July remains one of the most popular month for packing bags and heading off on holiday, with many of the world’s most incredible cities, coasts and countrysides welcoming visitors from all around the world.
Falling in the middle of the school holidays and being the warmest part of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least), for many it presents the perfect opportunity to jet off around the world in search of sun.
While some places can fall victim to terribly high temperatures, there are plenty of destinations that offer uninterrupted sun without the threat of record breaking heatwaves.
Despite the potential for higher prices and busier destinations at that time of year, anyone willing to look hard enough can find a good value. And if the ultimate goal is searching for sun, July presents options that range from both close by to far afield.
From exploring European cities and Greek Islands to adventures in Indonesia or Mexico, here’s our pick of the best destinations to visit for idyllic summer holidays.
Barcelona, Spain
Placa Reial, in Barcelona, is popular with tourists in the evening
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
- Average temperature in July: 26C
- Hours of sunshine per day: 9
The Catalan capital enjoys great weather even during the winter months, but July is the warmest and driest month of the year. Temperatures can regularly reach into the 30s, but don’t let that put you off this excellent city (just make sure you have air conditioning where you’re staying).
With miles of coastline and a gentle sea breeze, the availability of the beach and port areas provide a great alternative to rambling the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter or visiting the historic sights. That said, the many cobbled streets provide some much-needed shade as well as dozens of cafe and bars to dip into if the mercury gets too high. The nights are milder and provide a great opportunity to see some of the sights, with the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell among those opening to visitors as late as 8.30pm.
The Azores, Portugal
The twin lakes of Sete Cidades
(Getty Images)
- Average temperature in July: 22C
- Hours of sunshine per day: 8
Located in the Atlantic Ocean just over 1,500km from mainland Portugal, the Azores is a volcanic archipelago with excellent opportunities for adventure-type activities. With average highs of around 24C in July, the days are rarely…
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