Where to travel in August 2025?

August is the tail-end of the summer since, for many, September comes with the end of vacation days and the back-to-school time of the year. 

We want to make sure you take advantage of your holiday and so we have compiled this list of some of the best destinations to consider when deciding where to travel in August.

There are plenty of options, ranging from Europe to South America, and NH Hotels for each one of them so you can be sure there’s a convenient and comfortable place to stay at each of these locations.

Without further ado, here’s our guide with some of the top destinations where to go on holiday in August:

Marseille

Marseille, France’s second-largest city, is one of the major ports of the Mediterranean Sea and a cultural hub. It has long been an important centre for art and history as may be seen in landmarks like the Old Port, the main harbour of the city, and baroque buildings like its City Hall, which dates back to the 17th Century. Important museums also abound in Marseille including the Musée Cantini, which exhibits several works by Pablo Picasso.

As a port city, though, many of Marseille’s main draws are related to the sea and August, with daily high and low temperatures of 29ºC and 19ºC, is a particularly attractive time to visit. Stroll through the Old Port, lined with restaurants, bars and markets, or wander to Les Calanques, for a more natural experience of the sea. Check out our hotels in Marseille at convenient central locations to experience all that the city has to offer.

Amalfi Coast

August, along with July, is one of the hottest months for the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Temperatures reach an average daily high of around 30ºC in August, making it a great month to swim in the beaches along the coastline and visit their sea caves. The Path of Gods is an interesting hike you can take in under three hours that guides you through ruins, historical towns, and many stunning sights.

One of the main draws of the Amalfi Coast are its many crystal-clear beaches. In Positano you may visit the glamorous Marina Grande Beach or the Arienzo Beach. Another incredible option is sandy Maiori Beach, the longest beach in the Amalfi Coast.

Algarve

If you enjoy beach holidays and swimming, Algarve is a perfect spot where to travel in August. With plenty of sunshine and an average daily high temperature of 29ºC, the weather is ideal to enjoy Algarve’s exquisite beaches, which include Praia de Dona Ana and Praia dos Estudantes in Lagos and Praia de Falesia in Albufeira.

Algarve has plenty much more to offer as it is full of historical buildings (you must walk through the Old Town when you visit), beautiful natural sights, and an accessible and delightful local cuisine. If this sounds like your idea of a holiday, take a look at our hotels in Algarve (https://www.nh-hotels.com/hotels/algarve) in a variety of locations ranging from the cities of Portimao and Lagos to the Albufeira coastline.

Sicily

While the exact temperature will vary depending on where you are in Sicily (average daily high of 32ºC in Catania, for example), you may rest assured that August is a hot summer month for the Italian island. Enjoy sightseeing through Sicily’s stunning scenery, which includes archaeological sites like the Valle del Templi, hundreds of castles, beautiful beaches, and Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.

Additionally, many interesting events and festivities take place in August in Sicily. These include the International Festival of the Arts, which hosts daily performances in Taormina's ancient theatre, and the Palio dei Normanni, which features medieval and Renaissance re-enactments and is one of the oldest events in Sicily.

San Sebastián, País Vasco

San Sebastián is a beautiful coastal city located in Spain’s Basque Country. It attracts tourists from all over the world who continue to be charmed by the city’s cuisine—featuring a unique style of tapas called pintxos and many Michelin-star restaurants—as well as its gorgeous scenery, which includes the popular La Concha beach, Mount Urgull, and Mount Igueldo.

August brings about not only beautiful weather for San Sebastián (with an average daily high and low temperatures of 24ºC and 17ºC) but also a variety of events to enjoy. San Sebastian’s Classical Music Fortnight takes place in August as well as the Big Week on the week of August 15th (the Virgin’s Day). The Big Week gathers different events including the International Fireworks Contest, musical performances, and sporting events.

Bogotá

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is an incredibly rich city with many interesting museums and beautiful parks. The Gold Museum features items ranging back to pre-Hispanic cultures and the Botero Museum displays works by Fernando Botero (one of Colombia’s most famous artists) as well as other famed painters like Picasso and Monet. To get a full experience walk through the colourful and busy neighbourhood of La Candelaria and dine at the popular restaurant Andrés Carne de Res.

August comes with extremely pleasant weather in Bogotá, with average daily high and low temperatures of 19ºC and 8ºC. Also, the Carnival of Bogotá takes place on August 5 and 6 and includes plenty of events that celebrate the music, gastronomy, and history of the city.

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands is a great choice when deciding where to travel in August: the weather is warm and enjoyable (average daily high of 28ºC) and different festivities will give you a special insight into the local traditions of these Spanish islands. The celebrations for the patron saint of the Canary Islands, the Virgen de la Candelaria, are held on August 14 and 15 while the traditional ritual of the Fiesta de la Rama, with thousands of people dancing in the streets, takes place in Agaete each August 4.

Of course, the Canary Islands have plenty more to offer. The pristine beaches are a sight to behold, including Las Canteras and Playa de la Cera, to name a couple. Visit Tenerife and you’ll get to experience the breathtakingly beautiful El Teide National Park, named after El Teide, the highest peak in Spain. Gran Canaria has a delightful old town you can visit called Vegueta.

Quito

The capital of Ecuador is an exciting destination in its mixture of natural beauty, colonial architecture, and typical gastronomical offer. A trip to Quito will give you the chance to try dishes like ceviche and different stews as well as to experience gorgeous locations like the Cotopazi National Park or the Amazon Rainforest.

Visit in August to enjoy Quito’s attractions during dry season and with a pleasant weather that averages a 20ºC daily high temperature. The climate is ideal to go on some of the many walks and hikes available in or near Quito, like the slopes of Volcán Pichincha or the Quillota Loop.

Buenos Aires

While the weather in Buenos Aires is already getting colder during August, the average daily high and low temperatures of 17ºC and 9ºC are still very comfortable to enjoy the nightlife and cultural landmarks of the Argentinian capital. What’s more, the city’s hosts several events throughout the month, most notably the Tango World Festival and World Cup.

Buenos Aires also has historical landmarks and culinary offers to check out. Go out for a steak dinner, Argentina proudly has some of the best beef in the world, accompanied by the typical chimichurri sauce. The neighbourhoods of Retiro and San Telmo (the oldest in the city) are must-see and feature plenty of restaurants and bars; and so are the promenades of Puerto Madero and La Boca, the city’s original port.

Timișoara

Timișoara is one of the most important tourist destinations in Eastern Europe and a unique option for where to go in August for a holiday. The summer weather in August, with an average daily high temperature of 29°C, will allow you to experience all the charming attractions the city has to offer, including the gorgeous squares of Piata Victorei and Piata Libertatti (centre points to experience Timișoara’s vibrant nightlife).

Timișoara also has a very distinctive historic architecture and plenty of museums to visit. The Art Museum is housed in a baroque building in the Union Square, and the Huniade Castle, which was built in the 1400’s, features the National Museum of Banat, displaying historical and archaeological artifacts.

Three reasons to travel in August

1) Fine weather. As we have seen, many destinations feature sunny days and mild or hot weather throughout the month of August. These include many European countries (like Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain) as well as countries in South America like Argentina, Colombia, or Uruguay.

2) For many people in Europe and the Americas, August is one of the last chances to go on holiday. Be sure to make use of those vacation days.

3) As we have seen, many traditional festivities take place in different countries during August, giving you a chance to catch a revealing glimpse of a country’s folklore. Through this guide we have highlighted a few: like the Carnival of Bogotá and the Tango World Festival in Buenos Aires, but Madrid’s August Fiestas is also worth mentioning.

Where to travel in August as a couple?

Tango is well known as a romantic dance, so Buenos Aires’ Tango World Festival would be particularly alluring to enjoy alongside a partner.

Historical European cities, like those in Italy, and their picturesque sights are great for setting an intimate mood. Just imagine strolling through the Old Port of Marseille with a partner or taking a gondola ride for two during an evening in Venice.

What are the best places to go in August with kids?

The natural beauty that is accessible from Quito, like that in the Cotopazi National Park and the Amazon Rainforest, also make it a particularly exciting holiday for children, especially if they love natural life. Cancún, Mexico is also a good choice for where to go in August for a Caribbean beachside family holiday, as the summer weather still holds during August.

You may also be interested in:

• Where to travel in September
• Where to travel in October
• Where to travel in November
• Where to travel in December