Where is hot in July? 10 top destinations for a scorching summer break

With travel opening up once again around the world, summer holidays are back on the cards for the first time since 2019.

Temperature: 41°C
Sunshine hours: 14 hours
Flight time: 10 hours 40 minutes

If you’re looking for some genuinely scorching temperatures, you’ll find them in Las Vegas in July – which is the hottest month of the year in this glitzy enclave of the Mojave Desert.

Las Vegas is of course the casino capital of the world, the city dominated by its world-famous Strip – filled with enormous elaborate hotels which are tourist attractions in themselves.

The casinos are a big draw of course, but there is plenty to do there even if gambling isn’t your thing – highlights include the gondola ride through the Bellagio Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel’s Neon Museum which trawls through the history of the city – and of course the nearby Grand Canyon, best visited by helicopter or plane for spectacular views.

New York

Temperature: 29°C
Sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time: 7 hrs 55 minutes

If Las Vegas proves too hot for you, a trip to the East Coast of America will also give you the sunshine you’re looking for in July, with New York’s weather proving perfect for exploring all the city has to offer.

The Big Apple is home to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, from the bright lights of Times Square and Broadway through to the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty.

Other highlights include the Metropolitan Art Museum – a must-see – as well as taking a trip to Greenwich Village and shopping till you drop in the designer stores on Fifth Avenue.

And if you do want a break to top up your tan, the city even has beaches you can chill out at – including the famous Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn, complete with boardwalk and fairground rides.

Tenerife

Temperature: 28°C
Sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time: Four hours, 25 minutes

Europe’s holiday destinations come into their own in the summer months, making it a great time to head off Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, and a hugely popular summer sun spot.

There’s no shortage of beaches to choose from in Tenerife, including the popular Playa de la Tejita and Costa Adeje – from where you can go dolphin and whale-watching, as well as paragliding, if you’re after something more energetic than chilling on the sand.

Tenerife is also known for its black sand beaches – make sure to visit Playa de los Gigantes, or Playa Jardin in Puerta de la Cruz, to experience the unusual phenomenon.

Crete

Temperature: 29°C
Sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time: Four hours

The largest and most populous of the Greek Islands, Crete is steeped in history and mythology, meaning you can expect absorbing tourist attractions alongside the beaches.

If it’s sunseeking you’re after there’s more than enough beaches to choose from, with Elafonisi and Falassarna beaches among the best rated.

When you’re done topping up your tan be sure to check out the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Minoan Palace of Knossos – or head on over to the city of Chania, known for its 14th Century Venetian harbour.

Dubrovnik

Temperature: 30°C
Sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time: Two hours 40 minutes

Croatia has become an increasingly popular holiday destination in recent years, and Dubrovnik, which sits on the Adriatic Sea in the south of the country, has plenty to recommend it.

Although there’s some lovely beaches here – the stunning Copacabana Beach and the tourist-friendly Banje Beach among them – you’ll want to make the most of everything else the city has to offer. Make sure you take time to explore the Old Town, with history dating back to the 9th Century, as well as taking the cablecar over the city up to Mount Srd for some breathtaking views.

And if you’re a Game Of Thrones fan, you can take a walking tour of locations and landmarks which feature in the series – as Dubrovnik served as the backdrop for King’s Landing from season two onwards.

Majorca

Temperature: 24°C
Sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time: Two hours 25 minutes

The Spanish Islands are always a popular bet during holiday season and Majorca – the largest of the Balearics – remains a favourite with British sunseekers.

Visitors have no shortage of beaches to choose from – over 300 in fact – ranging from Es Trenc on the south Coast through to Playa de Alcudia – close to the largest holiday resort on the island.

If you’re looking to things to do away from sunbathing though, Majorca has plenty more to recommend it – hikers can take a trek through the Tramunata mountain range, while those looking for something less energetic can explore the town of Arta, with its Bronze Age ruins, or visit the market in Santa Catalina.

Madeira

Temperature: 22°C
Sunshine hours: Nine hours
Flight time: Three hours 50 minutes

The Portuguese island of Madeira is becoming increasingly popular – and with its lush scenery and warm temperatures it’s a great bet for a summer break.

The capital Funchal is great for al fresco dining, as well as its picturesque harbour, its Madeira wine cellars – and while you’re there check out the imposing Funchal Cathedral, with its carved wooden ceiling.

Those who enjoy their hiking will also be in for a treat here – take a walk along one of the levadas – irrigation systems – on the island, taking in the awesome scenery along the way.

Or for a more relaxing outing, take the cable car over Funchal for fantastic views of the town, or check out the Tropical Gardens at Monte Palace.

Porto

Temperature: 25°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Two hours, 25 minutes

If you’re looking for a good alternative to Lisbon, Porto has become increasingly popular in recent years – and July is a perfect time to visit.

There’s no shortage of picturesque scenery in Porto, with its cobbled streets and colourful buildings – but there’s plenty to see too. Check out the Clerigos Tower – all 225 steps of it – for breathtaking views of the city – or pay a visit to Se Cathedral for a dose of local history.

Expect to eat very well there also – don’t leave without trying a francesinha, a sandwich layered with meat, before being covered with melted cheese and served with a spicy tomato sauce. You may not have room left for the accompanying fries.

And of course if you like port you’ll be spoiled for choice here – as it’s famous for producing the fortified wine.

Cape Verde

Temperature: 27°C
Sunshine hours: 7 hours
Flight time: Six hours

If you want somewhere a little more off the beaten track consider Cape Verde – the largest island in an archipelago of 10, and replete with balmy temperatures and beautiful beaches.

If it’s sunseeking you’re after, check out Santa Monica Beach or head for Boa Vista, which has 55km worth of golden sands, as well as some great resorts where you can kick back and relax.

If you go early in the month, you might also catch the Municipality Day in Santa Isabel – which is celebrated with processions and a public ball, among the main events.

Seychelles

Temperature: 26°C
Sunshine hours: 7 hours
Flight time: 12 hours 20 minutes

The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa – and it offers gorgeous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as must-see scenery and unusual wildlife.

If it’s beaches you’re after, head to the islands of Mahe or La Digue for white sands and turquoise seas, or try Anse Georgette on Praslin, or Anse Lazio – one of the best places to catch a spectacular sunset.

If walking is your thing, the Copolia Trail and Morne Blanc through Mahe are not to be missed – and be sure to check out the Seychelles’ compact capital, Victoria – a tiny town with a population of just 25,000.

And don’t forget a visit to North Island and the Aldabra atoll – home to a species of giant tortoise, one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Keep in mind

While the world may once again have opened up to international travel, we are still in the Covid pandemic – meaning that the rules could still, theoretically, change at any time.