Best Places to Visit in July for Sun, Festivals, and Adventure

There’s something about summer that simply can't compare to the other three seasons. Warm weather, longer days, cold drinks at the park: it's a lethal combination for your daily routine, but also the perfect time to plan your annual July trip.

And for many travellers, summer is also the peak season to appreciate all the natural wonders the world has to offer, drink outdoors in a new bucket list destination, and take in some stunning views you won't find back home.

Summer is more than just good weather, although that's certainly a perk. It's also about excitement, exploration, outdoor festivals, and adventure.

Maybe you’re craving the feeling of the sun hugging your back as you catch a tan on an exotic beach. Or perhaps you feel nostalgic over European cobblestone paths and street performers. Or you could be missing that open-road feeling where every turn feels new.

Whatever it is, a well-planned July trip tends to deliver.

Whether you're a first-time traveller or a seasoned explorer, the ZenSim team has compiled a list of the best destinations worth spending time in July. 

Just make sure you have your ZenSim travel eSIM sorted out before you leave, especially if you're planning to explore this summer.

Sidenote: Some of these destinations might not be the most common or popular, but they're hidden gems with a lot of character. Give them a chance, and you'll be glad you tried something new.

1. Portugal: Street Parades and Sardines

While Portugal is amazing year round, summer in Lisbon hits different. Bottles of wine by the beach, the best bacalhau in the world, and cobblestone streets that wind around themselves.

But July isn’t just for wandering. The country is still reeling from the aftermath of Festa de São João, and up north in Porto, the party continues. Grilled sardines, basil plants, plastic hammers: before you have time to overthink, you've been swept up by the crowd.

You might stumble onto a neighbourhood block party with music blasting and grandmothers dancing like no one’s watching. It’s not polished or organised. That’s the point. You grab a beer, someone hands you a bifana sandwich, and for the next few hours, you're an honorary local.

Outside the main cities, there’s Alentejo, full of sun-kissed towns, empty roads, and food that demands your full attention. You swim in rivers and beaches that don’t make the cut for travel guides, nap under cork trees, and promise you’ll come back.

Somewhere along the coast, you’ll find a bar carved into the side of a cliff. No signs. Just vibes, as the kids these days like to say. A DJ plays something you don’t recognise, but your body is already swaying to the beat.

Nights in Portugal seem to last forever. But not in an annoying, loud way. When you stay overnight, you'll likely find yourself up past 12 am, enjoying the breeze and listening to the sound of gentle strumming.

We can't wrap up this section without an honourable mention of Lisbon’s Santo António Festival. Paper streamers hang from balconies, fado music spills out of alleyways, and couples sneak cheeky kisses behind food stalls. Here, you don’t plan your night; it unfolds around you. 

Portugal holidays often end up being chaotic and off-schedule, so make sure you at least have a phone with good signal and internet to help you navigate this bucket list destination. Grab a Europe eSIM from ZenSim before you hop on a plane; you'll thank us later!

2. Darwin and the Top End: A Much-Needed Break From Humidity

The second you land in the Northern Territory of Australia, you'll know it’s dry season. None of that annoying, sticky humidity. Just heat that lets you catch your breath.

Soon enough, you'll find yourself wandering through the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. You'll hear drums somewhere in the distance, watch smoke curling off a barbecue, and maybe come across a kid dancing like no one’s watching.

Be sure to drive to Litchfield National Park, approximately two hours from the city. You don't want to miss the chance to float in the Buley Rockholes or trek up to Florence Falls. And for lovers of escapism, there’s a lookout near Wangi Falls that makes you feel small in the best way. 

The nights in the north are calm. Grab a stool by the harbour and watch the sunset, while the street performers get ready for an evening of entertainment.

If you’re lucky, your visit will spill over into August and line up with the Darwin Festival. While it's not a massive event like Coachella, the local festival has its own kind of magic. 

You'll come across light installations hanging between trees, and listen to poetry being read aloud while eating satay skewers on plastic chairs. It’s intimate and oddly unforgettable.

Dry season also means fewer bugs, fewer crowds, and more room to breathe. All the things that make a July trip feel like a genuine holiday. There’s something about that particular heat: it sharpens your senses but doesn’t wear you down. Nights are cooler, and you'll probably stay out longer than you plan, simply because it feels good.

3. Kyoto and Osaka: Lanterns and Street Drums Galore

Japan in July can be summarised in three words: heat, hustle (and bustle), and celebrations. You'll feel it in the air as soon as you land.

Kyoto’s streets are dressed for Gion Matsuri, and the city moves like it’s rehearsing for a play it’s performed for centuries. 

You follow the lanterns. Hear the rhythm before you see the crowd. Floats that look as though they were carved from another era roll slowly by. People cheer, kids play with sparklers, and the smell of grilled squid sticks to your clothes.

Since it's hot, you'll probably catch yourself ducking into a convenience store for air-con and emerge with a cold drink that tastes nothing like you've ever tried before. Somehow, it’s perfect.

Later, a train to Hokkaido shifts the pace. Lavender blooms in Furano, the air’s crisp, and the hiking trails are some of the most picturesque you've ever seen. Evenings are cool enough for long sleeves and a hot cup of tea.

Some neighbourhoods in Osaka throw their own street fests, complete with taiko drumming and paper fans handed out by local grandmas. Everywhere you go, someone’s celebrating something. You don’t need to know the reason. Just show up and have fun.

The firework displays? Wild. Instead of watching from a distance, you’re right in the middle of them. You might find yourself shoulder to shoulder with teenagers in yukata kimonos, listening to the sound of explosions echoing right in front of you. There’s a point when the humidity breaks and the sky goes gold. That’s when you find a bench, a drink, and let the buzz settle. It’s a mix of chaos and calm all at once.

Even train stations feel festive. Staff wearing flower pins, kids giggling at vending machines. It’s like the whole country got the memo: July is for joy.

And if the city gets too much, hop a train to the coast. Wakayama’s beaches are close enough for a day trip and just quiet enough to feel like a secret. 

They're full of sand, salt, and silence when you need it most. The scent of yuzu soap from a local bathhouse might linger longer than expected. And that random bowl of curry udon from a late-night spot near your hostel? You’ll think about it next winter for sure.

There’s nothing rushed in the way Japan celebrates summer. Just a shared understanding that it’s here, and that’s enough reason to have a good time. You start to carry that mindset, even on the train ride out. 

The only downside? Japan can be difficult to navigate, especially during peak festival season, so make sure to get your Japan eSIM purchased and sorted before you leave.

4. Queenstown and Coronet Peak: We Wish You a Merry Summer

If you're not a fan of heat, we recommend visiting Coronet Peak in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Once you step off the shuttle, don't be surprised by the feeling of snow crunching underfoot. While Coronet Peak is not always postcard-perfect (kids yelling, people dropping their gloves), that’s what makes it feel alive.

The slopes buzz from mid-morning. Not just skiers and snowboarders, but groups who clearly came for the vibe more than the sport. You rent some gear, maybe take a tumble, maybe don’t. Either way, you end up flushed and grinning.

Down in Queenstown, it’s all charm and adrenaline. Bungee jumpers above the river, locals in puffer jackets drinking rosé like it’s summer, and a winter festival that feels like a whole town refusing to hibernate.

There’s mulled wine in takeaway cups and fairy lights over every street. Someone’s fire-dancing on the waterfront. You catch the tail end of a jazz set, wander off, and find yourself in a pub where the menu’s just a blackboard and the lamb’s better than it should be.

By night, the town glows. Bonfires near the lake, laughter spilling out of crowded bars, and strangers doing snow angels in questionable outfits. If you're lucky, you might catch a pop-up film screening, complete with blankets, bean bags, and the mouthwatering scent of popcorn.

There’s something about snow sports in July that just feels like a secret. Everyone’s thinking of summer months, and you’re here in reverse, wearing layer on layer, drinking mulled wine, and trying to warm up your cheeks. But even in the cold, the town is alive.

5. New England, USA: Fireworks, Lake Days, and Small-Town Parades

Independence Day in a small New England town isn’t subtle. It’s full brass bands, toddlers with face paint, and fireworks that rattle your eardrums. However, it’s also wholesome and much more authentic compared to some of the big-city parades.

You'll easily find yourself spending the afternoon by a random lake, watching pontoon boats drifting lazily, taking in the scent of grilled corn and sunscreen. And for the full New England experience, some teenager’s portable speaker will probably be playing Springsteen in the distance.

Evenings roll in slowly. Someone sets up a bonfire. There’s pie, of course. Probably blueberry. The parade’s earlier than you expect: kids on bikes with streamers, school marching bands slightly offbeat, someone handing out popsicles from the back of a truck. It’s charming without trying.

While New York and LA are some of the more "iconic" destinations, New England has its own unique charm. It doesn't matter if you're in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island; Independence Day will be a blast either way.

If you're in Vermont or Maine, make sure to stop by a town like Brattleboro or Camden while they're in full bloom. Here you'll find antique shops, indie bookstores and diners serving coffee refills without asking.

The heat in New England is also much more manageable, with average temperatures hovering somewhere around 20-26 degrees Celsius.

It's warm enough to swim and cool enough to sleep. Locals call it the perfect time to visit, and they’re not wrong. Just make sure to grab a USA eSIM before you leave if you're planning on exploring more than one state.

Verdict: July Trips Are for the Adventurous

The best part about travelling in July? You can always try something new!

Craving a fun Summer festival and watching the sunset over a couple of drinks? Head to Portugal, Japan, or New England. Want something cooler? Travel to the Northern Hemisphere to blow off some steam and enjoy a few solo hikes.

Sure, the destinations we listed above aren't usually the first to come to mind, especially when competing with places like Greece, Spain or Bali. But they've got character, and they're a breath of fresh air from the usual hotel-beach-restaurant-repeat schedule.

Wherever you go, make sure your phone is sorted (especially if you're travelling somewhere new). Don't wait until the last minute, either. 

Grab a trusty Travel eSIM from ZenSim and put your travel anxiety to rest once and for all. As long as you have signal and Google Maps, you're all set!