Best Places to Travel in August: Our Top Picks for Your Summer Vacation

The Best August Travel Destinations at a Glance

Before we dive into our favorite places to travel in August, here’s a handy overview table covering all destinations — including our recommended trip duration, approximate flight time, and price level.

This way you can see right away which August vacation spot best matches what you’re looking for.

August Travel Destinations in Germany

It doesn’t always have to be far away — you can have a wonderful summer right at home. Here are our favorite August travel destinations in Germany.

Lüneburg

• Type of trip: City trip, nature vacation
• Also a great time to visit: April through July and September through October
• Climate: 57–73°F, 8–9 rainy days

Lüneburg is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and charmed us right away. A pretty old quarter, historic lanes, cozy cafés, and a lively, young atmosphere — need we say more?

For a bit of culture, the German Salt Museum gives you a fascinating look into the city’s history. And if you’re in the mood for nature, the Lüneburg Heath is just a stone’s throw away.

In August, the heath is in full bloom and the entire landscape transforms into a breathtaking sea of purple blossoms. A day trip out there is absolutely worth it!

Another great perk: from Lüneburg, you can get to Hamburg super quickly. So you can easily combine both cities during your August vacation.

Our hotel pick: Hotel zum Heidkrug – a stylish, centrally located boutique hotel with a great view of the historic center

Lower Saxony North Sea Coast

• Type of trip: Beach vacation, nature and active vacation
• Also a great time to visit: May through July and September through October
• Climate: 57–72°F, 9–11 rainy days

The North Sea is one of the best places to travel in August for a family vacation with kids: the beaches are family-friendly, and kids absolutely love the tidal flats!

Along the Lower Saxony North Sea coast you’ll find laid-back resort towns like Cuxhaven or Wilhelmshaven — beautiful seaside spots with long sandy beaches, dunes, and classic lighthouses.

Plus, you’re just a short trip away from the North Sea islands like Norderney, Sylt, or Juist, where you can discover even more unspoiled landscapes.

August is the perfect time for a North Sea vacation — it’s the warmest and sunniest month of the year. Sure, it’s also the most touristy month. But that also means there’s a real buzz in the towns, which honestly isn’t a bad thing at all.

Our hotel pick: Riverloft I – a cool houseboat in the harbor of Cuxhaven

August Travel Destinations in Europe

All across Europe you’ll find tons of great vacation spots in August — from cool cities to sunny islands. These are our top picks for the best destinations in August across Europe:

Copenhagen

• Type of trip: City trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through July and September
• Climate: 57–70°F, 8–9 rainy days

Copenhagen is exactly what you probably imagine Scandinavia to be: colorful houses, friendly people, and lots of bicycles. We fell in love with the vibe of this city right away.

There are also plenty of great things to see in Copenhagen, such as the famous Nyhavn, where boats bob in the water, the Little Mermaid statue, and several castles like Rosenborg, Christiansborg, and Amalienborg.

You can also check out the alternative hippie enclave of Christiania, visit Tivoli, or take a boat tour through Copenhagen. Boredom is simply not an option here.

Copenhagen never gets truly hot, but August is pleasantly mild — perfect for sightseeing. You can definitely get out to the sea and soak up some sun, though swimming in Denmark is really only for the brave.

Our hotel pick: citizenM – a modern hotel with outstanding value for money in Copenhagen

Stockholm

• Type of trip: Cultural and city trip, nature vacation
• Also a great time to visit: May through July and September
• Climate: 57–72°F, 10–12 rainy days

Spotify, meatballs, and ABBA — Sweden has given the world quite a few cool things. And if you want to experience some of them firsthand, a city trip to the capital Stockholm is absolutely worth your time.

We associate Stockholm with hip neighborhoods like Södermalm, cool museums (like the ABBA Museum), and the massive Royal Palace. In summer, you should also definitely take a boat tour in Stockholm. Many of them take you all the way into the Stockholm Archipelago — a paradise made up of no fewer than 24,000 islands.

Stockholm is just a fantastic August destination. Since most tourists head south in summer, the city is far less crowded compared to Italy and similar spots.

And honestly, is there much better than sitting by Stockholm’s waterways on a mild evening with a beer?

Our hotel pick: Mälardrottningen Yacht Hotel – a ship turned hotel, right near the old town

Malta

• Type of trip: Beach vacation, cultural trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through July and September
• Climate: 72–86°F, 1–4 rainy days

The small island of Malta has developed into a seriously trending destination in recent years. No surprise — its many mysterious fortresses have already served as backdrops for films and TV series like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Even more important to us: Malta has incredibly beautiful beaches — from family classics like Golden Bay to secluded coves like Mgarr ix-Xini to wild sandy stretches like Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. Perfect for a beach vacation in August if you want something a little different from the usual summer destinations.

Beyond the beaches, a boat tour in Malta is well worth it to explore the picturesque coastline. Another standout is the capital Valletta — with its historic buildings and narrow alleyways, it’s a true must-see among the highlights of Malta!

Our hotel pick: Verdi Gzira Promenade – our favorite hotel in Sliema, with incredible value for money and a cool rooftop pool

Porto

• Type of trip: Cultural and city trip, beach vacation
• Also a great time to visit: March through July and September through October
• Climate: 61–81°F, 2–3 rainy days

Already been to Lisbon? Then head to Porto! In our opinion, Porto is way too often overlooked — yet it’s where you get to know Portugal from a very authentic side.

The historic district is full of impressive buildings like the Sé Cathedral and the Palácio da Bolsa, which rank among the most important points of interest in Porto.

There are also plenty of hip neighborhoods where you can discover cool street art. And what absolutely can’t be missed on your August trip: a stop in Vila Nova de Gaia — the district where you’ll find most of the port wine cellars.

Northern Portugal isn’t as warm as, say, the Algarve. In summer, the temperatures are just right for sightseeing and the occasional day at the beach.

Our hotel pick: Oporto Loft – a small art hotel with a fantastic breakfast and a charming garden

Madeira

• Type of trip: Active and nature vacation, road trip
• Also a great time to visit: year-round
• Climate: 70–81°F, 0–1 rainy days

Madeira is the perfect August destination if you’re not in the mood for sweltering heat and overcrowded beaches.

The Portuguese island sits in the middle of the Atlantic and feels more like a tropical adventure than a classic beach holiday — with green mountains, steep cliffs, lava pools, and small villages where time moves a little slower.

The hiking here is seriously amazing — for example along the Levadas or out to the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. If it gets too warm for hiking on Madeira in August, just hop in the car, explore great towns like Funchal, and see where the day takes you.

And in between, you can take a dip at Madeira’s best beaches. Water temperatures in August reach a pleasant 73°F — perfect for a quick cool-down, like at the black lava beach in Seixal.

Our hotel pick: Three House Hotel – a great location right in the center of Funchal

Faroe Islands

• Type of trip: Nature and active vacation, road trip
• Also a great time to visit: May through July and September
• Climate: 48–55°F, 10–14 rainy days

Looking for a real under-the-radar pick for your August vacation? Then the Faroe Islands are your answer. Most travelers haven’t even put this small island group in the North Atlantic on their radar yet.

And yet the rugged nature here is truly stunning. The landscape is defined by dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, rolling green hills, and an atmosphere that feels almost a little magical.

Hiking along the coast or visiting charming spots like Gjógv or Saksun — everything feels calm, untouched, and unhurried. With a bit of luck, you might even spot puffins on your explorations!

August is the ideal time to visit the Faroe Islands, as it’s the warmest month of the year. “Warm” here means a maximum of 55°F, though. If you’ve been dreaming of a destination that isn’t too hot in August, you’ve found exactly the right place.

Our hotel pick: Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv – a cozy, charming little guesthouse on the island of Eysturoy

Tenerife

• Type of trip: Beach vacation, nature and active vacation
• Also a great time to visit: year-round
• Climate: 72–86°F, 0–1 rainy days

Tenerife has around 80 kilometers of coastline, and that means plenty of beautiful beaches! One of our favorites, Playa de Las Teresitas, is pictured above.

This Canary Island is an ideal August destination if you’re after sunshine, a warm ocean, and relaxed beach days. While other parts of Europe can get oppressively hot at this time of year, the Atlantic keeps things at a pleasant summer temperature here.

When you’ve had enough of the sun, you can hike through the lush forests in the north or dive into the lively nightlife in the south — for example in Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas.

And of course, a visit to the Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, is not to be missed.

Our hotel pick: Hotel Boutique San Diego – a small, personal adults-only hotel in the north of the island

Long-Haul Destinations in August

Ready to experience something completely new? Let our best long-haul picks for August inspire you.

Western Canada

• Type of trip: Road trip, nature and active vacation
• Also a great time to visit: June through July and September
• Climate: 59–72°F, 3–7 rainy days

In summer, the colors of the national parks of Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies really come alive. You’ve probably never seen lakes as turquoise as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake — they’re seriously unreal.

The western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts — whether you’re hiking, canoeing, or simply soaking in the unique landscapes.

Another top pick in western Canada is the Sea-to-Sky Highway, a spectacular scenic drive that runs from Vancouver along the coast up into the mountains. Along the way you pass waterfalls, fjords, and dense forests — with views that truly live up to the route’s name.

Midsummer is the ideal time to visit western Canada. Since you’re often traveling at higher elevations, it only gets comfortably warm then. That said, it’s also peak season, so expect more visitors and higher hotel prices.

Rio de Janeiro

• Type of trip: City and cultural trip, beach vacation
• Also a great time to visit: June, July, and September
• Climate: 66–77°F, 4–6 rainy days

Rio de Janeiro is a metropolis like no other: samba dancing, dream beaches, and just so much joie de vivre — if that doesn’t sound tempting!

The city in Brazil is absolutely packed with highlights. The most famous is the massive Christ the Redeemer statue, which towers over the city. But you’ve probably also heard of Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana, one of the most legendary beaches in Rio.

And if you want to get out of the city for a bit, a day trip into the nearby rainforest is absolutely worth it.

August is a great time to visit Rio because it’s finally not so hot. Yep! The seasons are reversed here, and August is winter in Brazil, with really pleasant temperatures. The Brazilian summer, by contrast, gets pretty muggy.

Our hotel pick: Miramar Copacabana – a luxurious yet surprisingly affordable hotel right on the beach

Lombok

• Type of trip: Road trip, beach vacation, active and nature vacation
• Also a great time to visit: May through July and September
• Climate: 72–88°F, 0–3 rainy days

Craving sun, adventure, and relaxed island vibes without the crowds? Then Lombok is your perfect August destination! The Indonesian island sits right next to Bali and is just as beautiful, but significantly less touristy.

Lombok has stunning beaches, small surf towns, colorful coral reefs, and with Mount Rinjani even a volcano whose summit you can climb.

If you love snorkeling or diving, don’t miss the Gili Islands — turquoise water and sea turtles included. And down south near Kuta, laid-back cafés, yoga studios, and great scooter routes with ocean views are waiting for you.

August is the dry season on Lombok, giving you ideal weather for beach days, hikes, and island tours. Another real bonus: Lombok is a genuinely budget-friendly long-haul destination in August.

Our hotel pick: El Tropico – a very stylish boutique hotel in Kuta

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacationing in August