July is when peak travel season kicks into gear. School’s out, much of the world is bathed in sunny days and family vacations loom large. Many of the best places to travel in July are family-friendly, but there’s plenty for adults too.
At home in the US, Independence Day celebrations turn city streets into huge parties. In Europe, summer transforms ancient towns, quaint villages, and remote beaches into hives of activity. Food, culture, and music festivals proliferate – some lasting the entire month. Thinking about your budget, or maybe the weather is important to you? Jump to KAYAK’s data-backed picks based on temperature, popularity, flight, and hotel prices.
Best places to visit in July in the US and North America
July isn’t the cheapest month to travel in. It’s the start of peak season in the Northern Hemisphere and as a result, the prices of almost everything go up. Competition for flights and hotels is fierce, although there are still deals if you know how and where to look. Below are some of my favorite destinations, and there’s plenty more in KAYAK’s data-backed picks.
1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
- Learn more: Philadelphia travel guide
- Why visit in July? The best Independence Day celebration in the US.
What better place to visit in the month when the US celebrates its 248th birthday than the city of its birth Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and where the Fourth of July celebrations will be as patriotic as they get. City parades, street parties, fireworks displays, marching bands, candyfloss, and a sea of red-white-and-blue all await.
It’s not all about July 4th and the Independence Mall though. The ‘city of brotherly love’ is renowned for its warm welcome and lively party scene. Wander the cobbled streets of Old Town, and take in the extensive art offering from Impressionist masterpieces to city center murals. Just try not to overdo it on the Philly Cheesesteaks, which is admittedly easier said than done.
2. Bend, Oregon, US
- Learn more: Bend travel guide
- Why visit in July? Outdoor activities and an array of libations.
With nearly 300 days of sunshine a year and endless outdoor activities, Bend is a classic year-round destination. Despite its great skiing and winter appeal, I like it best in the balmy heat of July.
With snow melted, the mountain is a playground for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Take to the water with a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard down the Deschutes River. Or stop in at Bend Park & Float to pick up an innertube to drift down the river and tackle the rapids at Bend Whitewater Park.
Once the action is done, it’s time to refresh. The Bend Summer Festival runs from July 12th to 14th this year. A heady mix of art, music, shopping, food, and fun lubricated by the many local breweries and cocktail makers in attendance. Indeed, the Bend Ale Trail is a famed journey through breweries, drinkable diversions, and perfect pairings.
3. Montréal, Canada
- Learn more: Montréal travel guide
- Why visit in July? Laugh, dance, and laugh some more.
July kicks off with Canada Day on the first, which in Montréal at least is reason enough to throw summer celebrations all month long.
From July 4th to 14th, Festival Montréal Complètement Cirque turns the streets into a circus as the city celebrates its famous performers with riotous shows and entertainment. The stretch of Sainte-Catherine Street between Saint-Urbain and de Bleury is pedestrianized to give festival-goers room to celebrate all month long.
Just For Laughs is Montréal’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe, and now lays claim to being the world’s biggest comedy festival. Running through much of July, it engulfs the city in gags. Strange street parades, comedy shows in all manner of locations, and stand-up from the world’s biggest comedy stars. A feast for your funny bone.
Best places to travel in July in Europe
Europe is seldom more expensive than in summer. But that’s because it’s when European destinations are at their best. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or want to dive into some serious culture, Europe has the answer.
4. Mallorca, Spain
- Learn more: Palma de Mallorca travel guide
- Why visit in July? Sunshine and fireworks at the awesome Correfoc.
Most of my friends in Germany treat Mallorca like their second home. It’s easy to see why. The biggest of Spain’s Balearic Islands is a landscape of spellbinding variety. Towering peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana drop into fertile plains that follow winding roads to its many, many beaches.
Taking a look at KAYAK data, July shows Mallorca at its sun-soaked best. The average temperature is a very agreeable 77°F and, even better, the average rainfall is zero. Yes, it the beaches are busy, but they’re also buzzing. You’ll also find plenty of local restaurants and bars serving freshly caught fish and robust Spanish wines.
It’s also festival season. Mid-July sees the La Verge del Carme (the Virgin of Carmen) Festival inspire coastal fishing communities on solemn processions out to sea accompanied by fireworks and music.
Head for Porto Cristo, which holds week-long celebrations from July 13th culminating in the crazy Correfoc ‘parade of the devils’ on the night of July 22nd. Not for the faint-hearted, you’ll get up close and personal with the fireworks and flames so dress for safety, and wear gloves and goggles.
5. Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Learn more: Dubrovnik travel guide
- Why visit in July? Magical architecture and a marathon summer festival.
Croatia is having something of a moment in the sun, and not just because it’s July. Visit its glittering coastline, stunning waterfalls and historic cities and you’ll soon understand why. One of the best countries to visit in July, of its many amazing cities Dubrovnik is my pick.
The Pearl of the Adriatic brings together the best of Croatia’s natural beauty, history, and culture. As the setting for much of Game of Thrones, its splendor and credentials speak for themselves.
July 2024 is particularly special as it marks the start of the 75th Dubrovnik Summer Festival. A six-week extravaganza of open-air theater, performances, classical concerts, and art exhibitions within the ancient city walls, it kicks off on July 10th.
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
- Learn more: Reykjavik travel guide
- Why visit in July? 24/7 sun and an endless playlist of natural wonders to explore.
If you really love the sun, the best place to visit in July might just be Iceland. Not only because of its bright summer days but also its bright summer nights thanks to the midnight sun.
Iceland’s already extraordinary landscapes become bathed in an ethereal glow, as the sun barely grazes the horizon before climbing into the sky again. Waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss take on a new light. Strokkur, the mighty geyser, casts strange shadows as it spews its hot waters high into the air.
And as it’s almost constant daylight, you can visit whenever you like to dodge the crowds and get a taste of Iceland’s natural wonders. Even though it was light, I found visiting at night made everything feel even stranger and more otherworldly.
Alongside excellent accommodation and dining options, basing yourself in Reykjavik gives you easy access to crowd-pleasing natural wonders. Golden Circle tours, the Blue Lagoon, and amazing boat trips are all easy day excursions.
7. Aquitaine, France
- Learn more: Biarritz travel guide
- Why visit in July? Huge golden beaches and small, fun surf.
France’s southwest coastline is heaven just as much for beachgoers and surfers as city slickers and culture vultures. My preference is to enjoy it all by making for the stretch of coast between Biarritz and Hossegor.
July isn’t exactly peak season for surfers. But even in summer the Atlantic routinely delivers smaller swells to the beaches of Biarritz’s Grande Plage and Hossegor’s Estagnots. And what beaches they are, from empty golden stretches lined by pine forests to chic clubs with loungers and cocktails.
When the waves go flat, head to Hossegor for a slice of surfer life. Stroll the many surf and souvenir shops that line its central streets and stop for coffee and cake at the Café de Paris, whose extensive terrace is a prime people-watching viewpoint. Once the sun sets, there’s only one destination: Rock Food, right on the beach. A surf culture hotspot famed for riotous parties, locals have been known to refer to it as ‘ground zero for good times.’
Best places to visit in July around the world
Winter sun and dry season adventures abound on the far side of the world. The flights may be longer, but the rewards of a long-haul Africa or Asia trip are always worth it.
8. Cape Town, South Africa
- Learn more: Cape Town travel guide
- Why visit in July? To escape the summer crowds.
If constant sun and throbbing crowds aren’t your idea of fun, there are plenty of opportunities to go where others don’t. Cape Town in July is mid-winter, which means the weather can be cool and drizzly. It is, however, a city that blooms in the wilder months.
With temperatures hovering around 55-60°F, tourists are thin on the ground so you’ll have the pick of things to do. Table Mountain is particularly special on clear days, though be sure to visit before its winter closure on July 24th. Hiking the Cape Peninsula in particular is incredible. Take foggy morning walks to hidden waterfalls in thick forests before retiring fireside to a wine-land pub with mountain views.
July is also the start of the whale-watching season. Join a local tour boat for a close-up sighting. Or just wander down to the shore and keep an eye out for southern right and humpback whales calving in the shallow waters.
9. Hoi An, Vietnam
- Learn more: Hoi An travel guide
- Why visit in July? For dry season sun in a historic setting.
It’s a long journey, but Vietnam’s central coast is undoubtedly one of the best July travel destinations. Dodging the monsoons drenching the tourist hotspots of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, July here is sunny and dry.
At its heart, Hoi An is a magical city, like something plucked from the pages of history. Ancient streets lined with wooden teahouses and olden temples, all lantern-lit and impossibly atmospheric.
Drop by one of the tailors to have a custom suit or dress made in a day. Ride a scooter to the white sand beaches of nearby Da Nang and drop by the incredible Golden Bridge, held aloft by giant hands emerging from the ground.
10. Madagascar
- Learn more: Antananarivo travel guide
- Why visit in July? For dry season sun in a historic setting.
The dry season in Madagascar is the perfect time to explore its incredibly diverse wildlife. July is cool but not cold with temperatures still reaching 75°F. Rainforest hikes and lemur treks are much more agreeable than in sweltering summer months.
No visit is complete without a walk down the extraordinary Avenue of the Baobabs. Celebrating the tree that’s emblematic of the island, the Baobab Fosa festival takes place just an hour away in Morondava.
Five miles offshore, volcanic island Nosy Be is home to Madagascar’s picture postcard beaches and humpback and dwarf fin whales. Beautiful but developed, it swaps the island’s rugged side for resorts and restaurants. It’s a lovely place to spend a few days.
Data-backed picks from KAYAK
If seasonal events aren’t on your wish list, consider instead one of the data-based destinations. These destinations are based on KAYAK flight and hotel data, taking into account budget, weather, and popularity (so you can avoid the crowds). For personalized recommendations based on your location and chosen destination check out the Best Time to Travel tool.
| Destination | Country | Avg. flight price | Avg. hotel price | Avg. temp | Avg precipitation | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | TH | $1,446 | $44 | 84℉ | 6 '' | low |
| San Francisco | US | $400 | $197 | 59℉ | 0 '' | high |
| Los Angeles | US | $407 | $229 | 73℉ | 0 '' | medium |
| Singapore | SG | $1,511 | $133 | 82℉ | 6 '' | medium |
| Orlando | US | $333 | $142 | 84℉ | 7 '' | low |
| Honolulu | US | $879 | $314 | 81℉ | 1 '' | medium |
| London | GB | $1,075 | $194 | 63℉ | 2 '' | medium |
| Amsterdam | NL | $1,251 | $258 | 61℉ | 3 '' | low |
| Las Vegas | US | $403 | $173 | 93℉ | 0 '' | low |
| Madrid | ES | $1,087 | $135 | 77℉ | 0 '' | medium |
| Istanbul | TR | $1,312 | $80 | 73℉ | 0 '' | high |
| Rome | IT | $1,308 | $213 | 73℉ | 1 '' | medium |
| Barcelona | ES | $1,136 | $193 | 73℉ | 1 '' | high |
| Berlin | DE | $1,131 | $169 | 64℉ | 2 '' | medium |
| Vancouver | CA | $502 | $272 | 64℉ | 1 '' | high |
| Palma de Mallorca | ES | $1,201 | $186 | 77℉ | 0 '' | high |
| Edinburgh | GB | $1,401 | $220 | 59℉ | 2 '' | medium |
| Seattle | US | $473 | $327 | 66℉ | 1 '' | high |
| Chania | GR | $1,305 | $149 | 79℉ | 0 '' | high |
| Tokyo | JP | $1,268 | $159 | 79℉ | 5 '' | medium |
The following information refers to the destinations listed in the table.
Recommendation ranking within table:
Our recommendation ranking of where to go is calculated based on average flight prices, average hotel prices, popularity, average temperature, and average precipitation. Flight prices, hotel prices, popularity, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, the less the better. Average temperature optimal values are taken as the median for the destination, and a difference is calculated for the month from this reference point. The smaller the difference the more desirable the city is to visit in this month. This temperature factor is weighed double as much as popularity and precipitation.
Flight and hotel prices:
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from search period ‘2023-11-01’ to ‘2024-01-15’ for travel period ‘2024-07’. Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler, and hotel prices represent 3 stars or below hotels’ nightly rates for a standard double room. Price insights are subject to vary depending on the exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.
Popularity:
Monthly crowd estimates for each destination are determined by internal flight and hotel search data. This incorporates the latest historical insights from the past year collected on ‘2024-01-15’. For each destination, this popularity estimate is pulled for the particular month to gauge where it might not be too crowded.
Weather (average monthly temperature and precipitation):
Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data is based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.
Discover more great places to travel
With the summer in full swing, the world is your oyster for vacations of every persuasion. For more inspiration, check out my picks for the best places to visit in June and August.
If you need even more inspiration, try KAYAK Explore and KAYAK Trips. Whatever your plans, KAYAK will serve you great value flights, trains, car rental, and places to stay.
