Best holiday destinations in July

July is peak holiday season, but some calendar events are just too good to miss. 

Long, sunny days bring festival season to a salty corner of Canada. Or time it right for one of the world’s greatest wildlife phenomena in Kenya. 

From the Welsh coast to East Africa, these are our top getaways for July.

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Best places to visit in July

• Pembrokeshire, Wales 19°C
• Provence, France 28°C
• Majorca, Spain 29°C
• Nova Scotia, Canada 22°C
• Seattle, US 24°C
• Kenya, East Africa  28°C

Best UK holiday destination in July: Pembrokeshire, Wales

July high: 19°C

It’s been described as Cornwall without the crowds, but word’s already out on the Pembrokeshire coast’s show-stopping beauty. July is the best time to take a gamble on the changeable Welsh weather, with daily highs teetering close to 20 degrees C. 

The historic harbour town of Tenby and the tiny city of St Davids rank highly in our survey of the UK’s best seaside towns. Nearby Barafundle Bay is one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches - with its vivid blue waters and dune-backed secluded sands. 

You may even spot puffins making their splay-legged landing at wind-swept Skomer Island (a nesting site between April and July).

Book a Pembrokeshire holiday cottage with Which? Recommended Providers The Landmark Trust, Rural Retreats, National Trust and Classic Cottages.

Best holiday destinations in July (short-haul): Provence, France

July high: 28°C

It’s not all about the French Riviera. You’ll find an array of landscapes in Provence, from golden fields of sunflowers to wild rocky gorges. With 300 days of sunlight a year, it’s a fabulous year-round destination - but July brings with it an extra sprinkle of magic. 

This is when Luberon’s fields turn a vivid purple and the powdery scent of lavender fills the air. The area is also famous for its food: stock up on meats, cheeses and juicy fruits at the local farmers’ markets. 

If you ever tire of Provence rosé, wineries offer tastings of Côtes du Luberon - a delicious fruity red. 

Go to Provence with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel, Inntravel and Trailfinders.

Best holiday destinations in July (short-haul): Majorca, Spain

July high: 29°C

The largest of the Balearic islands has a lot more to offer than fly-and-flop beach resorts. The dramatic Tramuntana Mountains along the west coast culminate in the spectacular Formentor Peninsula, while the south-east coast frays into a series of rocky coves - with calm, clear seas backed by fragrant pine trees. 

Palma’s maze of medieval streets is another highlight, a honey-coloured Gothic cathedral at its centre. Visit in mid July for the festival of the Virgen del Carmen, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. In several port towns, a procession carries the statue of the virgin to the harbour - where it sets sail on a fleet of fishing boats adorned with flowers.

Find a Majorca holiday with Which? Recommended Providers Jet2Holidays, Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders.

Best holiday destinations in July (long-haul): Nova Scotia, Canada

July high: 22°C

Winters in this maritime province are harsh, with Atlantic swells thrashing the coastline. But summers are a different story altogether. Not only do white sand beaches bask in sunshine, but the calendar is a whirl of music, art and food festivals - starting with a huge Canada Day celebration on July 1. 

Make sure to visit Peggy’s Cove and its iconic octagonal lighthouse, perched on a granite outcrop. Brightly-coloured clapboard houses and stacked lobster pots only add to the salty charm. It may be high-season, but Nova Scotia isn’t as busy - or as pricey - as other parts of Canada at this time of year. 

Go to Nova Scotia with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel, Hays Travel and Trailfinders.

Best holiday destinations in July (long-haul): Seattle, US

July high: 24°C

Dodge the worst of Seattle’s famous drizzle with a summer visit: the perfect time to enjoy the city’s parks and outdoor festivals. Microsoft, Starbucks and dozens of other household names based here are testament to Seattle’s intelligence and ambition.

The iconic Space Needle skyscraper is a must (best visited on a clear day), as is the Museum of Pop Culture - which elevates rock music and sci-fi to velvet-rope status. You can also descend beneath historic Pioneer Square on a tour of the original wood-frame town (gutted by fire in 1889), upon which the modern city is built.

A Seattle dog will fuel your sightseeing: the city’s unique spin on the hot dog, with plenty of fried onions and cream cheese added to your sausage. 

Find a Seattle holiday with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel and Trailfinders.

Best holiday destinations in July (long-haul): Kenya, East Africa

July high: 28°C

Kenya offers plenty of unforgettable experiences - from visiting Masai villages to floating above the savannah in a hot air balloon. But number one has to be safari. Our summer (Africa’s winter) is prime game-viewing season; there are fewer tall grasses for lions to hide behind and less rainfall, meaning animals congregate around water holes. 

Late July, early August brings with it one of the most exciting wildlife events on earth - the Great Migration. More than 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra make their legendary 1,800 mile-round trek, arriving in the Masai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. The exact date varies; Mother Nature has the final say.

Visit Kenya with Which? Recommended Providers Exodus Adventure Holidays, Audley Travel, Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders.