Where to go in August for sun? In August, the three safest bets for sunshine are Greece, Madeira and Bali. Greece for the sea and an almost always dry sky, Madeira for mild weather without a heatwave, Bali for the driest month of its year.
August is peak holiday season in Europe and North America: prices and crowds are at their highest almost everywhere, and the heat can become hard to bear around the Mediterranean. For cooler weather, Iceland, Scotland and Canada are good alternatives. Conversely, the Caribbean enters the period most exposed to hurricanes and much of Southeast Asia is under the monsoon. Here are 12 destinations, with the official climate normals for each and what can disappoint.
Where to go in August: at a glance
- Sun and sea Greece, Croatia, Albania, Canary Islands, Madeira
- Cool weather Iceland, Scotland, Canada
- Long-haul Bali, Tanzania (safari), Réunion, Mauritius, the Gulf of Thailand, the east coast of Sri Lanka
- Tight budget Albania, if you book early; Bali once you are there
- Best avoided the French Antilles, Mexico (Yucatán), the Philippines, northern Vietnam, the Nile valley
Comparison: the climate of 12 destinations in August
| Destination | Max (August) | Rain (August) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece Athens | 32.2 °C (90 °F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | Beach, islands, ancient sites |
| Croatia (Split) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | Beach, coves, historic towns |
| Albania Tirana | 30.7 °C (87 °F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | Budget, riviera |
| Madeira Funchal | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 1 mm (0.04 in) | Hiking, mild weather |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 29.7 °C (85 °F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | Families, beach, sunshine |
| Iceland Reykjavik | 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | Cool weather, nature |
| Scotland (Edinburgh) | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | Festivals, cool weather |
| Canada (Quebec) Montreal | 25.7 °C (78 °F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | Wide-open spaces, cities |
| Bali Denpasar | 29.6 °C (85 °F) | 25 mm (1.0 in) | Beach, rice terraces, temples |
| Tanzania (safari) Kilimanjaro Airport | 27.4 °C (81 °F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | Safari, Zanzibar |
| Réunion Saint-Denis | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | Hiking, whales |
| Thailand (Ko Samui) | 32.4 °C (90 °F) | 102 mm (4.0 in) | Beach in Asia |
These figures are averages over several decades: a given year can be drier or wetter. Total rainfall does not tell the whole story: 150 mm (5.9 in) falling in short late-afternoon showers is less of a nuisance than continuous drizzle.
Greece
August is the driest month in Greece: 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain on average in Athens, a warm sea and an almost always clear sky. The Cyclades, Crete (1 mm (0.04 in) in Heraklion) and Rhodes (0 mm (0 in)) offer very reliable beach conditions. For sea temperatures elsewhere this month, see our page where to swim in August. That 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain in Heraklion speaks for itself; the climate in Crete month by month also details the length of the swimming season.
Caveat: it is the busiest and most expensive month, with a peak around 15 August (the Dormition of the Virgin). The UK FCDO warns of a high risk of wildfires in Greece during the summer season from April to October (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026): follow official alerts. In the Cyclades the northern wind (the meltem) often blows hard in summer and can make the sea rough. In Athens, visit the Acropolis at opening time.
In August in Athens: 32.2 °C (90 °F) average maximum and 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Greece)
Croatia (Split)
The Dalmatian coast is in full season: 30.9 °C (88 °F) average maximum and 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain in Split, a warm sea and long days. Split, Dubrovnik, the islands of Hvar or Korčula and Krka National Park can easily be combined by car and ferry.
Caveat: it is the busiest month, especially around 5 and 15 August, two public holidays. The UK FCDO notes that wildfires are common during Croatia’s hot, dry summers (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026): follow official guidance. For an equally warm sea with fewer people, September is more appealing.
In August in Split: 30.9 °C (88 °F) average maximum and 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Croatia)
Albania
Albania is the cheapest alternative to Croatia and Greece. In August, the Albanian riviera, between Vlorë and Saranda, enjoys a warm sea, and the northern mountains offer cool air for hiking.
Caveat: August is the peak for crowds and prices on the coast, with the return of the diaspora: roads and border crossings are busy. Book very early or favour the mountains. The UK FCDO notes that wildfires are common in Albania from April to October (GOV.UK, updated 15 October 2026). The figure below is for Tirana, inland; on the coast, Vlorë has an average maximum of 29.8 °C (86 °F).
In August in Tirana: 30.7 °C (87 °F) average maximum and 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Albania)
Madeira
Madeira is a safe August choice for those who fear heatwaves: 26.8 °C (80 °F) average maximum in Funchal and 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain, the driest month of the year. The levadas (trails along irrigation channels) and the summits in the centre of the island can be walked in good conditions.
Caveat: it is also the most in-demand and most expensive month. The island has few sandy beaches: for those, look to Porto Santo, the neighbouring island. The Madeira Wine Festival starts at the end of August (22 August to 12 September in 2027, according to the regional tourism board’s calendar).
In August in Funchal: 26.8 °C (80 °F) average maximum and 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Madeira)
Canary Islands (Tenerife)
In the Canary Islands, August is hot but rarely overwhelming thanks to the trade winds: 29.7 °C (85 °F) average maximum and 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The south of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the sunniest.
Caveat: it is the hottest and most expensive month of the year. Watch for calima episodes (wind laden with dust from the Sahara). The UK FCDO notes that wildfires happen often in Spain, including on the islands, during the summer months (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026).
In August in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 29.7 °C (85 °F) average maximum and 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Canary Islands)
Iceland
To escape the heat, Iceland offers the opposite of the Mediterranean: 14.1 °C (57 °F) average maximum in Reykjavik. The F-roads of the Highlands are open, giving access to areas such as Landmannalaugar, and days are still long.
Caveat: it rains regularly, especially on the south coast (217 mm (8.5 in) in Vík í Mýrdal). It is the very high season: accommodation and rental cars need booking well ahead. Nights start to darken again at the end of the month; for the northern lights, wait for September.
In August in Reykjavik: 14.1 °C (57 °F) average maximum and 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Iceland)
Scotland (Edinburgh)
August is Edinburgh’s festival month: the Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Book Festival occupy the city for much of the month. With a 19.1 °C (66 °F) average maximum, the climate stays cool, and the long days are good for heading to the Highlands or the Isle of Skye. Festivals, the Tattoo and long days: the best time to visit Edinburgh depends mostly on how you feel about crowds.
Caveat: Edinburgh is saturated and accommodation prices hit records during the festivals. Elsewhere, it is the height of midge season, small biting insects, especially in the west. U.S. citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travelling to the UK for tourism (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
In August in Edinburgh: 19.1 °C (66 °F) average maximum and 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Scotland)
Canada (Quebec)
In Canada, August is the heart of summer: 25.7 °C (78 °F) average maximum in Montreal, lakes for swimming and national parks that are fully accessible. The West is also in good season, with a dry August in Vancouver (36 mm (1.4 in)).
Caveat: peak crowds, high prices, and regular thunderstorms in the East (94 mm (3.7 in) in Montreal). The UK FCDO says that most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, not both, and that you may need an eTA for a short visit instead of a visa (GOV.UK, updated 2 June 2026): check online which applies to you.
In August in Montreal: 25.7 °C (78 °F) average maximum and 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Canada)
Bali
August is the driest month in Bali: 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain on average in Denpasar and moderate heat (29.6 °C (85 °F)). It is the right season to combine Ubud, the terraced rice fields, temples and the neighbouring islands.
Caveat: it is also the busiest and most expensive period. Nights are cool in the mountains, around Mount Batur. The UK FCDO says you must have a visa to visit Indonesia (a 30-day visa on arrival is available to some nationalities) and that Bali charges a tourist levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah to foreign tourists, payable online or on arrival (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026).
In August in Denpasar: 29.6 °C (85 °F) average maximum and 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Bali)
Tanzania (safari)
August is the high season for safaris in northern Tanzania: only 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain at Kilimanjaro Airport, low vegetation that makes game viewing easier, and the period when the Mara River crossings, in the north of the Serengeti, are generally at their best. Zanzibar, dry and breezy (38 mm (1.5 in)), makes a good complement to the trip.
Caveat: lodge prices are at their highest and the most famous sites are crowded. The crossings are never guaranteed on a given date. Mornings are cool at altitude, notably in the Ngorongoro Crater. The UK FCDO says you must have a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026).
In August in Kilimanjaro Airport: 27.4 °C (81 °F) average maximum and 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Tanzania)
Réunion
In August, Réunion is in the middle of the southern winter: dry weather on the west coast (8 mm (0.3 in) at Le Port), 25.5 °C (78 °F) average maximum in Saint-Denis and good conditions for hiking in the cirques. It is also humpback whale season along the west coast.
Caveat: nights are cold in the Highlands (16.1 °C (61 °F) average maximum at the Plaine des Cafres) and the east coast stays wet. Summer holidays make flights expensive: book early. Neighbouring Mauritius is also in its dry season (19 mm (0.7 in) in Port Louis), with a steady wind on the east coast: when to go to Mauritius.
In August in Saint-Denis: 25.5 °C (78 °F) average maximum and 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Réunion)
Thailand (Ko Samui)
If you want Thailand in August, aim for the Gulf: Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao are largely sheltered from the southwest monsoon, with 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain on average in Ko Samui, against 309 mm (12.2 in) in Phuket, on the Andaman Sea. Unlike the sheltered Gulf, the Andaman coast is under the monsoon: the best time to visit Phuket is rather in winter.
Caveat: Bangkok and the north remain in the rainy season (227 mm (8.9 in) in Bangkok), with showers that are often short but intense. On the Andaman side, the sea is often rough. For a full tour of the country, the dry season returns in November. Short but intense rain in the capital: the best time to visit Bangkok falls rather in the dry season.
In August in Ko Samui: 32.4 °C (90 °F) average maximum and 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Thailand)
Planning an August trip
August is the most in-demand month of the year for travel: flights and accommodation are best booked several months ahead, especially around 15 August. If you can shift your dates, September offers a similar climate in most Mediterranean destinations, with fewer people and lower prices.
Around the Mediterranean, heatwaves and wildfires are frequent in summer: follow the alerts of local authorities, schedule visits early in the morning and check that your insurance covers cancellation. For passports, visas and electronic authorisations, check the official advice for your nationality before you book (for example travel.state.gov for US citizens and GOV.UK for UK citizens). For other months, find all our ideas on the page where to go on holiday.
Destinations to avoid in August
- The French Antilles (Guadeloupe, Martinique): August opens the period most exposed to hurricanes (the season normally runs from June to November, according to the UK FCDO for Guadeloupe, GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026), and it is the wettest month in Fort-de-France (247 mm (9.7 in)).
- Mexico (Yucatán) and Cuba: humid heat and a growing hurricane risk (115.1 mm (4.5 in) in Cancún, 99.6 mm (3.9 in) in Havana). The UK FCDO says the hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026). Check your government’s current travel advice for Cuba before planning.
- The Philippines and northern Vietnam: the monsoon at its peak (476 mm (18.7 in) in Manila, 274 mm (10.8 in) in Hanoi).
- The Nile valley in Egypt: 41.2 °C (106 °F) average maximum in Luxor, making temple visits gruelling. It is better to wait until the end of October.
Toutes nos destinations idéales en août (53)
Liste établie automatiquement d’après nos calendriers « quand partir » : destinations notées ✓ idéal pour ce mois. Température max. moyenne indicative ; détail et sources sur chaque guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you go in August without suffering from the heat?
Madeira (26.8 °C (80 °F) average maximum in Funchal) and the Canary Islands (29.7 °C (85 °F) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife) stay warm without excess. To really look for cool weather, Iceland (14.1 °C (57 °F) in Reykjavik), Scotland (19.1 °C (66 °F) in Edinburgh) and Canada (25.7 °C (78 °F) in Montreal) are good options.
Where can you go for sun in August without going too far?
Greece, Croatia, Albania, the Canary Islands and Madeira offer dry weather and a warm sea in August. The downside: it is the busiest and most expensive month, especially around 15 August.
Where can you go in Asia in August?
Bali is the best option: August is its driest month (25 mm (1.0 in) in Denpasar). In Thailand, prefer the Gulf (102 mm (4.0 in) in Ko Samui) to the Andaman Sea. The east coast of Sri Lanka is also in its dry season. Avoid the Philippines and northern Vietnam, in the middle of the monsoon.
Is it a good idea to go to the Caribbean in August?
It is possible, but August opens the period most exposed to hurricanes, which peaks in September. If you go, take out insurance covering cancellation for weather events and follow the local weather bulletins.
Where can you go in August to see animals?
Tanzania is in high safari season, with the Mara River crossings generally at their best. In Réunion and Mauritius, it is humpback whale season, visible from the west coast.
Where can you go in August on a budget?
Albania is the cheapest alternative to Croatia and Greece, if you book early; Bali is inexpensive once you are there. Both are very busy in August, so book ahead.
Our sources
- Official climate normals: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), 1955-2010 normals (Athens-Elliniko); DHMZ (Croatia), WMO 1991-2020 normals (Split-Marjan); Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), temperatures 1961-1990 and precipitation 1951-1980 (Tirana); IPMA (Portugal), 1991-2020 normals (Funchal-Observatório); AEMET via the WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Santa Cruz de Tenerife); Icelandic Met Office, 1991-2020 averages (Reykjavik); Met Office, 1991-2020 normals (Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden); Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1991-2020 normals (Montréal-Trudeau); BMKG via the WMO World Weather Information Service, 1961-1990 normals (Denpasar); WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Kilimanjaro Airport); Météo-France, 1991-2020 normals (Saint-Denis Gillot); Thai Meteorological Department, via the WMO, 1991-2020 normals (Ko Samui)
- For destinations that already have a guide on our site, figures and event dates are taken from our « when to go » pages, which detail the 12 months and cite their sources
- Safety, health and entry information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Greece (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Croatia (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Albania (GOV.UK, updated 15 October 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Spain (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026; read 26 October 2026) (Canary Islands wildfires); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Canada (GOV.UK, updated 2 June 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Indonesia (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Tanzania (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Guadeloupe (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026; read 26 October 2026); UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mexico (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026; read 26 October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, United Kingdom country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025; read 26 October 2026) (UK ETA for U.S. citizens)
- Madeira regional tourism board (visitmadeira.com): Wine Festival dates 2027
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.