The 15 best places to travel in August 2024

There is literally no better time to finally tick Edinburgh off your bucket list than in August, when the famous Edinburgh Fringe (the biggest arts festival in the entire world) takes over the city. Be you a comedy, theatre, film or music person, the Fringe is a fun, fast, chaotic burst of all things silly and creative. There’s bars, street food, nights out and more, and we’ll be reviewing all the shows you need to know about, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Average temp in August: 11-19C/52-66F

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France isn’t short of cracking holiday destinations. But may I make a case for the delightful Carcassonne, which isn't (completely) overrun with tourists like some of the others? There's the famous castle, sure, which is actually a properly good tourist attraction, completely beautiful and not too busy if you go in the morning. But there’s also the beautiful Cavayére Lake just a short one-euro bus ride out of the town, which is really quiet even in peak season, and has tons of kids activities and a more kid-free area too. You can sip beers in the main square by the fountain, do a classic French food shop in the supermarché, buy ridiculously good pastries at Pâtisserie Papineau and have lots (and lots) of cassoulet for dinner. You’ll also find a mixture of traditional museums and galleries showcasing local works and a number of lovely vineyards nearby. If you’ve got the car, consider a French road trip to hit Nice, Nîmes and more along the way.

Average temp in August: 22C/72F

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August is slightly rainier in Alaska than earlier summer months, but with fewer crowds and lower prices, the benefits often outweigh the weather risks. It’s a wonderful month to spot caribou, wolves and golden eagles in Denali National Park, as well as grizzly bears, who are busy hunting salmon so they can fatten up before hibernation. They also nibble on the season’s abundant berries – blueberries are particularly fat and juicy in Alaska – and you can also taste them at the annual Alyeska Berry Festival in Anchorage. Don’t miss Alaska State Fair in Palmer, which marks the last days of summer with concerts, fairground rides and street food.

Average temp in August: Coastal areas – 10-15C/50-60F, interior areas – 7-18C/45-65F

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Slovenia might just be Europe’s worst-kept secret. In August, the capital Ljubljana and Lakes Bled and Bohinj are packed with locals and tourists alike, but if you do want to guarantee a crowd-free trip, there are plenty of lesser-known corners of this compact country to explore. As the holiday resorts sizzle, alpine regions offer respite from the heat, making it the perfect time to climb Mount Triglav. But if you really want to get off the beaten track, head east to wander around the pretty towns of Maribor and Ptuj, or go wine tasting in the surrounding Styrian vineyards. Slovenia has gorgeous towns around every corner, from Idrija to Kamnika via Radovljica, Brežice and all the rest. 

Average temp in August: 20-28C/68-82F

There’s never a bad time to visit Iceland, right? August is the warmest month of the year here, but do remember that that means daily averages between 10 and 15 degrees celsius, so it is hardly sweltering. Still, balmy for Iceland, and visiting this gorgeous part of the world during the ubiquitously-bright summer months is an experience in itself. The grass is a little greener during August, and the warmer weather allows Iceland’s wonderful wildlife the chance to cavort through the fields. Yes, it is just like a fairytale. 

Average temp in August: 10.5C/51F

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All kinds of adventures await in East Africa in August. The Great Migration is in full swing, meaning wildlife-spotting opportunities abound in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, and it’s also one of the best times of year to track silverback gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. Beach bum? Into your snorkelling and scuba diving? The weather is warm and dry (and the waters brimming with marine life) on Pemba Island and Zanzibar.

Average temp in August: Coastal areas – 27-31C/81-88F, interior areas – 20-26C/68-79F

The Pacific Northwest has a reputation for being, how do we say this, a little bit drizzly. What is the best way to ensure good weather when visiting? Nothing is certain in this life, of course, but heading to Seattle and its surroundings in August is your best bet. The warm weather means outdoor activities aplenty, from city markets and food festivals to embracing nearby nature, while the ferries are also at their busiest during this time. 

Average temp in August: 13-25C/56-77F

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Beach lovers will have the pick of the sand in Sri Lanka in August, with good weather expected pretty much everywhere in the north, east and west. Lower rainfall means an altogether more relaxed time, and August also represents the tail-end of the low season in Sri Lanka, so fewer crowds. It isn’t unusual to see blue whales here at this time of year too, and who wouldn’t want to see the world’s largest animal doing its thing?

Average temp in August: 26-30C/79-86F

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If you want an affordable European break in August, make it Riga. With its colourful old town and beautiful parks, it’s easy to while away the summer days here without breaking the bank. The warmest month of the year sees the capital come to life with open-air concerts, street performances, pop-up food stalls and firework shows.

Average temp in August: 14-22C/57-71F

It’s winter in Buenos Aires, but the low season is the best time to live like a local, as residents often escape the city during the busier summer months. Culturally the capital is very much alive and kicking, with the two-week-long Tango Festival and World Cup showcasing the best of Argentina’s national dance with free performances, workshops and talks, as well as the pro-competition. 

Average temp in August: 9-17C/48-62.6F

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A word of warning; it can get pretty darn hot in Bosnia and Herzegovina in August. That is more true in Herzegovina than Bosnia (Mostar tends to hover around the 40C mark), but refreshing salvation is at hand in the shape of the country’s fantastic mountains. Hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still developing, but an enthusiastic group of organisations have opened up mountains like Prenj, Maglaj (the country’s highest) and Vlašić, not to mention the Olympic mountains around Sarajevo. Keep to the trails though, for your own safety. 

Average temp in August: 21-31C/70-88F

Madeira’s mild temperatures make it a winner with travellers year-round, but summer is the best time to spot or swim with whales and dolphins, of which there are more than 20 species in the island’s waters. It’s also a fine time for scuba diving, canyoning and coasteering, as well as hiking the interior’s rugged hillside trails, which follow a network of levadas – ingenious aqueducts constructed between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries to transport water to communities living in the southeast of the island.

Average temp in August: 24C/75F

Looking for a low-key paradise isle? Samoa is blissfully free of flashy resorts and tourist traps, letting its natural and cultural riches speak for themselves. Samoa is popular with New Zealanders and Australians looking for a little winter sunshine, so book ahead to nab yourself a beach hut (known as a fale) and spend your days hopping between the islands’ must-sees, including Insta-friendly To-Sua Ocean Trench, the Alofaaga blowholes and Falealupo Canopy Walk.

Average temp in August: 23-29C/73-84F

Ready for long summer days spent partying on the beach? Make a beeline for Bulgaria’s affordable Black Sea Coast resorts, where there’s a sun lounger (and a glass of rakia) with your name on it. If you’re after a little culture, you’ll find the antidote to the region’s Irish pubs in Burgas, where the International Folklore Festival welcomes traditional singers, musicians and dancers from all over the Balkans and beyond to showcase their talents in late August. Inland, adventurous types should tackle Bulgaria’s highest peak, Mount Musala (2,925m), before the snows return.

Average temp in August: Coastal areas – 23-28C/73-82F, Sofia – 17-29C/63-84F

There are 17,000 islands in Indonesia – but few travellers venture beyond Bali. August brings the best weather and the inevitable accompanying crowds, so you’re better off skipping the chaos of Kuta and yogi-saturated Ubud for underrated isles such as Sumba or Pulau Weh, both of which boast white sands, turquoise waters and cheaper accommodation. Raja Ampat in West Papua receives some rain at this time of year, but don’t let that put you off booking a homestay and exploring its dazzling coral reef.

Average temp in August: 24-32C/75-90F

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