Lady’s 17 Hot Summer Travel Destinations

Today I want to share my list of the 17 best summer travel destinations with you. If you want to go somewhere amazing in the warmer months, read on for my top picks.

Summer Travel Destinations

Whether you’re a sun worshipper or a ski bum, a culture vulture or a party lover, there’s a perfect getaway waiting for you. Wherever you are and however far you want to go, this list will help kick-start your summer adventures.

1. Iceland

With 24-hour daylight and plenty of natural beauty, Iceland is the perfect place to visit in the warmer months. It’s one of the best summer travel destinations for a reason.

From the late-night revelry in Reykjavik to the waterfalls and geysers of the Golden Circle, the island nation is the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy some of the world’s most enchanting landscapes.

2. Gothenburg, Sweden

Before I traveled to Gothenburg, the Swedish city wasn’t on my radar screen. But it won me over with its amazing food, pretty streets, and lush gardens. Given its latitude, summer is the perfect time to visit.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

Not far away, Copenhagen is another of the best summer travel destinations. Not only does the city have amazing restaurants, but also a lot of cultural highlights.

Copenhagen shines as the temperature rises, and visitors can enjoy outdoor highlights like Superkilen, Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle, and the Copenhagen Botanical Garden.

4. Yellowstone National Park, Montana and Wyoming, USA

The USA’s national parks are some of the best places to see the country’s natural beauty at its best. And why not start with Yellowstone, one of the most famous of them all?

Summer ushers in the end of the cold, snowy winter and is a great time to experience the park’s beauty as it comes alive with the warmth of the season.

5. Mongolia

To say that Mongolia has long, frozen winters is an understatement. Which is why it’s one of the world’s best summer travel destinations.

If you time your trip right, you can be there for the country’s annual Naadam Festival, one of the most important cultural celebrations of the year.

But even if you miss it, you can still explore the temples in Ulaanbaatar, see the world’s largest Mongolian boot in Terelj National Park, and sleep in a traditional ger for a night or two.

6. London, UK

It wouldn’t be the A Lady in London blog without a mention of the UK capital as one of the best places to visit in summer. And it’s not just because I live here.

Summer in London sees the best of the British weather (well, as good as it gets), and the blossoming of the city’s lush gardens and leafy parks.

People sip Pimm’s at riverside pubs and rooftop bars until late in the evening, and London’s whole mood lifts with the long daylight hours.

7. Bodie State Historic Park, California, USA

California might seem like an obvious summer travel destination, but there are parts of the state that can only be visited this time of year.

Bodie, for example. The historic gold-mining ghost town near Mammoth and Yosemite National Park is full of legend and lore, and is only accessible by car after the winter snow has melted.

Bodie is worth a special trip for its eerily intact picture of life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can easily visit the town on a road trip to Yosemite and Mammoth.

8. The Hamptons, New York, USA

If you want to summer like a New Yorker, head to the Hamptons. The perfect antidote to city life, this part of Long Island is full of beautiful beaches and sweet seaside towns. And given its popularity, keep an eye out for celebrities.

9. Ile de Re, France

If you want to summer like a Parisian, France’s Ile de Re is just the place. Located off the Atlantic coast, the island is full of picture-pretty villages and is easy to get around by bicycle.

The famous farmers’ markets are perfect places to pick up seaside picnics, and the whole place has an idyllic ambiance.

10. Sardinia, Italy

If summering like an Italian is more your thing, Sardinia is the spot. This jewel of an island in the Mediterranean Sea has spectacular white sand beaches and secluded coves. There’s excellent seafood to match, too.

11. Douro Valley, Portugal

Portugal’s Douro Valley is not only one of my favorite under-the-radar travel destinations in Europe, but also one of the best summer travel destinations in the world.

Just inland from Porto, the valley is full of vineyards and steeped in Port wine tradition. Head in by train or boat along the Douro River and enjoy the best of Portugal’s food and wine scene.

12. Seattle, Washington, USA

Up in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a great place to travel in summer.

I recommend visiting Seattle in the warmer months because the weather is at its best and the city comes alive with events and festivals.

13. Oregon Coast, USA

Just south of Seattle, the Oregon coast is another one of the best summer travel destinations.

One year I did an amazing drive from Astoria down through Ecola State Park. I enjoyed it so much that I went back the following summer to do another Oregon coast road trip.

The big beaches and boulders make for stunning scenery on an epic American driving adventure.

14. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Just north of Seattle, Canada’s Victoria is another summer special. With some of the friendliest locals I’ve ever met and a lot of waterfront charm, it’s a great island getaway in British Columbia.

15. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Kenya’s Masai Mara is another of the world’s best summer travel destinations. The annual wildebeest migration starts every year around this time, making it ideal for a safari in Kenya.

As the herds make their way from Tanzania’s Serengeti into the Masai Mara National Reserve, visitors can see spectacular displays of wildlife up close.

16. Andes, Chile

If warm weather isn’t your thing, head south to Chile for a little Southern Hemisphere skiing.

The Andes are just the place to cool off and hit the slopes, and if you stay long enough you can have an endless winter when you return home.

17. Edinburgh, Scotland

One of my favorite places to travel in summer is Edinburgh. The city is home to a whole host of festivals in August, the most famous of which is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Throughout the month, visitors can enjoy street performances, theater, food festivals, and more as the city buzzes with festivities.

But even if you can’t go in August, it’s still worth visiting Edinburgh in the summertime. You’ll have the best chance of good weather, lots of outdoor events to enjoy, and all the festive spirit of the season to take in.

This city is truly one of the best places to visit in the UK in summer.

Best Summer Travel Destinations

I hope this guide to where to travel in summer has helped you get an idea of which places around the world are the best for your style. There are so many great ones I’m sure they’ll keep you busy for a long time.

What about you? What do you think are the best summer travel destinations?

Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!

New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.

Pin it!