Looking for a holiday somewhere that’s hot in July? Summer sunshine awaits, whether you want to explore far-flung islands in Asia or discover medieval European beach towns.
As the weather in the UK and Europe starts to get properly hot in July, you don’t have to go far to get glorious sunshine. Best of all, there are still some brilliant bargains to be had. School is still in session until the end of the month, so popular holiday resorts aren’t too crowded earlier on. And, for families looking for scorching sunshine when the kids finally get off school, there are plenty of hot destinations right on our doorstep.
| Country | City | Average temperature in July |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Okinawa | 31°C / 88°F |
| Spain | Seville | 36°C / 97°F |
| China | Chengdu | 30°C / 86°F |
| USA | Las Vegas | 41°C / 106°F |
| Montenegro | Kotor | 31°C / 88°F |
| Czechia | Prague | 26°C / 79°F |
| Portugal | Lisbon | 28°C / 82°F |
| UAE | Abu Dhabi | 41°C / 106°F |
| Greece | Kos | 31°C / 88°F |
Where else is hot in July?
It’s the height of summer in the northern hemisphere, so destinations throughout Europe are hot in July. Even Nordic countries are getting toasty, with temperatures averaging 23°C in Stockholm and Oslo. It’s also an ideal time to see the famous midnight sun.
Look for flights deals for Southeast Asia and the Caribbean in July, when some people are put off by the rainy season’s tropical downpours. But if you don’t mind a bit of humidity, you can often snap up a bargain. And there’ll be plenty of sunshine in between showers.
It’s winter in the southern hemisphere, so not as hot in July as in Europe. This is a great time of year to go hiking and sightseeing. Daytime temperatures in South Africa’s Kruger National Park are a very acceptable 17°C, perfect for a safari. It’s also an excellent time to visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, with temperatures around 25°C, or take a road trip down under. Because this is a dry month in Cairns, diving conditions are at their finest.
1. Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa has some of Japan’s most incredible beaches and, because it’s hot in July, this is the prime time to enjoy them. The island prefecture is known for its wide sandy beaches, warm tropical weather and coral reefs teeming with marine life.
Spend your days snorkelling in the turquoise shallows, or join a kayak tour through atmospheric mangrove forests. Okinawa is made up of more than 150 islands, sprinkled throughout the South China Sea, so take a boat trip out to some of the deserted ones for a seriously laid back afternoon. Another unique underwater activity to try in Okinawa is sea walking. You don’t need any scuba or snorkel experience – just pop on a helmet and go!
During the evening, the skies of Okinawa are lit with fireworks as part of its summer festival series. The Nago Summer Festival is one of the most popular, taking place at the end of July. Expect street food stalls, live music and dance performances and the famous fireworks display. The Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival is another popular event, with the island’s largest display taking place right at the end. While both events were postponed last year due to a COVID outbreak, it’s hoped that they’ll come back with an even bigger bang for 2023.
Another unique thing to look for in Okinawa in July is the sagaribana flowers. These sparkler-like flowers only bloom at night during the summer. However, typhoons can occur in July, so keep a close eye on the weather forecast.
2. Chengdu, China
Chengdu is reliably hot in July but not as humid as other parts of China, making it an excellent choice at this time of year. This laid-back city is the capital of the Sichuan region, and the gateway to some of the south’s most dramatic scenery.
July is a great time of year for a trip to Mount Emei – the site of China’s first Buddhist temple, and the famous Leshan Giant Buddha. The latter was carved out of red sandstone over 1,000 years ago, during the Tang dynasty. It takes up to 90 minutes to reach the mountain via bullet train, which leaves frequently throughout the day.
Chengdu is also famous for its giant pandas. You can see them playing and roaming through the trees at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. As well as being a sanctuary for fluffy giant pandas, it’s also home to other cute creatures, like red pandas.
And of course, we couldn’t talk about the Sichuan region without mentioning its famously fiery cuisine. There’s lots of street food to sample during summer. Try tian shui mian (thick noodles served in a sweet and spicy sauce), guo kui (fried ground meat pies) and sweet iced jelly.
3. Kotor, Montenegro
Nestled in a secluded bay on the Adriatic coast, Kotor offers the perfect combination of beach and mountains. The fortified medieval old town is made up of winding streets and charming squares, with ancient churches, cute cafés and quirky museums. It’s guaranteed to be hot in July, so settle in beneath a parasol and watch the world go by with a coffee.
For unbeatable sunset views, walk the 1,300 steps up to Kotor Fortress. It takes just over half an hour to reach the top, so bring plenty of water and try to avoid going during the hottest part of the day. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the bay and out towards the scrub-covered mountains.
If you fancy a swim, the town’s pebble beach is perfect. The swimming area is roped off for safety so you and the family can paddle ‘til your heart’s content. There are sun loungers for hire and plenty of seaside restaurants if you get peckish. If sandy beaches are more your thing, hire a car and take a drive along the coast towards Budva. You’ll find plenty of pretty bays to enjoy along that stretch.
Can’t wait until July?
Take a look at where’s hot in June including Koh Samui, Zadar and Sardinia. Or, check out our latest deals to find some last-minute sunshine.
FAQs
Most European countries get their hottest weather during July. Southern Europe, particularly Spain, has the most scorching weather. The hottest place in Spain in July is Seville, where daytime temperatures can reach 36°C. Summer winds from the Sahara desert blow through this part of Andalusia, so you’ll find similarly high temperatures in Cordoba and Granada.
If you’re dreaming of an island in the sun, there are plenty to choose from in July. In Europe you’ll find hot temperatures in Crete (29°C), Tenerife (29°C) and Mallorca (28°C). In Thailand, July is a good time to visit islands on the Gulf Coast like Koh Samui (28°C), Koh Pha Ngan (32°C) and Ko Tao (28°C). July is rainy season in the Caribbean, but Aruba (32°C) tends to be the driest with less than one inch of rain on average.
If you don’t like it too hot in July, Scandinavia tends to get excellent weather. It’s warm without being overbearing, it’s usually dry and there’s a festive atmosphere as people stay up all night to enjoy the midnight sun. It’s a great time to visit Reykjavik (14°C), Stockholm (24°C) and Copenhagen (22°C). For some of the best July weather in Europe, it’s hard to go wrong with the Mediterranean coasts of Greece, France, Spain, Italy and Türkiye.
