Welcome to July, the heart of summer. The days are long, the evenings are golden, and the world feels like it’s wide open. It’s the season of sandals and ice cream, spontaneous road trips, and sun-drenched patios. Everything seems just a little more possible in this peak summer month.
July invites us to make the most of the warm weather and wander somewhere new – to feel the sea breeze on a coastal escape, linger a little longer over dinner in a cobbled square, hike a sunrise trail, or get lost in a historic city.
To help you make the most of this magical month, we’ve gathered ten beautiful destinations that are perfect for a summer getaway – five in the U.S. and five in Europe. Each one is filled with charm, unique things to do, and plenty of opportunities to soak up that midsummer magic.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Let’s kick things off with the ultimate East Coast summer escape. Martha’s Vineyard has been a beloved retreat since the 1800s. Presidents vacation here, but so do laid-back travelers looking for quiet beaches and quintessential towns. In July, particularly, the Vineyard is pure magic: salty air, breezy bike rides, and seafood so fresh it practically flips onto your plate.
Be sure to stroll through Edgartown’s whitewashed captain’s houses, grab ice cream in Oak Bluffs, and watch the sunset at Menemsha Beach. You can also rent a bike or a moped, sail from lighthouse to lighthouse, and take the ferry out to Chappaquiddick Island for your very own castaway experience.
Dublin, Ireland
July in Dublin? Yes, please. This city is always buzzing, but rarely overwhelming (except maybe for St. Paddy’s Day). The long summer nights here are perfect for pub-hopping and riverfront walks.
Dublin dates back to the Vikings, and you can feel the layers of history with every cobbled step. A must-see is Trinity College for the ancient Book of Kells. Then, you can take a peek inside the General Post Office (a key site in the 1916 Easter Rising) and explore the colorful stalls at the Temple Bar Food Market on Saturdays. Don’t skip the lesser-known Marsh’s Library, a book lover’s dream with wooden shelves straight out of a Harry Potter set.
And, of course, be sure to sip a pint (or two) at a real-deal pub. We’re talking old, cozy, and full of character. One you might like is The Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest, dating all the way back to 1198.
New York City, New York
NYC in July is electric, even if it’s hot enough to make the steam rise off the streets. The energy, the events, the everything is all turned up a notch.
Take a lazy morning walk along the High Line, savor a sip from a rooftop bar in the afternoon, and catch an outdoor movie in Bryant Park by night. If an outdoor movie in one of the city’s prettiest parks sounds like fun, then we definitely recommend enjoying that cocktail from the rooftop bar at the nearby Library Hotel. July also means Shakespeare in the Park (Central Park, to be precise), fireworks over the Hudson, and unbeatable street food on every corner.
If you’re a history lover, you might enjoy the Tenement Museum for a fascinating look into the immigrant experience. The Museum of the City of New York also gives you an insider look at how this wild, wonderful world came to be.
And, if you’ve done all the major stops already, then you can go off the beaten path with a visit to Roosevelt Island, an urban secret garden, with skyline views and a peaceful feeling. Here are 25 additional experiences for you to enjoy in New York City.
Oban, Scotland
Say hello to Scotland’s seafood capital. Oban is a charming harbor town on the West Coast and, in July, it’s like stepping into a dreamy coastal postcard.
The town itself grew around a whisky distillery in the 1790s (cheers to that) and, today, it’s your jumping-off point to the Hebrides. But, don’t just pass through. Walk up to McCaig’s Tower (a quirky, unfinished coliseum-style monument) for fantastic views of the bay, explore Dunollie Castle ruins, and sip something peaty at Oban Distillery.
And, of course, you won’t want to skip the seafood. One of your best moments will be a fresh crab roll at the Oban Seafood Hut, sitting right beside the water. Here are 15 more things to do in Scotland, beyond its lovely castles.
Sedona, Arizona
If you’re looking for a little desert magic, Sedona will deliver. Picture those towering red rocks, mystical energy vortexes, and the kind of golden light photographers dream about.
Sedona has ancient roots, with Indigenous peoples calling this land home for thousands of years. You can see petroglyphs at Palatki Heritage Site and wander sacred spaces like Cathedral Rock.
Yes, it’ll be hot. But, the trick is to start early with hikes like Devil’s Bridge or Bell Rock before cooling off at Slide Rock State Park (nature’s own waterslide). If you’d like to tap into your spiritual side, you can also crystal shop hop, try a sound bath, or have your aura photo taken. When in Sedona, right?
Annecy, France
How about a bit of a hidden gem with some serious storybook charm? They, let’s say, “Bonjour,” to Annecy. Tucked away in the French Alps near the Swiss border, Annecy is known as the “Venice of the Alps.”
The town’s history dates back to Roman times, and its medieval old town still has those winding canals, pastel buildings, and flower-filled balconies. In July, the weather is warm, the lake sparkles, and the whole place feels like summer slowed down.
You should definitely plan to swim or paddleboard on Lake Annecy (one of Europe’s cleanest lakes), rent a bike for a loop around the shoreline, and walk through the old town with stops for crêpes and local cheese. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even paraglide off the nearby cliffs. The views are amazing, and the memory will be everlasting.
Charleston, South Carolina
If you want charm, Charleston is absolutely filled with it. Thanks to its cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and pastel-colored houses, it has the kind of history that makes every building feel like a storybook.
Founded in 1670, this is one of America’s oldest cities, and July brings steamy Southern evenings perfect for ghost tours, sweet tea, and live jazz. Don’t miss the historic homes along Rainbow Row, or a walk through the hauntingly beautiful Magnolia Cemetery.
For something further off the beaten path, you can visit the Charleston Tea Garden (the only tea plantation in North America) or take a short ferry ride to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
Cinque Terre, Italy
You’ve probably seen photos of Cinque Terre with its colorful cliffside villages tumbling into the turquoise sea. But, nothing beats seeing it in person. July brings sun-soaked days, perfect for hiking, swimming, and sipping limoncello as the sun sets over the Ligurian coast.
Each of the five towns – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – has its own feel, but they all share an old-world charm, with roots going back to the Middle Ages.
If you’re up for it, you can hike the coastal trail (or hop the train), eat some anchovies (they’re famous here), and then cool off in the little coves the locals love. Best of all, if you time it right, you’re likely to stumble upon a village festival, complete with fireworks, food stalls, and live music. Manarola is one of our favorites. And, if you think you’ll feel the same, here’s a lovely little guide for ya!
Bar Harbor, Maine
Cool sea breezes, lobster rolls, and dramatic coastline? Yes, yes, and yes. Bar Harbor is peak summer in New England, especially in July when the wildflowers bloom and Acadia National Park is in its prime. (Bar Harbor is definitely a chart-topper on our list of 15 East Coast beaches worth discovering.)
This charming town has long been a summer retreat, from wealthy 19th-century families to today’s road-tripping travelers. You can spend your mornings exploring Cadillac Mountain or walking the Ocean Path, then head into town for blueberry pie and local craft beer. For something a little more offbeat, you can book a whale-watching tour or go tide-pooling at Bar Island during low tide. Just don’t get stranded when the water returns!
Seville, Spain
It is hot in Seville in July, but hear us out. The city slows down in summer in the most romantic way. Locals take their time, siestas are sacred, and the evenings come alive with music, food, and golden light bouncing off the Moorish architecture.
This Andalusian city is packed with history, from the Gothic Seville Cathedral (where Christopher Columbus is buried) to the stunning Alcázar palace, a mix of Islamic and Christian design that looks like something out of a fantasy film.
After you visit the cathedral, you can cool off in shaded courtyards, sip tinto de verano in leafy plazas, and stay up late because, in Seville, the night is when the city truly shines.
Let the Summer Stories Begin
Wherever you’re dreaming of this July – seaside towns, city breaks, mountain hikes, or cultural deep-dives – there’s somewhere out there that will make your summer unforgettable. Just don’t wait too long to book your spot. Summer waits for no one, and these dreamy destinations are calling.
Come take a look at our library of destination guides as you pack your bags! Whether you’re headed to Charleston or Seville, we’ll help you round out your trip with all the right stops along the way. And, if all goes well, we’ll clink our glass of tinto de verano with yours in one of those cool, cozy corners of Seville.