By Mark Hodson
Sunday Times Travel Writer
Q. Where is hot in August 2024?
A. The Mediterranean can experience heatwaves in August with temperatures peaking above 40ºC. If you’re on the coast, it will usually feel cooler. If you want to escape the heat and high humidity, consider Northern Europe or Scandinavia. Or head for the mountains: the Alps will be sunny and warm with low humidity. The Caribbean (31ºC) and Bali (29ºC) are popular long-haul options in August.
These are my own personal recommendations of companies tested and approved by our team of editors. Follow the links below for details of prices and cancellation policies. If you have kids, see our recommendations for family holidays in August. If you’re travelling alone, check out the best solo holidays in August.
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Short haul holidays in August – Long haul holidays in August
Short haul holidays in August
Europe is an obvious choice in August; flight times are short and inexpensive, so you can be basking in sunshine within a few hours of leaving home.
The Mediterranean can get very hot in August, particularly if you’re in a large resort or away from cooling sea breezes. Cyprus, for example, often sees temperatures of 35°C in the capital, Nicosia, although the coastal resorts tend to be 5°C cooler. Best bet is to rent a villa with pool.
As a general rule, average temperatures in the southern Mediterranean are about the same as the northern Mediterranean. However, night-time temperatures can be higher in the southern Med during August.
The Greek islands will regularly see temperatures above 30°C, and considerably higher if there’s a heatwave, as will Malta, the Costa de la Luz in southern Spain and the Aegean Coast of Turkey. See where’s hottest in Turkey in August.
The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily are busy in August – as most of Italy shuts down for a month and everybody flees to the beaches. Expect lots of sunshine, warm seas and temperatures of 28°C to 30°C. The best beaches on mainland Italy are in the southern region of Puglia.
Other hot destinations in August includeCroatia which has a stunning coastline and hundreds of islands – many uninhabited – that can be explored on boat trips.
If you want temperatures a little less hot you could try the Italian Lakes, the stunning French island of Corsica, the northerly Greek islands of Skiathos and Skopelos, Halkidiki in mainland Greece – where we recommend Sani Beach Resort – and the Cote d’Azur, where you can expect perfect temperatures of 27°C.
One of the best ways to survive the heat – particularly if you have children – is to rent a villa with private pool. Check out these great options in Mallorca, Corfuand Catalonia.
Another way to cool off is to take to the water. You could laze on the deck of a gulet meandering along the coast of Turkey, take awatersports holiday in Greece with Mark Warner (everything’s included!) or enjoy a luxury barging holiday in France.
A further option is to head a little further north in Northern or Western France where you can escape the searing heat of the Mediterranean, and the journey by car is far more manageable. Families should consider beachfront holiday parks which offer great value self-catering accommodation and lots of facilities for children. We recommendSiblu Villages.
If you have a bigger budget and a bit party of friends or family you could rent out an entire chateau in France. See the hottest places in France in August.
This is the best time of year to visit Northern Spain – the Green Coast, as it’s known. You’ll find unspoilt beaches, mountains, traditional villages, great food and a friendly welcome.
If you crave sunshine but aren’t keen on crowds, savage heat or high humidity, consider the clean mountain air of the Alps. The region is perfect if you enjoy walking and other outdoor activities. We recommend Peak Retreats for budget holidays.
If you don’t want to drive or fly, how about a coach tour of Europe that wraps up some of the region’s highlights.
Long haul holidays in August
You risk burning your toes on the sand in many mid-haul destinations. In the Middle East, the Arabian Gulf and northern Africa it’s not unusual to experience temperatures of 40°C, so these places are best left for other times of the year.
The Indian Ocean is a much better option. You can expect temperatures of 30°C in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, with the Seychelles (27°C) and Mauritius (25°C) not far behind.
In Oceania, theCook Islandsare a balmy 25°C, andFiji26°C – both brilliant alternatives to the Indian Ocean, though further afield. This is also a busy time in the Caribbean, particularly with families, although there is a risk of wind and sharp rain showers, as this is officially the hurricane season. You are usually better off in the more southerly islands such as Barbados (31ºC, 8 hours of daily sun). See our guide to the hottest Caribbean islands in August.
South East Asia generally suffers from monsoon season in August, with a few exceptions. Bali enjoys excellent weather at this time of year, as does Koh Samui in Thailand with 12 hours of sunshine a day and temperatures averaging 31°C. If you want to go beyond the well-trodden path in Thailand, we recommend Experience Travel Group which has access to some extraordinary experiences from village home stays and secret beaches to thrilling wildlife encounters.
In Africa, August is a good time for Big Five spotting.In Kenya the wildebeest migration is in full flow, or try your luck spotting whales off the coast of Mozambique (26°C).
Find more about where to go on holiday in August. Also see our sister site for honeymoon ideas in August.
Last updated: 31 August 2023
When is the August Bank Holiday?
In 2024, the August Bank Holiday falls on Monday 26 August.
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