July Leave List
The world starts waking Summer classics.
Where to travel in July?
July is the heart of summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your annual leave on a crowded European beach.
This is a month for big landscapes, wild adventures, mountain road trips and tropical islands. Long daylight hours make northern destinations like Alaska, Iceland and Scotland particularly rewarding, while the mountains of Central Europe are perfect for hiking.
Further afield, July brings excellent conditions for wildlife in Zimbabwe, dry-season adventures in Indonesia and the warm waters of Mayotte.
Whether you want to hike through the mountains, spot wildlife in the wilderness or escape to a tropical island, July gives you plenty of ways to make your annual leave count.
Best Places to Visit in July
Tropical islands & underwater adventures
Mayotte
Perfect for: Turquoise lagoons, diving, wildlife & adventure
Average temperature: Around 23–28°C
Season: Dry season
July is a fantastic time to discover Mayotte, with warm temperatures, lower rainfall and generally good conditions for exploring the island and its spectacular lagoon.
Mayotte is particularly appealing if you’re looking for something more adventurous than a traditional tropical beach holiday. Its enormous lagoon, volcanic landscapes and marine life give you plenty of reasons to get out and explore.
Best things to do: Snorkel and dive in the lagoon, look for turtles and tropical marine life, hike to Mount Choungui, explore the island’s forests and beaches or take a boat trip to spot humpback whales.
Indonesia
Perfect for: Beaches, diving, surfing & island hopping
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Dry season
July is right in the middle of Indonesia’s dry season, making it an excellent time to explore some of the country’s most spectacular islands.
Rather than simply choosing a beach resort, use the weather to build an adventurous island-hopping itinerary across Bali, Lombok and Komodo.
Best things to do: Explore Bali’s temples and rice terraces, hike Mount Batur, surf in Lombok, snorkel around the Gili Islands, sail through Komodo National Park and see the famous Komodo dragons.
Mountains, adventures & road trips
Iceland
Perfect for: Road trips, hiking, waterfalls & adventure
Average temperature: Around 10–15°C
Season: Summer
July is one of the best months to explore Iceland’s more remote landscapes. The days are exceptionally long, roads are generally easier to navigate and the Highlands are accessible for adventurous travellers with the right vehicle and conditions.
It’s also a brilliant month for a classic Iceland road trip, with waterfalls, volcanoes, black-sand beaches and dramatic mountains around almost every corner.
Best things to do: Drive the Ring Road, explore the Golden Circle, hike in Landmannalaugar, visit Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, explore black-sand beaches or venture into the Highlands on a guided 4×4 trip.
Austria
Perfect for: Hiking, lakes, mountains & alpine villages
Average temperature: Around 20–27°C in the valleys
Season: Peak hiking season
July transforms Austria’s Alps into a playground for hikers and outdoor lovers. Snow has retreated from many lower and mid-altitude trails, alpine meadows are green and wildflowers are in bloom.
It’s an excellent option if you want mountain scenery without needing an extreme expedition. You can combine beautiful hiking routes with charming villages, lakes and excellent food.
Best things to do: Hike around the Salzkammergut lakes, visit Hallstatt, explore the Austrian Alps, take mountain cable cars, swim in alpine lakes or spend a few nights in a traditional mountain village.
Slovakia
Perfect for: Mountain hiking, caves, nature & adventure
Average temperature: Around 20–27°C
Season: Peak summer hiking season
Slovakia is one of Europe’s underrated summer adventure destinations. The High Tatras offer dramatic mountain scenery and excellent hiking, while forests, caves and traditional villages give you plenty to explore beyond the main trails.
It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for European mountain adventure without the price tag of some of the continent’s more famous alpine destinations.
Best things to do: Hike through the High Tatras, explore Štrbské Pleso, visit mountain huts, discover Slovakia’s spectacular caves, explore traditional villages or combine the mountains with a few days in Bratislava.
Scotland
Perfect for: Road trips, mountains, castles & dramatic scenery
Average temperature: Around 15–20°C
Season: Peak summer
July is one of Scotland’s best months for a road trip, with long daylight hours giving you plenty of time to explore the Highlands.
From rugged mountains and lochs to remote islands and historic castles, Scotland delivers big landscapes without needing a long-haul flight.
Best things to do: Drive through the Highlands, explore the Isle of Skye, visit Glencoe, discover historic castles, hike around Loch Lomond or take a scenic drive along the North Coast 500.
Tip: July is peak season, so popular areas can be busy. Book accommodation and rental cars well ahead.
Ireland
Perfect for: Coastal scenery, road trips, hiking & culture
Average temperature: Around 15–20°C
Season: Peak summer
Ireland’s long summer days make July a fantastic time for a road trip. The weather can still be unpredictable, but the extra daylight gives you more time to explore the country’s spectacular coastline and countryside.
The real attraction is the journey itself: small roads, dramatic cliffs, green landscapes and villages where stopping for a pint becomes part of the itinerary.
Best things to do: Drive the Wild Atlantic Way, explore the Cliffs of Moher, visit Galway, discover the Dingle Peninsula, hike in Killarney National Park or explore the dramatic scenery of Donegal.
Wilderness, wildlife and landscapes
Alaska
Perfect for: Wildlife, wilderness, hiking & road trips
Average temperature: Around 15–25°C in many popular regions
Season: Peak summer
July is one of the best times to experience Alaska at its most accessible. Long daylight hours, relatively warm temperatures and open roads make it possible to explore deep into the wilderness without rushing.
This is a trip for travellers who want big landscapes and even bigger adventures. Think mountains, glaciers, bears, whales and endless stretches of wilderness.
Best things to do: Explore Denali National Park, hike through the Kenai Peninsula, look for bears and whales, kayak among glaciers, drive the spectacular Seward Highway or take a scenic flight over the mountains.
Zimbabwe
Perfect for: Safari, wildlife, walking & adventure
Average temperature: Around 20–28°C during the day
Season: Dry season
July is an excellent time to experience Zimbabwe’s wildlife. As the dry season progresses, vegetation becomes thinner and animals increasingly gather around reliable water sources, making them easier to spot.
Zimbabwe is particularly special for travellers looking for a more immersive safari experience, with excellent walking safaris and some of Africa’s most spectacular wilderness areas.
Best things to do: Go on safari in Hwange National Park, explore Mana Pools, take a walking safari, see elephants and lions, visit Victoria Falls or combine Zimbabwe with neighbouring Zambia or Botswana.
Taiwan
Perfect for: Mountains, food, culture & city adventures
Average temperature: Around 25–33°C
Season: Summer
Taiwan is hot and humid in July, but for travellers who don’t mind the heat, it offers an incredible combination of mountains, night markets, temples and vibrant cities.
The island is compact enough to combine Taipei with mountain landscapes and coastal adventures, making it an excellent choice when you want plenty of variety without spending your whole trip travelling between destinations.
Best things to do: Explore Taipei’s night markets, hike in Taiwan’s mountains, visit Sun Moon Lake, discover traditional temples, soak in hot springs and eat your way through the country’s famous street-food scene.
Why travel in July ?
July is the month for big summer adventures. Whether you want to head north for endless daylight, exJuly is the heart of summer and a great month for big adventures, long days and spectacular landscapes.
You can:
- Explore the wilderness and make the most of long northern summer days
- Hike through mountains, valleys and alpine landscapes
- Take a road trip along dramatic coastlines and remote landscapes
- Go on safari during excellent wildlife-viewing conditions
- Escape to tropical islands for diving, swimming and adventure
And while July is peak summer in Europe, some of the most memorable trips are about exploring, hiking, driving and discovering somewhere new rather than simply spending a week on the beach.