June is the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and most importantly, the month before schools break up. It’s the perfect combo of peak weather but not quite peak crowds and prices. So, if you’re a sun seeker but also a savvy traveller, this is your prime time to get away.
In terms of where to go, Europe is the go-to for all places short haul and for that instant sun satisfaction. Try Turkey, Italy, Spain or Portugal. But if you fancy going a bit further, Aruba’s got a sneaky spot outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt and is a good call for snorkelling. Stay tuned for our plot twist further down, too – trust us on this one, you might not have thought about it before…
So, here’s your guide to the best places that are hot in June. If you’ve already spied your pick, then don’t wait for us… check out our deals page.
Turkey
Turn it up in Turkey, where you’re treated to a solid average of 32°C in June. The Dalaman area on the south-west coast is known as the Turquoise Coast and is thriving, with its famous beaches basking in the summer sun. Get your watersports and sunbathing on here, or head to the resort of Kalkan – it’s perfect for the beach club life. Antalya’s got mountains for some cooler climes but surely you’re after some sand and sea in this weather? So, head to Lara Beach or Belek.
Bodrum’s got a bit more history and culture about it with steamy mud baths and ancient Roman sites to explore. The beaches in Gumbet and Gundogan are here to help you cool off after. Izmir doesn’t let you down either, also hitting the early 30s. So really, the moral of the story is you can’t go wrong by starting your summer in Turkey.
Italy
Hottest part – Neapolitan Riviera
June is great to visit the south of Italy – the Neapolitan Riviera practically owns Aperol spritzes in the sun. This riviera starts in Sorrento and stretches along the coast of Campania, including the Amalfi Coast, which is looking toasty at 28°C. Highlights here include pizza in Naples, sipping on limoncello in Sorrento and boat trips over to Capri. This is a bit of a treat-yourself spot, popular among the celeb crowd, and is known for loving a life of luxury.
Keep going south over to the island of Sicily and things soar to 29°C. You’ve got Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest mountain, which you might not be so keen to climb once the temperature tips into the 30s from July. Hike to the top of the main crater for views before the midday peak, then order an espresso in one of Palermo’s piazzas – it’s called balance.
The 2nd of June is Republic Day in Italy and is a national holiday, so there’ll be parades and celebrations going on. On the 29th, Rome and the Vatican celebrate the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, too. Look out for the bronze statue of St Peter decorated with a red robe and crown in the Vatican itself, and St Peter’s Square is covered with a carpet of flowers.
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Portugal
Portugal is a top summer pick, so get in early to bag the best prices. As soon as school’s out, families flock to the Algarve, which means June is still nice and chilled out. The beaches along the Algarve and Lisbon hit 26°C at this time. Then the further up the coast from the capital you go, places like Cascais, Ericeira and Sintra only drop a little to around 24°C, and Porto’s more like 23°C. So, you’ve got some hot beach and city break options here. Either way, a decent tan is on the cards…
June is also festival season in Portugal. The Festival of Sardines is on the 12th of the month and Festa de São João celebrates Midsummer on the 23rd. Primavera Sound is also a popular music festival – there’s one held in Barcelona and another in Porto in June.
Spain
Hottest part – Balearic Islands
June loves a Balearic Island babe. This Spanish archipelago is giving island life less than a three-hour flight from London. You’ve got beaches and pretty fishing villages to explore, as well as epic Gothic architecture in Palma de Majorca. Majorca is the biggest island and coincidentally backs the highest average temperature this month at 28°C. Ibiza’s sitting at 27°C, while Menorca’s 26°C and much more mellow. The coastline here is 135 miles long, packing in more sandy spots than Ibiza and Majorca combined! Playa de Son’s the longest stretch on the island to lay out on.
Aruba
Aruba is one of the Caribbean’s ABC islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao – that sit the furthest west in the Caribbean Sea. This sunny trio are outside the hurricane belt and so they miss the rainy and stormy weather, perfect for a summer escape. The temperature hovers around 33°C, which calls for long beach days and shady palm trees. Luckily, this island’s got 70 kilometres of sandy shoreline and a straight 11 of them make up the stretch from Palm to Eagle Beach – both considered among the best beaches in the world.
It can be a bit humid here, but the calm Caribbean waters and your pick of watersports are always a refreshing option. April, May and June are considered the best time to visit, so now’s your chance.
Plot twist…
Iceland
Okay, so the name doesn’t exactly scream hot but bear with us… if you’re after long summer daylight hours without extreme heat, Iceland is a great pick. This place puts the hot in hot springs and thanks to the lighter days, they’ll be open for longer. We’re talking average temperatures of around 13°C, perfect for hiking. Plus, there aren’t any Northern Lights tours to compete with – the flowers are in full bloom instead. Darkness here only lasts from around 11.30pm to 3.30am in June, so think how much you can squeeze into a short break!
Ready to turn it up for June? Check out our holidays to narrow down your perfect pick.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen
Last updated: 25/06/2024
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