Where to Go on Holiday in July? The Best Destinations Whether You Seek the Heat or Want to Escape It

For more inspiration for the whole year, see our overview of where to fly on holiday.

Beach destinations in July: the European classics

In July the Mediterranean is in full season. The sea in most places reaches 24 to 27 °C, the sun shines almost every day and resorts are in full swing. This is where most Czechs head in summer.

Greece: Crete, Corfu and Chalkidiki

Greece is one of the most popular summer destinations for Czechs.

• Crete draws visitors to sandy beaches, the Samaria Gorge and the Minoan palace at Knossos.
• Green Corfu offers bays with crystal-clear water and the Venetian architecture of its capital.
• Chalkidiki in the north, with its three peninsulas, is ideal for families with children, and those who don't want to fly can even drive there.

Croatia: Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar and Brela

Croatia remains the most popular summer destination for Czechs. There are several reasons: clear water, pebble beaches and relative proximity, so you can drive there in a day. If you want to avoid a long journey, you can fly to Split or Dubrovnik in about an hour and a half. Dubrovnik is famous for its walls and old town, Hvar for its nightlife, and Brela on the Makarska Riviera for some of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic.

Spain: Mallorca, Costa Brava and Valencia

Spain offers sunny beaches and excellent food.

• Mallorca has dozens of coves with turquoise water and mountain villages in the Tramuntana range.
• Costa Brava has a rocky coastline and day trips to Barcelona or to Figueres with the Salvador Dalí museum.
• In Valencia you can combine swimming with a visit to the modern City of Arts and Sciences and a taste of authentic paella.

Italy: Sicily and Sardinia

The Italian islands have beautiful beaches and a rich history. In Sicily you can climb Mount Etna, walk among the ancient temples of Agrigento and taste cannoli. Sardinia has the cleanest sea in the Mediterranean and beaches that look like the Caribbean. In July, though, expect higher prices and crowded beaches.

Bulgaria and Nessebar

Bulgaria is the most affordable option for a summer beach holiday. Historic Nessebar on a rocky peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with picturesque stone churches and narrow lanes. A short way from it lies Sunny Beach, with long sandy beaches and prices well below Greece or Spain.

Where to go in July for guaranteed heat

If you want the warmest sea, head south. Bear in mind, though, that in the hottest destinations you'll be able to spend time outdoors mainly in the morning and evening, and should cut back on physical activity during the day.

Cyprus and Turkey

On Cyprus, around Paphos, July days reach about 31 °C, and further inland even higher. Antalya in Turkey regularly tops 35 °C. The sea in both destinations is 27 to 28 °C, and all-inclusive hotels offer pools, entertainment programmes and air-conditioned rooms.

United Arab Emirates and Egypt

In the United Arab Emirates temperatures in July exceed 40 °C and the sea is above 30 °C. Egypt is a little milder: in Hurghada it's around 35 °C, with the sea at 27 to 28 °C. The weather is reliable, but the afternoon heat calls for air conditioning and time in the shade.

Cape Verde

The Cape Verde islands offer a pleasant climate of around 28 to 30 °C in July and a sea temperature of roughly 25 °C. A steady breeze from the ocean tempers the heat, so you can spend the whole day outside. For those who want an exotic destination with a shorter flight, Cape Verde is a clear choice. The direct flight from Prague takes around six hours, and package prices are often lower than in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean.

Zanzibar, Bali and Mauritius

• On Zanzibar and Bali the dry season peaks in July. Temperatures hover around 28 to 30 °C and the sea is 25 to 27 °C.
• In Mauritius July falls in the southern hemisphere's winter, so daytime temperatures are around 24 °C and the sea is about 23 °C. The island suits sightseeing and hiking better than all-day swimming.

For a long-haul trip to an exotic destination, pack your own food for the plane, since refreshments at transit airports tend to be expensive.

Where to go on holiday in July if the heat doesn't appeal

Not everyone enjoys 35 °C in the shade. If you prefer fresh air and an active holiday, head north or to the mountains.

Scandinavia and Iceland

In Scandinavia and Iceland the days in July are still very long. Beyond the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland you can see the midnight sun, and elsewhere there are light nights when it barely gets dark. Temperatures hover around 15 to 22 °C.

Iceland will amaze you with geysers, wild landscapes, waterfalls and hot springs, while Sweden and Finland offer thousands of lakes and deep forests.

The Alps

In the Alps July means clean mountain air and pleasant temperatures. You can swim in crystal-clear lakes, go on via ferrata or mountain hikes, and spend the evening at a mountain hut with a view. The Austrian and Swiss Alps are within easy reach even by car, as are the Italian Dolomites with their dramatic rock spires. Pack a warm layer for the mountains too; our article on what to pack for a holiday can help you choose clothing.

Norway and the Faroe Islands

Norway is one of the most beautiful summer destinations in Europe. Fjords, waterfalls and mountain roads are complemented by whale watching, for example off the island of Andøya in the north of the country. The Faroe Islands offer a quieter alternative without the crowds, with cliffs, grass-roofed houses and puffin colonies.

How to save on a July holiday?

July is one of the busiest months of the year, and prices reflect that. A few tips can still help you save:

1. Book in advance. Flights and accommodation for July sell out during spring, and prices climb as the date approaches.
2. Travel at the start of the month. In the first half of July prices are usually lower than in the second half, when summer holidays begin in more European countries.
3. Choose more affordable destinations. Bulgaria, Cape Verde or lesser-known resorts offer lower prices than Mallorca or Santorini.
4. You can save on the trip to the airport too. If you don't want to pay for parking right at the terminal, choose parking at Veleslavín and take the bus to the terminal.

How to plan your July holiday

• Choose your destination depending on whether you want reliable heat and swimming, or rather calm and milder temperatures.
• Arrange flights and accommodation three to six months ahead; for holiday dates, earlier is better.
• Take out travel insurance, especially for trips outside Europe.
• Attach a luggage tag with your contact details to your suitcase; our guide is in the article how to label a suitcase for a flight.
• On departure day expect a full airport and longer queues. Find out in advance how long before departure you should be at the airport. Book your parking spot early. We explain the whole process in our guide, how airport parking works.

A July holiday offers endless options

For a classic holiday by the warm sea, head to Greece, Croatia, Spain or Italy.

For real heat, go to Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates; for an exotic destination with a pleasant climate, Cape Verde, Zanzibar and Bali are the choice.

If the heat doesn't agree with you, head to Scandinavia, Iceland or the Alps.

Choose based on what matters most to you: temperature, peace and quiet, or price. And if you can't fit your trip into July, take a look at our tips on where to go on holiday in August.