The best places to visit in July

July is summer time. I actually prefer to spend more time in the UK at this time of year, making the most of the few weeks of sun we get at home. But for a lot of people, school holidays mean this is the start of holiday season. Plus, if you want to explore Europe in the sunshine, that might mean missing some of the UK’s rare sunshine to take advantage of it in other countries that share similar seasons to us.

These are some of the best places to go in July.

In Europe

Azores

July brings stable, sunny weather to the Azores. This month is ideal for exploring the islands without worrying about sudden showers. Hike around crater lakes, swim in natural rock pools, and enjoy warm evenings cooled by the Atlantic breeze. It’s one of those rare places that still feels wild and untouched, even in midsummer.

Find out how we spent three weeks in the Azores here.

Berlin

Berlin in July is one long outdoor season. Stroll street food markets in the parks, swim in the lakes, and check out one of the city’s open-air concerts. Expect warm weather, late sunsets, and a perfect blend of history, culture, music, art, and festivals in Berlin in August.

Find out how we spent a long weekend in Berlin here.

Cappadocia

By July, Cappadocia is hot. But that early morning light makes every sunrise balloon flight worth it. Visit the valleys at dawn or dusk when the temperatures are softer, and spend the day exploring ancient underground cities or cooling off with Turkish tea in shaded cafes to stay out of the midday heat.

Find out how we spent a long weekend in Cappadocia here.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen in July feels effortlessly relaxed. Locals bike to the harbour to swim before work, street food stalls fill the docks, and the city’s parks are alive with picnics. The weather’s mild, the nights are long, and it’s the perfect time to see the Danish capital at its most easygoing.

Find out how we spent a long weekend in Copenhagen here.

Dublin

July is Dublin at its liveliest. The festival calendar is packed, the days stretch late into the evening, and there’s a lively feeling everywhere you go. Between the city’s pubs, coastal walks, and day trips into the countryside, you’ll find plenty of ways to soak up a bit of Irish summer.

Here’s how we spent a weekend in Dublin.

Edinburgh

In July, Edinburgh starts to buzz ahead of festival season. The weather’s warm enough for climbing Arthur’s Seat or picnicking in the Meadows, and long daylight hours mean you can wander the cobbled streets well into the evening. It’s a great month to see the city at its most local before August’s Fringe Festival crowds arrive (and push up the price of accommodation!).

Here’s how we spent a long weekend in Edinburgh.

Kefalonia

Kefalonia shines in July. The sea is a perfect blue, the evenings are long and balmy, and the beaches are at their best. It’s an island that manages to stay laid-back even in midsummer, making it the perfect Greek island to rent a car, explore a few hidden coves, and slow things down for a week or two.

Read our Kefalonia travel guide here.

Lisbon

Lisbon in July is all about sunlit mornings and late-night dinners outdoors. Expect bright skies, busy squares, and the smell of grilled sardines drifting through the streets. The city can get hot, but the breeze from the river keeps it pleasant enough for exploring or hopping on the tram to the coast.

Read our Lisbon itinerary here.

Paris / Lille

Paris in July feels golden. Locals leave for the holidays, which means quieter mornings in the cafés, open-air cinemas along the Seine, and long evenings for walks or wine by the river. Lille, meanwhile, is warm and lively. The city is full of terrace dining, weekend markets, and an easy-going summer atmosphere.

Read our itinerary for a weekend in Paris here.

Riga, Latvia

In July, Riga’s art nouveau facades glow in the evening sun, open-air dining spots and bars line the river, and there’s a relaxed vibe that suits long summer days. It’s the kind of place you can explore on foot, one ice cream (or cocktail) stop at a time.

Find out how we spent three days in Riga here.

Santorini

July is Santorini’s big season. The cloudless days, warm water, and world-famous sunsets mean it’s extra busy… but there’s a reason everyone wants to be here. Stay a little outside the main towns, take early morning walks along the caldera, and you’ll still find plenty of quiet corners to enjoy the island’s beauty.

Find out how we spent a week in Santorini here.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallin’s medieval old town looks perfect in the July sun, and the Baltic coast offers the kind of stillness you don’t often find in a capital. Even in what is often considered a peak tourist month in most capital cities, we found Tallinn to be calm and pleasant in July. It’s a great month for the slow exploration of small galleries, sea strolls, and evening wanders through the cobbled streets.

Read our full Tallinn itinerary here.

The UK / Channel Islands

July is one of the best months for weather in the UK. The fields are green, the beaches are warm, and the countryside is filled with a summer energy that feels unique to this part of the world. From Cornwall to Guernsey, this is the time for picnics, seaside walks, and taking in long, golden evenings that make you forget what rain feels like (for a few days, at least!).

Discover our favourite spots in the UK and the Channel Islands here.

Warsaw

Warsaw in July is open-air everything: concerts, bars, cafes, and river walks. The city feels full of energy, and each neighbourhood has its own version of summer fun. It’s warm without being unbearable and packed with places to eat, drink, and unwind outdoors.

Find our favourite things to do in a long weekend in Warsaw here.

In Africa

Namibia

July is Namibia at its most dramatic. Clear skies, crisp mornings, and dry conditions make for incredible wildlife viewing and surreal desert landscapes. Whether you’re watching elephants gather at Etosha’s waterholes or standing at the top of a dune in Sossusvlei, this is the month that shows the country at its most cinematic, before the rainy season comes.

Read our two week Namibia itinerary here.

In North America

Canada

Canada in July is made for the outdoors in Vancouver Island and Banff. The trails are clear of snow, the lakes are thawed enough to swim in (but they are still glacial, remember!), and every national park feels alive with summer. It’s a month for road trips, camping, and long days spent somewhere between mountains and water, whether you’re hiking, cycling, or just taking in the views from the road. This is also the perfect time to visit if you’re not into winter sports, as Canada only has about four snow-free months where you can take in the views without the need for skis!

Read our full two-week Canada itinerary for Alberta and British Columbia here.