The 20 Best Places to Visit in July

Calgary is home to the fastest zipline in North America, which is one of the great adventures every Canadian must try. In July it’s also home to something else you have to experience at least once in your life: the greatest outdoor show on Earth. The Calgary Stampede is held from July 5 to 14 this year.

Stockholm really comes into its own in July. The days are long and warm but not hot, with the afternoons the best time to go for some city swimming. While July is high season here, Stockholm is not nearly as crowded as sweet destinations further south in Europe.

Abandoned theatres can be beautiful but much more spectacular is a gigantic floating stage. From July 17 to August 18, Bregenz, on the shores of Lake Constance, hosts its opera festival, which is famous for the breathtaking stage designs. This year’s production is Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto.

Sharm el-Sheikh is known for its all-inclusive resorts but political instability in Egypt has meant that the crowds have been staying away. This means that you’ll find great deals at what is one of the most affordable beaches in the world. Of course July is very hot but you’ll be spending most of your time in that impossibly blue Red Sea anyway.

If you love discovering new music, you may have heard of WOMAD, the mother of world music festivals. WOMAD now has festivals around the world but from July 25 to 28, artists from countries as diverse as Mali and Finland will gather at the festival’s home venue in Wiltshire.

Visiting the Polar Bear Capital of the World is one of those things you must do in Canada before you die but this doesn’t mean you should stay away in summer, when the polar bears are roaming further afield. In July, thousands of beluga whales come to the waters around Churchill and yes, you can swim with them — if you can handle the cold water.

Paris is quite crowded in July but because it’s peak tourist season, there are plenty of things to do while enjoying the summer weather. Bastille Day on July 14 is a huge celebration and the Tour de France ends in the city on July 28. Most importantly in one of the best cities for fashion lovers is that the summer sales are on.

If you love jazz, Montreaux is the place to be in July. The Montreaux Jazz Festival is one of the biggest of its kind in the world and is held from June 29 to July 13 this year. The line-up includes talented jazz artists, British bands like Muse and special guests like Quincy Jones.

From July 10 to 12, the Mongolian capital hosts one of the world’s more colourful cultural and sporting events. The Naadam Festival is like Mongolia’s Olympic Games, featuring archery, horseback riding and Mongolian wrestling, but also includes traditional music and dancing.

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Lisbon is one of the great cheap winter destinations but you’d miss out if you decided not to visit in summer too. From July 11 to 13, the city hosts the NOS Alive music festival, which this year will feature big names like Smashing Pumpkins, Vampire Weekend, Weezer and Robyn — all against a backdrop of sun and sea.

July sees the start of one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife shows. More than two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles migrate from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in search of greener pastures while trying to avoid crocodiles and lions.

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If you want to get down and dirty, head to Daechon Beach from July 19 to 28. This is when the Boreyong Mud Festival takes place and as the name suggests, it’s all about getting covered in mineral-rich mud.

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Foodies already know that Oaxaca is a destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list but from July 22 to 39, food is paired with colourful folk dancing during the La Guelaguetza Festival. Our Mexico packing list will help you decide what to bring.

One of Canada’s most beautiful cities, Nanaimo is especially gorgeous in July. This is also when the city hosts the World Championship Bathtub Parade, which is held on July 20 this year. It’s the highlight of a weekend that includes concerts, fireworks and a bathtub race.

If you didn’t get to attend Carnival in February, don’t despair. From July 21 to 27, Santiago de Cuba holds its own Carnival complete with colourful costumes, dancing and drum beats.

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July is a beautiful time to visit the Haida Gwaii archipelago, one of Canada’s hidden gems. Not only is the weather great for enjoying the stunning landscapes but throughout the month, the islands host a variety of events, including the Totem to Totem Marathon on July 20.

July is mid-winter in the Southern Hemisphere but in the Kruger National Park, this means pleasantly mild and dry weather. Because it’s dry season, this is one of the best times for wildlife viewing since the vegetation is thinner and the animals congregate around watering holes.

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In July, the weather is perfect for biking, hiking and other outdoor activities in this part of Quebec. It is also a good time to spot whales in Saguenay Fjord. Saguenay Fjord National Park is also home to some amazing camping spots.

Fourth of July celebrations are spectacular pretty much anywhere in the United States but for the most Instagram-worthy photos, make your way to the nation’s capital. You’ll not only get to see fireworks over the National Mall with its monuments but there are music festivals and concerts throughout the city, not to mention the Independence Day Parade.

Weather-wise, July isn’t the best time to visit Australia’s southernmost state, since it’s winter. However, there are great events like Festival of Voices in Hobart from June 28 to July 14 and Tasmania is also one of the best places to see the Southern Lights.