREDITS
Palio di Siena – Wpopp – cropped
Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Festival Fringe Society – cropped
Sziget Festival – Derzsi Elekes Andor – cropped
Esala Perahera – Daniel Liabeuf – cropped
Notting Hill Carnival – David Sedlecký – cropped
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