Best holiday destinations in July
July is one seriously exciting time to go on holiday: it's peak summer getaway season when the only real issue is choosing from the long list of places you can go.
There's really no better time to get away thanks to the weather in southern Europe in particular, which is excellent at this time with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine almost everywhere.
Top five destinations to visit in July
There's arguably nowhere better in July than the Mediterranean. Your options are seemingly endless as you can go anywhere from western Portugal to Cyprus and expect near-perfect holiday weather conditions.
As well as plenty of heat and generous lashings of sunshine, the Med regions enjoy a distinct absence of rain, while stable high pressure tends to dominate at this time of year producing plenty of cloudless skies.
It can be windy (especially in the Aegean), and the odd passing thunderstorm does develop, but they're minor issues, really. Here's our pick of five exceptional destinations in July to help you narrow down the search:
1. Bodrum, Turkey
- Flight time from London: 4 hours
- Daily high: 33°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 14
- Sea temperature: 24°C
Without question, the warmest and sunniest destinations in the Med during July lie to the east, and Bodrum is a stand-out option.
As one of Turkey's most popular destinations, it has an abundance of beaches, resorts, things to do, and - crucially - reliably great holiday weather.
Daytimes along Bodrum's coast are long, hot and drenched in sunshine, although UV is strong and very high, so use a good SPF. Things stay toasty in the evenings as well, when it rarely falls below 21°C.
Although the sea provides a refreshing escape, the high heat and humidity may make Bodrum too hot for some, in which case you might want to consider more westerly destinations such as the Algarve or Canary Islands.
Recommended for the Bodrum & Izmir
More about the Bodrum & Izmir Coast
2. Malta
- Flight time from London: 3 hours
- Daily high: 31°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 12
- Sea temperature: 24°C
Sitting between the east and west coasts of the Mediterranean, Malta is 500 miles closer to the UK than Turkey, so it's that little bit quicker to get to.
The weather in Malta in July is somewhere between the heat of the eastern Med and conditions further west, where the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean is more evident. It's still hot with high heat and humidity, but perhaps without the searing temperatures of more eastern locations.
Onshore, afternoon breezes help to keep it cool offering refreshing bursts of air. With bright, sunny days and balmy sea temperatures, Malta is a great option for those after a good dose of sunshine in July.
Recommended for Malta
More about Malta
3. The Algarve, Portugal
- Flight time from London: 3 hours
- Daily high: 29°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 12
- Sea temperature: 20°C
Another favourite summertime beach destination is the Algarve along Portugal's southern coast.
Although not technically in the Med, the region basks in just as much sunshine as the likes of Malta but, thanks to the Atlantic Ocean, the sea temperature is noticeably cooler.
The significantly lower sea temperature prevents conditions along the coast from becoming too hot, and heat and humidity remains low to moderate.
However, with plenty of sunshine and a great variety of resorts and accommodation to choose from, the Algarve is much-loved by holidaymakers in July for good reason.
Recommended for the Algarve
More about the Algarve
4. Skiathos, Greece
- Flight time from London: 3.5 hours
- Daily high: 30°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 13
- Sea temperature: 24°C
Skiathos, part of the Sporades archipelago to the east of mainland Greece, is a small island in the Aegean Sea and has been a favoured holiday spot since the 1960s.
It's adored for its clear waters, steady supply of beaches and densely forested interior, plus many trendy bars and restaurants.
Weatherwise, Skiathos sees hot days give way to warm evenings, rarely dropping below 21°C after dark. Although there is high heat and humidity, and very high UV, there's hardly any rainfall in July.
Just be aware of the wind, which can pick up in this region during the summer months, and be a blessing (for its cooling effect) or a curse (some may find it a little irritating) depending on your point of view.
Recommended for Skiathos
More about Greece
5. Costa Blanca, Spain
- Flight time from London: 2.5 hours
- Daily high: 29°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 11
- Sea temperature: 24°C
We couldn't talk about July without mentioning the southeastern coast of Spain - arguably one of the finest places in Europe at this time.
Its appeal is no secret, with more than 120 miles of coastline, and a resort for every taste and budget but it's the weather that plays a massive part in the Costa Blanca's enduring irresistibility.
Whether you go for the bright lights of Benidorm, the charm of Alicante or the laidback pace of whitewashed towns such as Altea, the Costa Blanca is a fantastic option in July.
Balmy evenings follow hot, sunny days, although unlike Bodrum and Skiathos, the Costa Blanca only experiences a moderate level of heat and humidity, which can make all the difference to those who don't like it too hot.
While the heat may feel less severe here, there is still a very high level of UV, so plenty of SPF will be required.
Recommended for the Costa Blanca
More about the Costa Blanca
Alternative destinations to visit in July 2024/2025
If you've set your sights on a more far-flung destination but don't know quite where to go in July to get a taste of the tropical, we have some top rate long haul suggestions as well.
For platinum beaches, high temperatures and warm evenings, the islands of Zanzibar off the east coast of Africa, Bali in Indonesia, and Tahiti in French Polynesia all offer this by the bucket load.
Although they're spread quite far apart, their near-equatorial locations ensure that their climates are quite similar.
Bali is the hottest at 29°C, with Zanzibar just behind at 28°C and Tahiti a little cooler at 23°C. They all enjoy richly warm waters between 26°C and 27°C, as well as the chance of encountering a brief passing rain storm.
Another destination you might consider in July is California in the good old U-S-of-A. It benefits from a Mediterranean-style climate with one significant difference in the shape of the mighty Pacific Ocean, which is as much as 10°C colder than the Mediterranean Sea.
This keeps coastal areas fresh, especially north of Santa Barbara. Generally speaking, in July Los Angeles is much like the Algarve at the same time of year, while San Francisco is more like the south of England, only with more sunshine.
July is classic summer holiday season with destinations close to home that really are hot and sunny. Just remember that the while Med is sunny everywhere, warmer air and sea temperatures are found in the east, and for something a little cooler, head out to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic.
Want to know more? Keep reading to find out more about the weather in July before visiting our full collection of travel deals and discounts to help you escape on holiday in July 2024/2025 for less.
Destination ideas for July 2024
Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)
Where to go on holiday for the best weather
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