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Here are the best places to go in July this year, from festivals to beaches. There, we’ll see you!
July means summer, the end of school, warmer weather, and more festivals than you can shake a stick at. We’re not sure why you’d shake your first at a festival, but July has long been the most popular month to travel internationally.
The best places to go in July are all over the world, from Montreal and Madagascar to the Netherlands and New Zealand, and the rest.
July is when places start to get really busy, so make your reservations early!
1. Greenland
Some people have called Greenland “the new Iceland,” but it’s still a long way behind its more popular sibling. This is good news for people who want to get off the beaten path.
July is technically high season here, and hotels do fill up quickly, but this is the world’s largest island, so there are plenty of chances to be alone.
What’s with the icebergs? Join a nighttime cruise of Ilulissat Icefjord, which is on the Unesco World Heritage list and is the size of 66,000 football fields. Until around the 24th of the month, the midnight sun turns a group of creaking bergs pink, purple, and orange.
2. Madagascar
Madagascar is a great place to visit in July because it has some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet. The weather is also cooler and drier, which makes it easier to spot lemurs on rainforest treks.
At this time of year, humpback whales come here to give birth to their young. You can see them in Tulear and Nosy Be, or you can go to the humpback whale festival on Nosy Boraha.
The people of Morondava celebrate the island’s unique ecosystem with the Baobab Fosa festival. At the festival, you can see fossas, which are related to mongooses, and walk along the beautiful Avenue of the Baobabs.
Looking for a location to stay in Madagascar? Check these hotels.
3. Northwest England
We’ll be the first to admit that the weather in the northwest of England isn’t always the best. Most of the year, it rains, but when the sun finally comes out in July, everyone is as excited as a child.
The big cities of the Northwest follow suit. When the sun is out, Liverpool and Manchester stand out the most. Even though the north is known for its rain, an Aigburth beer garden on a Saturday afternoon is hard to beat.
When you add in some great park festivals, you have a very special part of the world.
Check out the best hotels in England.
4. Amsterdam in the Netherlands
In July, everything in Amsterdam is good: the food, the weather, and the atmosphere. The best places to hang out on lazy summer days are Vondelpark, where you can often see free comedy, dance, and music shows, and Roest urban beach, which has an adult-friendly jungle gym.
Even though the city’s usual celebrations might not be as big as usual this year, keep an eye out for street food markets and other events that happen during the city’s usually lively Pride season.
Looking for a location to stay in Amsterdam? Check these hotels.
5. Hoi An in Vietnam
As the monsoon rains hit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, smart travelers in Vietnam head to the central coast, where the weather is dry and warm.
There are some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, cities on the Unesco list, and national parks that will blow your mind right here. In the old port city of Hoi An, where lantern-lit streets lead to Chinese temples and old teahouses, you can step back in time.
Then, leave town to relax on the white sand beaches around Da Nang, take a motorbike tour through the dangerous Hai Van Pass, and see Hue’s Imperial citadel before heading inland to see the huge Phong Na Caves.
Looking for a location to stay in Hoi An? Check these hotels.
6. Montreal in Canada
The Canada Day celebrations in Montreal kick off a whole month of summer fun in a city that is usually known for its cold winters.
The highlights are usually the largest street fair in the country, the Sainte-Catherine Street Fair, and Just for Laughs, the biggest international comedy festival in the world. The Cirque Festival makes sure you won’t have to look too hard for street entertainment; performers from Cirque du Soleil, the National Circus School, and other groups put on a lot of shows to celebrate one of Quebec’s most famous art forms.
But if you can’t go to any festivals this year, July is still a great time to explore this amazing city and get food from the best chefs in the city at Time Out Market Montreal.
Looking for a location to stay in Montreal? Check these hotels.
7. South Island in New Zealand
New Zealand’s South Island is a great winter getaway because it has great ski slopes, luxurious hot springs, and great places to watch whales.
During the coldest months, you can also see the aurora australis, also called the “southern lights,” dancing along the horizon. This can be seen best in Dunedin around a new moon. The rise of the Pleiades star cluster in July marks the beginning of Matariki, the Maori New Year, which is celebrated with cultural feasts and festivals.
The best place to look at the stars is at the Mt. John Observatory in Tekapo, which is in an international dark sky reserve.
Looking for a location to stay on the South Island? Check these hotels.
8. Provence in France
From Avignon and Marseille to Nice, St. Tropez, and Cannes, Provence is full of historic and stylish cities and towns. But don’t forget the large areas of peaceful countryside in between.
In July, you can try crisp, dry rosé at Chateau Gassier, which usually has outdoor tastings and a movie under the stars in the summer. You can also play in the lavender fields around Aix-en-Provence and Senanque Abbey before the harvest, celebrate the Fête Nationale in almost every town and village, or see Tour de France riders along the dizzyingly high trail of Mont Ventoux.
Looking for a location to stay in Provence? Check these hotels.
9. Singapore
Singapore is a food lover’s dream any time of the year, but July is the best time to go. That’s when the Singapore Food Festival takes place, a celebration of the city’s many different kinds of food. This week-long celebration of local flavors is worth skipping breakfast for. There are cooking masterclasses, fine dining events, and a street food extravaganza.
Done with the heat? Get out of the heat in the air-conditioned malls on Orchard Road and do some shopping. The Great Singapore Sale is going on almost the whole month and has great deals and steep discounts.
Looking for a location to stay in Singapore? Check these hotels.
10. Cape Town, South Africa
Want to see whales when you’re in Cape Town? In this part of the world, whale season starts in July, so it’s best to get ready early and set up camp. Southern right whales and humpback whales are most likely to show up at this early stage.
In other parts of the city, winter is at its peak, which means mild temperatures and a cozy atmosphere without the heat of summer. In July, you’ll have the sights to yourself.
Looking for a location to stay in Cape Town? Check these hotels.
11. Japan
A year after the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, Japan’s capital and other important places are back to normal, which means they are still hot and crowded. So, if you can, try to visit places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima early in the month. You can also visit less well-known places like Shiretoko Peninsula or Hateruma Island.
Or, if you only have a short amount of time, you can stick to day trips from the city and do your own athletic feats, like climbing Mount Fuji or surfing in Kamakura.
Looking for a location to stay in Cape Town? Check these hotels.
Check out the best hotels in Japan.
