It is the holiday month par excellence, when many cities are empty and others are packed with heat, beach and swimsuits. But be careful because there are also options to escape the typical beach destinations and enjoy a few days of tranquility. You have often asked us for ideas about the best destinations to travel to in August . Are you among those who have not yet decided?
We have prepared this post with 7 incredible destinations to go to in August , with alternatives for all tastes: from those looking for a car route to enjoy a cool climate to those who are clear that they want to roll around in the sand like a croquette.
Where to travel in August: the best destinations
We have tried to select a few places around the world that are perfect to visit during this month. From the turquoise beaches of Tropea to the Connemara National Park, passing through the Okavango Delta and the Tierra del Fuego. Are you ready to travel around the world in the eighth month of the year?
Let's eat August!
1. Ireland
The Emerald Isle is synonymous with enchanting landscapes, stone villages, castles, sheep and lots of adventures . And August is one of the best months to organise it, even better if it is with a car route that takes you to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, the Giant's Causeway, Galway, Kilkenny or the Connemara National Park. Here you can book the best excursions in Ireland .
Don't forget to toast with a Guinness , the national beer that the Irish love so much - and we do!
⭐ Here we tell you what to see and do in Ireland .
2. Vietnam
Another incredible destination to travel to in August is Vietnam, one of the most complete and surprising countries in Southeast Asia. The north is our favorite area: here, among other places, you can walk around the chaotic Hanoi , sail through the calm waters of the cinematic Halong Bay , discover Hoi An with its colorful lanterns and its local cuisine or walk through the ancient rooms of the Imperial Palace of Hue .
Of course, the journey must continue southwards, until reaching Ho Chi Minh City , the capital of the country. There you will learn more about the Vietnam War and, in addition, you will be able to take interesting excursions such as the Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi Tunnels.
⭐ Need info?
→ Vietnam travel tips
→ 10 things to see and do in Vietnam
→ 2-week Vietnam itinerary
3. Botswana
The Okawango Delta is just one of its wonders, and what a wonder it is! It is one of the largest deltas on the planet and can be explored by sailing in mokoros , the typical traditional wooden canoes.
And then there is Chobe National Park , famous especially for the large concentration of elephants that live here, the Tsodilo Hills , a UNESCO World Heritage Site for housing thousands of rock paintings dating back millions of years and, why not, from Botswana it is very easy to take an excursion to Victoria Falls (border between Zambia and Zimbabwe) - don't miss it!
We haven't been to this incredible destination yet, but it's been on our minds for a while, so who knows... maybe next August we'll end up in Botswana. Hopefully!
4. Cantabria
We are very clear that it is not necessary to cross the world to enjoy incredible destinations: sometimes we do not realize how lucky we are to live in a country as full of contrasts as Spain where, in a few hours, you can go from desert landscapes like those of Cabo de Gata to green valleys surrounded by peaks and sea like those of the Cantabrian Coast .
And Cantabria seems to us to be a great destination to travel to in August: the temperatures are usually pleasant (something that is increasingly appreciated) and the plans, as the Community's "motto" dictates, are endless. From elegant Santander to rural inland towns , passing through its wild beaches and mountain trails that will take you to explore the Picos de Europa. Coastal towns, lighthouses with incredible sea views, finger-licking good food... who could ask for more?!
⭐ We tell you the best things to see and do in Cantabria
5. French Basque Country
This picturesque French region offers road trip lovers a spectacular option: alternating visits to charming towns such as Bayonne, Biarritz, Anglet or Saint Jean de Luz, with natural spaces in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques that make their way behind a spectacular rugged wild coast . If that still doesn't convince you, add to the mix a handful of castles, caves, beaches and tasty and hearty typical dishes.
Come on, we think it's an amazing plan for those who want to enjoy a 10-day vacation and have limited time: even a 4-day car trip will leave a mark on your travel memory.
6. Indonesia
Talking about Indonesia means talking about thousands and thousands of islands that offer paradisiacal snapshots and ancestral cultures . It also means talking about mass tourism, volcanoes, temples and skyscrapers. You get the idea: there are thousands of Indonesias!
If it is your first time in the country, the most normal thing is to land in Bali , the island of the Gods and tour it for a week, and then take excursions to nearby islands such as Nusa Penida or the Gili archipelago .
But there are also travellers who take mini-cruises to Komodo , the island of dragons, others who go to Java , where adventures await them on the Bromo volcano or in the emblematic Jogyakarta . Do you want to experience something much more exciting and original? Take a trip to the Moluccas !
⭐ Need info?
→ Indonesia travel tips
→ 20 things to see and do in Indonesia
7. Calabria
How can we forget those who are looking for sun, sea and sand ? August is, at least for the northern hemisphere, the month of holidays par excellence and of course, what summer holiday would be without a dip in the sea? Destinations such as the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Sicily, Puglia or Croatia are idyllic, but they are also usually packed with tourists.
So our alternative is Calabria, where you won't be alone, that's for sure, but you will enjoy a much less known region of southern Italy that is full of attractions. We especially recommend the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods), a 55 km stretch that goes from Pizzo Calabro to Nicotera and offers incredibly beautiful spots like Tropea , Capo Vaticano or Grotticelle .
The interior of the region also has a few surprises in store and as a final bonus, you should know that here you can also take a boat tour to the Aeolian Islands , one of Italy's best kept secrets.
⭐ The best things to see and do in Calabria
We've reached the end of the post and we could clearly name many more places, but hey, these 7 seem to us to be spectacular destinations to travel to in August , and they're very varied! Do you know of any ideal places to visit this month? We're all ears!
