Maybe you’re a planner and had your summer holiday booked months ago, or maybe you’re like me and your big summer plans so far go something like “I’m going to go somewhere awesome and it’s going to be the best thing ever!”
But where?
Of course there are the obvious (and lovely) places like Amsterdam, Iceland, and Florida, but there are also a lot of lesser known, off the beaten path destinations that are A M A Z I N G in the summer. Sorry to go all caps there, but I promise it was warranted.
So here are some of my favorite summer destinations for any of you non-planners out there – or for any planners who want to get started on mapping out summer 2018!
The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro
If Montenegro were a food, I would be seriously craving it right now. Or can you crave places too?
The Bay of Kotor is just so beautiful and perfectly summer, if you know what I mean. You can swim in the sea, dine outside, and spend your days relaxing at cafés in the sunshine. Plus Montenegro is such a cheap destination that you can go on proper holiday mode without feeling too guilty about the money you’re spending.
Read about where I stayed on the Bay of Kotor here
Bosnia and Herzegovina
While Montenegro is my #1 summer craving right now, Bosnia and Herzegovina comes in a close second. There’s just something about the Balkans, I guess.
While the nature is stunning, I actually most love Sarajevo. It’s just such a beautiful, relaxed city, and the locals there are so welcoming. Like, if a genie offered to grant me a wish right now it would be for Oslo to get cheap direct flights to Sarajevo.
Read about my time in Sarajevo here
Hardangervidda
I love hiking above the tree line, where the views are endless and the ground is covered in stone and moss, and Hardangervidda is perfect for that. I guess I also love that while up on the plateau there isn’t too much up and down, yet you get those amazing views that you usually have to hike uphill for hours for. Plus, unlike the fjord region of Norway, Hardangervidda isn’t crowded with tourists at all.
You can hike through Hardangervidda for days, spending nights in the little hiking cabins they have dotted along the hiking routes, or just pitching your tent somewhere. Aaah so much bliss.
See more photos of Hardangervidda here
The Isle of Harris
I’m not sure exactly why, but I really, really love tropical looking beaches in cold climates. Though actually when I was on Harris last summer it was all blue skies and sunshine – I even came back with a sunburn! And I also came back with a huge crush on all the Scottish people.
You probably already know that Scotland is amazing, but Scotland + turquoise beaches? The perfect summer holiday, if you ask me (and if you’re lucky with the weather).
Read my full 11-day Scotland island hopping itinerary here
Labrang
Labrang is technically part of mainland China, but it’s home to one of Tibet’s most important monasteries: Labrang Monastery. I visited here in the autumn and at 3,000 meters above sea level it was really, really cold. So I definitely recommend visiting in the summer if you can! The monastery is beautiful, and it’s the perfect place to get a glimpse into Tibetan culture without getting a visa to Tibet.
Be sure to eat some thenthuk for me when you’re there!
Read my full guide to visiting Labrang here
Kyrgyzstan
You know what they say, “Paris in the spring, Kyrgyzstan in the summer.” Are people saying that yet? They should be.
Kyrgyzstan in the summer means horse treks through the mountains, camping in yurts, swimming in Issyk-Kul, and eating the best soft serve in the whole world (seriously though, the best).
Read my full guide to visiting Kyrgyzstan here
Åland Islands
It was funny visiting the Åland Islands in Finland in the winter, because they’re so clearly a summer destination. From the colorful wooden houses to the bike trails connecting the islands, I was definitely feeling the summer vibes on Åland, even though it was -10 degrees outside.
Åland is an easy ferry ride from both Helsinki and Stockholm, which both also happen to be extra lovely in the summer.
Read more reasons to visit the Åland Islands
Georgia
I only spent a week in Georgia, but it easily became one of my favorite travel destinations. I mean, amazing food, a downright bizarre (in a good way!) capital city, and mountains, mountains, mountains – it’s all of my favorite things in one country. Plus it’s very affordable, and people there speak Russian – I love when people speak Russian.
I really, really want to return and explore Georgia more, but until then maybe you can go for me and tell me all about it? Yeah?
Read about my visit to Georgia here
Peneda-Gerês National Park in Portugal
2017 definitely seems to be a good year for Portugal – I feel like every week I’m seeing photos on Facebook of someone in Lisbon, Sintra, or Porto. It’s cheap, the food is amazing, the locals are super friendly, and the cities are really fun.
But my favorite part of Portugal is actually a bit farther north – Peneda-Gerês National Park. Car rental in Portugal is crazy cheap, so taking a road trip out of the cities into the national park is incredibly easy. And with these views, it’s so worth a visit, don’t you think?
Read about my 6-day road trip through Portugal here
Rwanda
Um, at least I hope Rwanda is magical in the summer (well, winter in Rwanda) because that’s where I’m headed in July!
Do you have any other summer spots to add? I still haven’t finalized my summer plans, so I would love some more suggestions!
Nynke says
Wow, Rwanda! Its countryside always looks amazingly pretty and green in documentaries (I noticed in spite of the hair-raising stories of genocide survivors), so I bet it will be awesome. Have you ever been to sub-Saharan Africa before?
I’m (still) looking forward to going to Japan this summer. I’m sure it will be AMAZING too! Another destination that I’m saving for another summer is the Cotswolds – I think it’s the epitome of cute, hilly English countryside…
Silvia says
I haven’t been to sub-Saharan Africa before! And actually I would also really like to explore more of the English countryside, though Dan (being English) doesn’t seem so interested in it, haha.
Danny says
I actually just booked a week-long trip to Montenegro for late July about a week ago, and I seriously cannot wait! Everything I see and hear about this tiny country just makes me want to hop on the next plane to Podgorica!
Haven’t been to any other places on the list, but I can see why Georgia and Kyrgyzstan would be pretty cool summer travel destinations!
Silvia says
Oooh I’m so jealous! You’re going to love Montenegro – there’s no way not to.
Joella says
I vote for Labrang! 🙂 And now I reeeaaally want to go back there. Seems like forever ago.
Silvia says
Haha of course! I was there even longer ago I think. We’re getting old!
Renate Sandvik says
So many good (and different) suggestions! You should definitely explore Georgia some more, what a stunning place. Kyrgyzstan is also such a cool place, and I even managed to inspire one of my co-workers to go there this summer with her family. I’m so happy for her, haha!
Rwanda sounds like an adventure! 😀
Silvia says
I am always telling people to go to Kyrgyzstan, haha. So cool that you got her to go!
Cristian says
Last summer I enjoyed a lot visiting Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mediterranean islands are always good summer options. I liked a lot Lokrum (next to Dubrovnik), Mljet and Hvar.
My favourite summer activity is hiking in the north of my country, Spain. Especially the North way to Santiago, starting in Irún. You walk on mountains beside the sea, and through beautiful towns such as San Sebastián, Pasaia Donibane, Comillas, Santiago de Compostela, Hondarribia, Cudillero, Santillana del Mar, San Vicente de la Barquera… and across huge beaches like Noja, Somo, Merón, Pobeña… and it passes close to one of the most impressive beaches in the world: Playa de las Catedrales, in Ribadeo. It’s a cheap way to do sports, know a lot of people every day, which are going the same way, and see a lot of different beautiful places in a few days. Although, if you want to walk all the way in a row, from Irún to Fisterra, you need about 40-45 days. It’s 900 km long, approximately.
Congratulations for this nice blog, Silvia!
Silvia says
Oh wow, you are really making me want to go to Spain now! (actually I’ll be going there in about 10 days)
cristian says
I highly recommend you to walk the first stage of the Northern way, between Irún and San Sebastián. Its landscape is awesome, especially if the day is sunny. It’s 25 km long, but you can split it into 2 days, stopping to sleep in Pasajes. The pilgrims aubergue costs 5 euros if you have the “pilgrim credencial” that you can get for free in the church near to the bus station of Irún. Pasajes is kind of a norwegian town, divided by a ria, like a small fjord. We used to start walking at 7 am every morning, so that we could end our daily walk by lunch time, between 13 and 15 pm, and devote our afternoon and evening to see around the city or swim in the sea. If you get to San Sebastián, climb the Monte Urgull. It’s in the core of the city. Around it there is the old city, the port and the aquarium. To me, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.
Anyway, the best time to do the Northern way is july-august, and even then it’s normal to have some storm every week. The weather there is more similar to central Europe’s than to the rest of Spain’s.
Have a good trip. 🙂
Fenne says
I really love this post, it gives me so much energy and ideas. Also glad to read something different.
Silvia says
Yeah I’m getting such itchy feet just thinking about all these places, haha
Cindy says
Can’t wait to read about your Trip to Rwanda! I love Africa and I don’t believe you’ve done a post on subsaharan Africa so I’m super excited for you! I would add Kenya to the mix. I’m a native so I might be a little biased but the coast of Lamu is unmatched. 🙂
Silvia says
I haven’t been to subsaharan Africa before, so I’m really excited! I would also looove to visit Kenya (hopefully next time!) and now I know whom to ask for advice when I go 🙂
Csaba & Bea says
Haha, we are going to Portugal, too. 😀 But we also love the Greek isands for summer, there are a lot of them that is not very well-known like Zante or Lefkada and they are sooo fabulous! And the best time there is the beginning of September in our opinion – that’s still summer there but kids are back to school by then so it’s much less crowded than July/August.
Silvia says
Yeah I would love to explore more of the Greek islands! I also loooove visiting places in September – it’s pretty much still summer, but without the crowds. Definitely a perk of not having kids, haha.
Mimi says
Speaking of Portugal, have you ever been to the Azores? SAO Miguel island in particular, think you’d love it there 🙂
Silvia says
I considered going this year, but Mallorca won out instead! Would love to visit someday.
Lauren Pawell says
Wow, looking at the picture of Isle of Harris, I had no idea it was in Scotland! This list is amazing. So much inspiration for my next travels (and bucket list vacations). Thank you!
Silvia says
The Isle of Harris is so amazing, you need to go!!
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CDR Australia says
Nice one, Thanks for sharing.
Bea Adventurous says
This is such a fantastic list!
Thank you for sharing your recommendations, I’m always on the lookout for more off the beaten path locations!
Kyrgyzstan looks absolutely amazing. As do the rest of the locations!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Candy says
There are so many great and unique suggestions! You should definitely consider exploring more of Georgia. It’s a breathtaking place. Kyrgyzstan is also really cool, and I actually managed to inspire one of my co-workers to go there this summer with her family. I’m so happy for her, haha!