10 Great August Travel Destinations to Make the Most of Late Summer

August travel picks to make the most of late summer

August is a great time to take that last summer vacation before fall arrives. As the tail end of peak season, August is also a month when festivals and parades take place all over the world. So there are plenty of countries worth visiting even if you’re not after a beach or an ultra-luxe resort. Today I’ve put together a roundup of August travel destinations for those who hate to see summer go. From Europe to the Americas to nearby Asia — I’ve covered it all, so read to the end and get ready to make the most of this summer. Let’s begin!

1. Belgium — Brussels

The first place I recommend for August is Brussels, Belgium. Every other August, the Grand-Place square is blanketed in an enormous bed of flowers. Laid out in a precise pattern, this carpet of fresh blooms offers beauty to visitors like us and inspiration to artists. Book a ticket in advance and you can take in the best view from the Town Hall. Brussels is also home to attractions like the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula and the Comics Art Museum. The cathedral is a Gothic structure boasting some 800 years of history, while the Comics Art Museum offers a glimpse into Belgium’s comic-strip heritage.

2. Scotland — Edinburgh

Located in the northwest of Europe, Scotland is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. Known as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, it’s an especially popular August destination — because every August, Edinburgh hosts the Fringe Festival. While the festival is on, the city offers all kinds of live music, comedy, dance, concerts, circus, opera, cabaret, and more. More than 56,000 performances are said to take place across 300 venues. If you’re into music or opera, why not visit Edinburgh this August to take part in the world’s largest arts festival and catch the fireworks too?

3. Iceland

Recent volcanic eruptions have made people hesitant to travel here, but there’s still an August destination I can’t leave out — Iceland. Despite its “land of ice” name, Iceland in August is green, fresh, and boasts mild weather. Because of that, this is peak season, so you may have to brace for somewhat pricey airfare, lodging, and overall costs. Iceland’s signature attractions include the Strokkur geyser and the Golden Circle, Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, the Mýrdalsjökull glacier park, and finally the Blue Lagoon. Unfortunately, the northern lights are hard to catch in August, so keep that in mind as you plan your trip!

4. Croatia — Dubrovnik

The last European stop on this August list is Dubrovnik, Croatia. Well known as the backdrop for King’s Landing in the series “Game of Thrones,” this city holds its summer festival every year from July to mid-August. The largest of its kind in Croatia, it lets you take in classical music, opera, ballet concerts, drama, and more across 70-plus open-air stages. Honestly, even without the festival, Dubrovnik ranks among the cities you simply must visit before you die. You’ll find a coastline nicknamed the beautiful “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and under clear skies, the rows of red rooftops feel straight out of a fairy tale. A leisurely cup of coffee here will melt all your stress away.

5. Canada — Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, is honestly an August destination I recommend out of personal indulgence — because I absolutely love humpback whales! Among the largest animals on Earth, humpbacks migrate along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador every August, in numbers said to reach as many as 10,000. That means with the right timing, you can spot several of a creature most people are lucky to see once in a lifetime. Sign up for a tour and you can even observe whales and icebergs up close with an experienced guide. Beyond that, along shorelines like Cape Spear, St. Anthony, Cape Race, White Bay, and Witless Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador lets you discover all kinds of marine life.

6. Mexico — Playa del Carmen

If Canada is where you watch humpback whales, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, is where you can meet whale sharks. Known as the largest fish in the world, the whale shark has a gentle temperament that belies its fearsome size and name, keeping it on friendly terms with humans. Wild whale sharks are overwhelmingly larger than the ones you see in aquariums, and if you’re lucky, you can even snorkel alongside them. I hear similar excursions are possible in the Philippines too — I’d love to know how the two compare.

7. Colombia — Medellín

There’s another place besides Brussels where you can enjoy a dazzling flower festival — Medellín, Colombia. Every August, Medellín holds a parade of flower-covered floats and participants. You can also enjoy special handicrafts, streets adorned with flowers, and live music on outdoor stages. Medellín also offers a variety of attractions like the Metrocable, Comuna 13, and Guatapé. If you want to pick a more unusual country for your August trip, I recommend Medellín, Colombia!

8. Zambia

While much of the U.S. is in the thick of summer heat in August, Zambia is in its dry season. Perhaps that’s why wildlife becomes more active — which is exactly what makes Zambia an ideal August destination. At this time of year, Zambia’s average temperatures hover between 50°F and 73°F, for pleasantly cool weather. Visit South Luangwa National Park and you’ll find lush forests and endlessly stretching grasslands. Wild safaris are possible here, and resident animals include lions, buffalo, leopards, elephants, rhinos, antelope, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, and wildebeest. Camping out for a night in Zambia — a country slightly larger than Texas — would surely leave you with experiences and memories unlike anyone else’s!

9. Saint Lucia

There’s an August destination that’s only recently come into the spotlight, largely because getting there is no easy feat — Saint Lucia. This small island in the Caribbean has a population of just 200,000, yet it’s gaining attention as a top scuba-diving spot. August in particular is when coral spawning occurs, so you can encounter a sea full of color. You can enjoy water activities like swimming, free diving, and snorkeling, along with hiking, canoeing, and even mud baths. If you want a late summer to remember, work up the resolve and set off for Saint Lucia this August.

10. Philippines — Ifugao

Ifugao in the Philippines is home to 2,000-year-old rice terraces. Often counted among the seven natural wonders of the world, these terraces are at their most spectacular in August. With rice paddies stretching as far as the eye can see, they create the illusion of circling the globe. There are terraces here of many names and many owners, but among them Nagacadan, Batad, Bangaan, Mayoyao, and Hungduan are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while Banaue is registered as a national cultural treasure of the Philippines.

So far we’ve explored August destinations for making the most of late summer together. As I feel every time, the world is wide and there are so many places worth going. It’s also fascinating that even within the same country, each city or region offers different cultures and experiences. Given the chance, I’d love to enjoy a quiet trip in a lovely country like one in Europe — but I’d also love to take in raw, untouched nature in places like Canada or Iceland!