Best Places to Visit in July
Peak Northern Hemisphere summer, the busiest travel month of the year
July is, for most of the world's most-visited destinations, the single busiest and most expensive month of the year. European and North American school summer holidays are in full swing, driving peak demand across nearly every major city, beach and national park in the Northern Hemisphere. It's also the Tour de France, the height of East Africa's dry-season safari and Great Migration viewing, and one of the hottest months across the Middle East and South Asia, where daytime heat can make outdoor sightseeing genuinely difficult. South of the equator, July is deep winter — the best month for skiing in New Zealand, Chile and Argentina, and a quiet, low-season month for Southern Hemisphere cities and beaches.
Good to Know About July
- July and August are simultaneously the best safari-viewing months in East Africa (dry season, thinning vegetation) and the most expensive and crowded — book Serengeti and Masai Mara accommodation well ahead.
- Desert and Gulf destinations (the UAE, much of the Middle East) are at their most extreme heat in July, often exceeding 40°C — a genuine consideration, not just a minor discomfort.
- If avoiding peak Northern Hemisphere crowds and prices is the priority, July is exactly the month to instead consider a Southern Hemisphere ski trip or a Southeast Asian destination in its own shoulder window.
Destinations at Their Peak in July
France
26°C avg high · 60mm rain
Full timing guide
Italy
31°C avg high · 20mm rain
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Spain
33°C avg high · 15mm rain
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Iceland
15°C avg high · 50mm rain
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Greece
33°C avg high · 6mm rain
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Portugal
28°C avg high · 0mm rain
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Turkey
30°C avg high · 25mm rain
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Indonesia
29°C avg high · 50mm rain
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Peru
20°C avg high · 1mm rain
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Croatia
30°C avg high · 30mm rain
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Colombia
19°C avg high · 45mm rain
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Malaysia
33°C avg high · 165mm rain
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Canada
27°C avg high · 85mm rain
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Australia
18°C avg high · 70mm rain
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Germany
25°C avg high · 70mm rain
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Netherlands
23°C avg high · 82mm rain
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Norway
23°C avg high · 85mm rain
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Switzerland
24°C avg high · 130mm rain
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Brazil
25°C avg high · 40mm rain
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Sweden
23°C avg high · 50mm rain
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United Kingdom
24°C avg high · 45mm rain
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Austria
27°C avg high · 80mm rain
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Czech Republic
25°C avg high · 80mm rain
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United States
30°C avg high · 115mm rain
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Kenya
23°C avg high · 12mm rain
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Poland
25°C avg high · 85mm rain
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Hungary
28°C avg high · 55mm rain
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Bali
29°C avg high · 50mm rain
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Tanzania
22°C avg high · 20mm rain
Full timing guideGood Value in July (Shoulder Season)
Not at their absolute peak, but a solid weather-to-price balance this month.
Events Happening in July
Naadam Festival 2027: Mongolia's Three Manly Games Travel Guide
July 11 – 15, 2027 (main events: July 11–12)
San Fermín 2027: Running of the Bulls Dates & Pamplona Travel Guide
July 6–14, 2027 (daily Running of the Bulls: July 7–14, 8:00am)
Calgary Stampede 2027: Dates, Rodeo & Travel Guide
July 9–18, 2027 (10 days)
Tour de France 2027: Grand Départ from Edinburgh — Dates & Travel Guide
July 2–25, 2027 (Grand Départ: Edinburgh, Scotland)
Comic-Con International San Diego 2027: Dates & Travel Guide
July 21–25, 2027 (Preview Night: July 21; main event: July 22–25)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is July the most expensive month to travel?
For most Northern Hemisphere destinations, yes — it coincides with school summer holidays across Europe and North America, driving up prices and crowds nearly everywhere at once.
Is July a good time for an African safari?
Yes, one of the best — dry-season conditions concentrate wildlife and improve visibility, though it's also peak season, so book well ahead and expect premium pricing.
Where is cooler in July?
The Southern Hemisphere generally (Australia, South Africa, South America are in winter), and higher-altitude or northern destinations — Scandinavia, the UK, and mountain regions — stay milder than Southern Europe or the Middle East.