Where is hot in June?

PORTUGAL

Make tracks for the Algarve before the summer rush, and you’ll touch down to mid-twenties temperatures, a lot of sunshine and a team of golden-sand beaches primed for sunbathing. If lazy days aren’t your thing, Portugal also delivers on the activities front. From bright green golf courses to warm, snorkel-ready seas, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied. The main event comes in the form of Albufeira, which deals in buzzing nightlife, a whitewashed old town and an impressive 25 beaches. Stay at the stylish Hotel Alisios, and you’ll have a front row ticket to the action. Along the coast, in the only slightly sleepier town of Lagos, the Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve dishes out adults-only relaxation at its best. Plus, June hosts the Santos Populares – or ‘Popular Saints’ – festivals, celebrating St Anthony, St John and St Peter. Expect street parties, balloon-decked sculptures and bonfires.

Average temperature: 25°

Average rainfall: 11mm

Average sunshine hours: 9-12

GREECE

June shows off the Greek islands at their best. You’ll find temperatures opting for comfortably warm instead of summer scorcher, and while the tourist hotspots will be throwing open their doors, you won’t have to compete with scores of people for a place to lay your towel, munch on meze or sip a cocktail. In Crete, the TUI BLUE Atlantica  Kalliston Resort and Spa by Atlantica has a prime spot on the island’s 650-kilometre coastline, and the history-soaked town of Chania’s a 10-minute drive away. Plump for the turquoise-tipped Santorini, and you can join in on the belly-busting feast day of Agios Ioannis.

Average temperature: 23°

Average rainfall: 7mm

Average sunshine hours: 11

CYPRUS

If you’ve had your fill of unpredictable drizzle, Cyprus is the spot for you. The summer months usually bring a long dry spell, with barely any rain falling between June and September. Add this to balmy temperatures and days when the sun seems reluctant to set, and you’ve got a winning holiday formula. Make the most of the weather at a beachfront hotel, like the fresh-from-the-wrapping Louis Infinity Blu, which sits right on the edge of the Blue Flag-approved Pernera Bay. Plus, you can enjoy the Festival of the Flood in Limassol, which sees pretty much every town hosting water sports competitions, dance shows and Cypriot street food.

Average temperature: 24°

Average rainfall: 3mm

Average sunshine hours: 12

ARUBA

Aruba may be the most pint-sized of the populated Leeward Antilles – AKA the ABC islands, but its reputation for reliable weather, white-sand beaches and a lively cultural scene far outweigh that of its sisters, Bonaire and Curacao. In June, you can expect sizzling temperatures that break 30°C, and the warm sea is ideal for swimming. And, as Aruba sits outside of the hurricane belt, there’s very little chance of experiencing the Caribbean’s extreme summer weather. As an added bonus, the seas are really calm at this time of the year, so scuba diving and snorkelling are firmly on the cards. You can scope out the island’s best angle at the Hotel Riu Palace Aruba, which you’ll find on the striking setting of Palm Beach.

Average temperature: 31°

Average rainfall: 10mm

Average sunshine hours: 10

MALTA

It may only extend for 300 square kilometres, but Malta holds its own against the Mediterranean’s major players. It comes complete with a 7,000 year history, 300 sunny days every year, and water so gin-clear it could have the Caribbean quaking in its boots. June brings toasty temperatures, so it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the island’s best bits – think snorkelling, al fresco dinners and day-long boat trips. Make a beeline for The Palace in stylish Sliema, and you’ll have  a rooftop pool for tanning and a catch of restaurants within easy reach. If a party’s on the agenda, the Valentina Hotel’s got you covered – it’s bang in the middle of the St Julian’s club scene, so those summer nights on the town are sorted.

Average temperature: 26°

Average rainfall: 5mm

Average sunshine hours: 13

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Then, find out where’s hot in May, check out the best summer holiday destinations in Europe and get the lowdown on where to go on holiday and when.

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Author: Charlotte Harris and Danielle Penny