8 Best Summer Holiday Destinations from the UK (2026 Guide)

Every summer, the same conversation happens: beach or city, guaranteed sun or something more interesting, the place you know or the one you keep putting off. The best summer holiday destinations for UK travelers cover all of it, from Santorini's caldera sunsets to Bodrum's turquoise bays, and the difference between a good choice and the right one is knowing what each place actually costs, how hot it gets, and what to eat when you get there. Great places to go in the summer are only great if you land prepared.

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Here are eight of the best places to visit in summer in 2026.

1. Santorini, Greece

Santorini is one of the most instantly recognizable travel destinations in summer in Europe, a volcanic Cycladic island built on caldera cliffs with whitewashed villages, black sand beaches, and some of the clearest Aegean water in Greece.

• Weather: 26°C to 29°C in July and August. Strong Meltemi winds from the north provide natural cooling during peak heat.
• Best Food: Fresh fava bean puree with capers, tomato keftedes, tomato fritters unique to Santorini, grilled fresh fish, and local Assyrtiko white wine.
• Cost Per Person: £100 to £160 per day, mid-range. Santorini is the most expensive Greek island destination on this list.
• Tip: Arrive at the Oia Castle ruins at least two hours before sunset. The viewpoint is free and requires no booking, but prime spots along the castle walls fill by one hour before sunset in July and August.

2. Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza is one of the best places to go in summer for travelers who want world-class beaches alongside the option of nightlife, with a UNESCO-listed old town and a rural north that most visitors never reach.

• Weather: 28°C to 31°C across July and August. Clear skies and low rainfall make it one of Spain's most consistently sunny Balearic islands.
• Best Food: Bullit de peix, slow-boiled fish stew, sofrit pages Ibizan lamb stew, grilled langoustines, and hierbas Ibicencas herbal liqueur.
• Cost Per Person: £90 to £150 per day, mid-range. Resort and club areas run significantly more expensive than the quieter north.
• Tip: Base yourself in Santa Eulalia for a completely different experience, quieter beaches, better restaurants, and none of the resort pricing.

3. Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the best summer holiday destinations for guaranteed heat, archaeological depth, and an eastern Mediterranean feel at a price point that comfortably undercuts comparable Greek destinations.

• Weather: 30°C to 36°C in July and August. One of the hottest destinations on this list. Sea temperature reaches 28°C, perfect for swimming.
• Best Food: Halloumi grilled fresh, kleftiko slow-cooked lamb wrapped in foil, meze spreads, and loukoumades, honey donuts.
• Cost Per Person: £65 to £100 per day, mid-range. Cyprus is among the most affordable Eastern Mediterranean options for UK travelers.
• Tip: Visit Paphos Archaeological Park early in the morning. The Roman mosaics are among the finest preserved in the world and are completely exposed to direct sunlight by midday.

4. Costa del Sol, Spain

The Costa del Sol around Málaga is one of the best places to visit in summer for travelers who want consistent Spanish sunshine, easy access from most UK airports, and a destination that works well for both families and couples.

• Weather: 28°C to 33°C across July and August. Over 320 days of annual sunshine make this one of Europe's most reliable summer regions.
• Best Food: Espetos de sardinas grilled on beach skewers, cold gazpacho, pescaito frito, and churros with thick hot chocolate.
• Cost Per Person: £70 to £120 per day, mid-range. Prices vary enormously between resort strips and the genuine local neighborhoods of Málaga city.
• Tip: Spend at least one day in Málaga city. The Picasso Museum, Alcazaba fortress, and central food market are exceptional and almost entirely missed by beach-only visitors.

5. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Fuerteventura is one of the great places to go in the summer for those wanting Saharan white sand beaches, mild Atlantic temperatures, and one of Europe's finest windsurfing and kitesurfing coastlines.

• Weather: 25°C to 28°C across July and August. Cooler than mainland Spain due to Atlantic trade winds, with negligible rain year-round.
• Best Food: Papas arrugadas with mojo verde, fresh vieja fish, grilled goat, and locally produced goat's cheese with fig jam.
• Cost Per Person: £60 to £95 per day, mid-range. One of the most affordable Canary Islands destinations, especially on all-inclusive packages.
• Tip: Stay on the Jandia Peninsula in the south. The 14km stretch of Playa de Sotavento is one of Europe's longest unbroken white sand beaches.

6. Sicily, Italy

Sicily is one of the finest travel destinations in summer for UK travelers wanting ancient Greek ruins, volcanic landscapes around Mount Etna, and an Italian food culture that the mainland simply cannot replicate.

• Weather: 28°C to 34°C in July and August. The interior runs hotter than the coasts. Sea temperatures reach 26°C by August.
• Best Food: Arancini rice balls, pasta alla Norma with aubergine, fresh swordfish from the Strait of Messina, granita with brioche, and cannoli.
• Cost Per Person: £70 to £115 per day, mid-range. Sicily runs noticeably cheaper than comparable mainland Italian destinations.
• Tip: Use a Jetpac eSIM for Sicily day trips. Public transport to inland sites like Agrigento and Piazza Armerina is limited, and real-time mapping is essential.

7. Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is one of the best places to visit in summer for those who want Atlantic island scenery, year-round mild temperatures, and a destination with genuine hiking, whale watching, and wine culture well beyond the typical beach holiday.

• Weather: 22°C to 26°C across July and August. Cooler than the Mediterranean but reliably dry in the south. The north is cloudier.
• Best Food: Espada com banana, black scabbard fish with banana, bolo do caco garlic bread, espetada beef skewers, and Madeira wine from local producers.
• Cost Per Person: £65 to £100 per day, mid-range. Madeira is excellent value compared to mainland Portugal's tourist centers.
• Tip: Walk the Levada do Caldeirão Verde trail for one of the finest hiking experiences in Europe, combining mountain cliffs, dense Laurisilva forest, and four carved rock tunnels ending at a 100-metre waterfall.

8. Bodrum, Turkey

Bodrum is one of the most rewarding travel destinations in summer and one of the great places to go in the summer for those wanting a Turkish Aegean destination that combines ancient ruins, turquoise bays, a vibrant marina, and exceptional value.

• Weather: 30°C to 35°C in July and August. The Aegean Sea reaches 26°C, ideal for swimming and sailing.
• Best Food: Fresh meze with grilled calamari, lamb shish, gozleme flatbread, balik ekmek fish sandwich from the harbor, and Turkish tea.
• Cost Per Person: £50 to £85 per day, mid-range. Turkey's exchange rate in 2026 makes Bodrum an outstanding value compared to comparable destinations.
• Tip: Rent a gulet from Bodrum harbor for a day. The coastline between Bodrum and Gokova Bay is one of the most beautiful sailing routes in the eastern Mediterranean.

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FAQs

Which are the best summer holiday destinations from the UK?

Santorini, Cyprus, the Costa del Sol, and Ibiza are among the most booked in 2026. For cooler temperatures and Atlantic scenery, Fuerteventura and Madeira are the best places to go in summer for those who find Mediterranean heat excessive.

Which countries are the hottest in Europe during the summer? 

Cyprus and Sicily regularly reach 34°C to 36°C in July and August. Turkey's Bodrum follows closely at 30°C to 35°C. The Canary Islands stay the coolest at around 26°C year-round due to their Atlantic position.

Where can UK travelers find affordable summer holiday spots? 

Bodrum and Fuerteventura offer the strongest value in 2026. Cyprus is the most affordable eastern Mediterranean option. Madeira and Sicily also undercut comparable Western European destinations on daily cost.

Which are the best short-haul summer destinations? 

The Costa del Sol, Ibiza, and Fuerteventura are among the great places to go in the summer, with the shortest flight times, all under 2.5 hours from London. All eight are strong travel destinations in summer, reachable in under four hours from most UK airports.

Which summer holiday destinations are the best for families? 

The Costa del Sol, Cyprus, and Fuerteventura have the strongest family infrastructure. Sicily and Santorini are better for older children and teenagers who appreciate history alongside beach time. All eight are among the best places to visit in summer for different family compositions.

Is it better to travel in July or August from the UK?

July is generally preferable. Where to go this summer matters less than when, and August pushes all eight destinations to maximum capacity and pricing as UK school holidays align with European peak season. July delivers comparable weather with shorter queues and more accommodation availability. Whichever month you choose, all eight best summer holiday destinations on this list deliver in both July and August with the right planning.

Disclaimer

Cost estimates are approximate and based on mid-range travel in 2026. Prices vary by booking date, accommodation choice, and exchange rates. Always verify current entry requirements and travel advisories before departure. Jetpac is not responsible for changes after publication.