The 17 best places to travel in August 2025

Average temp in August: 22C/71F

This Massachusetts peninsula is about as American as you can get: think clapperboard houses with white picket fences, root beer and flags. Along with those wide, sandy beaches (there are over 60 open to the public) and colourful lighthouses, it’s postcard perfect, and Islands Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are very popular with the posh set, but there’s lots of fun to be had onshore too. Make sure to sample local lobster rolls and clam chowder, and catch some whale-watching – the best boats leave from Provincetown, which is also a local hub for arts and culture. It’ll fill up for Labor Day on 1 September, but until then crowds are moderate.

Why go now? From August 16-23, Provincetown Carnival Week, a sprawling, vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community featuring parties, gigs and, of course, the Carnival Parade on Thursday August 21, is on. 

💡 Insider tip: As well as witnessing the whales, this cruise comes with an onboard expert to fill you in on the impressive creatures. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Cape Cod

Average temp in August: 22C/72F

France isn’t short of cracking holiday destinations. But may I make a case for the delightful Carcassonne, which isn’t (completely) overrun with tourists like some of the others? There’s the famous castle, sure, which is actually a properly good tourist attraction, completely beautiful and not too busy if you go in the morning. You can sip beers in the main square by the fountain, do a classic French food shop in the supermarché, buy ridiculously good pastries at Pâtisserie Papineau and have lots (and lots) of cassoulet for dinner. You’ll also find a mixture of traditional museums and galleries showcasing local works and a number of lovely vineyards nearby. If you’ve got the car, consider a French road trip to hit Nice, Nîmes and more along the way.

Why go now? The beautiful Cavayére Lake is just a short one-euro bus ride out of the town, which is really quiet even in peak season, and has tons of kids activities and a more kid-free area too. A prime spot when the weather is in full summer mode.

📍 Discover the best things to do in France

Average temp in August: 19C/66F

While I vouch for it no matter the time of year, Brighton (one of our favourite cities in the world right now) really shines in August. Whether you’re piling into the city for a couple of days of sea air or you’ve snagged a ticket to one of the many beachfront events, there’s a tonne going on during the day, in the evenings and on the weekends. When the sun creeps out, go on a really, really long walk from one end of the seafront (the Marina) to the other (Marroccos in is an excellent, family-run gelato stop and a good end point). Work your way up into Hove for a couple of pub stops (The Brunswick, the Lion and Lobster and the Wick Inn are all solid options) before copping a spot at pretty much any restaurant in Preston Street (Halisco is my favourite). 

Why go now? Brighton Pride, the biggest, loudest and most fabulous LGBTQ+ celebration in the UK, takes place every year on the first weekend of August. Don’t get me wrong, the city is packed – and I mean packed – from late Thursday to early Monday, but the sun is usually out, the parade is magnificent and the vibes are joyous. 

💡 Insider tip: On the seafront in Hove is Rockwater, a restaurant and events space which offers everything from sound baths to puppy yoga, and at the Brighton end of the beach is Sea Lanes, an outdoor pool and fitness space. Why not make the most of those sunny early mornings and get involved? The views in the summer months are incredible.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Brighton

Average temp in August: 11-19C/52-66F

There is literally no better time to finally tick Edinburgh off your bucket list than in August, when the famous Edinburgh Fringe (the biggest arts festival in the entire world) takes over the city. Be you a comedy, theatre, film or music person, the Fringe is a fun, fast, chaotic burst of all things silly and creative. There’s bars, street food, nights out and more, and we’ll be reviewing all the shows you need to know about, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Why go now? If Fringe wasn’t enough, Edinburgh Book Festival, International Festival and Art Festival are all taking place throughout the month, and there are even free or pay-what-you-can events on offer.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Edinburgh

Average temp in August: Coastal areas – 10-15C/50-60F, interior areas – 7-18C/45-65F

August is slightly rainier in Alaska than earlier summer months, but with fewer crowds and lower prices, the benefits often outweigh the weather risks. It’s a wonderful month to spot caribou, wolves and golden eagles in Denali National Park, as well as grizzly bears, who are busy hunting salmon so they can fatten up before hibernation. They also nibble on the season’s abundant berries – blueberries are particularly fat and juicy in Alaska – and you can also taste them at the annual Alyeska Berry Festival in Anchorage. Don’t miss Alaska State Fair in Palmer, which marks the last days of summer with concerts, fairground rides and street food.

Why go now? It’s Salmonfest, guys. From 1-3 August, an arts and culture festival will be held in the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik all to promote, protect and preserve salmon and their habitats.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Alaska

Average temp in August: 20-28C/68-82F

Slovenia might just be Europe’s worst-kept secret. In August, the capital Ljubljana and Lakes Bled and Bohinj are packed with locals and tourists alike, but if you do want to guarantee a crowd-free trip, there are plenty of lesser-known corners of this compact country to explore. As the holiday resorts sizzle, alpine regions offer respite from the heat, making it the perfect time to climb Mount Triglav.  Slovenia has gorgeous towns around every corner, from Idrija to Kamnika via Radovljica, Brežice and all the rest. 

Why go now? Mladi Lvei, though we don’t yet know dates for 2025, is a brilliant international festival of contemporary performing arts with shows at the Old Power Station, the Ljubljana Dance Theatre and Tabor Park. 

💡 Insider tip: If you really want to get off the beaten track, head east to wander around the pretty towns of Maribor and Ptuj, or go wine tasting in the surrounding Styrian vineyards.

Average temp in August: 10.5C/51F

There’s never a bad time to visit Iceland, right? August is the warmest month of the year here, but do remember that that means daily averages between 10 and 15 degrees celsius, so it is hardly sweltering. Still, balmy for Iceland, and visiting this gorgeous part of the world during the ubiquitously-bright summer months is an experience in itself. The grass is a little greener during August, and the warmer weather allows Iceland’s wonderful wildlife the chance to cavort through the fields. Yes, it is just like a fairytale. 

Why go now? Þjóðhátíð or Thjodhatid Festival is taking place on August 1-3, but the entire month experiences between 15-17 hours of daylight, making it a brilliant time to explore as much of this magnificent, rugged landscape as possible. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Iceland

Average temp in August: Coastal areas – 27-31C/81-88F, interior areas – 20-26C/68-79F

All kinds of adventures await in East Africa in August. The Great Migration is in full swing, meaning wildlife-spotting opportunities abound in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, and it’s also one of the best times of year to track silverback gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. 

Why go now? August is the peak dry season for East Africa, and Masai Mara National Reserve brags vast open savannas and a shedload of big cats – expect lions, cheetahs and leopards here. 

💡 Insider tip: Beach bum? Into your snorkelling and scuba diving? The weather is warm and dry (and the waters brimming with marine life) on Pemba Island and Zanzibar.

Average temp in August: 13-25C/56-77F

The Pacific Northwest has a reputation for being, how do we say this, a little bit drizzly. What is the best way to ensure good weather when visiting? Nothing is certain in this life, of course, but heading to Seattle and its surroundings in August is your best bet. The warm weather means outdoor activities aplenty, from city markets and food festivals to embracing nearby nature, while the ferries are also at their busiest during this time. 

Why go now? If you’re visiting the US for the first time, catching a typical sports game is one of the best ways to glimpse a bit of the culture. The Seattle Mariners are playing in the MLB (major league baseball) throughout August.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Seattle

Average temp in August: 26-30C/79-86F

Beach lovers will have the pick of the sand in Sri Lanka in August, with good weather expected pretty much everywhere in the north, east and west. Lower rainfall means an altogether more relaxed time, and August also represents the tail-end of the low season in Sri Lanka, so fewer crowds. 

Why go now? Nallur Festival runs all the way from late July until August 25, and is one of the most important Hindu events in the calendar. It’s celebrated at the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna – expect colourful processions and lots of people.

💡 Insider tip: It isn’t unusual to see blue whales here at this time of year too, and who wouldn’t want to see the world’s largest animal doing its thing?

📍 Discover the best things to do in Sri Lanka

Average temp in August: 14-22C/57-71F

If you want an affordable European break in August, make it Riga. With its colourful old town and beautiful parks, it’s easy to while away the summer days here without breaking the bank. The warmest month of the year sees the capital come to life with open-air concerts, street performances, pop-up food stalls and firework shows.

Why go now? Fancy throwing some shapes? Positivus Festival is a huge music festival that’s been going since 2007 and is a must if you’re keen for a boogie. Check ticket availability here.

Average temp in August: 9-17C/48-62.6F

It’s winter in Buenos Aires, but the low season is the best time to live like a local, as residents often escape the city during the busier summer months. Culturally the capital is very much alive and kicking, with the two-week-long Tango Festival and World Cup showcasing the best of Argentina’s national dance with free performances, workshops and talks, as well as the pro-competition. 

Why go now? On August 17 (and every Sunday) Feria de Mataderos takes place in the neighbourhood of Mataderos. It’s a folklore festival with singers, dancers, horseback gauchos and regional food – humita is a savoury corn and cheese mixture wrapped in husks. Sounds yum, right?  

📍 Discover the best things to do in Buenos Aires

Average temp in August: 21-31C/70-88F

A word of warning; it can get pretty darn hot in Bosnia and Herzegovina in August. That is more true in Herzegovina than Bosnia (Mostar tends to hover around the 40C mark), but refreshing salvation is at hand in the shape of the country’s fantastic mountains. Hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still developing, but an enthusiastic group of organisations have opened up mountains like Prenj, Maglaj (the country’s highest) and Vlašić, not to mention the Olympic mountains around Sarajevo. Keep to the trails though, for your own safety. 

Why go now? Sarajevo is already steeped in culture, but the annual Sarajevo Film Festival will be taking place from August 15-22, and it’s the largest of its kind in southeastern Europe. 

Average temp in August: 24C/75F

Madeira’s mild temperatures make it a winner with travellers year-round, but summer is the best time to spot or swim with whales and dolphins, of which there are more than 20 species in the island’s waters. It’s also a fine time for scuba diving, canyoning and coasteering, as well as hiking the interior’s rugged hillside trails, which follow a network of levadas – ingenious aqueducts constructed between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries to transport water to communities living in the southeast of the island.

Why go now? From August 24, Madeira’s annual wine festival, a huge celebration of the island’s vineyards and cellars, will be taking place. Concerts will take place in the vineyards and you can get stuck into some snacking and tasting at Praça do Povo, the official Madeira Wine Lounge. Saúde.

Average temp in August: 23-29C/73-84F

Looking for a low-key paradise isle? Samoa is blissfully free of flashy resorts and tourist traps, letting its natural and cultural riches speak for themselves. Samoa is popular with New Zealanders and Australians looking for a little winter sunshine, so book ahead to nab yourself a beach hut (known as a fale) and spend your days hopping between the islands’ must-sees, including Insta-friendly To-Sua Ocean Trench, the Alofaaga blowholes and Falealupo Canopy Walk.

Why go now? Samoa are playing in the 2025 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and Apia Park is set to host some of the games, so if you fancy an afternoon of sport, have a look at the schedule nearer the time. 

Average temp in August: Coastal areas – 23-28C/73-82F, Sofia – 17-29C/63-84F

Ready for long summer days spent partying on the beach? Make a beeline for Bulgaria’s affordable Black Sea Coast resorts, where there’s a sun lounger (and a glass of rakia) with your name on it. If you’re after a little culture, you’ll find the antidote to the region’s Irish pubs in Burgas, where the International Folklore Festival welcomes traditional singers, musicians and dancers from all over the Balkans and beyond to showcase their talents in late August. Inland, adventurous types should tackle Bulgaria’s highest peak, Mount Musala (2,925m), before the snows return.

Why go now? Dunav Ultra, a 740 km cycle along the River Danube will be back for its 2025 edition on August 30, which this year has been dubbed ‘the flow of time’. It’s set to journey through stunning scenery, past culture-rich towns, and it all kicks off Vidin.

Average temp in August: 24-32C/75-90F

There are 17,000 islands in Indonesia – but few travellers venture beyond Bali. August brings the best weather and the inevitable accompanying crowds, so you’re better off skipping the chaos of Kuta and yogi-saturated Ubud for underrated isles such as Sumba or Pulau Weh, both of which boast white sands, turquoise waters and cheaper accommodation. 

Why go now? If you do find yourself in Bali, Lovina Festival will be taking place from August 23-25. Keen to catch some traditional dance, local music and art exhibitions? This’ll be the place. It will be on Lovina Beach in North Bali and is a solid one for families travelling the island. 

💡 Insider tip: Raja Ampat in West Papua receives some rain at this time of year, but don’t let that put you off booking a homestay and exploring its dazzling coral reef.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Bali