Published 30th Mar. 2026
Written by Emily Heeks
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The sun is shining, the summer vibes are in full swing and the travel bug is biting harder than ever. In July, the world is practically begging you to pack your bags – and with so many destinations to choose from, we’ve picked out a few of our favourites. From sipping wine in Tuscany and surfing the east coast of Sri Lanka to cowboying across Wyoming, city slicking in Kuala Lumpur and working on your tan in Brazil, there’s something for every kind of summer adventure. Read on to discover where’s hot in July…
1
Average temperature: 25 - 31 ºC
Start your summer the Tuscan way. Best explored behind the wheel with the windows down and music on, wind through rolling Italian countryside, where getting a little lost is half the fun and often how you stumble across Tuscany’s unsung gems. Pull over for a swift espresso at a roadside bar, then soak up the views along the way, fuelled by an unapologetic amount of gelato.
Somewhere between scoops, wander the cobbled streets of Siena, marvel at Pisa’s famously leaning tower and dip into Florence for a dose of Renaissance art. Roll up your sleeves and unleash your inner chef at a pasta-making class, take a leisurely passeggiata (a classic post-meal stroll) and end the day with a glass of Chianti – because it’s summer and why not?
Image by Olivier Romano
2
Average temperature: 27 - 32 ºC
Sri Lanka’s east coast is one of the best answers to where’s hot in July, especially if you like your beach breaks with a little adventure thrown in. While the southwest wrestles with monsoon showers, the coastal stretch from Trincomalee down to Arugam Bay basks in its sunny season. Head to Main Point for surf lessons, whether you’re effortlessly riding the waves or taking notes from the pros after a dramatic wipeout. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, cool off with a coconut or yoga session, then tuck into a plate of kottu roti or fresh seafood.
If you prefer bush to beach, swap your flip-flops for a jeep safari in Minneriya or Kumana and watch wild elephants roam the plains. These gentle giants have been central to Sri Lankan culture for centuries, and your guide will be just as happy to see them as you are, filling you in on plenty of elephant family drama along the way. After a few hours bouncing around in a 4x4, head back dusty but happy, just in time for sunset by the ocean.
Image by Kam Vachon/Kintzing
3
Average temperature: 20 - 28 ºC
Looking for a little yee-haw energy this July? Wyoming is all about blue skies, ranch life and classic Americana, where days are spent on horseback, evenings stretch long and cowboy boots count as sensible footwear. Summer is a prime time to stay on a working ranch in Jackson Hole, Cody or Sheridan, saddle up like a cowboy or cowgirl and channel Dolly Parton vibes (confidence encouraged, singing optional).
With Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park nearby, days can easily include hiking trails through some of the state’s most iconic landscapes. By the end of your stay, you’ll have picked up a few unexpected skills, like reading the weather from the sky, judging distance in ‘horseback time’ and understanding why ranch life has the habit of winning people over.
Image by Emma Dau / Unsplash.com
4
Average temperature: 25 - 27ºC
One of July’s hotspots (pun intended) is Brazil, where coastal life rolls to the soundtrack of samba, crashing waves and the steady clink of caipirinhas. In Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema and Copacabana are the go-to summer spots, where you can kick off your sandals, dip into warm waters and watch locals dive into a competitive game of beach volleyball – maybe even taking a shot yourself.
Craving some more adventure? Head to Bahia, where the Brazilian coastline gets a little wilder: think untouched beaches and hidden coves where you can slip on a mask and glide straight into clear waters teeming with fish. When you’re ready to dry off, head to Salvador’s bustling markets or the Peourinho district, where street art celebrates Afro-Brazilian heritage at every turn. So, for anyone asking where’s hot in July, Brazil answers confidently – with beachside beers, and lots of them.
Image by Alix Pardo
5
Average temperature: 30 - 33ºC
Kuala Lumpur is wonderfully diverse, and its communities shape everything from the city’s food and festivals to its everyday rhythm. Eat your way around town, trying spicy laksa, fragrant curries, sweet kuih cakes or, if you’re feeling adventurous, durian (you either love it or hate it). Between bites, admire Merdeka 118, Malaysia’s tallest building and the second highest in the world, which rises high alongside the Petronas Twin Towers.
In the July warmth, cool off in one of KL’s hundreds of shopping centres, where the air conditioning is cranked to perfection (although you might need a cardigan for a serious shopping spree). Need an escape from the city buzz? Head to Bukit Nanas reserve for a slice of nature in the heart of the concrete jungle. Add day trips to Malacca or Batu Caves, where the climb doubles as leg day, accompanied by cheeky resident monkeys.
Best of all, Kuala Lumpur is just a hop, skip and a jump from Borneo, Singapore and Indonesia, all of which avoid Southeast Asia’s July monsoon season – so the fun doesn’t have to end here.
Image by Elena Ermakova/stock.adobe.com
Header Image by Suzanne Plumette/stock.adobe.com
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