The best travel destinations in July 2025

Climate: Average temperatures during the day approx. 24° C, 9 hours of sunshine per day, 10 days of rain in July

Reason to book: Even in imperial times, summer retreats were considered the ideal way to spend your free time - especially in July and August. It was no coincidence that the destination of choice was mountain regions, as the climate here is more pleasant than in the cities. The charming Maria Alm in Salzburger Land also boasts a pretty village center and almost endless hiking opportunities. The Hochkönig, the Steinerne Meer and the Pinzgauer Grasberge are sparring partners for all those who are out and about on foot or by mountain bike. The Prinzensee, a bathing lake in the mountains with a great view, can be reached quickly from Maria Alm. In the nearby city of Salzburg, the festival kicks off at the beginning of July with the famous Jedermann performances.

Check-in: Just a short walk from the village center and the Natrun cable car, you'll find Hotel SEPP. Even from the outside, it’s clear that this adults-only hotel in Maria Alm does things a little differently. After all, a Silverstream camper van juts out over the rooftop—home to a sauna that's part of the hotel’s wellness offerings. The rooftop also features an infinity pool with mountain views, where guests can opt for a floating breakfast. Speaking of breakfast: here it’s often more of a late-morning affair, with buffet and à la carte delights served until 1 p.m.

Hotel SEPP - Alpine Boutique & Lifestyle Hotel
Urchen 8, 5761 Maria Alm am Steinernen Meer, Austria
+43 6584 7738 310 - www.edersepp.com
Doubles from € 250

Climate: Daily highs around 15 °C, 6 hours of sunshine per day, 10 days of rain in July

Reason to book: Iceland is another cool alternative to hot cities. The weather is mild, all roads are passable and there's plenty of sunshine. Anyone traveling in July should be prepared for extremes. It can be 30 degrees during the day - and cool down to -3 degrees at night. At this time of the year, the landscape is at its most beautiful. Green meadows, blooming flowers and waterfalls make for unique photo motifs. Between June and August, the whales also return from the south - Iceland is one of the best destinations for whale watching in July 2025.

Check-in: Milky blue water from which clouds of steam rise, with a view of black lava fields: Blue Lagoon is known all over the world. Directly on site, the Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel & Spa with unique treatments and retreats that are architecturally spectacular. The barren landscape is also reflected in the clean lines of the 62 rooms and suites, which are housed in a modern concrete cube. Wood and slate, shades of gray and brown, plus floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of lava fields: You almost feel at one with nature, even when relaxing in the free-standing bathtub.

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland (Hotel & Spa)
Norðurljósavegur 11, 240 Grindavík, Iceland
+354 420 8700 - bluelagoon.com
Doubles from € 700

Climate: Average temperatures around 25° C, 7 hours of sunshine per day, 0 rainy days per month in July

Reason book: July is the driest month in Kenya, rainfall is very rare. But there's something else en masse: animals! During the Great Migration, when 1.5 million wildebeest, plus zebras and gazelles, set off, observers experience spectacular moments. The animals cross the Mara River on their way to the Serengeti. They follow a centuries-old rhythm that not all animals will survive. Other highlights include sightings of the Big Five and, of course, the impressive night sky with its summer showers of shooting stars.

Check in: Almost exactly a year ago, National Geographic explorers and documentary filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert presented the latest addition to their portfolio of luxury camps: Mara Toto Tree Camp is located in the middle of the treetops of Kenya's Masai Mara. Romantic tented suites, equipped with free-standing bathtubs, huge beds, terraces and all modern amenities are enthroned above the ground. From here, guests have private access to the 26,000-hectare Mara North Conservancy. Because nature conservation plays the main role in construction and operation, an organic-looking ensemble of extraordinary architecture has been created.

Mara Toto Tree Camp
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Narok County, Kenya
+27 87 354 6591 - greatplainsconservation.com
Doubles from $ 1,700 per person/night incl. breakfast. VP and transfers

Climate: Average temperatures around 30° C, 15 hours of sunshine per day, 0 rainy days per month in July

Reason to book: The island of the western Cyclades is still considered something of an insider tip in Greece. With an area of 74 square kilometers, it's rather small and only 2,500 people live here. The atmosphere is calm, unagitated and down-to-earth. Instead of crowds of tourists, architecture enthusiasts and artists tend to come here. Admire the village of Apollonia with its narrow streets, bars and boutiques, stroll through Artemonas with its neoclassical villas or take a photo of the Chrisopigi monastery. During the hot summer months, you can enjoy natural beaches such as Platis Gialos, Vathi, Faros or Apokofto Bay.

Check in: Stamna Sifnos is a member of the Design Hotels - a guarantee for exceptional architecture. Built with the smallest possible carbon footprint in mind, guests here enjoy spacious outdoor rooms, plenty of nature, wonderful views and a nutritious culinary concept. None other than the well-known Greek chef Gikas Xenakis is responsible for the latter. The hotel only opened a month ago, but is already known for its authentic hospitality and immersive stays. The hotel is just a ten-minute walk from the island's capital, Apollonia.

Stamna Sifnos
Apollonia PC 840 03, Sifnos, Greece
+30 2283 830 520 - stamnasifnos.com
Doubles from € 450

Climate: Daily highs of approx. ° C27, 12 hours of sunshine per day, 6 days of rain per month in July

Reason to book: Situated on the southern Italian Tyrrhenian coast in the Basilicata region, Maratea is one of the lesser-known tourist destinations. Here, between Campania and Calabria, you'll mainly meet locals. It's never too crowded on the wild and romantic coast and in the hidden bathing bays, and if you fancy a change, you can go on a tour of the region's churches, wander through the hinterland or enjoy the authentic atmosphere of the town. The baroque old town is well worth seeing!

Check in: Because Maratea has not yet really arrived on the tourist map, it's mainly chic boutique hotels and simpler guesthouses that can be found here. This makes it all the nicer to have a member of the Leading Hotels of the World to choose from with the Santavenere . Its location is great, you can be driven to the nearby beach by golf cart on request, and the surrounding park is more than 3,000 square meters in size. A fully equipped spa, rooms and suites in baroque-inspired style and three restaurants make every stay unforgettable.

Santavenere
Via Conte Stefano Rivetti 1, 85046 Maratea (Fiumicello-Santavenere), Italy
Phone +39 0973 876 910 - santavenere.it
Doubles from € 450