July 2024 - destinations that aren't above 30 degrees

savagelyric

Forward planning for holiday next year - my teen is taking GCSEs next May/June so I'm planning on booking something for July, before the schools break up to take advantage of slightly cheaper prices.

Any suggestions for places to go where it will be warm enough for swimming in a pool (and potentially beach) but not above 30 degrees or so - I can't take the heat! We basically just want somewhere nice to chill out, read and eat nice food for a week! Budget friendly ideas welcomed!

annabanana82

I had a look for next year with a similar thought, the prices weren't that much cheaper for Spain and the like. 

Mauritius however was almost half the price of August 

elsien

With the climate as it is at the moment it’s quite hard to tell. I went to Croatia last June and it was way into the 30s. Locals said that was very unusual for that time of year and they would have expected cooler. 

tightauldgit

Honestly I think it would be impossible to guarantee that kind of narrow weather range anywhere in the world - during July it's pretty likely that anywhere in Europe could be in the 30s. Even the UK could be. I don't think anywhere in the northern hemisphere could guarantee you weather less than that. 

I think all you could really do is maybe try an island like Madeira or maybe the Canaries where you might get some cooling winds off the ocean to bring the temps down a bit. You could possibly hit some of northern europe like Scandanavia/Baltics but that might not be your thing if you are looking for a beach and to be honest they could well still be in the 30s in July.  

Failing that some parts of maybe South Africa might be cooler as it's their winter but you're also maybe hitting rainy season.  

daveyjp

Portugal is generally cooler than the rest of southern Europe, but even in July it will be 30ish.

Madeira barely reaches 25, but you need to see if its the place for you.  As an alternative have a look at Porto Santo, which is close to Madeira.  Very small, not much going on, but for a pool, beach and chill holiday it may fit the bill.

zagfles

In most of Europe (even inc Scotland) July is peak season as it's the middle of the school holidays, so doubt prices will be much cheaper.

Really, with that criteria at that time of year I'd be looking at UK (England/Wales), maybe east coast eg Norfolk, or south coast, or Wales although more chance of rain in the west. Even in the UK you can't guarantee it won't be above 30! But we always found early July a great time to holiday in England/Wales.

Madeira is a good option as being an island the climate is more moderate, and you can get away into the hills if it gets too hot, but it has hardly any beaches, and there's a very obvious age profile amongst tourists (mostly older people).

Duinrell in Holland is excellent if your teen likes theme parks and water parks, if you stay on site they're included and they're very good, good entertainment and beach not too far away. But July will be peak season, late August may be better.

Doshwaster

tightauldgit said:

Honestly I think it would be impossible to guarantee that kind of narrow weather range anywhere in the world - during July it's pretty likely that anywhere in Europe could be in the 30s. Even the UK could be. I don't think anywhere in the northern hemisphere could guarantee you weather less than that. 

I think all you could really do is maybe try an island like Madeira or maybe the Canaries where you might get some cooling winds off the ocean to bring the temps down a bit. You could possibly hit some of northern europe like Scandanavia/Baltics but that might not be your thing if you are looking for a beach and to be honest they could well still be in the 30s in July.  

Failing that some parts of maybe South Africa might be cooler as it's their winter but you're also maybe hitting rainy season.  

The Canaries are usually around 30C in July so more comfortable than the Med, but I was in Tenerife this July and there were a few days near 40C. Several times a year the usual cooling trade winds from the Atlantic switch around an hot dusty air, known as La Calima, is blown in from the Sahara. 

Bigphil1474

We went to Stockholm Sweden last year around early August. Stayed on the archipelago just outside the city. Warm enough for swimming in the outdoor pool and walking around in t-shirts. Sea was a bit cold but otherwise weather was just right. I'd guess low to mid 20's in temperature.

Easy to get into the city if needed, and Sweden is a nice place to visit in general. Some of the city restaurants were  expensive (think London prices) but we didn't eat out many nights, and did find some off the beat places to eat that were reasonable price wise. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Sweden is an interesting suggestion.

Apparently they have fine beaches with a very agreeable climate in high summer - most Swedes are happy to stay home in July.

la531983

She is on a budget, Sweden isn't going to fly. It's not cheap once there and I can't imagine supermarkets are cheap either to buy food to cook. 

TELLIT01

Canary Islands are the first to come to mind.  They tend to avoid the most extreme of temperatures but there is no guarantee anywhere.  Just look at UK weather patterns over the past couple of years for evidence of that.