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Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka

Best places to travel in August 2025

Many destinations are ripe for a summer break in August. For a trip focused around wildlife, consider a safari in Tanzania, which experiences its dry season, a trip to Borneo to see turtles hatch, or a visit to Brazil’s Pantanal for a shot at seeing a jaguar.

Elsewhere, beaches are at their best on Sri Lanka’s north and east coasts, Iceland’s interior has thawed out ready for you to explore on foot and by Superjeep, while northern Australia is dry, sunny and comfortably warm for hikes. Alternatively, you might like to soak up the culture in Luxembourg or the Netherlands, stay on a hacienda in Ecuador’s countryside or enjoy a family escape to Mauritius.

Festivals and events around the world in August

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1. Australia

August is an excellent time to visit northern Australia, which experiences dry, sunny and warm conditions, making all areas easily accessible. You can comfortably hike in the national parks, relax on the beaches while they’re at their best, and snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef, which sees gentle currents at this time of year.

Southern Australia is cooler, making it a good time for hiking, though there’s more chance of rain. You’ll find far fewer visitors than during the country’s summer months, and without the scorching temperatures you’ll be able to more comfortably explore inland regions such as the Flinders Ranges.

Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges

2. Borneo

Watching turtles hatch on sandy beaches, hiking through fruit-laden forest in search of orangutans, enjoying lively festivals… Borneo has plenty to offer if you’re planning a visit for August. Conditions are hot, humid and dry, making it a great time for beach relaxation and for exploring the shaded forest, where the abundance of fruit draws in a wealth of wildlife. These favorable conditions make it a popular time to visit, so plan ahead to secure the best jungle and beach hotels.

Elsewhere, you might catch the Borneo Arts Festival, a week-long celebration of the arts on the island of Labuan that falls in either August or September.

Female orangutan, Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo
Female orangutan, Kinabatangan River, Malaysian Borneo

3. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s east coast beaches are at their best in August. The white-sand beaches shelve gently into the island’s underwater plateau, providing long stretches of calm shallows — ideal for families with young children. Further out to sea, blue and sperm whales migrate here in high numbers at this time of year — take a whale watching trip out to spot them and you’re also likely to see dolphins and flying fish.

You could combine a beach stay with time in Kandy, which celebrates the Kandy Perahera, an annual festival of dancing and parades focused around the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.

Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka

4. Iceland

In August, everywhere is accessible in Iceland. The snow and ice has melted to reveal a landscape of multicolored hills, twisted black lava fields and a coastline dotted with seabirds (for puffins, visit at the beginning of the month, before they migrate south).

You can explore on foot and by Superjeep, with a guide who can tell you more about the country’s distinctive geology and culture, all while enjoying moderate temperatures. Rain is always a possibility here, but it all adds to Iceland’s wild and rugged character. A number of festivals also take place in August, including Reykjavík’s Menningarnótt (Culture Night), when roads close for street performers and fireworks.

Laki lava fields
Laki lava fields

5. Tanzania

With the country at its driest and the Great Migration herds making their way north to cross the Mara River, August is one of the best to visit Tanzania. You have a chance of seeing the frantic river crossings, but there’s more to experience besides.

Wildlife is at its most visible across the country as the bush isn’t as dense and animals congregate around what little water remains in the parched landscape. It’s also a good time to do walking safaris as you have a clear view of any nearby animals. And, you might like to pair a safari with beach time in Zanzibar, which is also dry and sunny.

Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Wildebeest crossing the Mara River

6. The Netherlands

The Netherlands’ maritime climate is very mild, and even in August the temperatures are comfortably warm rather than hot. Sidewalk cafés, beaches, and walks or cycle rides through the country are best during this time. You might take a food tour on bicycles through Rotterdam or explore the historic windmills of Kinderdijk.

It’s also a popular time for festivals, including the Rotterdam Summer Carnival and the Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival. This, combined with the good weather, makes it a busy month across the country and it’s a good idea to plan well in advance.

Kinderdijk, Netherlands
Kinderdijk, Netherlands

7. Brazil

As Brazil teeters on the cusp of spring, you can enjoy its cities with comfortably warm temperatures and mostly clear skies, with potentially fewer visitors than in summer. It’s ideal for beach relaxation on the Green Coast, where temperatures are balmy without being too hot.

We also recommend visiting the Pantanal in August — the dry, warm conditions draw wildlife to the rivers and lagoons, making for some excellent sightings of birdlife, primates and, if you’re lucky, apex predators like jaguars.

Pantanal, Brazil
Pantanal, Brazil

8. Mauritius

Pleasant temperatures, warm ocean waters and nights without humidity make August a good time to visit Mauritius. You’ll find mostly sunny, warm days that are ideal for exploring or relaxing, whether you want to unwind and enjoy family time on a sheltered beach, go hiking in the Chamarel Mountains or take in the culture and sights of the island’s towns and cities.

Your stay might coincide with the Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrating Ganesh. You’ll see bright statues of the elephant-headed god on display throughout the island, which are then immersed in a body of water.

Mauritius
Mauritius

9. Ecuador

One of the driest and warmest months to visit mainland Ecuador, August brings blue skies and ample sunshine, although rain showers are always a possibility here. It’s an excellent month for hiking in the cloudforests, looking out for brightly plumed birds, or for exploring the Avenue of Volcanoes. It’s also a good time for a hacienda stay, learning rural skills and soaking up country living in beautiful surroundings.

You might like to combine Ecuador with time in Peru, which also experiences good weather in August. And, while the waters around the Galapagos can be choppy in August, a trip is still possible — look out for sea lion pups playing on the shores.

  • Don't miss:
  • Flight time: 8 hours upwards dependent on airline (New York to Quito)
  • Time difference: UTC -5
  • August Temperature (Day): 75 to 84°F, depending on region
  • August rainfall: 0 to 2in, varies by region
Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador
Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador

10. Luxembourg

August weather in Luxembourg is mild and sunny, with long days and plenty of outdoor concerts and festivals. This summery weather draws visitors from across Europe, so be sure to plan ahead.

You might escape the crowds by spending a whole day under the green canopy of the woods as you take a guided hike along the Mullerthal Trail in Little Switzerland. Or revisit the country’s World War II history with a guided tour in Gen Patton’s footsteps. If you visit toward the end of the month, you might catch the early days of the harvest in Moselle Valley.

Mullerthal Trail, Luxembourg
Mullerthal Trail, Luxembourg
Last Updated: 05/07/2023 13:13:45