July is peak holiday season, but some calendar events are just too good to miss.
Long, sunny days bring festival season to a salty corner of Canada. Or time it right for one of the world’s greatest wildlife phenomena in Kenya.
From the Welsh coast to the Caribbean, these are our top getaways for July.
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Best places to visit in July
- Pembrokeshire, Wales 19°C
- Provence, France 28°C
- Majorca, Spain 29°C
- Nova Scotia, Canada 22°C
- St Lucia, Caribbean 30°C
- Kenya, East Africa 28°C
Best UK holiday destination in July: Pembrokeshire, Wales
July high: 19°C
It’s been described as Cornwall without the crowds, but word’s already out on the Pembrokeshire coast’s show-stopping beauty. July is the best time to take a gamble on the changeable Welsh weather, with daily highs teetering close to 20 degrees C.
The historic harbour town of Tenby and the tiny city of St Davids rank highly in our survey of the UK’s best seaside towns. Nearby Barafundle Bay is one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches - with its vivid blue waters and dune-backed secluded sands.
You may even spot puffins making their splay-legged landing at wind-swept Skomer Island (a nesting site between April and July).
Book a Pembrokeshire holiday cottage with Which? Recommended Providers The Landmark Trust, Rural Retreats, National Trust and Classic Cottages.
Best holiday destinations in July (short-haul): Provence, France
July high: 28°C
It’s not all about the French Riviera. You’ll find an array of landscapes in Provence, from golden fields of sunflowers to wild rocky gorges. With 300 days of sunlight a year, it’s a fabulous year-round destination - but July brings with it an extra sprinkle of magic.
This is when Luberon’s fields turn a vivid purple and the powdery scent of lavender fills the air. The area is also famous for its food: stock up on meats, cheeses and juicy fruits at the local farmers’ markets.
If you ever tire of Provence rosé, wineries offer tastings of Côtes du Luberon - a delicious fruity red.
Go to Provence with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel, Inntraveland Trailfinders.
Best holiday destinations in July (short-haul): Majorca, Spain
July high: 29°C
The largest of the Balearic islands has a lot more to offer than fly-and-flop beach resorts. The dramatic Tramuntana Mountains along the west coast culminate in the spectacular Formentor Peninsula, while the south-east coast frays into a series of rocky coves - with calm, clear seas backed by fragrant pine trees.
Palma’s maze of medieval streets is another highlight, a honey-coloured Gothic cathedral at its centre. Visit in mid July for the festival of the Virgen del Carmen, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. In several port towns, a procession carries the statue of the virgin to the harbour - where it sets sail on a fleet of fishing boats adorned with flowers.
Find a Majorca holiday with Which? Recommended Providers Jet2Holidays, Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders.
Best holiday destinations in July (long-haul): Nova Scotia, Canada
July high: 22°C
Winters in this maritime province are harsh, with Atlantic swells thrashing the coastline. But summers are a different story altogether. Not only do white sand beaches bask in sunshine, but the calendar is a whirl of music, art and food festivals - starting with a huge Canada Day celebration on July 1.
Make sure to visit Peggy’s Cove and its iconic octagonal lighthouse, perched on a granite outcrop. Brightly-coloured clapboard houses and stacked lobster pots only add to the salty charm. It may be high-season, but Nova Scotia isn’t as busy - or as pricey - as other parts of Canada at this time of year.
Go to Nova Scotia with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel, Hays Travel and Trailfinders.
Best holiday destinations in July (long-haul): St Lucia, Caribbean
July high: 28°C
The backdrop will certainly add some drama to your beach break; the island is famous for the Pitons, two jungle-swathed volcanic spires rising majestically from the ocean. It’s also a great destination for nature lovers: swim beneath waterfalls and follow mountain trails to heart-pounding viewpoints.
At Anse Chastanet you can snorkel straight from the beach for encounters with turtles, seahorses and shoals of tropical fish. Or take a mud bath at Sulphur Springs - a dormant volcanic crater with bubbling hot springs.
St Lucia’s Carnival takes place from 1-17 July, culminating in a vibrant two-day street parade; expect feather headdresses and plenty of sparkle.
Find a St Lucia holiday with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel, Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders.
Best holiday destinations in July (long-haul): Kenya, East Africa
July high: 28°C
Kenya offers plenty of unforgettable experiences - from visiting Masai villages to floating above the savannah in a hot air balloon. But number one has to be safari. Our summer (Africa’s winter) is prime game-viewing season; there are fewer tall grasses for lions to hide behind and less rainfall, meaning animals congregate around water holes.
Late July, early August brings with it one of the most exciting wildlife events on earth - the Great Migration. More than 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra make their legendary 1,800 mile-round trek, arriving in the Masai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. The exact date varies; Mother Nature has the final say.
Visit Kenya with Which? Recommended Providers Exodus Adventure Holidays, Audley Travel, Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders.
