July is a great month to travel, as the weather is usually warm and sunny in many parts of the world. If you’re looking for a beach vacation, there are many great places to travel to in July, such as the Bahamas, the Maldives, and the Seychelles. If you prefer something more adventurous, try hiking in the Swiss Alps, whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon, or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. No matter your interests, there’s sure to be a perfect place for you to travel in July.
But this article will explore a more extensive list of various destinations, from beach resorts to mountain ranges to rainforests. We will also provide tips on planning your trip and making the most of your time. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed adventure, here are our top picks for the best places to travel in July.
The Best Places to Travel to In July to See Nature and Have Good Weather 2023
The following are some of the best places to travel to in July if you are a friend of nature.
#1. Madeira and the Azores, Portugal
In Portugal, July is one of the hottest months, with average daytime temperatures of 24°C. The islands of Madeira in Portugal and the Azores in the North Atlantic are a few degrees cooler, but all three are great places to go if you want to see the sun.
Madeira is known as the “Floating Garden of the Atlantic” because it is always in bloom. Pride of Madeira is an island-native bush with purple cone-shaped flowers. If you visit in July, you’ll also see magnolias, red hot poker trees, and hydrangeas. Hydrangeas are also popular in the Azores, especially near Lake Azul and Sete Cidades.
However, people who want to go to Fiesa, a summer sand sculpture festival in Pêra on the mainland, might want to plan a trip around it. Visitors can also take part in workshops and watch artists carve 12m-high sculptures that are lit up at night. During the Festa dos Tabuleiros, which is held every four years, women in Tomar parade through the town with loaves of bread on their heads. The next one will be in July of this year, which is 2023.
On Madeira, there is a 24-hour folk dancing festival in Santana, a jazz festival in Funchal, and Sea Week in Porto Moniz, which has a canoe regatta and games. In the meantime, the Azores have a party and regatta on Sao Jorge Island for a week and the Santa Maria Blues Festival on the island with the same name. The best time to see whales in the Azores is in the spring, but sperm whales and minke whales are there all year. You can go on a whale-watching trip or just keep an eye out from land.
#2. Gibraltar
This peninsula is in the south of Spain. In July, it gets up to 28°C and has 11 hours of sunshine each day. If you want beaches, go to the east side of Gibraltar. There, you’ll find the colorful, Italian-style Catalan Bay and the sandy, water-friendly Sandy Bay.
All year long, people can visit the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens. In July, the native Gibraltar sea lavender blooms on rocks and cliffs near Europa Point and Camp Bay. Also, if you go on a boat tour out into the Gibraltar Strait, you’ll almost certainly see hundreds of dolphins and get great views of the towering Gibraltar Rock.
The best time to go to festivals is also in the middle of summer. The Calentita Food Festival is usually held at the beginning of July, while the Gibraltar Regatta is usually held at the end of the month.
#3. Albania
Most of Europe has beautiful weather in July, but it’s also when the beaches are the most crowded, and the cities are full of tourists.
Albania, a country in the Balkans, is a European hot spot that, even in high season, is a little less crowded than the others. Temperatures here can get as high as 30°C to 35°C, which is very hot.
Spend a few days in Tirana, the capital of Albania, for a different kind of city break. The resort town of Sarand is a dream with its beaches, history, and hiking trails.
Albania’s River Vjosa just got national park status, making it the first wild river national park in Europe. Now is the best time to check out this protected ecosystem.
And finally, don’t miss the natural spring called The Blue Eye in Muzin. This site, which is on the UNESCO list, has blue waters that bubble and can go as deep as 50 meters.
#4. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
People often go to Provence in July to see the endless rows of lavender fields, but if you look deeper, there is a lot more wild land to explore in the area.
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a great place for adventurers because of its steep terrain. You can go hiking, rafting, and mountaineering there. Visit the UNESCO-listed Luberon Region Natural Park to see vineyards, limestone mountains, and medieval villages perched on rough hilltops. The Verdon Natural Regional Park has beautiful gorges, turquoise glacial river water, and a lot of wildlife.
A trip to Provence in July should be planned around France’s national holiday, La Fête Nationale, which is more commonly known as Bastille Day. It’s a holiday in France that happens every year on July 14. It’s often celebrated with parties, fireworks, and the occasional parade.
And if you want to see lavender fields before you leave, you can do so in Digne-les-Bains, which calls itself the lavender capital of France.
#5. The Seychelles
Expect great weather to last all through July in the Indian Ocean archipelago, with highs around 28°C and averages between 25°C and 26°C.
And there’s no better place than one of the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles to enjoy the warm sun. You can relax on the beach, but you can also have an exciting trip to the islands.
Find the rare giant Aldabra tortoise, snorkel and enjoy the natural beauty of St. Pierre Island, or get your feet dirty hiking through the lush green forests of Morne Seychellois National Park.
#6. Ireland
There is never a better time to get in your car and drive through Ireland (unless you count St. Patrick’s Day in March). In July, there are 18 hours of daylight, and it will be cool. You might get a surprise summer shower every now and then, but you can’t have it all…
Furthermore, you can drive wherever you want, but if you stop in colorful Kilkenny, it is possible to drive straight to the capital, Dublin, through the wild countryside of County Carlow.
If you can, stop in Galway and go to Connemara National Park, where you can hike and enjoy nature, as well as the coves and bays along the coast. County Cork must also be seen… We could go on, though.
On the other hand, the northwest tip, which not many people go to, is beautiful in the summer. The Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal has white-sand beaches without crowds, many windy coastal walks, and great pubs with hearty food that can keep you busy for days.
#7. Switzerland
People often think of Switzerland in the winter because Zermatt and St. Mortiz are great places to ski and snowboard. But they are missing out on something really great. In the summer, the Swiss Alps become an adult playground for people who like being outside but don’t want to wear snow boots. Temperatures range from 18 to 28 °C in July, which is the best time to go and making it one of the best places to travel to around this time.
Go to Interlaken, which is often called the “Adventure Capital of Europe.” In the Bernese Oberland, you can do everything from endless alpine hikes and guided kayak tours on turquoise lakes to heart-pumping activities like whitewater rafting, canyoning, and paragliding. This area is a beautiful place to have some wild fun.
#8. Mexico
In July, the highest temperature in Mexico is 28°C, which is great news for people who like the sun. Evenings are cooler, so you won’t be stuck in the heat all day. You might want a light jacket and even an umbrella in case it rains a little bit in the summer.
Tulum and Cancun, on the Yucatán Peninsula, have some of the best-known beaches and hidden coves in Mexico. But the warm weather is good for more than just catching a few rays. In Mexico, July is the peak sea turtle season.
There are also many nature reserves and national parks, but if you want to escape the heat, you can visit one of the cenotes. The Mayans used these natural pools to get water, and they also thought they were entrances to the underworld where Mayan gods would visit. Now, they take tourists on amazing guided swimming, snorkeling, and diving trips.
The Best July Places to Travel to For Wildlife Watching 2023
The following are some of the best places to travel to in July if you love watching wildlife.
#9. Whale Watching and Puffins in Iceland
All year long, you can see sheep, cows, and Icelandic horses, which are smart and small. In the summer, you can also see herds of reindeer around Snaefell and colonies of Atlantic puffins nesting on cliffs around the island. July is also the best time to see whales. Husavik, in the north of the island, is the best place to go on a trip to see humpback, minke, and blue whales.
This is the best month to really see what Iceland has to offer because the days are long, and the temperatures are at their highest.
#10. Brown bear watching in Sweden, Finland, and Arctic Norway
In Finland, Sweden, and Arctic Norway, early to mid-July is often the best time to see a brown bear. Brown bears usually come out of hibernation in April and disappear in June to mate. They then show up again, usually to eat, around September.
The best time to see a bear is at night, often from a hotel called a “bear hide” with the help of a guide. This is called a “bear safari.” There will be a lot of tours and places for you to choose from.
The Lakeland area of Finland is full of dense forests, and there are about 2,000 bears living there. Even harder to see are the 3,000 brown bears that are said to live in central and northern Sweden, though Halsingland, Bollnas, and Sandviken are popular places to go.
In reality, you’re much less likely to see a bear in Norway. If you do, it will be near the border with Sweden or Finland.
#11. Birdwatching in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a country made up of 80 islands in the Pacific Ocean. It may not have the most birds in the world, but the ones it does have are pretty unique.
People think there are 30 rare species of birds, and 11 of them only live in Vanuatu. For example, the rainbow lorikeet is from Australia, but it is often seen in Vanuatu, where it is a colorful sight for bird watchers.
There’s also the coconut lorikeet, the strange and wonderful Vanuatu megapode, and the very cute red-tailed tropicbird, to name a few… a must-see for people who love birds.
#12. Roos on Kangaroo Island, Australia
July is the middle of winter in Australia, but don’t expect it to be freezing cold and snowy. Even though it might rain a little, the temperature stays around a pleasant 14°C.
Kangaroo Island is near South Australia, and even though it had terrible fires in 2020, it’s back to being a must-see for marsupial fans. Kangaroos are free to move around the island and can be seen on farms and along the roads. Wallabies are shyer, but you can see them at dusk and after dark if you keep your eyes open.
Expect to see koalas and many beautiful birds, like Australia’s largest bird of prey, the wedge-tailed eagle, and the very rare glossy black cockatoo. You can see seals and birds at Flinders Chase National Park. Seal Bay Conservation Park is also a good place to see sea lions doing what they do best.
#13. The Great Migration, Tanzania and Kenya
The Great Migration of Wildebeest and Zebra is one of the largest and most dangerous animal migrations in the world. It starts in the Serengeti in northern Tanzania, and over 1.5 million animals move to the Masai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya because they need water and new grass.
Our Great Migration calendar shows that you can see some parts of the migration almost any time of the year. In July, the herds will “spread out from Grumeti Game Reserve and Ikorongo Game Controlled Area to the northern reaches of the Serengeti,” says our expert William Gray.
The best way to figure out when to cross into Kenya depends on how much rain there is in Tanzania. If there are no more water sources, the migration could happen in the middle of June. If the zebras and wildebeest aren’t so thirsty, it could happen as late as September. July is a good month to see the crossing, but you have to pick the right time.
The Best Places to Travel to on a Long-Distance Trip in July 2023
These are some of the best places to travel to in July if you prefer long-distance trips.
#14. Belize (and its neighbors)
We’ve talked a lot on Wanderlust about how beautiful Belize is, and we think July is a great time to visit this Central American gem.
First, the weather is at its best. Rainy nights follow (often) hot days, and then a breeze comes in to cool things down. Now is your chance to dive into the Belize Barrier Reef and Glover’s Reef, visit ancient Maya cities like Lamanai, and be amazed by the Blue Hole, a mysterious large sinkhole off the coast that is the largest of its kind.
You could spend weeks exploring Belize, but if you have the time, you could also visit the nearby Central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador at the same time.
#15. Alaska, USA
The best time to visit Alaska is from late May to July. During a July trip, there will be 17 to 18 hours of daylight each day. July is also the warmest month to visit, with highs of about 18°C.
It might not be the cheapest time to visit (that would probably be late May), but it is the best time for sightseeing. Exploring the huge Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park is a lot of fun when the weather is good. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves nature.
Whalewatchers will also enjoy a trip in July when humpback whales are most likely to be swimming in the ocean. Anglers will also find that August is the best time to fish for Alaska king salmon.
#16. Namibia
Namibia is a country in Southern Africa that has everything. It is known for its tall red sand dunes, and its sandy coast is a great place to see wildlife.
We think you’ll need at least two weeks if not more, to really understand everything. July is the perfect month to do it. For starters, the weather is pretty great. The chance of rain is low, and the temperature usually stays around 20°C. This makes exploring the Sossusvlei dunes and the vast desert much cooler than you might think.
The lack of rain is also great for people who like to see animals. Animals in Etosha National Park will gather around the water holes to drink, so you may see zebras, giraffes, and elephants altogether.
#17. Indonesia
How do we start talking about Indonesia? The going from island to island? There are a lot of religious celebrations that are moving and different. The melting pot of cultures is especially clear in its food. There are so many things to see and do here that you could stay for months and never get bored.
Furthermore, it won’t be the quietest month in Indonesia since temperatures can reach 30°C, and people come to many of the country’s 17,000+ islands to soak up the sun. But since it’s the dry season, the weather on all the islands is likely to be perfect.
Bali is a classic, as is Java, the country’s most populated island, where the capital city, Jakarta, is located.
We would also recommend Sumatra and Komodo Island if you want to see the Komodo Dragon in its natural environment. Nusa Tenggara, which is made up of the Lesser Sunda Islands, is a good place to start.
#18. French Polynesia
In July, the Heiva Festival takes place in French Polynesia. There are performances of singing and dancing.
In July, the Heiva Festival takes place in French Polynesia. There are performances of singing and dancing.
French Polynesia is a long-distance destination that is worth every minute of the trip. The most popular islands are Tahiti, which is the biggest, and Bora Bora, which is right next to it. Even though no place is perfect, this volcanic archipelago is pretty close. It has black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful places to stay in the world, like the overwater bungalows you’ve probably seen on Instagram. Not to mention that the weather is always around 30°C, with July being the driest month.
But July is not only beautiful and has good weather; it is also when the Heiva Festival takes place. It’s one of the oldest festivals in the world, and it’s a two-week-long celebration of Polynesian culture. Most of the islands take part in some way, with events ranging from song and dance shows to sports competitions (the canoe race is the most famous).
Adventurers will love French Polynesia. You can walk or ride a horse to beautiful lookout points, or you can dive or snorkel to see the abundant wildlife in the waters around the island. As a bonus, whale-watching season in French Polynesia starts in July.
The Best Places to Travel to in July for Arts and Culture 2023
Here are the best places to travel to in July if you are a big fan of arts and culture.
#19. Philadelphia, USA
It seems like the obvious choice for July would be a sprawling, big city in the United States. You can get the full red-white-and-blue experience in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Portland, Houston, or pretty much anywhere else. For Independence Day, which is always on the fourth of the month, there will be lots of fireworks and parades.
We chose Philadelphia because it’s not as well-known as some of the other big cities in the US, but more for its history. Since the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776, we couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate. Expect a week full of concerts, parades, and other fun things to do. The main event in the city will be the fireworks show above the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
#20. Kyoto, Japan
Gion Matsuri, or the Gion Festival, takes place in July every year in Kyoto. It is one of Japan’s most well-known events. It has been going on since 869 when the emperor at the time told people to worship at the Yakasa Shrine to stop the plague.
Rituals, ceremonies, and parades are held all month long as part of the city’s culture. On the 17th and 24th of July, traditional parade floats move through crowded streets. On the last day of the month, the celebrations come to an end with a street party called the “purification” closing ceremony.
It’s worth going to see the magic, especially if you’re interested in Japanese culture and traditions. But if you want to enjoy Gion Matsuri with friendly locals, you should book what needs to be booked well ahead of time.
Best Places to Travel to in July 2023
Here are some general places to travel to in July if all you are searching for is fun.
#21. Québec, Canada
If you want to get as close to France as you can without leaving North America, you should go to this eastern Canadian province. You’ll hear French, enjoy the food and culture, and learn about the country’s history, architecture, and outdoor activities. Plus, summer is festival time. From July 6 to 16, Québec City, the capital of the province, will host Festival d’été Québec, which will feature big names in music. People can hike, kayak, and fish in Gaspésie National Park, or they can try to see 13 different kinds of whales along the Whale Route.
At Le Massif de Charlevoix in June, a multisensory nighttime ride on a chairlift will open. Club Med Québec offers an all-inclusive experience with views of the St. Lawrence River and the nearby mountains, guided hiking and mountain biking, and activities for kids that are supervised. In Québec City, you can stay at the boutique Auberge Saint-Antoine or plan a lake vacation at Manoir Hovey, which is set on 30 wooded acres and has a large new spa.
#22. Maryland
If you want to spend your summer vacation in a classic seaside resort town, you might want to go to Ocean City. Ocean City is a great place for families because it is on the Atlantic and has a public beach that is 10 miles long, a classic wooden boardwalk, arcades, and restaurants. At Trimper Rides, you can have fun with a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and bumper cars. Assateague Island National Seashore is close by and has places to hike, camp, kayak, and look for wild horses. St. Michaels is a cute harbor town about 85 miles to the northwest. Some of the houses there were built in the mid-1600s. To get to know the town, visitors can walk around on their own or go on a scenic cruise. On 26 acres along the Miles River, the boutique Inn at Perry Cabin has sailing, golf, tennis, a spa, and a restaurant called Stars that serves seafood from the Chesapeake Bay.
#23. Bend, Oregon
The city of Bend in central Oregon is between the Cascade Mountains and the high desert. It’s a great place to visit in the summer because you can hike, fish, boat, rock climb, and float down the Deschutes River. From July 7 to 9, the Bend Summer Festival will have fine art, live music, food, drinks, shops, a play area for kids, and more. Along the Bend Ale Trail, there are 30 breweries, as well as cider, wine, spirits, kombucha, and restaurants.
In the winter, Mt. Bachelor is a popular place to go skiing. In the summer, you can go rock climbing, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting there. There are many different places to stay in the Bend area, from campgrounds and RV parks to hotels and resorts. At Juniper Preserve, guests can stay in the Lodge or a vacation rental with up to four bedrooms. Juniper has a lot to offer, like two golf courses, a spa, wellness activities, and places to eat.
#24. Ohio, Columbus
The capital of Ohio is in the middle of the state, where the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers meet. July is a fun month in Columbus. The Red, White, and BOOM Independence Day street fair, parade, and fireworks show are held every year on July 3. On July 15 and 16, authors will talk, sign books, and put on shows at the Columbus Book Festival to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
The annual Jazz & Rib Fest will be held July 21–23. It will have the best music and barbecue. The festival is along the Scioto Mile downtown riverfront and is free to get into. There’s a lot to do in dog-friendly Columbus. There are parks, hiking, and biking trails, and one of the best zoos in the country, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. From July 21–28, the zoo will host Zoombezi Bay Christmas July. Santa and his elves will be there. Stay at the new Junto Hotel, which is Columbus’s first hotel with its own style.
#25. New York’s Buffalo
Buffalo is in the western part of the state, near Lake Erie and the Niagara River. It has the high 70s in July and a lot to do. Taste of Buffalo’s 40th year will be celebrated on July 8 and 9 with entertainment, food, wine, and more at a number of downtown locations. While we’re talking about food, the Wing Trail is where you can find your favorite version of Buffalo’s signature dish. Did you know that Buffalo also has its own style of pizza?
After you’ve tried the city’s food, be one of the first to go to the Buffalo AKG Museum, which just reopened and has modern and contemporary art. In the summer, you can enjoy the weather on Buffalo’s waterfront or drive 20 minutes to see Niagara Falls. The Richardson Hotel is a place to stay. It is on the National Historic Landmark Richardson Olmstead campus, which was built by the famous landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park, and the architect Henry Hobson Richardson.
#26. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a great summer place to go with your family because it is only an hour away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, you can ride mountain bikes or zipline through the trees. KidZip is a zipline adventure for kids under 10 years old. At the WNC Nature Center, you can see and learn about the 60 animal species that live in the Southern Appalachians. The Asheville Tourists, a Minor League team that is part of the Houston Astros, will play a game at McCormick Field.
The natural water slide at Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest is a lot of fun for people of all ages. When you go to Asheville, you must take a tour of the Biltmore Estate. There is an audio guide for kids that is read by Cedric, the Vanderbilts’ Saint Bernard dog. The historic Omni Grove Park Inn has beautiful views of the mountains, a large underground spa with two waterfall pools, a golf course designed by Donald Ross, and many places to eat and drink. The luxury boutique Foundry Hotel is in a building that used to be a steel foundry.
#27. South Dakota
Taking a family road trip to see Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park is a classic idea. Make sure to stop at Wall Drug, which is a well-known roadside stop. In addition to the huge carving in the mountain, the Crazy Horse Memorial has a museum, a restaurant, and events. Visit the Black Hills National Forest to see the town of Deadwood, which was built during the gold rush. In Custer State Park, you can see bison, antelope, elk, mountain goats, and donkeys. In South Dakota, family-friendly things to do include going to the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium in Sioux Falls, going on guided cave tours in Jewel Cave and Wind Cave National Park, and panning for gold in the Black Mountains. Travelers who want to spend a few nights sleeping under the stars will love camping and glamping sites.
#28. Rhode Island
With almost 400 miles of coast, the smallest state is beautiful in the summer. On Rhode Island’s southernmost point, the town of Westerly is known for its beaches, concerts, boating, and outdoor activities. This year, Bemelmans Gallery at the Ocean House is honoring the work of Ludwig Bemelman, the author and illustrator who made the Madeline books. At the five-star resort, art is an important part of the experience, and guests can take self-guided tours of the large collection.
Every year, the WaterFire events in downtown Providence light up three rivers with more than 80 sparkling bonfires. You can stay at The Beatrice, The Graduate Providence, or the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel, all of which are high-end boutique hotels. In Newport, you can stay at the elegant Chanler at Cliff Walk and take in views of the water and Gilded Age mansions, such as the famous Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers.
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Best Places to Travel to in July: References
