August Getaway Guide: Top 14 Destinations You’ll Love This Summer
August is the month when you suddenly find yourself at the heart of summer, and the calendar begs for a change of scenery. This is the moment to finally tick off that place you’ve been daydreaming about or find a new favorite without overthinking it. The destinations below deliver exactly what August travelers want: the right energy, fewer hassles, and a few surprises that make the trip worth telling stories about later.
Canggu, Bali
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August is peak season in Canggu, Bali’s coastal hotspot with an easygoing surf culture and a growing crowd of remote workers. Cafés serve smoothie bowls by day and hibiscus cocktails by night. Stylish stays like The Slow and Como Uma Canggu add a modern edge, while the ecotourism network JED helps visitors support Bali’s rural communities beyond the busy shoreline.
Puglia, Italy
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This southeastern slice of Italy keeps its cool while the rest of the country swelters. In August, rustic beach clubs stretch along the Adriatic coast, and locals feast on regional olive oil, seafood, and gelato. Puglia’s trulli and masserias, or whitewashed stone buildings turned boutique hotels, make for charming stays.
Reykjavik, Iceland
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August in Reykjavik means long days and a city that barely sleeps. You’ll find open-air concerts, packed cafes, and quick escapes to wild places—think steam rising from the Blue Lagoon, mossy lava fields, and glacier-fed waterfalls just outside town. Want something quieter? Local guides know hidden corners in the Westfjords and along the Troll Peninsula, where the crowds drop off and the scenery just keeps getting bigger.
Naxos, Greece
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Naxos offers a quieter, more grounded take on the Cyclades, without losing the beauty or charm. In August, temperatures around 81°F (27°C) make it perfect for exploring on horseback, drifting through village tavernas, or lounging on wide, uncrowded beaches. Unlike its glossier neighbors, Naxos favors homegrown flavors: local wine, island-distilled citron liqueur, and family-run cafés.
Cornwall, UK
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August in Cornwall brings warmer water to its southwest coast, where surfing and tide pool swims actually make sense. Low tide near St Ives and Newquay reveals shallow sea baths that locals know well. Padstow delivers on seafood, while small fishing villages hide more than their fair share of art galleries.
Cartagena, Colombia
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Cartagena is more than postcard colors and late-night music. Inside the old city walls, you’ll find restaurants like Interno, where each meal supports a second chance for women behind bars. Walk cobbled streets in the morning, cool off in a shaded plaza, and let the city’s heat and rhythm take over once the sun goes down. Rain might pass through, but it rarely lingers.
Oslo, Norway
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August in Oslo means endless sunlight and outdoor everything. Parks turn into beer gardens, and the Oslofjord fills with swimmers and kayakers. With highs around 73°F (23°C), it’s prime time for open-air concerts and sidewalk dining. The city’s sleek public transport and rail network make side trips easy. And don’t miss Oslo’s summer-long pop-up flea markets and comedy nights.
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
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Despite being the rainy season, August in Yucatán is calm and perfect for adventure. Head to Isla Mujeres for the annual Whale Shark Festival, one of the few places in the world where you can swim safely alongside these gentle giants. Tulum and Isla Holbox are quieter this time of year, which means easier reservations and lower prices.
Provence, France
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August in Provence means slower mornings and open-air markets piled with tomatoes, stone fruit, and wheels of cheese. The lavender fields are nearly spent, but vineyards and orchards take their place. Evenings are for tasting local wines, wandering quiet hillsides, and watching the last light fade. It’s easy enough to reach from London by train, and once you settle into a village villa or old stone château, you won’t feel any rush to leave.
Kent, UK
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Kent trades city noise for salt air and the rhythm of the tide. Here, weathered piers and old-school pubs line the shore, and the coastline still feels like it belongs to the locals. Folkestone’s Triennial brings art into the open—sculptures and murals scattered along the harbor, tucked into alleys. It’s an easy trip, but once you arrive, London feels much farther away.
Stockholm, Sweden
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Summer in Stockholm is short, but August captures its full glow. Locals dive into city lakes, sip coffee on waterfront terraces, and wander art museums that double as architectural wonders. SoFo, the city’s boho quarter, buzzes with independent shops and music venues. Take a day trip to one of the surrounding islands: there are more than 30,000 in the archipelago, and ferries run regularly.
New Zealand’s South Island
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Snow takes center stage this time of year, especially around Queenstown where Coronet Peak draws skiers and snowboarders well into the evening. It’s not all action sports, though; those looking for calm can settle into a solar-powered PurePod tucked into remote countryside. These glass-walled cabins offer big mountain views and total seclusion. With average highs around 36°F (2°C), this is one for the thermals, not the beach towels.
Seychelles
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August is prime time in the Seychelles. The weather is steady, the beaches are quiet, and the marine parks are full of life—from reef fish to giant tortoises. Cousin Island uses its visitor fees for wildlife protection, so your trip helps keep the place thriving. Diving is clear, snorkeling is easy, and if you want something special, you can tuck into a hillside villa on Mahé where the forest meets the sand.
Mozambique
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Mozambique in August is wide open and full of possibility. The dry season brings clear skies for diving and makes Gorongosa’s wildlife easy to spot. On the coast, you’ll find old colonial buildings set against bright blue water, with the Bazaruto islands promising long, empty beaches. Humpback whales start showing up offshore, and eco-lodges like Azura Benguerra let you settle in without losing touch with the local community.
Boston, USA
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Boston in August dials things back. The harbor draws a steady crowd for seafood and sunset walks, while the Freedom Trail weaves history right into your afternoon plans. Hotel prices drop after the rush of July. With most college students away, even the busy spots feel less crowded, and the heat is manageable. Getting around is easy—just hop the T and go.