10 Best Places to Travel to in Summer 2026

It's snowy and cold outside, so what better time to dream about the ten best places to travel to in the summer of 2026!  These are primarily in northern destinations, such as Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland. Snowy winter landscapes often prevent travellers from flocking to these cold-ridden parts of the world, making it an ideal time to explore these landscapes when the sun spikes temperatures to bearable.

The summer is the perfect time to hit up the beach and soak in the sea, but it’s also the ideal season to head on more rugged adventures that aren’t possible in the cooler months. Our ten best places to travel in summer fall in more northern destinations, where melting snow opens up ample opportunities to meander wild, beautiful areas of the world. But don’t worry; we haven’t forgotten about water lovers craving a salty dip in the sea! Sprinkled throughout our list, you’ll find some must-visit summer destinations from other areas of the world.

Still trying to figure out where to go? Take a look at the ten best places to travel this summer below!

What’s New for Summer 2026

A few practical notes for planning your summer 2026 trip:

• Book northern and Arctic trips well ahead. Greenland, Iceland and the Scottish Highlands have short summer windows and limited accommodation, so 2026 dates for these fill quickly. Reserve several months out for the best choice.
• Consider early autumn. September and early October still offer warm, settled weather in many of these destinations with thinner crowds than July and August, which is worth knowing if you have flexibility on dates.
• Southern-hemisphere timing. Remember that Kruger and South Africa sit in their dry autumn-into-winter season during the northern summer, which is prime game-viewing time, so 2026 summer is a strong window for a safari.

The 10 Best Places to Travel in the Summer of 2026 Ranked

Greenland

#1 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

It might seem random to kick off our ten best places to travel this summer list with the remote and untamed Greenland, but the natural beauty spanning this Arctic destination makes it a must-do when temperatures climb (slightly). Greenland will win your heart if you’re looking for a more rugged, adventurous summer spot with fjords, glaciers, rivers, lakes, and a glimpse of northern culture. How many people have you heard say, “I’ve been to Greenland!” You could be one of the rare few. Fly into Reykjavik in Iceland, and then head to Kulusuk, Greenland to kickstart your adventure!

Favourite Tour in Greenland: Guided Trekking the Icefjords of East Greenland Tour, or check out all our guided Greenland tours.

Bali, Indonesia

#2 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Most people book flights to sunny Asian destinations from December to February, making summer an optimal time to visit this seaside dreamland. The dry season falls from May to October, too—and it’s not super crowded during this time of year. Bali is an epic area to relax on the beach, find roaring waterfalls (Nungnung Waterfall, to name one), or hike mountains to bask in a sunrise glow (Mount Batur).

Favourite Tour in Bali, Indonesia: Guided Bali and Komodo Islands Tour, or check out these guided Indonesia tours.

The Highlands, Scotland

#3 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Want a reprieve from the heat burning up other destinations? Head to Scotland, where temperatures rarely climb over 25 degrees Celsius. It’s also an excellent time to go to the Highlands to bag Munros without falling over with heat exhaustion. Discover whispers of folklore embedded in lochs, crumbling castles, and paths travelled for thousands of years. Eager adventurers can tackle the 154km West Highland Way to truly revel in the uninterrupted wonders flanking this area of the world.

Favourite Tour in the Highlands, Scotland: Self-Guided 8-Day West Highland Way Trek. Find more self-guided walking tours in Scotland.

Iceland

#4 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Iceland deserves to sit atop all travel bucket lists. If you’re someone who loves mighty waterfalls, uninterrupted natural landscapes, camping, natural geothermal baths, and lagoons, Iceland will fulfill all your summer vacation dreams. We can’t even begin to describe the jaw-dropping beauty tucked all over this country! For example, icebergs float ashore along the black sand on Diamond Beach, creating a glittery, otherworldly spectacle. There’s so much to see in Iceland!

Favourite Tour in Iceland: Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour, or one of these other great self-guided tours in Iceland.

Canadian Rockies, Canada

#5 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Canadians love to take advantage of summer—bring on the smoky BBQ smells, don shorts even when temperatures dip to the teens when the stars come out, and spend almost every minute of daylight outside. One of the best places to visit in Canada when temperatures reach a good warmth is the Canadian Rockies: Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and Kootenay National Park, to name a few. Go rafting on wild rivers between jetting peaks (some still capped with snow), hike to secret lakes tucked in mountainscapes, or gaze at valley views from atop a summit. To map out the trip itself, our guide to planning a trip to Banff covers when to go, where to stay and how to get around the region.

Favourite Tour in the Canadian Rockies: Guided Backpacking in the Yoho Valley. But there's so many great guided hiking tours in the Canadian Rockies!

Yellowstone National Park, United States

#6 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Spice up your Wyoming adventure with the geothermal wonders and alpine lakes beautifying Yellowstone National Park! It’s best to head to this popular national park in summer to avoid closed campgrounds and road and trail blocks. And who wouldn’t want to have all of Yellowstone's highlights at their fingertips? Some epic spots include the legendary, South Rim hike, or hike around some of Yellowstone's famous Geysers, the bang-for-your-buck, chilled-out Artist Point to Point Sublime hike.

Favourite Tour in Yellowstone National Park: Guided Yellowstone Hiking Tour. Have a look at all the guided tours in Yellowstone.

Tanzania

#7 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Want a safari, sea, hikes, sandy beaches, fun culture, and natural hot springs? Tanzania has it all! The dry season spans July to September, opening up vast opportunities for beach lounging, animal gazing, and hiking. Some epic spots worth venturing:

• Either book a tour and hike Kilimanjaro (or marvel at its massive height from down below). Learn all about planning a trip to summit Kilimanjaro.
• Chemka Hot Springs, where you can also enjoy a view of Kilimanjaro en route the bumpy, sandy road.
• Zanzibar for white sandy beaches and quintessential island vibes.
• Morogoro for fun, local hikes and a thriving atmosphere.

Favourite Tour in Tanzania: Guided 6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route. Check out all guided Kilimanjaro tours.

Salzburg, Austria

#8 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

The hills are alive with the sound of music! Step one: rewatch the Sound of Music. Step two: visit Salzburg. There’s something romantic about meandering European cities in the summer, and Salzburg is no different. Spend time sipping wine and walking through the cobblestone old town, checking out the viewpoints of the city, and embarking on some epic day trips. Salzburg is a great launching platform for visiting nearby towns, such as Werfen, where you can check out the Sound of Music meadow, or Hallstatt, a town nestled along the lake embroidered with stacked quirky, colourful homes.

Favourite Tour in Salzburg, Austria: Self-Guided Salzburg and the Ten Lakes Cycling Tour or other self-guided tours in Austria.

Split & Dubrovnik, Croatia

#9 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Croatia’s coastline boasts bright blue shimmering hues, luring sweaty travellers to cool off in the salty, ultra-transparent watery bliss. Walk inland to seafront towns lined with history and unique architecture. The red-roofed buildings contrasted with the blue sea create a picturesque image in Split, whereas Dubrovnik earned its place on the map as the filming location for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. Croatia is an excellent summer destination, thanks to the fairytale-like national parks (Plitvice National Park and Krka National Park) holding true to the bright blue water theme and a string of seaside towns, beaches, snorkel spots, and hiking opportunities.

Favourite Tour in Croatia: Self-Guided Croatian Trekking from Split to Dubrovnik. Find other self-guided tours in Croatia, or book a private sailing holiday in Croatia.

Lake District, England

#10 in Best Places to Travel this Summer

Bet against rainfall and soak up warmer weather at the Lakes! The glistening lakes, quaint villages, and pretty mountain views have inspired artists for centuries (including the one and only Taylor Swift), so why not add it to your summer travel list? If we could describe the Lakes in one word, it would be: charming. The gorgeous surroundings block daily stress and put your mind at ease—even when surrounded by locals and other visitors from all over the globe. For the practical side, our guide to planning a trip to the Lake District covers when to go, where to stay and how to get around.

Browse self-guided walking tours in England.

Travel opportunities for other seasons

Summer may be an epic time to explore, but what if you are set on a spring adventure or want to enjoy snowy winter sports? We’ve got you covered! 10Adventures offers thousands of hiking and cycling tours all over the world to match your exploration style and the time of year you want to travel.

Planning on travelling during a different season? Kickstart your research with the articles below.

Best Places to Travel in Spring

Travel by Month:
Best Places to Travel in December
Best Places to Travel in January
Best Places to Travel in February
Best Places to Travel in March
Best Places to Travel in April
Best Places to Travel in May