Where to go when guide
Tied to school vacations, keen to miss the monsoon season or hoping for an off season deal?
Best places to go on vacation in July
There’s no getting away from it – July is peak season in much of the world and the most popular attractions can be overrun and overwhelming, not to mention expensive. Leave popular hotspots such as Venice and Barcelona behind and head for the Carpathian Mountains or the Austrian countryside for respite from the heat and crowds. Or navigate the waters of the Aegean or Croatia, choosing a small ship voyage that keeps away from the busy cruise routes.
It’s all about the outdoors in Europe in July, with dry, warm weather that’s perfect for getting active both underwater and on dry land. ![]()
Unless you like the combination of seasonal downpours and peak summer vacation prices then much of the Caribbean and Southeast Asia is best avoided, with the exception of Indonesia and Malaysia, where it’s the perfect time to see orangutans. For a wild card, Australian winter is a revelation: head for Tasmania for sunny skies and tip-top hiking conditions. Keep reading to find out more about the best places to go on vacation in July.
July vacation activities
Activity vacations
Montenegro’s beaches are bursting with tourists at this time of year, but head into the countryside and it’s cloud and crowd free – just right for a zip-lining, canyoning, rafting extravaganza. While Spain’s popular beaches are heaving, in the Spanish Pyrenees and you can find peace (and cooler temperatures) walking through national parks and learning to cook in traditional mountain villages.
Self drive
There’s a real romance to hitting the road in Europe in the summer – windows down, wind in your hair, stop-offs at Mediterranean beaches… however the rest of the continent is in on it too, so you’ll also have traffic jams and high-season prices to contend with. Wild card? Try traversing the Tasmanian countryside, meeting the locals one B&B at a time. Both the wilderness and the winter sunshine are glorious.Small ship cruises
Rocking up in Venice on a mega ship is a big no-no – stick to a small ship cruise or sailing vacation that gets you away from the busiest routes and keeps your impact minimal. It’s hot, hot, hot in Croatia and Greece at this time of year, but the water’s clear and calm. A cruise around Scotland’s west coast, meanwhile, brings with it superb marine wildlife and birdlife.
Costa Rica wildlife vacation
An amazing variety of Costa Rican wildlife
From
US $5330 to US $7405
15 days
ex flights
Altiplano de Granada activity vacation, Spain
Multi-activity family vacation in the Spanish Lake District
From
€495 to €793
8 days
ex flights
Algarve self guided cycling vacation in Portugal
Great food & wine, historical towns, breathtaking coastline
From
€975 to €1175
8 days
ex flights
Sweden activity vacation, Stockholm countryside
Multi-activity tour in Stockholm's picturesque countryside
From
SKr 12945
7 days
ex flights
Amalfi Coast and Bay of Naples vacations
One of Europe's most dramatic stretches of coastline
From
US $2310 to US $2955
8 days
ex flights
Luxury small ship cruise in Croatia
Luxury small ship cruise through Croatia's Islands
From
£1875 to £3135
8 days
ex flights
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Wellness
Plenty of fresh air and the feeling of warm sun on your skin is enough to enhance your mood already. Throw in some al fresco yoga and you’ll be really relaxed. All our wellness retreats are in full swing in July; head for Austria for a backdrop of snow-capped mountains or Greece for views across olive groves to the sea.
Wildlife vacations
It’s bear season in the deep, dark forests and mountains of the Carpathians and you can join a tour to search for these creatures in the wild – bring a torch for night-time tracking! Tanzania’s dry plains make it easier to spot wildlife and the wildebeest migration is in full swing, while in the Azores wildlife encounters come in the form of swimming with wild dolphinsWhere to go in July that isn't too hot?
This might be the hottest month of the year for much of Europe, but you can seek reprieve from the heat at altitude. Consider spending summer in Switzerland (average daily high 21°C in the Alps) to sun yourself by a beautiful lake – though prepare for afternoon rain showers. In Spain, whilst lowland plains might be hot, the Spanish Pyrenees enjoy a manageable average high of 23°C and the Picos de Europa, 26°C. In France, the Dordogne is popular with visitors from northern Europe, with highs of 27°C. Head north for cooler climes; in Scandinavia, the sun sets late, and the Finnish summer (average daily high in July in Helsinki, 21°C) revolves around long summer evenings at lakeside huts. The Baltics are lovely in high summer. In Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia there are temperatures cool enough to explore widely and relax at forest-fringed lakes. In southern England, it’s around 22°C – and a lovely, green time to be outdoors.
More Best places to go in July articles
Where to go on vacation in July depends on whether you fancy relaxing or getting active.
Peruse our top 10 July vacations, from orangutans in Borneo to serenity in Scotland. We’ve chosen them for their popularity.
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