Highlights
Where’s hot
Make the most of it being hot in Europe and head to any of the beach destinations. You’re also in with the best chance of some good weather in the UK, so destinations like Cornwall and Scotland make for wonderful coastal trips…
| TOWN, Country | Temperatures | Min° | Max° | Wet Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya, Turkey | 23 | 34 | 0 | |
| Darwin, Australia | 20 | 32 | 0 | |
| Jakarta, Indonesia | 24 | 32 | 5 | |
| Rethymnon, Crete | 23 | 31 | 0 | |
| Bucharest, Romania | 17 | 31 | 10 | |
| Tirana, Albania | 17 | 31 | 5 | |
| Naples, Italy | 19 | 30 | 2 | |
| Makatea, French Polynesia | 23 | 30 | 10 | |
| Colombo, Sri Lanka | 26 | 30 | 12 | |
| Rabat, Morocco | 18 | 29 | 0 |
Where to go
There’s almost too much choice in July, but if you want to avoid crowds you’ll have to be a bit inventive. That said sometimes the crowds are worth enduring to see a destination at its peak…
Africa
The Serengeti, Tanzania
The months of June and July are without a doubt the best months to visit The Serengeti. This is because of the Great Migration, where over one million wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate clockwise around the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem. Viewing is at its highest around this time, and the movement of animals as they search for greener pastures in unison is a sight to behold. The weather is also pretty good too, with little to no rainfall and lovely afternoon temperatures of around 25°C. As the weather is dry, this is also a very safe time to travel with few mosquitos and a lower risk of malaria contraction.
Etosha, Namibia
Etosha National Park is an iconic national park located in northwest Namibia, famed for its fantastic safari tours and campsites. It is home to four of the Big Five animals, and game viewing is awesome at this time of year. July is peak dry season, with hot and sunny weather boasting delightful highs of 27°C or over, and this means that animals can be easily spotted around rivers and waterholes. Cold morning temperatures mean that you should pack a few layers, especially if you plan on morning safari drives. This month is the high season though, so book travel and accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Robben Island, South Africa
This beautiful island in Table Bay is located off the coast of Bloubergstrand in Cape Town. And it is perhaps best known for its Cape Fur Seal population (thus having the Dutch name translating to ‘Seal Island’). It is also a haven for 132 species of birds (including endangered species) and features a wide spectrum of sea mammals such as dolphins and whales. Further inland, there are 23 other species of animals and the island’s geology (formed from a submerged mountain) is truly unique. Expect temperatures of around 11-20°C with some chance of rain in July.
Asia
Indonesia
Bang in the middle of the dry season, Indonesia is a superb destination for just about everyone. Hit the famous city of Jakarta for shopping, sightseeing, children’s theme parks and unbeatable street food. Explore the verdant rice paddies near Ubud in Bali and wind down on the beach or go island hopping around the Gilis. Get off the beaten track and track orangutans in the jungles of Borneo. Or tour the temples and visit the country’s top museums in Denpasar, the nation’s exciting capital. Warm, tropical temps will be averaging around 28°C during the day, but be sure to pack some layers for the evening.
Auckland, New Zealand
With two large harbours, a great choice of beaches, and an iconic Sky Tower boasting panoramic views, Auckland in New Zealand is the perfect destination to offer the best of both worlds. Here you can enjoy both city and sea, and with temps of around 8-14°C in July, the climate is mostly comfortable. There’s a high chance of rain compared to other months, but sunshine hours are guaranteed. This is a good time to come because tourism drops off, so you won’t have to contend with busy attractions, queues or overcrowded venues. Some of the things you won’t want to miss are the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium and Auckland Zoo.
Singapore
Tourists visit all throughout the year and the country generally remains hot and humid in every season. But if you want to experience Singaporean culture at its best, we recommend taking a trip in July. This is considered to be the festive season and events include the Great Singapore Sale and the Singapore Food Festival. The temperature can be extremely hot and can range anywhere between 26°C and as high as 31°C or over. Be sure to check out Sentosa Island whilst you’re there, and the Night Safari is a must for families travelling with children.
Europe
Dordogne, France
The French Department of Dordogne is set within the southwest of the country, located between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees Mountains. This region is home to prehistoric caves with paintings in the Vezere Valley. And the well-known town of Perigueux is a favourite for its striking Cathedrale St-Front, an architectural gem featuring 5 domes, as well as being home to the Vesunna Museum. The weather is wonderfully lush in the month of July, and the height of summer promises highs of around 26°C or more. With plenty of sunshine hours and comfortable evening temperatures. Some of the towns and communes you won’t want to miss are Sarlat-la-Canéda, Bergerac and La Roque-Gageac.
Cornwall, UK
For a relaxing seaside break in the UK, there is no destination quite like the country of Cornwall. The southern region offers some of the most spectacular ocean views and there are so many beaches to choose from. The famous resort town of Newquay is suitable for families, groups and all ages, including plenty of attractions to keep the kids entertained. For panoramic vistas and amusement centres, the famous Land’s End is a must, whilst picturesque harbours and fishing villages (such as Coverack, Boscastle and Polperro) offer the ultimate escape from city life. From surfing, sailing, swimming to beachcombing, Cornwall has it all for the perfect family break.
Reykjavik, Iceland
This chilly destination is at its hottest in July – so if you don’t like the cold, be sure to travel in the peak of summer. At this time of year, the temperature will range from around 10-15°C with over 6 hours of sunshine. Making it such a pleasant time to go exploring or walking around the city. From the city, you can also book day tours to experience the Golden Circle (Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall) or to the world-renowned Blue Lagoon in Grindavik. With lovely warm temps, the Blue Lagoon spa will be all the more enticing and you won’t want to leave…
Americas
Tahiti, French Polynesia
The weather in July is hot and dry, with daily averages of around 19-26°C and little chance of rain. Making Tahiti the ideal beach escape in the Americas. Located in French Polynesia, this exotic island is worlds away from the stresses of life in the city. Giving you an untouched landscape of crystal clear waters for swimming, white sandy beaches to laze on all day, lush green hills and parks for hiking, and some of the most luxurious 5 star overwater bungalows to call your own. This has ‘honeymoon’ and ‘romantic break’ written all over it…
Yosemite, USA
Yosemite National Park is one of California’s most incredible national attractions, home to the vast Sierra Nevada Mountains, the beautiful Bridalveil Waterfall, and the surreal granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. Some of these natural sights are unbelievable to see. Simply put, this place is a photographer’s dream. So if you’re looking for a holiday destination with a view, this is the place to book for the summer. The driest time of the year to visit is July when there’s little to no chance of rainfall. But prepare for a heatwave as the weather can be anything from a lovely 15°C to a whopping 32°C in the daytime.
Cartagena, Colombia
The city of Cartagena can give you the best of both worlds, a mix of both city and beach. Set along the beautiful Caribbean coast, this fabulous destination in Colombia has a seriously tropical feel and even the city’s architecture reflects this. Walkthrough the walled Old Town area along the cobbled streets to see the colourful houses and unique colonial buildings. For the ultimate sun, sea and sand experience, the best beaches include Punta Arena or Playa Blanca located less than 40 minutes away. From the port of Cartagena, you can also get to the palm-lined white beaches of Isla de Baru.
Holiday types
There’s no shortage of options for a family holiday in July as all the popular European hotspots fill up. It’s also a time to see things in a different light, and the Alps in summer puts a different spin on an activity holiday…
Family Holidays
Corfu Island is one of the best Greek islands for a family holiday. There are so many attractions for children, including the beaches, Corfu Aquarium, and Europe’s best waterpark at Aqualand.
Turkey is also an excellent destination for families, with a choice of resorts that can cater to kids as well as adults. Many of the hotels feature Kids’ Clubs and there are over 300 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches to choose from.
Located close to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon is a must-see attraction that should be added to every family’s bucket list. With mind-blowing viewpoints that will seriously wow all ages!
Activity
July is one of the best months to go skiing in Argentina, as it sits right in the middle of the ski season. This is the time to go for dry powder snow and amazing views of the lakes and mountains.
The Alps may be a skiing destination in the winter, but summer sees French resorts transform into outdoor adventure hubs. Some of the best places for white water rafting include Montgenevre or Thonon-les-Bains.
Walking holidays in Bulgaria are excellent in the height of summertime. The Rodopi Mountains are a favourite amongst hikers and the daily temps can reach as much as 30°C.
Honeymoon
For an authentic Italian travel experience, book your honeymoon in Puglia. A region best known for its amazing views from the Salento Peninsula and outstanding local cuisine. This is foodie heaven and a honeymoon in July promises hours of sunshine.
Lake Malawi is fantastic for honeymooning couples who want luxury by the water. With awe-inspiring scenery, 5 star lodges and white sand beaches, you won’t believe that you’re not at the coast.
Another top beach destination is Koh Samui in Thailand, well known for its exclusive resorts and spa hotels. Come here for romance and total relaxation and spend your days relaxing under the palm trees.
City Breaks
For a weekend break with a great mix of both sea and city, head to Porto (located in northwest Portugal). This is definitely the place to come if you enjoy wine tasting and walking around looking at sights.
Barcelona is perfect for a long weekend and it promises a bustling atmosphere in the summer. With a great beach, amazing shopping and delicious food markets, plenty of squares for daytime drinking, and unbeatable nightlife.
For the ultimate city getaway for groups, couples or families, we recommend Miami in Florida. It has everything, including attractions for all ages and food to suit every taste.
Nature Breaks
One of the most magical natural phenomena to happen in the world is The Great Migration, seen from Kenya and Tanzania. This is the ultimate nature break in July when viewing is at its best!
Experience the Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe, where two-thirds of the waterfalls can be seen. The best viewing platforms can be found here and the weather in July is ideal for exploring this area.
July brings amazing dry weather to Indonesia, from its bustling cities to its beaches and amazing islands. Bali is a must if you want to see postcard-perfect rice fields, and Borneo is perfect for getting off the beaten path.
Events and festivals
You can keep things classic in July and soak up Independence Day in the US, or you can go a little crazy and head to the wife-carrying championships in Finland. And everything in between…
Independence Day
USA
4 July
Celebrate Independence Day, the day that the thirteen colonies of America secured independence from the British Empire back in 1776. Street parades occur in most cities across the US and fireworks are common across every location.
Wife-Carrying Championships
Sonkajärvi, Finland
6 July
Perhaps one of the most bizarre and exciting events, held annually in Sonkajärvi. Male competitors race whilst each carrying their wife (or female teammate) and the prize is the woman’s weight in beer! Great fun to watch attracting huge crowds.
Nadaam Festival
Mongolia
11 July
The Nadaam Festival is a one of a kind event, created to reveal the unique beauty and intricacies of nomadic Mongolian culture. It features marches and music from soldiers and monks, as well as sporting events and hunting displays.
Reggae Sumfest
Jamaica
15 July
Jamaica’s premier music event, the Reggae Festival takes place every July to mark the start of summer. With fantastic line-ups, live entertainment, amazing street food and plenty of sunshine and hot weather for party-goers.
Virgen del Carmen Festival
Paucartambo, Peru
16 July
Head to Paucartambo, a small town a few hours east from Cusco in Peru to experience the unique and spectacular Virgen del Carmen Festival. Join the locals as they celebrate with colourful costumes and masks, blessing those present and scaring away demons.
Verona Opera Festival
Verona, Italy
July
A summer festival dedicated to opera. Guests can enjoy amazing music from some of Europe’s biggest opera stars in the most incredible outdoor setting at the Arena di Verona. Tickets are available for individual performances throughout the course of the month.
Places to avoid
Monsoons and overheating remain the main problems for holidays in July, so make sure you don’t accidentally book yourself on a plane to one of these no-go zones…
- Asia – it’s still monsoon season through most of Asia, so other than the few options highlighted above, steer clear.
- Senegal – if the heat and humidity aren’t getting the better of you, then the intermittent rains will. Give it a miss for now.
Here’s what we would do
UK
July is the perfect time for a UK break. There’s no better place when the sun shines.
If the weather is good then the UK has so much to see and do. Incredible culture to soak up in its cities, breathtaking landscapes and beaches that you’d mistake for Caribbean islands.
Obviously a stop in London sightseeing around its castles, bridges and buildings is a must, but don’t stay too long so you have time to explore Oxford and Cambridge too.
We’d try some surfing in Cornwall, or maybe a cottage in Yorkshire as a base for some walking in the Dales. Then head north and find your way to the beaches on the west coast of Scotland. So good, the Thai tourist board used a picture of one for its own promotion…
IMAGE CREDITS
Wife Carrying Championships – U.S. Air Force photo/Cortney Paxton – cropped
Nadaam Festival – Zazaa Mongolia – cropped
Virgen del Carmen – Tipene78 – cropped
