Where to go on holiday in August

If you’re stuck on where to go on holiday in August, these 5 destinations would be our top choices for smaller crowds and lifelong memories.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: August is a very busy time for travel. It is peak season across much of the world as many families set off on their summer holidays. This inevitably means popular destinations fill up while flight and hotel prices spike due to high demand.

If you have the option to holiday outside of August, we usually recommend it to save some money. However, all is not lost if you’re tied to it. Busyness isn’t always a bad thing – it can make typically sleepy destinations feel alive and exciting. And there are amazing experiences to be had in August, from stargazing in a Chilean desert to tracking lions in South Africa.

So, allow us to steer you away from the predictable with our five favourite destinations for a holiday in August.

1 Kruger, South Africa

☀ Average August temperatures: Highs: 26°C; Lows: 13°C

If you’re after a totally unforgettable family holiday, it doesn’t get much more bucket-list than a South African safari. Kruger National Park is home to the Big Five and countless other majestic species, and August is the perfect time to spot them.

Dry season is well underway so vegetation and water is sparse, and that means you’re practically guaranteed sightings as animals gather by watering holes and rivers. You’ve better chances of seeing predators like lions and crocodiles in action, too. Thin foliage also means excellent bird watching, and some migratory birds will have returned by now. As evening rolls in, the remote location paired with clear skies provide a thick blanket of stars every night. Try to find a lodge with a telescope (or even a resident astronomer) so you can stargaze, but don’t forget to pack layers because nights are chilly.

Game drives are most comfortable in August; daytime temperatures are pleasant and humidity is low, mosquitoes are scarce, and roads are in a better state than during the rains. The downside to travelling in August is crowds. It’s very unlikely you’ll have the reserve to yourself and, as it lines up with European and American summer holidays, you can expect lots of families. However, it’s typically quieter than the December or Easter holidays, and sociable kids will enjoy making friends at the lodges.

3 Northern Portugal

☀ Average August temperatures: Highs: 27°C; Lows: 17°C

Swap Lisbon and the Algarve for Porto and the north, and you’ll get the very best of a Portuguese summer – exquisite food, local traditions, balmy weather – without the hordes and sweltering heat. Depending how close you are to the coast, daytime temps in August tend to fall in the mid-20s and the sun is a reliable presence (though the risk of rain is always higher here than elsewhere in the country).

With the rain comes a lush, verdant landscape. A great place to experience the charm of northern Portugal is the country’s only national park, Peneda-Gerês. A short drive from Braga, it’s a sparsely populated area with staggering beauty: mountains, waterfalls, wild horses, medieval castles and historic stone villages. The Douro and Minho rivers that snake through their namesake regions are safe for swimming in many areas, so being away from the coast shouldn’t be an issue. Saying that, the Costa Verde is known for wild, windswept Atlantic beaches; great for surfers and far less crowded in the summer than the south coast, but some days might be too windy to sunbathe. 

From the traditional port lodges in Porto to the countless vineyards across Minho and Douro producing Vinho Verde, wine lovers could happily spend weeks touring and tasting the regions’ spoils. There are loads of festivals throughout August where you can sample wine, food, and local life: the month kicks off with Festa Gualterianas, in Guimarães, celebrating Saint Walter with parades, performances, and delicious Minho cuisine; the historic Douro grape harvest falls right at the end of the month, so expect food markets, tastings, and live music; and small towns celebrate romarias (short Catholic pilgrimages) all month long.  

4 Atacama Desert, Chile

☀ Average August temperatures: Highs: 22°C; Lows: 4°C

August marks the end of winter and the low season in the Atacama Desert, but don’t let that put you off: you’ll get to experience this otherworldly destination with fewer tourists and more affordable prices. Daytime temperatures don’t vary too much throughout the year, but the slightly cooler winter weather can be better for exploring the exposed landscapes than the intense summer sun. By night you’ll need plenty of warm clothing as temperatures drop dramatically.

And you will want to be outside at night, because August is the best month for stargazing in Atacama. Crisp air and cloudless skies make perfect conditions for exploring the stars, so head to observatories like ALMA and SpaceObs for night tours, or book a hotel with a telescope to gaze in comfort. Prepare to see far beyond our galaxy – the Milky Way is so vivid here you can practically look through it. With the naked eye you can see as far as the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, a mere 200,000 lightyears away; with a telescope, you can spot galaxies millions of lightyears from Earth.

During the day, excursions to Valle de La Luna, El Tatio geysers, Piedras Rojas lagoon and the Mars and Rainbow Valleys are a must, and there’s a good chance they’ll be cheaper and quieter to visit in August. The mild winter sun will make trekking, cycling and trips to the vast salt flats more enjoyable, where you may even spot a flamboyance of flamingos (although your best chances are from September). 

5 Montenegro

☀ Average August temperatures: Highs: 30°C; Lows: 20°C

So far in this list, we’ve swerved southern Europe because countries in the Med reach maximum capacity in August. However, if you’re set on having a sundrenched seaside escape, Montenegro might be your best bet. It will still be busy with holidaymakers and domestic travellers, but much quieter than neighbours Croatia and southern Italy. Your money will also go a bit further here than in western Europe, and that can make all the difference when travelling in peak season.

Montenegro offers the best of both worlds: a Mediterranean summer and mountain adventures, all in a small, drivable package. It only takes 3-4 hours to drive across the country, so in a couple of weeks you could see it all and still have plenty of time to laze by the bath-like Adriatic. Balmy days are best spent by the coast, wandering around pretty waterfront towns like Perast and Kotor before flopping on the beach.

If the heat gets too much (it’s not unusual for temps to soar into the 30s), head inland to the mountains, where it’s cool enough to hike; trek in Durmitor National Park where you can plunge in the breathtakingly beautiful Black Lake. Adrenaline junkies should try white-water rafting in the Tara Canyon, one of the deepest in Europe. There are also lots of cultural events going on across the country in August, from KotorArt (classical music and theatre in historic venues) to Lake Fest (rock and alternative bands in Nikšić) and Petrovac Jazz Festival, plus dozens of religious and foodie celebrations.

Where to go in …