Best places to travel in July 2025

Japan’s summer can be hot and humid, but up in the Japanese Alps and Hokkaido’s wild national parks, the air is cooler, making for ideal hiking conditions. July is also one of the best times to climb Mount Fuji, which is inaccessible in colder months, and for wandering the country’s many immaculate gardens.

While rain is possible, particularly at the beginning of the month, visiting at this time gives you a chance to experience a few Japanese festivals, if you don’t mind a busier atmosphere. In Kyoto, the Kyoto Matsuri sees huge floats being marched through the streets. Dating to the 9th century, it began as a religious ceremony to appease the gods.

Central Vietnam in July is hot and dry, creating ideal beach conditions. There’s more to do in the region besides, though. You could explore the ancient capital of Hue with a guide, who’ll shed light on its temples and citadel. Spend time taking in the sights of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or go hiking in the Truong Son mountains, enjoying far-reaching views over the surrounding peaks.

Elsewhere in Vietnam, rain is more likely, but temperatures are just as balmy and you can make the most of fewer crowds, taking your pick of some great-value hotels.

As conditions become drier, Kenya remains green and full of life in July. Visit now and you might catch some of the Great Migration’s earliest crossings of the Mara River — wildebeest in their hundreds and thousands are forced to face predators that lie in wait, from crocodiles to big cats.

While occasional showers are possible, there are fewer visitors than in subsequent months, so you’ll often have wildlife sightings to yourself. Game drives wherever you are in the country give you a chance to see animals big and small, while the drier conditions make for rewarding walking safaris. It’s also a good time to combine a safari with a beach break.

Snowbound for most of the year, the remote Indian state of Ladakh is only accessible from June to September. As the snow melts in this hidden mountain kingdom, wildflowers bloom across meadows surrounded by snow-dusted peaks. By July, the weather is warm and sunny enough to explore clifftop monasteries bedecked with rich textiles and murals, hike to remote rural villages and wander through Leh’s medieval old town.

This is also the month for the clearest skies, so you can make the most of Ladakh’s panoramic views across the Great Himalaya to the south and the Kashmiri mountains to the north — arguably one of the best reasons to visit.

July is an excellent month to visit the northern half of the US thanks to the warm, dry days, which are ideal for taking advantage of the country’s vast national parks. In Yellowstone, you could spot wolves and bison and admire steaming geysers, or, for a quieter experience, head to Montana’s Glacier National Park to hike lesser-known trails with a guide.

You might like to pair a visit to one of these parks with a stay on a traditional ranch, where you can spend your time fishing, horse riding and learning to lasso in untouched wilderness. Alternatively, head to New England’s coast to enjoy the beaches of Cape Cod.

While lying outside the driest period of year in Costa Rica, July often experiences a veranillo (‘little summer’) — a brief period of three or four weeks where the rains abate, particularly in the northwest. Even if your visit doesn’t coincide with this, July is still a rewarding month to visit, particularly for wildlife sightings — you might see green sea turtles on the coastline of Tortuguero National Park, and the whale-watching season begins around Dominical.

For beach time, head to the far northern Pacific coast or the Caribbean side of the coast, where conditions are driest. Or, focus your time on exploring the country’s jungles on foot, by boat or by zip-line, looking out for animals big and small.