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Where to travel in June

Find holiday inspiration with our guide to the best places to go in June. Experience the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, see another side to Europe in sun-kissed Slovenia, or lace up your hiking boots for an adventure in Rwanda.

Greece

Let’s be honest – it’s never a bad time to head to Greece. Tourist hotspots such as Santorini or Mykonos tend to see big crowds; but with lesser-visited regions on the mainland, and over 220 inhabited islands to choose from, there’s always somewhere to find your own slice of paradise.

Iconic hubs like Athens shouldn’t be missed, but they do start to get busy in June as peak season begins – so travelling to the northern coast of Greece could be the way to go. Foodies should start in the historic port town of Thessaloniki – a culinary capital. There’s a real diversity of cuisines here, but its street food is particularly memorable; delicious souvlaki, gyros and bougatsa are yours for the taking. Carrying along this route you can stop at the historic towns of Drama and Kavala, sprawl out on the stunning white-sand beaches of Sithonia, and take stock of the charming traditional villages on the Halkidiki peninsula.

Wherever you decide to go, every part of Greece is permeated with a culture that’s all about relaxation, food, dancing and a lust for life – so you’re sure to have a hell of a trip.

Turkey

June is a wonderful time to visit Turkey – right before temperatures become scorching in July and August, it’s the perfect conditions for sunning yourself comfortably on the glittering Aegean coast. The southwestern coastline is irresistible to those looking for a sun-warmed getaway, offering a slowed-down lifestyle and expansive ocean horizons that will take your breath away.

This region is rich with cultural heritage, rugged yet scenic landscapes, and many ancient sites to get immersed in – making the perfect blend of indulgence and adventure. On a trip to discover Turkey’s Aegean coast, you can take a boat tour to hop between its 12 islands, stopping to snorkel in its stretches of glittering blue sea. Those with a taste for adrenaline can take a paragliding flight from towering Babadag mountain, enjoying life-affirming view of the island-scattered ocean from the air.

On the same trip you can travel inland, where the landscapes transform from rugged cliffs and beaches to rolling, fertile plains. Here, you can hike through the Saklikent Gorge and Yaka Park, venturing through forests and deep ravines; stop to soak in soothing mud baths, then cool your limbs in rejuvenating freshwater pools.

Ecuador and the Galapagos

June is considered a shoulder season in the Galapagos, so compared to the peak months of July and August, it’s a quieter time to seek out the incredible flora and fauna of the islands. At the same time, wildlife experiences could be considered at their best – with dolphins and whales frolicking in the temperate oceans, and many animal species entering breeding season.

Blue-footed boobies perform their famous mating dance in June, while frigate birds puff up their red throats in displays of courtship – so birdwatching fans will be more than pleased. What’s more, you can catch sight of giant tortoises (present on larger islands like Santa Cruz) as they begin migrating to the lowlands to nest and lay eggs.

Many travel to Ecuador just for the Galapagos, but if you have the time, it’s worth amalgamating them to make the most of the Ecuadorian Andes in June. Get lost in nature at Cotopaxi National Park, browse vibrant fabrics in the indigenous market town of Otavalo, or take a glorious train journey through the Avenue of the Volcanoes, winding through dramatic mountain landscapes and remote Andean villages.

Rwanda

June marks the dry season in Rwanda, so the Country of a Thousand Hills is more hikeable and pleasant to get around in. Rwanda is also making waves as one of Africa’s leaders in green tourism and creating eco-minded experiences for visitors.

The lush green countryside of Rwanda is some of Africa’s most verdant, and there are ripe opportunities for fresh, exhilarating hikes in Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes National Park – most famously, to seek out families of mountain gorillas. Group treks to witness these glorious animals have been strictly limited with conservation in mind, so that tourists don’t have a negative impact but actually protect the gorillas and serve the local economy.

June’s weather allows clearer views of the gorillas, and they tend to be more active at this time – but be aware that permit applications peak in June because of it. If you organise a trip to Rwanda through one of our local experts, they can go about sorting a permit well in advance for you.

United Kingdom

If you’ve always wanted to experience the magic of the Scottish Highlands, you’ll get long daylight hours in June; on a clear day, the sun might not set until past 10pm. Though the weather is unpredictable (as is always the case in ‘Blighty’), breathtaking spots such as the Cairngorms National Park – with towering mountains, deep lochs and rolling glens – are at their best during June’s early summer climate. Whether you’re on a road trip or on a more intensive hiking and camping trip, the landscape will have you awe-inspired.

If you’d rather venture to the UK’s southwest, England’s glorious Devonshire countryside is for you. The temperatures are usually warmer than Scotland and can hit highs of around 20 degrees Celsius in June, perfect for walks on Dartmoor’s rugged, myth-filled moors, or for discovering some of the country’s most picturesque coastline. Try Woolacombe Beach in the north of Devon for surfing, swimming, and a slow pace of life.

Red deer stag in the Cairngorms, Scotland

Tibet

The start of summer in June means clear skies in Tibet; the perfect time to embark onto those world-renowned Himalayan treks. Temperatures are also mild, ranging between 10 and 22 degrees Celsius, so exerting yourself during those sublime hikes is made very comfortable.

The Buddhist festival Saga Dawa also falls in June, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. It’s a spiritually significant time in Tibet, and many Tibetans as well as visitors undertake pilgrimages, visit monasteries and perform sacred rituals in public. Mount Kailash is a particularly significant pilgrimage route, while Jokhang Temple in the dynamic city of Lhasa becomes a bustling centre of prayer and devotion.

To make the most of a June trip to Tibet, you can start in Lhasa, the holy capital – packed with monasteries, temples, and scenes of local life. Go onto holy Namtso Lake, one of the most revered Buddhist lakes (namsto literally translates to ‘heavenly lake’). Finally, make your way to Gyantse and Shigatse to visit the famed Gyantse Castle, Yamdrok Lake, and the Karola Glacier.

Slovenia

Overlooked by international visitors for decades, Slovenia has slowly built a reputation as an affordable European escape – full of lush green vistas, fairytale castles, and fun outdoor activities. June is an excellent time to visit, with glorious warm weather reaching 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and clear, blue skies beautifully offsetting such picturesque scenery.

As well as the iconic Lake Bled (which definitely warrants the attention it gets), don’t miss Triglav National Park – its grassy plains are dotted with blooming wildflowers. If you’re feeling up to it, the weather is perfect for hiking to Slovenia’s highest mountain, Triglav Peak – at 2,864m, it’s visible from almost everywhere in the country. If you’d rather stay lower to the ground, the Vintgar Gorge sits at the gateway to the mountain’s national park and is well worth a visit.

For a more city-based dose of local culture, the Ljubljana Festival begins in June and carries on all summer long. This is a great time to visit Slovenia’s charming capital; there, you could catch classical music concerts, operas and ballet performances, as well as live folk music – all while making the most of the city’s cafes, museums and beautiful parks.

Switzerland

Though many winter sport fans visit the Alps in the colder season, June is when temperatures rise and much of the snow in lower altitudes starts to melt. This means you can release your inner Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, as the sun reveals the picture-perfect, rolling hills Switzerland is so known for – blooming with seasonal flowers and backed by dramatic snow-capped peaks. Trails such as the Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee Hike or the Schynige Platte Panorama Trail offer breathtaking vistas of alpine meadows and glistening lakes, with the towering Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains as your backdrop.

In lowerland, you’ll find lakes and waterfalls thundering with life as the snows dissipate, so it’s a great time to partake in wild swimming. Try the serene Lake Cauma near Flims or the crystal-clear waters of Lake Brienz for a refreshing dip, or visit the mighty Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall, roaring at full force from the snowmelt.

What’s more, June is quite a festive time of year – particularly during the summer solstice when the Fête de la Musique is celebrated across the country. During this time you’ll come across open-air concerts and free live performances in streets, parks and town squares, spanning jazz to rock, electronic to classical. This is particularly focused in Geneva, Zurich and Lausanne, so be sure to stop in one of these cities to take part in the fun.

Lake Cauma surrounded by forest in Switzerland

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