Where to go in August?

The busiest travel month of the year: discover alternatives to crowded hotspots, must-see festivals, and safaris at their most spectacular.

Beach idea: Croatia Festival idea: Edinburgh Safari idea: Kenya
95°F High in Andalusia
82°F Mediterranean water
15 Peak vacation month
-20% Off-season east coast

Sunny August: our top picks

Alternative Mediterranean coasts, British festivals, or African savanna: travel smart in August by picking the right spots.

Nature

Summer off the beaten path

Quiet shores, high mountains, and savanna: August works away from the queues too.

CITY BREAKS

August city breaks

Festivals, terraces, and Atlantic breeze: city trips that dodge Mediterranean heat waves.

Our tips for August

  • Beat the crowds

    Choose Albania, Montenegro, or secondary Greek islands over the busiest hotspots.

  • Book early

    August is the absolute peak: target late August outside France if you book late.

  • Festivals

    Edinburgh, Lisbon, or Porto: reserve lodging and tickets well ahead.

  • Kenya safari

    The Great Migration peaks in August in the Masai Mara.

August by climate zone

Explore other months

See all months

August draws the biggest summer crowds in Europe. To avoid saturation, head to Albania, Montenegro, or Portugal for warm seas and often softer prices than July hotspots.

Scotland and Ireland offer festivals and cooler air. In Africa, Kenya hosts the Great Migration. Indonesia stays in dry season.

Compare July, plan September for shoulder season, or browse our summer guide. See the When to go hub and destinations.

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