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Travel in July: The best summer holiday destinations

July has to be one of the most popular times to travel from the UK, especially for those travelling with families. July is when the summer weather really starts to kick in and school holidays are in full swing. No matter what type of holiday you're after, July is a great time to set off on an adventure.

Not sure where you want to go? We've put together our top destination recommendations for beach holidays and city breaks. Don't forget to browse our latest deals too, which are full of July offers for flights, hotels, package holidays and more.

If you're late to the party, don't worry! We also have last-minute deals for great holidays in July.

The best beach holiday destinations in July

With the weather heating up in many destinations, July is part of Europe's peak summer season (and the start of UK school holidays). Unsurprisingly, this is when many UK travellers want to head straight to the beach.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options for a short- or long-haul beach holiday. So much so that it might feel difficult to know where to start. After all, this is the time of year when flight routes are in full swing and famous resort areas come to life, so it'll feel like you're completely spoiled for choice.

That said, there are a few key features that make a beach destination stand out above the rest: it needs to be safe, be warm both on land and in the water, and there should be plenty of daylight hours too. All our recommended beach destinations have these features - and then some! Take a look at our top beach holiday destinations for July.

Balearic Islands (Spain)

🌡️ 30° C air temperature

🌊 25° C water temperature

☀️ 13 hours per day

🌧️ 1 rainy day / 5 mm

Bali (Indonesia)

🌡️ 29° C air temperature

🌊 27° C water temperature

☀️ 6 hours per day

🌧️ 4 rainy days / 40 mm

Greek Islands

🌡️ 30° C air temperature

🌊 25° C water temperature

☀️ 13 hours per day

🌧️ 1 rainy day / 6 mm

Cape Verde

🌡️ 27° C air temperature

🌊 26° C water temperature

☀️ 10 hours per day

🌧️ 2 rainy days / 9 mm

Sicily (Italy)

🌡️ 34° C air temperature

🌊 26° C water temperature

☀️ 13 hours per day

🌧️ 1 rainy day / 10 mm

The best city break destinations for July

If lazing around on the beach with a cocktail in hand doesn't sound like your thing, then an action-packed city break might be a better bet for your summer holiday. The best bit? With the weather being so good in July, there are so many short- and long-haul city break destinations to choose from!

Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple or in a group, there's a lot of variety available when you book a city break, especially when it comes to the things you can get up to while you're there.

Here are our top destination recommendations for a sun-soaked city break in July.

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Located in southern Croatia, Dubrovnik is one of the country's most beautiful and most popular destinations - and this is especially the case in July. This is one of the sunniest months of the year, giving you the ideal weather to explore this fascinating city.

There's a lot to see within Dubrovnik itself, which is famous for its formidable stone city walls and towers, but there are also beaches and small islands nearby - perfect for escaping to on a particularly hot day.

Travel tips for Dubrovnik

The very first thing that should be on your agenda during a city break in Dubrovnik is to walk the city walls. These provide the ultimate view over the rest of the city and the Adriatic Sea, including the famous orange-roofed buildings of Dubrovnik's Old Town. You may even find that these seem familiar, as the walls and towers were used as filming locations for Game of Thrones.

Afterwards, head to the water on a boat tour to the Elaphiti Islands or relax on one of the nearby beaches. For a spectacular sunset, take the Dubrovnik cable car up into the hills; round off the day at one of Dubrovnik's excellent restaurants located in the heart of the Old Town.

Dubrovnik weather conditions in July

Average temperature: 23 - 31° C

Hours of daylight: 13 hours

Rainy days: 4 days

2. Tallinn, Estonia

Known as a great winter destination thanks to its Christmas markets, Tallinn is a top choice for a summertime city break that won't break the bank. It may be off the beaten path in July, but that's what makes a city break to Tallinn so special.

Bordering the Baltic Sea, Estonia's capital is packed with charm, as well as a whole bunch of interesting things to do. And if you love making a saving when it comes to food and drink, then Tallinn may just be your dream city break destination.

Travel tips for Tallinn

You may need more than a weekend to see everything that Tallinn has to offer, but most people fit in a stop at the iconic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Other popular attractions include the Seaplane Harbour, a massive maritime museum that houses submarines, ships and much more, as well as the TV Tower (great for the views) and Toompea Castle (which houses the Estonian Parliament).

For something summery, head to the seaside districts of Kadriorg or Rocca al Mare for culture, good food and strolls along the water. One of our favourite hidden gems, though, has to be the Estonian Open Air Museum, which is a recreation of an 18th-Century fishing village. This spot will have events running throughout summer.

Tallinn weather conditions in July

Average temperature: 12 - 24° C

Hours of daylight: 18 hours

Rainy days: 13 days

3. Valletta, Malta

It may seem like we're cheating here, as Malta happens to be a stunning beach holiday destination, but Valletta deserves its fair share of attention too. Covering just 0.24 square miles, Valletta is one of the tiniest capitals in all of Europe but it packs a whole lot within that small area.

Located in the middle of the eastern coast, Valletta is ideally located for day trips out to other parts of Malta. But make sure that you first wander along the peaceful, atmospheric streets of this tiny but memorable city break destination.

Travel tips for Valletta

Surrounded by harbours, boats and fortifications, Valletta has to be one of the prettiest maritime cities in Europe. Head to St John's Co-Cathedral for sensory overload; don't be fooled by the rather plain facade here, as the interior pulls out all the stops. The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens are also popular spots, with pretty views and good eating options.

When you've spent enough time admiring the famous Maltese balconies on Republic Street and Merchants Street, head out to the Three Cities for a mini day trip. Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are fortified districts and each has their own history and attractions to discover.

Valletta weather conditions in July

Average temperature: 21 - 31° C

Hours of daylight: 14 hours

Rainy days: 1 day

4. Edinburgh, UK

If you can't be bothered dealing with a long flight, a staycation in Edinburgh is a great option for July. The weather is great, there's loads going on and it's a lot easier to make the most of Edinburgh's many outdoor spots.

In fact, there's so much to do in Edinburgh that it would take weeks to discover it all. So, if it's an attraction- and activity-filled city break you're after, the Scottish capital provides this and so much more. Don't forget to set aside some time for day trips too, as there are some fantastic ones nearby!

Travel tips for Edinburgh

It may not be as balmy as some of the other city break destinations on our list, but July is about as good as it gets weatherwise in Edinburgh. Plus, you'll be missing the mad rush of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which runs throughout August and draws massive crowds.

Check out popular attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and Calton Hill, which are all well worth a visit. Head out in the early morning to climb Arthur's Seat; you'll miss most of the crowds and enjoy the views in a more peaceful setting. When you're ready to venture further afield, St Andrews, Stirling Castle and Loch Ness are all easy day trips from Edinburgh.

Edinburgh weather conditions in July

Average temperature: 11 - 19° C

Hours of daylight: 16 hours

Rainy days: 9 days

5. San Sebastian, Spain

Located in northern Spain, San Sebastian is known for two things: delicious food and exceptional beaches. But there's a whole lot more to expect from a San Sebastian city break, especially when you head out there in July.

This is when the weather starts to heat up, but not so much as to make exploring the city impossible. All sorts of beach activities will be on the go and there's nothing better than experiencing San Sebastian's already excellent food offerings al fresco. The city also happens to be a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts.

Travel tips for San Sebastian

One of San Sebastian's biggest drawcards is its food scene, most renowned for pintxos, little appetiser-sized portions of food that are often served with a skewer or toothpick. And it's not the most glamorous-looking restaurants that serve the best pintxos; rather follow the crowds - and your nose! Some unmissable food spots include Borda Berri, La Mejillonera and La Vina.

To work off all those calories, head to La Concha beach for a swim or try your hand at surfing at Zurriola beach. You can also head up Monte Igueldo (either by walking or catching the funicular), which is home to a fun fair and gorgeous views of the bay below. For something unexpected, check out the outdoor art installation of Peine del Viento.

San Sebastian weather conditions in July

Average temperature: 17 - 25° C

Hours of daylight: 6 hours

Rainy days: 9 days

6. Krakow, Poland

This is one of our favourite places to visit in Poland all year round, but Krakow is a brilliant option for a budget-friendly city break in July. While Krakow is an especially good fit for those interested in historical attractions, it also has a solid reputation for its food scene and nightlife. You can get a little bit of everything during a weekend here.

Located in southern Poland, this former capital is actually quite a large city, so make sure that you have enough time to see everything. But thanks to the warm weather and long sunny days, you'll be all set for an action-packed summer getaway.

Travel tips for Krakow

A lot of Krakow's main attractions can be found in its photogenic Stare Miasto (Old Town). These include unmissable spots like Wawel Castle, Market Square and Planty Park, all of which deserve a lengthy visit. You can also conveniently find great bars, restaurants and nightlife within the Old Town, which means that you don't have to wander far to have a good time.

Krakow is home to some truly spectacular historical buildings, such as the Cloth Hall, St Mary's Basilica and Wawel Cathedral, to name but a few. Once you've explored the city centre, consider taking one of the popular day trips out of Krakow. One of the quirkier options is Wieliczka Salt Mine, a network of underground tunnels and caverns that even includes a chapel!

Krakow weather conditions in July

Average temperature: 12 - 25° C

Hours of daylight: 7 hours

Rainy days: 17 days