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August is hot across most of North Asia and busy in Europe. Mountain and northern destinations are the most comfortable choices.
1. Bali and Lombok, Indonesia
Dry season continues with reliable sunshine.
Key sights
- Lake Batur lava fields: Black lava flows below Mount Batur.
- Tanah Lot: Sea temple on a rock, best at sunset.
- Gili Islands: Snorkelling with turtles off Lombok.
2. Hokkaido, Japan
The coolest part of Japan in summer, for road trips, hot springs and national parks.
Key sights
- Daisetsuzan: Hokkaido's highest mountains, with summer hiking and alpine flowers.
- Lake Toya: Caldera lake with nightly fireworks in summer.
- Sunflower fields, Hokuryu: Over a million sunflowers, mid-July to mid-August.
3. Iceland
Mild summer weather and the best road conditions for the Ring Road.
Key sights
- Golden Circle: Thingvellir, the Geysir area and Gullfoss waterfall.
- South Coast waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss.
- Jökulsárlón: Glacier lagoon of floating icebergs.
4. Kenya (Masai Mara)
The wildebeest migration usually crosses into the Masai Mara between July and October.
Key sights
- Great Migration: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River, usually July to October.
- Amboseli: Elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind.
- Nairobi: Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage.
5. Swiss and Austrian Alps
Peak hiking season with lakes warm enough to swim.
Key sights
- Interlaken and Jungfrau: Lakes, mountain railways and high trails.
- Hallstatt: Lakeside village below steep Austrian peaks.
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Scenic drive to Austria's highest mountain.
→ See the suggested day-by-day itinerary
Weather to plan around
Typhoon season peaks from August to September around Japan, Taiwan, southern China and the Philippines; build buffer days into flight plans. Japan's Obon holiday in mid-August is a busy domestic travel week.
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Questions people ask
Is August typhoon season in Japan?
Yes, August and September are the peak months for typhoons, especially in Okinawa, Kyushu and the Pacific coast. Check forecasts and keep plans flexible.