The Best Places to Travel in July

The month of July is arguably one of the best times to plan a trip. Most of the Northern hemisphere is experiencing summer in full swing while the southern hemisphere is ranging from chilly needs to wintery scenes.

If you have the time you can backpack through cities or entire continents. If your time is somewhat limited, a road trip up and down your coast of choice always makes for a unique experience.

When you have quite literally a world of options, it can be difficult to choose a destination. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate list of the best places to travel in July to get you started.

Trust us, you can’t go wrong with any of the following places:

North America’s West Coast

From Southern California to Vancouver, you can pack in a lifetime of unique experiences. You can choose to hike the famous Pacific Northwest Trail, spend time indulging in water activities in California, camp on the bluffs and woods of Big Sur, forest bathe in Oregon, tour Seattle’s street art, and so much more.

It’s the perfect coast to take a nice long road trip, camp, and stay at fun boutique bed and breakfasts. The weather will be perfect and you’ll never run out of events to attend or things to do.

South Island, New Zealand

If you’re craving winter activities and luxury hot springs, the South Island of New Zealand is a great place to visit in July. When you visit New Zealand in (their) winter, you’ll also get the chance to see the Aurora Australis, otherwise known as the southern lights.

The Matariki (Maori New Year) also begins at the end of June, under the rise of the Pleiades star cluster. Matariki celebrations last for three days with cultural festivals, feasts, and more.

You can visit the Mount John Observatory in Tekapo for some more incredible stargazing, adventure to Christchurch to walk the Street Art Trail, take the ultimate plunge in Queenstown where bungee jumping originated, take a whale watching tour, enjoy an overnight cruise in Milford Sound—the starry sky is the limit!

Provence, France

It just doesn’t get any better than Southern France, especially during the month of July. When you visit Provence, you’ll have your pick of historic cities and chic towns, including Avignon, Marseille, Nice, St. Tropez, and Cannes.

While you’re here you’ll want to indulge in the outdoor rosé tasting at the Château Gassier, dance around in the luscious lavender fields in Aix en Provence and Senanque Abbet, take part in the Fête Nationale celebrations which symbolize peace and unity for the country—and are also inescapable as there are celebrations in every village—sunbathe on the beautiful St. Tropez and Cannes beaches, and watch the Tour de France whiz by on the trail of Mont Ventoux.

Canggu, Bali

Bali is another place you’ll want to call home forever. Canggu is a peaceful, laid-back surf destination located on the southern coast of Indonesia. It has only recently begun buzzing with more tourism in the form of surfers and digital nomads.

Canggu is primarily known for its beaches and glistening sea. Its three primary spots are the black sand beaches of Berawa, Batu Bolong, and Echo Beach. However, you’ll find plenty to do between surfing, sunbathing, and exploring as there plenty of cafes, restaurants, and rooftop clubs with pools.

Seychelles

Seychelles is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa that spans over 115 small islands. This popular destination is mostly known for its white-sand beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and diverse wildlife.

Of course, while it’s a popular destination, especially during the month of July, it’s the type of place that truly makes you feel as if you’ve fallen off the grid. Here you can stay in thatched tree houses set between the forest and ocean on the North Island, or spend your time with Aldabra Giant tortoises on the Frégate Island Private. 

There’s also the World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on the island of Praslin. These islands truly are paradise and the perfect place to relax and enjoy some of the most exotic nature imaginable.

The Yuccatán Peninsula, Mexico

Mexico is always a good idea, but it’s absolutely one of the best places to travel in July. The Caribbean-Esque beaches are incredibly beautiful and the adventures are non-stop.

Here you can take time to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, El Castillo, Tulum; experience the cenote swimming of Ik Kil, visit the Isla Mujeres during the annual Whale Shark Festival, relax on Akumal beach, and of course, enjoy all the delicious Mexican food you can stand.

Florida’s Southwest Coast

Usually, when you think of Florida as a vacation destination, Miami or Key West comes to mind. While those places are great, the summer months aren’t the best time as they’re incredibly humid.

The Southwest coast of Florida, however, is a bit milder. This makes the shelly, white-sand beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island great places to spend time doing absolutely nothing.

Of course, there’s plenty to do other than get a tan and collect seashells on this side of the Gulf of Mexico. That would include fishing expeditions, walking nature trails, dining out, visiting botanical gardens, and more.

Don’t forget to bring your hammock!

Puglia, Italy

We all know that visiting Europe in the summer, especially hot spots such as the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, and Positano can feel crowded and overwhelming.

However, in the heel of Italy rests Puglia, a Mediterranean city that moves a bit slower and is much more laidback compared to other parts of the country. This is largely because overly excited tourists have yet to make a meal out of the town’s beautiful beaches and mouth-watering food scene.

Out of all the best places to travel in July, Puglia should be at the top of your list, especially if you dream of sipping on crisp Prosecco, eating locally sourced meals, hand-made gelato, relaxing on the Mediterranean, and exploring beautiful old towns.

Naxos, Greece

Greece is yet another summer hot spot where it’s virtually impossible to pick the perfect island to visit. However, the largest of the Cyclades, Naxos, on the Southern Aegean Sea is reminiscent of the popular destination Santorini.

Naxos hosts beautiful sandy beaches, old towns, and is packed with laidback bars and tavernas full of homemade wine and a local citron liqueur. This little island away from home is family-friendly, and if you’re into kitesurfing and horseback riding on the beach, this is the place you want to visit in July

Greenland

Greenland today is more popular than ever before, yet most people don’t give it a second thought. However, it's one of the best places to travel in July if your goal is to experience one of the many roads less traveled.

July is also considered the high season in Greenland, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting one of the world’s most fascinating and wildest islands. Some of the most fun things to do here, aside from reveling in the scenery and solitude, visit the Unesco Heritage Site Ilulissat Icefjord, go whale watching, visit the national museums, and enjoy the dog sledding and arctic wildlife.

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is a historic ‘walled city” that’s one of the most colorful cities you’ll ever witness. It’s also one of the Caribbean's most fun cities with an endless amount of things to do. July is the perfect time to go because the weather is perfect, and as Cartagena has grown more and more popular over the years, a slew of new hotels, bars, and restaurants have cropped up all over the city.

Here you can spend lazy days at the beach, enjoy water activities like snorkeling and diving, explore the colonial architecture of the Old Town, eat incredible food, and of course, dance the night away as Colombians love to do.

Cartagena is a bit more touristy than the rest of Colombia and therefore more expensive, but the embrace of Colombian culture is absolutely priceless.

Hoi An, Vietnam

July marks the end of monsoon season on Vietnam's central coast, making Hoi one of the warmest and driest places in Asia. Hoi An is also home to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches, along with a handful of Unesco heritage sites, breathtaking national parks, and a whole lot of history.

Here you can explore ancient Chinese temples and tea houses, enjoy the white sands of Da Nang beach, take a motorbike tour of Hai Van Pass, walk the lantern-decorated streets, scope out the Phong Nha Caves, and so much more.

Kenya, Africa

Kenya is a difficult place to express in words. Planning a trip to Kenya during the month of July means you’ll bear witness to a truly magical experience.

The sweeping plains of the Serengeti, the eastern coastline, the wildlife—nothing can prepare you for the raw beauty that will leave you in awe. There’s so much to do here, whether you visit the city capital of Nairobi, witness the Great Migration or the Big Five, go on safari, swim in the bioluminescence at Kilifi, relax on the empty, golden beaches of Diani, or visit the orphaned elephants, check out Kilimanjaro, you’re guaranteed to never want to leave.

So Many Places, So Little Time!

The list of the best places to travel in July could truly go on forever. There are so many hidden and not-so-hidden gems in this world that all you can do is make yourself a list and visit each place one by one.

While we may not be able to help you choose among all these amazing places, we can at least help get you there. Book your flight with us to get the best airfare and hotel deals possible.