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Historic stone buildings and tall bell tower of Matera, Italy under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds — UNESCO World Heritage hill town.
Wanderlust · 5 min read · June 26, 2025

Holiday in July? Here's where to go before the summer holidays kick in

As the summer holidays get underway and families prepare for some time away together in the sun, here are our top suggestions for where to go…

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

Looking for a sunshine escape this July? We've rounded up our top picks for where to travel this month – think the flower-filled slopes of Alpe d'Huez, the colourful streets and Caribbean charm of Cartagena, the sun-baked stone beauty of Matera, and Bali at its laid-back, dry-season best. Whether you're craving beach days, mountain air or a bit of both, these July getaways hit the sweet spot for sun, scenery and a smoother summer holiday.

What you'll find in this guide:

Sweden

Sweden ranks 3rd Red wooden cabin on a small forested island in a Scandinavian lake, surrounded by calm water and lush green trees — peaceful Nordic nature escape.

Sweden is third in our Good Trip Index for 2025, scoring top for sustainability and well for animal rights, making it a great choice for an ethical and sustainable summer holiday.

And our top pick this summer is to take a sommarstuga – that's a Swedish summer house by a lake, where most Swedes go for their summer breaks. About 50% of Swedes have either their own summer house or easy access to one through family, so if you're lucky enough to be invited to one by Swedish friends that's the perfect way to do it. If not, there are plenty on Airbnb that you can simply book yourself.

Summer is, inevitably, the best time to enjoy a sommarstuga. In the winter, Sweden's cold, so unless you're here for the winter sports come when it's sunny instead. The outdoor cafe culture is in full swing and wild swimming at the beaches and lakes is popular – yes, we know no one thinks of Sweden for a beach holiday, but the beaches here are great.

You'll have missed the crowds here to celebrate the Nordic summer solstice at the end of June but still be in time to enjoy the wildflowers that mark the start of the summer season. Pretty much everyone speaks excellent English, the food and hospitality are excellent and whether you start off with a city break or head straight for a lakeside retreat, Sweden's lakeside summer houses make for a great July getting away from it all.

Korcula | Croatia

Croatia ranks 31st Stone fortress and historic buildings of Kor?ula Old Town, Croatia, seen from the turquoise Adriatic Sea — medieval coastal charm in the Dalmatian Islands.

For a slice of the Dalmatian coast without the crowds of Dubrovnik or Split, Korcula is a quiet medieval island worth exploring.

With palm-lined streets, a well-preserved medieval centre and sandy beaches, the town of Korcula itself is as relaxing as the Mediterranean gets. But amble around the island and you'll find sleepy villages and vineyards growing some of the most unique wines in Europe.

It's less about all-inclusive resorts and more about boutique hotels and villas. This Dalmatian Coast in miniature has just as much personality as its mainland counterpart, but with a much less touristy feel. And less touristy prices too. Meaning you can enjoy some tasty local dishes and drinks for a fraction of the price.

Matera | Italy

Italy ranks 32nd Historic stone buildings and tall bell tower of Matera, Italy under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds — UNESCO World Heritage hill town.

Right in the middle of Italy's Mezzogiorno, or midday, region, the city of Matera is pretty much guaranteed sunshine in summer. But as with most cities in Italy, whether it's criss-crossing canals, Renaissance art, or ancient ruins, this one's got a unique sell all of its own.

Built on, around and in a steep ravine, Matera boasts one of the most unique cityscapes in the world, with houses, churches, hotels and shops all built into caves that were once home to Paleolithic troglodytes – which is something we've never said before. These cave dwellings are concentrated in the city's Sassi districts, and many have been sensitively restored over the years, making them a key part of the city's identity.

Cartagena and Bogotá | Colombia

Colombia ranks 68th Colorful colonial street in Cartagena, Colombia with balconies, vibrant walls, and the iconic clock tower cathedral in the background — lively historic cityscape.

We couldn't decide which to include so this one's a double whammy.

Set on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Cartagena dates all the way back to the 1500s. The beautifully preserved old town is the perfect glimpse into the city's colonial era, with cobblestone streets, colourful mansions, vibrant plazas and a heady Afro-Caribbean flavour. Get lost in the city's vibrant neighbourhoods or take a quick boat ride to the nearby islands, where the beaches offer up crisp white sand and cooling sea.

For lower temperatures, head to Bogotá, Colombia's high-altitude capital. It enjoys a pleasant spring-like climate all year round, so even in the middle of July the heat is perfectly bearable. It's the perfect gateway to exploring the Andes mountains – get there by cable car or hike it if that's more your style. Either way you'll be rewarded with stunning views, cloud forests, waterfalls and lakes.

It's technically possible to combine them into one trip by flying into Cartagena and out from Bogotá, giving you a proper taste of everything the country's got to offer.

Alp d'Huez | France

France ranks 20th Panoramic view of Alpe d'Huez, France with a village nestled in a lush alpine valley surrounded by dramatic cliffs and snow-capped peaks — scenic summer Alps getaway.

The ski resorts that British holidaymakers flock to during the winter months take on a new lease of life in the summer as the snows clear and the mountains fill with wildflowers, sun and mountain bikers taking on the 21 bends at Alp d'Huez. The same facilities that serve skiers in the winter run all summer, so you've got access to world-class accommodation as well as lifts taking you up and down the mountains.

Why go in July? It's Bastille Day on the 14th, which the mountain villages celebrate with spectacular firework displays, so if you want to catch a French holiday before the schools break up this is the last weekend to do so and there's plenty to see and do. Alternatively, if you're taking the family, a week in the mountains is the perfect alternative to the seaside – clean air, plenty of exercise and great food.

Bali | Indonesia

Indonesia ranks 119th Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bali, Indonesia at sunrise with misty mountains, traditional pagodas, and reflections on the lake — serene cultural landmark in nature.

July is right in the middle of the dry season, which means low humidity and warm sunshine – perfect for a tropical getaway. The maximum temperature sits at around 27ºC which is at the higher end of comfortable, but it's still term time for a lot of countries so the resorts won't be completely full up yet.

Surf the world-famous waves at Kuta Beach, explore the lush rice terraces of Ubud, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture with traditional Balinese dances and festivals. If you do find yourself in or around Ubud, you absolutely have to visit the Ubud Monkey Forest. This sanctuary is home to a colony of endangered long-tailed macaques that make their home among the trees and temple ruins. Just keep hold of your possessions as they've been known to steal gadgets and accessories and only return them in exchange for food.

July is also ideal for diving in the crystal-clear waters of Nusa Penida, an island just a short boat ride from Bali. Known for its dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches, it offers some of the best diving spots in Indonesia. For those who prefer staying above water, snorkelling and paddleboarding are excellent ways to enjoy the stunning seascapes.

The Polish Riviera

Poland ranks 37th Peaceful sandy beach and pine forest trail on the Polish Riviera with a red bicycle overlooking the Baltic Sea — scenic coastal cycling route in northern Poland.

There's a trio of cities on Poland's Baltic Sea coast that between them make up the Polish Riviera. Poland might not be at the top of your list for a beach getaway but you may be surprised. Sopot, Gdynia and Gda?sk all offer something a bit different, whether it's the charming gabled streets and 17th-century architecture of Gda?sk, the modern charm of Gdynia or the endless sandy beach of Sopot.

The weather can get surprisingly hot in July which makes it a great to visit. That, and there's loads going on at this time of year between the three cities. The biggest event being the Open'er Festival – one of Poland's biggest music festivals. This year it's featuring huge artists like Muse, Linkin Park and Gracie Abrams.


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