Best Places to Visit in July: Lonely Planet Expert Recommendations
With summer heating up in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in full swing down south, July is prime time for travelers to chase perfect weather. Ski the snow-dusted peaks of Queenstown, swim in Austria's crystal-clear lakes, or join America's birthday bash on California's sunny shores—discover top picks from Lonely Planet's trusted experts.
Make a splash in Austria’s lakes
Nothing beats diving into clear, cool water on a scorching summer day. Austria boasts some of the world's most picturesque lakes for swimming, with waters warming to a pleasant mid-20s°C by July.
Visit Carinthia’s Millstätter See for open-water swims, jumps from lakeside piers, or leisurely paddles. High season means busy public beaches, but rent a boat for serene shores. Explore Lake Wolfgang in Salzkammergut for watersports or Lake Mondsee in Upper Austria amid stunning mountain vistas.
Helen Elfer – Destination Editor for the Middle East and North Africa. Follow her on Twitter @Helen_Elfer.
Embrace winter in Queenstown, New Zealand
Tucked beside Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables' snowy peaks, Queenstown dazzles year-round but truly shines in winter.
From late June to early July, 45,000 visitors flock for the ski season and Queenstown Winter Festival (winterfestival.co.nz). This 10-day event features music, comedy, family activities, fireworks, and street parties under starry skies.
Nearby ski fields at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are a quick drive away. For more slopes, try Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone near Wanaka—or recover from festival fun with local culture.
Tasmin Waby – Destination Editor for New Zealand. Follow her on Twitter @TravellingTaz.
Celebrate Fourth of July by the beach, California
America's Independence Day on July 4 lights up the nation, and California's coast offers ideal beach festivities with fireworks.
San Diego's bay hosts a dazzling display viewable from multiple spots. LA's iconic beaches feature daytime kid-friendly events, evening fireworks, and nightlife. For seclusion, find quiet sands for picnics and sunset views.
Clifton Wilkinson – Destination Editor for California. Follow him on Twitter @Cliff_Wilkinson.
Climb Mongolia’s highest peak
Khüiten Peak offers one of the world's most remote climbs, at the Mongolia-Russia-China border.
July brings warm, dry conditions ideal for summiting—accessible to fit hikers. Surrounding tundra blooms with wildflowers amid nomadic life.
For culture, join Naadam festival (July 11-13) for archery, wrestling, and horse racing, honoring Mongolia's 1921 revolution.
Peter Watson – Photographer at atlasandboots.com and LP Pathfinder. Follow him on Twitter @atlasandboots.
Explore Japan’s blossoming north, Hokkaidō
Beyond skiing, Hokkaidō thrives in July with festivals, flowers, and wilderness. Base in Sapporo for the Summer Festival (July 20–August 17), turning Odori Park into a massive beer garden for 13,000 guests.
Furano's lavender and poppy fields draw crowds, with a seasonal train station. Hike Shiretoko and Daisetsuzan national parks post-snowmelt. New bullet train from Tokyo (since March) eases access.
Laura Crawford – Destination Editor for Japan. Follow her on Twitter @crawfplanet.
Pack your wellies for Great Britain’s summer festivals
July peaks Britain's festival season. T in the Park (July 8-10, tinthepark.com) near the Highlands features Stone Roses and Calvin Harris. Latitude (July 14-17, latitudefestival.com) in Suffolk offers New Order, comedy, and theatre. Llangollen’s International Musical Eisteddfod (July 5-10, international-eisteddfod.co.uk) celebrates Welsh culture; Womad (July 28-31, womad.co.uk) spans global sounds.
Nearby: Highlands, Suffolk beaches, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Cotswolds, Stonehenge.
James Smart – Destination Editor for Britain, Ireland & Iceland. Follow him on Twitter @smartbadger.
