Where to Travel in Summer

The summer is the perfect season to be outdoors. The promise of neverending sunshine beckons in the far reaches of the northern hemisphere during June and July. And, in the southern hemisphere Patagonia’s remote hiking trails thaw from December to March. It seems there is always somewhere sunny to visit, because summer occurs at different times of the year around the globe, depending on the hemisphere.

But, the best places to visit in summer offer more than just sunshine. The seasonal highlights of each place are distinctive and varied. For example, Tanzania’s green (summer) season reveals incredible wildlife spectacles with lush emerald green vegetation transforming the dusty dry savannahs. In Brazil the peak summer month of February signifies the start of the Lent, marked with the electrifying Rio Carnival – the world’s biggest street party.

Read on to discover the many more highlights of summer found across the globe. We’ve asked our travel designers to curate a list of their favourite countries to visit during summer months, explaining why and sharing their personal tips and recommendations.

Above the Arctic Circle, Norway’s summer months bring continuous daylight from late May to mid-July – a rare natural phenomenon that lets you hike, sail and photograph the landscapes under a golden evening glow that lasts all night. Below the Arctic Circle, temperatures in areas like Oslo often reach 20–25°C (68–77°F), while days remain cooler along the coast, so packing layers is essential. Bergen is the gateway for the Norwegian Fjords where, once the snow melts, the high passes open revealing excellent hiking trails to complement the diverse cruise options.

For a summer vacation for families, we especially love the Lofoten Islands where you can stroll along white sands at Haukland Beach, cycle between fishing villages or enjoy gentle hikes under lingering daylight. During summer Norway is one of the best places to spot whales, particularly in Vesterålen, Andenes and Lofoten Islands.

Need to know: In Bergen, take the Fløyen Funicular up Mount Fløyen late in the evening. It runs until midnight in summer, offering sweeping views of the city and fjords bathed in the soft glow of the lingering daylight.

Italy’s summer runs from June to August with long, hot days and temperatures that easily reach 40°C (104°F) in cities like Rome and Venice. On the Amalfi Coast you’ll find picturesque, busy beaches by day and cocktail bars and restaurants that spill out onto narrow streets in the sultry heat by night. In the south Puglia’s cooling coastline, hilltop towns and ancient olive groves are a welcome summer retreat.

Sicily stands out as one of the best Mediterranean islands for its ancient ruins. Many of these fascinating landmarks such as Mount Etna and the archaeological sites of Agrigento and Segesta, are in the mountains. Explore these higher altitudes in summer for a refreshing break in the cool air, away from the intense summer heat.

Need to know: One of our favourite summer activities in Sicily is joining a farm-to-table cooking class at La Timpa in Ragusa, set within shady organic gardens and featuring seasonal produce.

Slovenia’s summer runs from June to August. You’ll find long days, clear lakes and alpine air that’s comfortable for hiking and swimming. At Lake Bled, July temperatures range between 24–26°C (75–79°F), so you can enjoy an active summer vacation paddleboarding in the lake, visiting the island’s Church of the Assumption of Mary, strolling the shore and cooling off at lidos. Vintgar Gorge is a classic boardwalk along the Radovna River and the surrounding valleys are a lovely place to bike or hike.

Lake Bohinj is a touch cooler than Bled with less crowds and wilder landscapes. We love how its mountainous backdrop makes even a short stroll feel cinematic. The Vogel cable car lifts you to about 1,535 metres for breezy ridge walks with views over Triglav National Park, one of the best national parks in Europe. In July, Lake Bohinj water temperature often reaches about 21°C (70°F) – great for freshwater swims.

Need to know: Bled Castle Restaurant, situated within the ancient castle wall is considered one of the best restaurants in Slovenia. Dine on seasonal dishes with views that look down over Lake Bled.

While the monsoon sweeps through much of Southeast Asia during the summer months (May to September), western and central Indonesia remains mainly dry and sunny at this time with daytime highs around 29–31°C (84–88°F). On Lombok, summer is a great time for surfing on Selong Belanak. Gentle waves offer the perfect beginners to practice in the glorious sunshine.

This comfortable climate and the calm seas are ideal for chartering a yacht around Komodo National Park – drift between pink-sand coves, snorkel over reefs and watch for manta rays, reef sharks or turtles. On land, you can trek to see Indonesia’s famous Komodo Dragons. It’s best to do so during the dry summer season, when the trails are easier to navigate and the dragons are most active.

Need to know: Pairing Komodo with Sumba or Lombok works well because you can enjoy diverse experiences like rainforest trails, rice paddy villages, quiet beaches and cultural visits at megalithic sites.

Summer in Vietnam runs from May to August. In many parts – especially the north and the south – that means frequent rain, sometimes heavy storms. Along the central coast around Nha Trang however, the weather is typically sunny and dry with only light, sporadic showers. The long-wide beaches are lapped by calm waters at this time of year, making it one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in summer, with daytime highs around 27–33°C (81–91°F).

Continue your adventures into northern Vietnam during early or late summer when the rains are less frequent in regions such as Sapa. The hills will be emerald green, and although you’ll need waterproof hiking shoes, we find the trails are particularly beautiful at this time of year.

Need to know: Stay at Six Senses Ninh Vân Bay for snorkelling, kayaking, hiking and wildlife spotting – you might even glimpse a black-shanked douc langur during forest walks.

Summer in Mongolia, between June and August, is the only time we recommend visiting. Winter arrives early and by early September much of the country is inaccessible to visitors due to the harsh weather conditions. Visiting Mongolia during summer will give you an incredible opportunity to experience first-hand how nomadic culture is intrinsically tied to nature in one of the world’s most remote locations.

In most regions, including the Gobi Desert, daytime summer temperatures can rise to the mid-30s°C (around 86–95°F), while nights can drop sharply to as low as 10°C (50°F). Stay in traditional gers, watch camels across the Khongor Singing Dunes, hike up to the ice-chilled Yolyn Am valley or venture to Great Gobi B to look for wild horses and gazelles.

Need to know: The Naadam Festival is Mongolia’s signature event and happens nationally around 11–13th July, with wrestling, archery and horse racing at its core.

Patagonia, stretching across southern Chile and Argentina is the last stop before Antarctica. To be able to explore the entirety of the region and spend as much time as possible outdoors, we recommend visiting during the austral summer from December to February. Days are long, temperatures are mild and trails and remote lodges become accessible. Expect daytime highs of 15–25 °C (59–77 °F) in the valleys, although strong winds are still common in summer.

This is the season for hiking, condor-spotting and boat trips through fjords. It’s worth noting that during winter (June to August) some lodges and trails are closed. The region offers some of the best hikes in South America: the W- and O-treks in Chile’s Torres del Paine, and day hikes from El Chaltén in Argentina to the granite spires of Mount Fitz Roy. The Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate must be visited to watch its vast ice wall calving into the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino.

Need to know: We recommend staying at Estancia Cristina, reached by boat across Lago Argentino, where hiking and hearty seasonal dishes make for a memorable summer trip for couples.

Brazil’s summer runs from December to March bringing hot, rainy days across much of the country. In the Amazon rainforest, high water levels during these months make it one of the best times for river exploration, with canoe trips into flooded forests where you can spot pink river dolphins and three-toed sloths. In Jericoacoara, rain-fed lagoons are completely full in summer, perfect for swimming or dune-buggy rides.

February brings Carnival to Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and other cities, transforming them into Brazil’s most electric stages. Expect huge parades with drumming and costumes and street parties on every corner. Along the coast, summer swells create ideal surfing conditions, particularly around Florianópolis, Saquarema and Itacaré.

Need to know: One of our favourite activities at this time is visiting Cidade do Samba to see the creation of thousands of costumes and spectacular floats designed for Rio’s Carnival – an intimate look behind the making of this renowned global celebration.

Summer in the Galápagos Islands runs from December to May. At this time of year, the air and the sea are at their warmest and wildlife above and below the water is at its most active. Blue-footed boobies nest on the cliffs, sea lions breed along the beaches and giant tortoises lay their eggs on Santa Cruz. Near Fernandina island, whales and dolphins are often seen, and snorkelling is a great way to observe abundant marine life such as sea turtles, rays and schools of tropical fish.

This is a great time for a summer vacation for families. The mild weather makes it comfortable to go kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming with younger children, or to join guided hikes to spot marine iguanas and frigatebirds.

Need to know: Combine the Galápagos Islands with Ecuador. We recommend pairing the islands’ wildlife with Quito’s historic streets and Otavalo’s markets, renowned for high-quality textiles.

Tanzania in summer (December to March) is calving season in the southern Serengeti, when around half a million wildebeest are born across the plains. It’s also a quieter time to travel, with fewer visitors than the peak months of July and August. The short rains – which usually fall between November and January – bring dramatic skies and transform the landscape into lush grasslands where wildlife thrives. Birding is particularly rewarding at this time too, with sunbirds, weavers and flocks of waterfowl adding to the spectacle.

The Ngorongoro Crater is particularly beautiful at this time of year, its volcanic basin filled with life including lions, black rhinos, hippopotamus and flamingos shimmering on nearby Lake Manyara. In Tarangire National Park elephant herds roam beneath ancient baobabs after the rains.

Need to know: For calving season, we recommend Wilderness Usawa Camp, a mobile safari camp that moves with the migration and positions itself near Kusini and Ndutu for front-row access to the wildebeest birthing season.

November to March is summer in Botswana, with hot days, dramatic thunderstorms and lush green landscapes. It’s one of the best times to visit for birding, as thousands of migratory species arrive. Photographers also love this season for its striking contrasts – green savannahs, stormy skies and abundant wildlife, from grazing antelope to newborn zebra and wildebeest calves.

The summer seasonal rains create pools and lush vegetation across the Okavango Delta and Kalahari attracting wildlife to both regions as herds gather on the pans. With fewer visitors compared to the dry season (April to October), it’s also one of our favourite non-traditional festive destinations, perfect if you want to swap the usual year-end celebrations for a safari before the New Year.

Need to know: From November to April, we recommend the Zambezi Queen, one of our top luxury expedition cruises and a refreshing addition to a traditional lodge safari.