The 15 best places to travel in July 2025

Average July temp: 17C/63F

Quite simply the best city in the world to visit in 2025 (according to us), Cape Town is where it’s at for a blow-out, all-the-frills holiday this year. And don’t discount it just because it’s winter time here: if you’re outdoorsy and want to spend your time hiking, sailing, diving and more, there’s no better time than this. Plus you can visit one of our newest Time Out Markets, right on the iconic V&A waterfront. You’ll have most of the big sights to yourself at this time of year, and the South African penguins are still kicking about through the month. 

Why go now? Hoping to see some whales while in Cape Town? July is the beginning of whale season in this part of the world, so best to get ahead of the game and set up camp accordingly, with southern right and humpback whales most likely to show their faces at this early juncture. 

Average July temp: 19C/66F

I’ve officially given up on travelling abroad during the summer. Popular summer holiday spots like the Med are eye-wateringly expensive, ridiculously crowded and literally boiling. You know where probably isn’t boiling in July? England. The British summertime might be temperamental, but when the sun shows its face, the vibe is unbeatable. And for the quintessential English countryside experience, the Cotswolds is your kingdom, all rolling hills and poky villages carved out of golden stone. Catch and grill your own lunch at Bibury Trout Farm, set out on some nice long rambles, or settle down in a pub garden and make the most of that sweet, sweet sun.

Why go now? Lavender harvests are at their peak in July, making it the perfect time to to visit Cotswolds Lavender near Broadway for miles and miles of stunning purple. Open June to August 2025. 

📍 Discover the best Airbnbs in the Cotswolds

Average July temp: 28C/83F

If there’s one thing to know before you visit Vietnam, it’s not to count on the weather. It’s extremely changeable here, and forecasts are often inaccurate. But your best bet is to head to the central coast if you’re here in peak summer, as the monsoon rains fall in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Mostly you’ll find the weather in Hoi An dry and warm at this time of year, which is ideal to soak up some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, along with Unesco-listed cities and jaw-dropping national parks.

🤫 Insider tip: Make sure to visit Red Sun for Bánh Xèo (crispy filled pancakes), Bánh bao bánh vạc (rose dumplings) and more – my favourite meal in Hoi An.  

Why go now? Get mesmerised witnessing the Lantern Festival on July 8, 2025, where lantern-strewn streets reveal Chinese temples and ancient teahouses. 

Average July temp: 31C/88F

A popular destination for tourists, this tropical subcontinent has something to offer all year round, but in July temperatures cool down a little following May and June (but it’s still hot, don’t worry). Known as the ‘City of lakes’, Udaipur is a beautiful city in the heart of the state of Rajasthan, with historic palaces, temples, a wildlife sanctuary and a ton of markets for shopping. Be sure to spend your evenings in a rooftop cafe for fantastic food with a view. End the day sitting next to the water and soak up the tranquility. 

Why go now? It’s monsoon season in the whole of India in July, which makes it the ideal time to visit The Lake Palace before the lake dries up. 

📍 Discover the top places to visit in India 

Average July temp: 21C/70F

Montréal is often a city more associated with icy winters than crazy summers. But mark our words: July in this Canadian wonderland slaps every time, with sunny, balmy weather, and optimum time to sample some of the city’s best food at Time Out Market Montréal. 

Why go now? Canada Day starts on July 1, 2025, kicking off a whole month of summer fun, from Sainte Catherine Street Fair (the largest in the country) to the world’s biggest international comedy festival, Just for Laughs. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Montreal

Average July temp: 24C/75F

Munich is a cracking winter destination, don’t get us wrong (not least because Germany is home to some of the most magical Christmas markets on earth). But at the height of summer, German cities gets a new breath of life – and it makes for a pretty insane trip. Spend a weekend morning at open-air market Viktualienmarkt, watch surfers from a sunny bank on the Eisbach, and spend a warm day hanging out in Munich’s central square Marienplatz. Winter destination? Pfft. Get you a city that can do both, we say. 

Why go now? Check out the Munich’s Tollwood Festival in Olympiapark, June 19 to July 20, 2025. 

Average July temp: 7C/46F

Touted by some as ‘the new Iceland’, Greenland may be more popular than ever before, but it’s still a long way behind its oversaturated sibling – all the better for those wanting to get off the beaten track. July is technically high season here, and hotels do book up fast, but this is the world’s largest (and arguably wildest) island, and there are plenty of opportunities to find relative solitude.

Why go now? In it for the icebergs? Join a nighttime cruise of Unesco-listed Ilulissat Icefjord (the size of 66,000 football fields), where until around the 24th of the month, the midnight sun sets a cast of creaking bergs aglow in hues of pink, purple and orange.

Average July temp: 10C/50F

With sweet ski slopes, luxury hot springs and fantastic whale watching opportunities, New Zealand’s South Island is a no-brainer when it comes to winter escapes. The coldest months also offer the chance to witness the aurora australis (southern lights) dancing along the horizon, best spotted in Dunedin close to a new moon. Visit Mt John Observatory in Tekapo, which sits within an international dark sky reserve, for unbeatable stargazing.

Why go now? The rise of the Pleiades star cluster marks the start of Matariki (Maori New Year), which is celebrated with cultural festivals and feasts, this year kicking off just before July begins on June 28, 2025. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in New Zealand

Average temp: 22C/72F

July in Amsterdam is all about good food, good weather and good vibes. Lazy summer days are best spent hanging out in Vondelpark, where you can often catch free open-air comedy, dance and musical performances, or at Roest urban beach, which comes complete with an adult-friendly jungle gym. Keep an eye out for street food markets, and make sure to go for a canalside drink at our favourite bar, Hannekes Boom.

Why go now? Pride kicks off on July 23, 2025, with an extensive programme of sports, cultural activities, parties and more. 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Amsterdam

Average July temp: 20C/68F

Home to some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet, Madagascar is a joy to visit in July, when the weather is cooler and drier, making lemur spotting on rainforest treks more comfortable. Humpback whales migrate here to calve their young at this time of year – spot them in Tulear and Nosy Be, or experience the humpback whale festival on Nosy Boraha. In Morondava, the local community celebrates the island’s precious ecology with the Baobab Fosa festival, where you can spot fossa (a relative of the mongoose), and walk the dazzling Avenue of the Baobabs.

Why go now? Hiragasy is a much loved July event and a traditional form of entertainment in Madagascar since the 18th century. Think dance, music, drinking, competitions and a whole lot more.