Where to Travel in Summer: 21 Amazing Places to Visit
Working out where to travel in summer comes down to three things: what kind of heat you can handle, what you want to do with your days, and how far you’re willing to go. This guide covers 21 destinations across beaches, mountains, cities and islands, each suited to a different kind of traveller, so you can pick a trip that actually fits your summer rather than just a place that photographs well.
Whether you’re chasing long evenings on a Mediterranean coastline, cooler air in the mountains, or a proper island escape, there’s a clear pick below for you.
Best Places to Travel in Summer
Best for beaches: Menorca, Fiji, Zadar (Croatia)- Best for cities: Paris, Copenhagen, Kyoto
- Best for cooler weather: Glacier National Park, Colorado Rockies, Scottish Highlands
- Best for culture and history: Santorini, Cyprus, Florence
- Best for adventure travel: Costa Rica, Tanzania, Northern Territory (Australia)
- Best budget-friendly options: Portugal’s Algarve, Albania, Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast
Summer travel generally means June to August in the Northern Hemisphere, and December to February south of the equator. Keep that in mind before you book, since “summer” doesn’t mean the same season everywhere.
How We Chose These Destinations
This list draws on seasonal weather patterns, festival calendars, flight accessibility and genuine traveller feedback rather than just scenic appeal. Each destination below has something that makes it genuinely better in summer than any other time of year, not just tolerable.
1. Santorini, Greece
Santorini in summer means whitewashed villages, caldera views and long, warm evenings. It gets busy between July and August, so early mornings or late afternoons are best for exploring Oia and Fira without the crowds. The Santorini Caldera is one of the most photographed sunset spots in the world, and for good reason.
2. Menorca, Spain
Menorca is quieter than its Balearic neighbours, Mallorca and Ibiza, but no less beautiful. July and August bring the warmest sea temperatures, while June and September offer similar sunshine with fewer tourists. The island’s calas, or coves, are ideal for swimming without the beach club crowds.
3. Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast
Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar Town come alive between June and August. The Adriatic Sea warms up nicely, and the Kornati Islands offer a quieter alternative if the main coastal towns feel too busy. Sailing between islands is one of the best ways to experience this stretch of coastline.
4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s green season runs roughly May to November, bringing cooler temperatures, thinner crowds and lush rainforest scenery. It’s a strong pick if you want adventure travel, wildlife spotting and beach time without peak-season prices or queues.
5. Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s dry season overlaps with the Northern Hemisphere summer, making June to August one of the best windows to visit. Expect lower humidity, calmer seas for surfing and diving, and reliable sunshine across the island’s beaches and rice terraces.
6. Cyprus
Cyprus gets properly hot in summer, with daytime temperatures often climbing into the 90s Fahrenheit. It’s festival season too, with events like the Kataklysmos Festival in June. History lovers can explore the UNESCO-listed Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, while beach fans have Nissi Beach and Fig Tree Bay.
7. Glacier National Park, Montana
For travellers who want cooler air without giving up summer light, Glacier National Park is hard to beat. Daytime temperatures sit comfortably in the 70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit, dropping into the 40s at night. Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens fully by summer, giving access to over 700 miles of hiking trails.
8. Colorado Rockies
Summer in Colorado brings hiking, mountain biking, farmers markets and open-air concerts at venues like Red Rocks. Denver’s outdoor dining scene is at its best from June through August, and the surrounding mountains offer a natural escape from city heat.
9. Japan
Japan in summer is underrated for more than just its cities. Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto’s temples and food scenes, the coastline offers sandy beaches for swimming, while the Shinkansen bullet trains make island-hopping and city-hopping genuinely easy in a single trip.
10. Fiji
Fiji’s temperature stays fairly consistent year-round, but the driest, sunniest stretch falls between July and September, with the lowest chance of tropical storms. It’s a strong pick for snorkelling, diving and island-hopping around the Yasawa Islands.
11. Paris, France
Paris regularly tops international summer destination rankings for its gardens, pavement cafés and outdoor markets. It is peak tourist season, though, so booking accommodation and major attractions well in advance makes a real difference to your experience.
12. Florence, Italy
Florence in summer means long days for exploring Renaissance architecture, art galleries and countryside day trips into Tuscany. Mornings are the best time to visit major sites like the Uffizi Gallery before the midday heat and crowds build up.
13. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston consistently ranks among the top domestic summer destinations in the US, thanks to its walkable historic core, harbour views and manageable summer temperatures compared with the southern states. It’s a solid choice for a city break that doesn’t involve extreme heat.
14. Seaside, Oregon
For a family-friendly beach town with a slower pace, Seaside, Oregon offers cooler Pacific Northwest summer temperatures, sandy beaches and an easygoing boardwalk atmosphere without the intensity of more built-up coastal resorts.
15. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs shifts from a ski town to an outdoor adventure hub in summer, with hiking, camping, mountain biking and hot springs on offer. It suits travellers who want an active, mountain-based summer trip rather than a beach one.
16. Tanzania
Tanzania’s dry season, from roughly June to October, overlaps with the Great Migration in the north, when wildebeest and zebra move across the Serengeti. The south offers quieter, less-visited safari experiences for travellers who prefer fewer vehicles at each sighting.
17. Northern Territory, Australia
Since Australia’s seasons are reversed, the Northern Territory’s dry season runs through the Northern Hemisphere summer months, making it a comfortable time to explore Kakadu National Park and Uluru without the wet season’s humidity and storms.
18. Portugal’s Algarve
The Algarve offers a more budget-friendly alternative to Spain’s Costa del Sol, with dramatic cliffside beaches, warm water and a lower average cost for food and accommodation. June and September are particularly good for avoiding the peak August crowds.
19. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen in summer means long daylight hours, canal-side dining and a genuinely walkable, cyclable city. It’s a good pick for travellers who want a European city break without the intense heat of southern Europe.
20. Albania’s Riviera
Albania’s coastline has been gaining attention as a lower-cost alternative to neighbouring Croatia and Greece, with clear water, dramatic coastal roads and considerably lower prices for accommodation and dining.
21. Scottish Highlands
For travellers who want scenery without the heat, the Scottish Highlands offer cool temperatures, dramatic landscapes and long daylight hours, since Scotland sits far enough north that summer days stretch well into the evening.
Comparison Table: Summer Destinations by Travel Style
| Destination | Best For | Typical Summer Temp | Peak Months |
| Santorini, Greece | Couples, culture | 25-30°C | June-August |
| Menorca, Spain | Beaches, relaxation | 26-30°C | June-September |
| Costa Rica | Adventure, wildlife | 24-28°C | May-November (green season) |
| Glacier National Park, US | Hiking, cooler climate | 21-29°C | June-August |
| Fiji | Diving, island-hopping | 24-30°C | July-September |
| Tanzania | Safari, wildlife | 20-27°C | June-October |
| Scottish Highlands | Scenery, cooler trips | 12-18°C | June-August |
Expert Tips for Planning Summer Travel
Booking early matters more in summer than any other season. Popular destinations like Paris and Santorini see prices rise sharply from April onwards, so locking in flights and accommodation two to three months ahead usually saves money.
Consider shoulder months. June and September often deliver similar weather to July and August in Mediterranean destinations, but with noticeably smaller crowds and lower prices. This applies to most of southern Europe and parts of Southeast Asia too.
Check the actual season, not just the calendar. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is winter in places like Australia, Argentina and South Africa, so always confirm local weather patterns before assuming June to August is the right window.
Balance heat with activity level. If you’re planning on hiking or heavy sightseeing, destinations like Colorado, Glacier National Park or Scotland offer more comfortable conditions than the height of a Mediterranean or Southeast Asian summer.
Pack for extremes. Even destinations known for consistent sunshine can have cooler evenings, sudden rain, or strong sun exposure, so layering and sun protection are worth the extra suitcase space.
Where to Travel in Summer Based on What You Want
If you want beaches and warm water, Menorca, Fiji and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast are reliable choices with consistently warm sea temperatures through July and August.
If you want to avoid extreme heat, Glacier National Park, the Scottish Highlands and Copenhagen offer comfortable daytime temperatures without sacrificing long summer daylight hours.
If you’re after culture and history, Florence, Cyprus and Santorini combine warm weather with significant historic sites, though mornings are best for sightseeing before the heat peaks.
If budget is the main factor, Albania’s Riviera, Portugal’s Algarve and Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast offer similar scenery to pricier neighbours at a noticeably lower cost.
If wildlife and adventure are the priority, Tanzania’s Great Migration season and Costa Rica’s green season both offer genuinely better experiences in summer than at other points in the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to travel in summer?
There isn’t a single best destination, since it depends on what you want from the trip. For beaches, Menorca and Fiji are strong picks. For cooler climates, Glacier National Park and the Scottish Highlands stand out. For culture, Florence and Santorini combine well with summer weather.
What is the cheapest place to travel in summer?
Albania’s Riviera, Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast and Portugal’s Algarve tend to offer lower accommodation and food costs than more established summer destinations like Italy, Greece or Spain’s mainland coast.
When does summer travel season start and end?
In the Northern Hemisphere, summer travel season generally runs from June to August, though shoulder months of May and September often offer similar weather with fewer crowds. In the Southern Hemisphere, this window shifts to December through February.
Is it better to travel in early or late summer?
Early summer, particularly June, usually means smaller crowds and lower prices than the peak of July and August, while still offering warm, reliable weather in most popular destinations.
Where to travel in summer if you want to avoid extreme heat?
Destinations like Glacier National Park, the Scottish Highlands, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and Copenhagen offer comfortable summer temperatures without the intense heat found in southern Europe or Southeast Asia during July and August.
Final Thoughts
Deciding where to travel in summer really comes down to matching the destination to what you actually want from the trip, whether that’s a beach, a city, cooler mountain air, or a wildlife-focused adventure. The 21 destinations above cover a wide enough range that most travel styles and budgets have a genuine fit. Book early where you can, consider shoulder months for better value, and always double-check the local season before you commit to dates.
