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Best holiday destinations in August
Jo is an award-winning travel journalist and hiking holiday enthusiast. Her specialisms include sustainable travel and money-saving advice.
Tempted to book a last-minute escape for August? Whether you want an active adventure or to escape the peak summer heat, we have a destination for you.
Climb one of Iceland’s spectacular volcanoes, explore otherworldly black sand beaches on the Azores or sample the exquisite pintxos of the Basque country.
Read on for our seven August picks – from the Emerald Isle all the way to South America.
Best places to visit in August
- Cork, Ireland 19°C
- Bilbao, Spain 24°C
- Transylvania, Romania 21°C
- The Azores, Portugal 25°C
- Copenhagen, Denmark 21°C
- Iceland 12°C
- Peru 18°C
Where in Europe is cheap in August
Cork, Ireland
August high: 19°C
Spectacular scenery and a warm welcome await just next door in Ireland. You’ll find a blissful 15 hours of daylight in August, without the blisteringly high temperatures that plague much of Europe during the height of summer.
The charms of Kinsale and Cobh, 30 minutes from Cork, are well known thanks to their handsome painted houses and traditional seafood restaurants.
But you’ll find the same pretty harbour setting and a sweeping Blue Flag beach in nearby Clonakilty, minus the crowds.
World-class produce from the Atlantic and its rural hinterland make everything you eat here extraordinary. The dramatic peninsulas of West Cork are also a playground for kayaking, paddleboarding and whale watching.
From 12-16 August, catch the Cork on a Fork food festival in Cork city: a culinary showcase featuring food trails, cooking demos and plenty of tastings.
Best of all, return flights from London Stansted to Cork in August were as cheap as £30 when we checked.
Where in Europe is cheap in August?
Bilbao, Spain
August high: 24°C
There's more to Spain than the Costas. The Basque Country in the north has its own culture, traditions and language – and its capital, Bilbao, has thrived ever since the construction of the Guggenheim Museum in the late 90s.
Sunshine isn't guaranteed here, but the weather is typically much better than the UK. The colourful old town is packed with amazing pintxo bars (the classic Basque tapas). You're also only an hour and a half from the legendary restaurants and beaches of San Sebastian to the east, or the wineries of La Rioja to the south.
Return flights from London to Bilbao were as cheap as £37 per person for August, when we checked. Those who want to holiday abroad with a lower carbon footprint can choose the twice-weekly ferry (Thursdays and Sundays) from Portsmouth, which takes just over 33 hours. You may even spot whales and dolphins along the way.
Find a Basque country holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: HF Holidays, InnTravel, Ramblers or Trailfinders.
Where in Europe isn’t too hot in August?
Transylvania, Romania
August high: 21°C
Transylvania’s Bran Castle was supposedly the inspiration for Dracula’s lair, despite Bram Stoker never having set foot in Romania. But there’s more to this area than the mythical blood-thirsty count.
Temperatures hover around the low 20s in summer; ideal conditions to hike among the steep limestone ridges and dense spruce forests of the Piatra Craiului National Park.
The Via Transilvanica, a long-distance hiking trail dubbed the ‘Camino of Romania’ (after the famous Spanish pilgrimage), was also extended to reach Brașov. And the medieval city – crammed with ornate churches and Baroque townhouses, and hemmed in by the Carpathian mountains on three sides – makes the ideal scenic base.
August also sees several folklore and music festivals pop up around the region, including the Sibiu Medieval Festival 2026 on 28-30 August – an immersive weekend of open-air performances and historic re-enactments.
Book a Transylvania holiday with Which? Recommended Providers Exodus, HF Holidays, Trailfinders, Saga and Hays Travel.
The Azores, Portugal
August high: 25°C
If mainland Portugal is a bit too hot in August, the Azores sits in the more comfortable mid-20s thanks to the Atlantic sea breeze. Characterised by dramatic volcanic landscapes and peppered with quaint fishing villages, the archipelago is ideal for nature lovers. Sao Miguel, the largest island, is known for its geothermal hot springs and volcanic craters.
After hiking the dramatic Miradouro da Boca do Inferno trail – famous for its crater lakes – you can soak your aching muscles in Ponta da Ferraria’s iron-rich pools. Or, if the weather is kind, relax on one of the otherworldly black sand beaches.
August marks the end of whale watching season when humpback, fin and even blue whales fill up on plankton before migrating to the Arctic.
Find an Azores holiday with Which? Recommended Providers: Trailfinders, Audley Travel or Kuoni.
Where in Europe isn’t too hot in August?
Copenhagen, Denmark
August high: 21°C
The Danish capital is famously expensive, but flights for August are currently a steal – from £67 return according to Skyscanner.
Get a sense of this compact city from the water with a Stromma canal tour. Boats depart roughly every 30 minutes and depart from Nyhavn, a colourful strip of canal-side buildings, before sailing past the opera house. You can also enjoy a full panorama of the city from the viewing platform of the Rundetaarn, the 17th-century red-brick Round Tower famed for its equestrian staircase – it was built during the reign of King Christian IV so he could be transported by horse and carriage to the top.
It should be perfect weather for a dip in the clean harbour waters and to explore the city's bike-friendly streets on two wheels. Bars and cafés also spill onto the streets at this time of year, while residents lug their picnic baskets to the many parks and manicured gardens.
Book a city break to Copenhagen with Which? Recommended Providers Jet2Holidays, Trailfinders or Saga.
Iceland
August high: 12°C
Midnight sun, waterfalls and lush, green landscapes – Iceland in August is every bit as magical as it is during the winter. While August is not the time to spot the northern lights, the milder weather means you can explore areas that aren’t accessible during winter – such as Hvannadalshnukur mountain, Iceland’s highest peak.
You can even visit an active volcano. Visits to Litli-Hrutur are now allowed after the recent eruption, although taking an organised tour is highly recommended. Keep an eye on local safety information.
Other top experiences include the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and the south coast with its black sand beaches. In addition, August provides the opportunity to hike in the highlands, visit the Westfjords, and spot puffins, which migrate to Iceland between May and the end of August. The midnight sun is why many tourists flock to Iceland during the summer but, if you’re concerned about disrupted sleep, aim for the end of August when the dark nights begin to draw in.
August is one of Iceland’s warmest months, with highs of 12°C in Reykjavik (and between 10-11°C elsewhere). Expect bright blue skies and cloudy intervals in the summer months, but pack your waterproofs and some warm layers just in case.
Find an Iceland holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Exodus, Hays, Jet2, Ramblers, Trailfinders.
Want to escape the peak summer heat? The destinations where temperatures regularly spike above 35°C – and where to go instead
Best long-haul holiday destination in August: Peru
August high: 18°C
Peru’s rich history and diverse landscapes appeal to adventurous travellers. Go this August for fewer crowds and better weather in the middle of dry season.
Learn about the Incas in Cusco, the ancient civilisation’s capital. Rainbow Mountain is just an hour away, with its distinct coloured stripes – the result of different minerals creating a marbling effect.
Machu Picchu is likely to be the highlight of your trip, the lost city of the Incas. Take the train from Aguas Calientes or, if you’re up for the challenge, choose one of the many hiking trails (the Inca Trail books up quickly).
Temperatures hover around 18°C in Lima and Cusco in August – while in Iquitos and the Amazonian regions you can expect highs of 32°C. Temperatures can plummet during the night in the higher-altitude regions, so pack for all weathers.
Find a Peru holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Exodus, HF Holidays, Kuoni, Ramblers, Trailfinders.
Weather data from Weather2travel.com.