Where's hot in July?

Skip the fickle forecasts at home and soak up the soaring temps abroad – summer has well and truly arrived in July. From easy-to-reach suntraps in Europe – think Croatia or the Canaries – to the big hitters like Cape Verde further afield, we’ve rounded up where’s hot in July to help you decide where to head for some holiday heat.

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Captivated by Croatia? It’s not hard to see why – this place scores highly on history, hiking and island hopping. Head here in July – the driest and sunniest month of the year – and you’ll be hit with that off-the-plane heat, balmy evenings and sunshine by the bucketload.

Beaches are a big deal in Croatia – the seaside stretches out for more than 1,700 kilometres with close to 1,200 islands to uncover. Bring your bucket and spade to Brac for sandy sweeps, or swap it for pretty pebbles on Brela’s Punta Rata coast.

Swap the sea air for the sights of Dubrovnik – history lovers look alive, the Medieval old town is a must. Walk around the city walls for unspoilt sea views and a sprinkling of terracotta-topped buildings, or head up to Mount Srd on a cable car for that Insta-worthy snap.

Average temperature: 25°C
Average rainfall: 26mm
Average sunshine hours: 15 hours

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Burned too many times by a rained-off BBQ? Escape the rain and head for Spain’s second-largest Canary Island – trust us when we say this place does summer properly.

Boasting 0mm of rainfall and toasty temps touching 30°C come July, slip off your flip-flops on one of the island’s 150 black-and-white sand beaches. Our top pick for a peaceful beach day has to be Costa Calma’s Matas Blancas Beach. When you want to pick up the pace, the coastline gives the green light to water sports galore – even the world’s best rock up here in July to compete in the Windsurfing and Kiteboarding World Cup.

Leaving your lounger? Head inland to the island’s quaint capital Betancuria, where cobbled streets wind past cute cafés and authentic restaurants.

Average temperature: 24°C
Average rainfall: 0mm
Average sunshine hours: 10 hours

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Bulgaria ticks everyone’s boxes with beaches, buzzing nightlife and old-world wonders.

Set off for Sunny Beach – a purpose-built holiday haven – and you’ll find entertainment and activity are high on the agenda. With a roll call of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, this place nips at the heels of its more established Greek Island party rivals. Seeking a slower pace? Beach days are best spent lounging on Blue Flag sands, sipping cocktails – make ours a mojito.

Here for the history? 9,000-year-old Nessebar boasts treasures left behind by the Ottoman and Roman Empires. Separated from the modern-day Nessebar, the old town is jam-packed with traditional timber houses, thermal bath remains and ancient churches – 44 enough for you? Take off on a TUI experience and explore all the cobbled streets have to offer. .

Average temperature: 23°C
Average rainfall: 37mm
Average sunshine hours: 11 hours

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How do lunarlike landscapes and sweeps of golden sands sound? Bliss. Made up of 10 floating islands off Africa’s west coast, Cape Verde’s got the lot – and the weather to back it up.

Sal – one of the smallest of the group – really packs a punch. When you feel like peeling yourself off the soft sand beaches, the colourful capital Santa Maria has everything from craft shops to surf stores – all with a first-class culinary scene. Our favourite dish? A steaming hot catchupa stew – made from beans, rice and seasoned meat.

Up your July away game with a Boa Vista break. Translating to ‘Beautiful View’, it’s not hard to see why this place gets its nickname – honey-coloured sands, anyone? Scuba diving is big business here, and city-sized reefs teeming with hundreds of fish species beckon you in.

Average temperature: 27°C
Average rainfall: 13mm
Average sunshine hours: 7 hours

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Sightseeing and scenic clifftop spots? Whatever you’re after, Italy fits the bill for the ultimate summer getaway.

With sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento is certainly hard to top. Soak up the sun on old-fashioned bathing platforms beneath the clifftops, or head to the old town for a spot of designer shopping – the choice is yours.

Tick off history hotspots in Florence – every street in this Tuscan city has something to draw your eye. The famous domed Duomo Cathedral is a must, and so is the Piazzale Michelangelo – you’ll want to head here for sunset to snap sorbet skies across the city. Feeling hungry? You’ll find inviting artisan gelaterias and pizzerias at every turn.

Average temperature: 24°C
Average rainfall: 25mm
Average sunshine hours: 10 hours

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