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13 Best Places to Travel in August

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Wildflower blooming in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa

The following are some of the best places to travel to in August, whether you are interested in being in the Northern or Southern hemispheres.

August is a fantastic time to discover the world’s diversity and experience the trip that is right for you. Whether looking for an escape into the heart of summer or an escapade into the depths of winter, these destinations may inspire your next trip.

Enjoy thundering waterfalls or serene winelands, indulge in a private, tropical paradise or experience the wonders of nature with an itinerary designed specifically for you.

Overview
  1. 1. Iceland
  2. 2. Scotland
  3. 3. Norway
  4. 4. Austria
  5. 5. Germany
  6. 6. South Africa
  7. 7. Botswana
  8. 8. Kenya
  9. 9. Tanzania
  10. 10. Zimbabwe
  11. 11. Galapagos Islands • Ecuador
  12. 12. Brazil
  13. 13. Sri Lanka
  14. Plan Your Trip for August

1. Iceland

Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland

Gullfoss in Southwest Iceland

Temperatures: Low 47°F • High 55°F

Highlights: Culture, museums, hiking, waterfalls, scenery

Other recommended travel times: March • July • September

Iceland brings the unique to the fore, with surrealist landscapes and dynamic history, especially in the warmth of summer. From mountain roads to secluded trails, the Midnight Sun to glinting glaciers, Iceland embraces and celebrates the season.

Whether looking for an active adventure or eager to visit a remote village, you can discover the rustic charm, elegant luxury, and breathtaking drama of nature’s raw beauty.

Learn more: Iceland Tours & Vacations Iceland Travel Guide

2. Scotland

Urquhart Castle ruins beside Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland

Urquhart Castle in the Highlands of Scotland

Temperatures: Low 59°F • High 63°F

Highlights: Culture, scenery, ancient ruins, museums

Other recommended travel times: April • June • September

Scotland can feel mysterious or familiar in August, as images of skirling bagpipes and lonely castles, Gothic alleyways and mystical lakes become a reality.

The warmth and longer days result in larger crowds and popular festivals, with remote, heather-covered landscapes, mountains that loom over deep glens, and vibrant cities that share celebrated roots creating unending charm.

Learn more: Scotland Tours & VacationsUK Tours and Vacations

3. Norway

Summer day at Nakholmen island Oslo, Norway

Nakholmen island, Norway. Photo courtesy of Foap - VisitNorway.com

Temperatures: Low 65°F • High 70°F

Highlights: Culture, villages, museums, hiking

Other recommended travel times: February • June • July • September • December

Norway in August is legendary. With unspeakable beauty along the fjords and blanketed in light throughout the day and into the Midnight Sun, the mixture of colors and culture is spectacular.

The natural splendor accentuates the culture, from Oslo to the mountaintops, the rich traditions of the sea, and views of sloping glaciers. Stirring landscapes, captivating wildlife, and a distinctive Scandinavian sophistication create the enchanting spirit of Norway.

Learn more: Norway Tours & Vacations

4. Austria

Town of Zell am See on Lake Zell, south of Salzburg in Austria

Zell am See, Austria

Temperatures: Low 63.5°F • High 70°F

Highlights: Culture, cuisine, villages, hiking, scenery, museums

Other recommended travel times: May • July • September • December

Austria in August places remarkable culture and enchanting scenery at your fingertips. From Vienna to the Dolomites, Austria has an effortless brilliance that waltzes between high culture and outdoor adventure.

From Baroque palaces to elegant cuisine, soaring mountain peaks covered in snow to vibrant spa towns offering remnants of the powerful empire, when in Austria, you can bask in wonderful scenery while absorbing classic charisma.

Learn more: Austria Tours & Vacations Austria Travel Guide

5. Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Temperatures: Low 76°F • High 55°F

Highlights: Culture, cuisine, villages, hiking, scenery, museums

Other recommended travel times: May • June • September • December

Germany in August erupts with festivals and celebrations that accentuate the combination of cultural charm and scenic grandeur.

The country connects culinary temptations with beautiful palaces and fairy-tale towns with contemporary cities, all with a welcoming culture that reveals epic landscapes, from valleys to vineyards.

Enjoy a thrilling ride in a luxury car, visit the storybook villages of the Brothers Grimm, or follow the path of the Berlin Wall, with each corner of Germany revealing another aspect of its culture.

Learn more: Germany Tours & VacationsGermany Travel Guide

6. South Africa

Whale off the coast of Hermanus, South Africa

Hermanus, South Africa

Temperatures: Low 43°F • High 67°F

Highlights: Wildlife, culture, scenery, wine, cuisine

Other recommended travel times: January • February • March • May • September

South Africa embraces the diversity for which it is famous in August. Adventure, history, and drama create the greater picture of the country as the peak of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter ebbs. Whales emerge from the water and wildlife huddles around waterholes in the dry season.

With golden savannas and enchanting deserts, coastal cliffs and vibrant cities, you can experience splendid panoramas in search of wildlife or a cosmopolitan exploration that takes you from colonial fortresses to thriving townships.

Learn more: South Africa SafarisSouth Africa Tours & Vacations

7. Botswana

Elephant in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Temperatures: Low 46°F • High 82°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, scenery, seclusion

Other recommended travel times: April • October

Botswana in August is a spectacle of nature and luxury. The abundant natural world takes center stage in the cooler, drier months, as the wildlife roams across protected landscapes from the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert.

Search for elephants, listen for a lion’s bone-rattling roar, experience the comforts of a secluded safari lodge, or visit the San Bushmen before embracing stars as you’ve never seen them before. August reveals that Botswana is not just a safari destination, but one of the best destinations for such an experience.

Learn more: Botswana Safaris Botswana Safari Guide

8. Kenya

Wildebeest river crossing during the Great Migration

Wildebeests crossing the Mara River in Kenya

Temperatures: Low 68°F • High 80°F

Highlights: Warm weather, safari, wildlife, culture, beaches

Other recommended travel times: February • June • July

Kenya is full of magic and majesty in August. The warm, dry weather can highlight rumbling herds of wildebeest during the Great Migration or clear, azure waters along the coastline.

With clear skies, you could experience the magnificent silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro from a distance, visit Maasai warriors, trek with elephants across the savanna, explore conservation efforts, or celebrate the soul-stirring colors that August in Kenya unveils.

Learn more: Kenya Safaris & VacationsKenya Safari Guide

9. Tanzania

Coral reef along Pemba Island in Tanzania

Pemba Island in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Temperatures: Low 70°F • High 79°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, beaches, scenery

Other recommended travel times: March • July • October • November

The treasures of Tanzania are easily reachable during August as the dry, warm weather makes every corner of the country accessible. The Great Migration makes its way across the great Serengeti and snow caps the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The white beaches of Zanzibar glint against the soothing sea and the coral gardens along Pemba Island brim with unparalleled visibility. Whether looking for a charming coastal getaway or an unforgettable African safari, Tanzania in August has it all.

Learn more: Tanzania Safaris & VacationsTanzania Safari Guide

10. Zimbabwe

Canoe safari travelers observing an elephant on the banks of the Zamezi river

Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe

Temperatures: Low 50.5°F • High 70°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, scenery

Other recommended travel times: September

Clear, dry, warm, and wondrous define Zimbabwe in August. The wildlife descends on the remaining waterholes as seasonal rivers dry.

Relaxed towns provide insight into the culture and the inland plateau opens to views of balancing boulders and the fiery leaves of msasa trees. With incredible archeological sites, views of Victoria Falls, and whispers of the Big Five, Zimbabwe in August reveals all its secrets.

Learn more: Zimbabwe Safaris & ToursAfrican Safari Travel Guide

11. Galapagos Islands • Ecuador

Walkway on Bartolome Island with Pinnacle Rock in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Bartolome, Galapagos Islands

Temperatures: Low 48°F • High 66°F

Highlights: Warm weather, culture, cuisine, hiking, scenery, wildlife

Other recommended travel times: January • March • May • September • October • November

Ecuador is a postcard of diverse landscapes and cultural splendor in August, with travelers from all over the world there to discover its wonders, from the Galapagos to the Andes, the coastline to the rainforest.

Ecuador is dynamic, with colonial architecture, lively rainforests, traditional culture, and the majesty of the volcanic Galapagos Islands. Whether searching for penguins or rambunctious toucans, a traditional Andean market or a pristine beach, Ecuador is sublime.

Learn more: Galapagos Tours & VacationsGalapagos Travel Guide

12. Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Temperatures: Low 66°F • High 78°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, beaches, scenery, the Amazon

Other recommended travel times: January • March • November

You can capture the essential rhythm of life in Brazil in August. The Southern Hemisphere's winter creates a comfortable and welcoming ambiance across the country as you settle onto powdery white-sand beaches or witness thundering tropical waterfalls.

Dive into the waters to find coral-fringed islands, wander across red sand dunes, or simply embrace the pleasures of daily life that connect so many Brazilians to the comforts of their home.

Learn more: Brazil Vacations Brazil Travel Guide

13. Sri Lanka

Tea plantations in Munnar, Sri Lanka

Munnar, Sri Lanka

Temperatures: Low 77°F • High 86°F

Highlights: Culture, temples, cuisine, villages, hiking, wildlife

Other recommended travel times: February • May • December

August in Sri Lanka shines the light on an intoxicating tropical paradise. The natural beauty can sweep across soft, white sands overlooking the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean or tea plantations terracing the mountains.

Sri Lanka feels like an undiscovered treasure, with cities that exude colonial influence and millennia of local culture, tropical rainforests that support enchanting wildlife, and irresistible cuisine that reflects tradition and growth.

Learn more: Sri Lanka Tours & Vacations

Plan Your Trip for August

Municipality of Trittenheim surrounded by vineyards along the Moselle river

Trittenheim, Germany

August brings the full force of summer and the depth of winter for an experience you can enjoy, no matter the type of travel you prefer.

From the immersive scenery of an African safari to exciting adventures in New Zealand, the lush mountains of Costa Rica to the jungle terrain of Sri Lanka, August is a fantastic time for a custom-tailored vacation.

For more ways to indulge in your favorite destination, explore Zicasso’s guide to the best places to visit by month and speak with a local travel specialist when you are ready to plan your trip.

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