If you’d also like to head somewhere for a proper swim, a tan, shell hunting, diving or simply a rest, we’ve put together some very useful tips. This article will help you pick your destination, so you’ll know exactly where to head to the sea in July.
Where to go to the sea in July, for those with no time to read
July is the month when the sea is at the ideal temperature, flights aren’t exactly cheap any more, but the sun is going full tilt.
If you’re thinking about where to go to the sea in July, choose based on whether you’re after heat, calm or experiences.
✅ The warmest sea: Turkey, Cyprus, Greece
✅ The best value for calm: Albania, Montenegro, Portugal
✅ For food and culture: Italy and Spain
Why July in particular
July is a safe bet. Sun, long days, a warm sea – and if you have a family, it’s the start of the only window when you can go anywhere. In July most Mediterranean destinations have air temperatures around 30–35 °C, a sea at roughly 25–28 °C (although warming is doing its thing) and rain is something you can only dream about.
Spain – Costa Brava
The Spanish resort area of Costa Brava translates as the “Wild Coast”. But you don’t need to fear insurmountable tidal waves or wild men. The loveliest Spanish beaches await visitors, both sandy and rocky. The Costa Brava is in Catalonia, so you can head off on one of many trips to Girona or the more distant Barcelona; you’ll probably pass through these cities on the way to your destination anyway. Also worth a mention is the Pla de Tudela park, whose distinctive landscape inspired the famous artist Salvador Dalí.
Cape Verde
If you want a bit of the exotic in July, pick Cape Verde for your holiday. These islands west of Africa will welcome you warmly with their pleasant climate at around 30 degrees, beaches with fine sand and crystal-clear sea. The islands of Sal and Boa Vista are particularly popular with visitors. Plenty of people think there’s not much to do on the islands beyond lying on the beach. That doesn’t apply to Cape Verde.
The islands can boast a volcanic landscape, sand dunes, Creole culture and unique cuisine. Diving lovers will get their money’s worth too, with plenty of coral reefs, colourful fish and sea turtles. Bear in mind, though, that the only way to reach Cape Verde is by air.
- Flight tips
- Accommodation tips
- Tips on good-value package holidays:
Italy – Sardinia
If you’d like somewhere exotic but don’t want to leave Europe, head to Sardinia, a stunning island in the heart of the Mediterranean. Sardinia can boast varied qualities that give it the potential to appeal to travellers with all sorts of preferences, moods and hobbies.
Turquoise sea, sandy and pebble beaches and unique flora and fauna will win over even the most demanding travellers. The place has also earned its popularity through its architectural gems – visit the little town of Alghero, nicknamed “little Barcelona“, and you’ll certainly agree with us.
Croatia – Brela
Croatia is the traditional holiday destination for the overwhelming majority of Czechs, who mostly head there by car or coach. We’d recommend the resort of Brela, which also suits families with children. This place is ideal for genuine rest.
The pebble beaches are surrounded by shops, restaurants, promenades and paths perfect for a stroll. And if you start to get bored of all that lounging by the sea, head to Split, a city prized for its many historic landmarks. Alternatively you can take on a climb up the high peaks of the nearby Biokovo range.
Indonesia – Bali
Summer in many exotic destinations means the rainy season. You don’t have to worry about that in Bali, though. The Indonesian island boasts an interesting combination of calming beaches with wild surrounding nature, volcanoes and rice fields. Divers won’t want to leave this place, characterised as it is by a huge variety of marine life including magical coral reefs.
If you’re tempted to get to know the local culture, visit one of the Hindu temples. If you’re lucky, you might even see the critically endangered Bali myna. All these qualities mean Bali definitely belongs on the list of where to go to the sea in July.
- Flight tips
- Accommodation tips
- Tips on good-value package holidays, which you’ll appreciate if you don’t want to sort anything out yourself (and in Bali you don’t 😇):
We described what to expect from Bali in an earlier article, and believe us, in recent years Bali has grown even more popular than when we wrote it.
Bulgaria – Nesebar
If you’re longing for a sapphire-blue sea, your travels should lead to Bulgaria, specifically the resort of Nesebar. The area’s main landmark is the ancient town of the same name with its unique classical monuments. Mysterious lanes, iconic churches, picturesque buildings and charming shops. It isn’t called the Pearl of the Black Sea for nothing. The beaches and the sea themselves tempt you to swim, sunbathe and try water sports. For your trip to Bulgaria we’d recommend flying.
- Flight tips
- Accommodation tips
- Tips on good-value package holidays:
When my parents decided about 20 years ago that we’d go on a family holiday, they picked the resort of Golden Sands. As a child I loved it; as a parent or adult, I’m not so sure 😀
Greece – Halkidiki
Greece didn’t grab me at first, but after six months of Erasmus and repeated visits to Crete and Rhodes I changed my mind. Have a varied adventure in one of the many Greek resorts. Our recommendation will fly you to Halkidiki. This sun-drenched spot in northern Greece, great for families with children among others, offers ideal weather for a July holiday. You can enjoy swimming in a sea that plays with many colours. In one of the many local restaurants you can savour traditional Mediterranean food.
Greece is known for its ancient history, so for a bit of culture you can head to the nearby city of Thessaloniki – here you can admire monuments from ancient Greece as well as from the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Tanzania – Zanzibar
Exotic destinations are popular with everyone, so why shouldn’t you treat yourself to a rest in Zanzibar, an autonomous region of Tanzania? Zanzibar, famous above all as the birthplace of Queen singer Freddie Mercury (you can see the house where he was born in Zanzibar City), also deserves its fame for its white beaches, unspoilt nature, iconic spices and distinctive African culture.
For one of your trips you should head inland to Jozani National Park, where with a bit of luck you’ll come across the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey. We don’t have personal experience of Tanzania, but many of our friends and acquaintances rave about the excellent service, food and culture. Africa, in short! 🙂
- Flight tips
- Accommodation tips
- Tips on good-value package holidays, so you can enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar without a care:
If none of the destinations caught your eye, don’t despair – you can always keep discovering the beauty of Czechia!
