Scorchio scorchio! (Pictures: Getty)
Planning your summer holiday? Wondering where is hot in June?
Well, no-one can blame you. UK weather is always up and down – lovely one minute, then rainy, windy or freezing cold the next. And after the past couple of years, we all deserve a getaway.
There are some patently obvious places to go in June for blazing heat: Egypt, Morocco, and the trusty Canary Islands (such as Tenerife) are always a sunny shoe-in.
As are the likes of Benidorm, Costa Brava and other coastal parts of Spain – if you fancy a ‘fly and flop’ type holiday where it’s just you, the sun and your book on the beach.
For a few more specific (and a couple of unexpected) ideas, check out these suggestions for hot, sunny June destinations.
Where is hot in June?
Madrid, Spain
The Spanish capital makes for a typically-sunny June city break (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C to 30°C
Sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time: Two hours, 30 minutes
For a sun-kissed city break, the capital of Spain, Madrid, is a wonderful option.
With temperatures averaging around 23°C but with the potential to soar towards the 30s, it’ll be just the right amount of heat for exploring this attractive city on foot.
Chill out at El Retiro Park, wander the gardens of the Royal Palace of Madrid (where the Spanish Royal Family hold their official ceremonies), eat out at Saint Michael Market or browse one of many, many art museums.
While you won’t be stuck for things to do, it’s worth noting that there are no beaches in Madrid.
So if you can’t resist a day splashing in the sea or laying on the sand, you’ll need to hop a one-hour, 40-minute train to coastal city Valencia.
The Cyclades, Greece
Santorini and all of the Cyclades usually have high temperatures in June (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 25°C to 28°C
Sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time: Four hours, five minutes (to Santorini)
Island-hopping in the Cyclades couldn’t be any hotter or more picturesque.
June is a lovely time to go and explore some of these gorgeous Greek places clustered in the Aegean Sea – but don’t expect to hit them all. There are 33 islands and islets to get around, says Visit Greece.
Most famous are Santorini, famous for its striking blue-roofed white buildings overlooking the water, and glamorous Mykonos – plus Milos, Naxos and Paros.
Amorgos is a site for religious tourism thanks to the Monastery of the Virgin Mary. Delos, meanwhile, is an archaeological point of interest designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Ios is where to go for drinks and dancing, while Syros, Irakleia and Tinos re all worthwhile stops with perfect beaches.
Though small, Kimolos is a must-visit, as it’s not only gorgeous but very relaxed and peaceful.
Jordan
June is a hot month in Jordan – home to ancient wonder Petra (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C to 30°C
Sunshine hours: 13 hours
Flight time: Four hours, 50 minutes
Middle Eastern country Jordan is unsurprisingly hot during the summer months.
It’s a bucket list destination for many travellers, and travelling just after spring can be a sweet spot temperature wise – as it can, on occasion, rocket up to 40°C in July or August.
There’s plenty to do, including enjoying sun on a lounger by the pool of a luxury resort located either by the Red Sea in Aqaba, or near the saltwater lake known as the Dead Sea.
But you’d be mad to visit Jordan and not experience Petra, the UNESCO-listed Nabatean city that dates back to 300 BC. Comprised of towering temples and red cliffs, the archaeological site is often considered one of world’s greatest wonders.
Then there’s the Wadi Rum desert, where experienced guides can take you on an unforgettable adventure. Not to mention the capital, Amman.
Puglia, Italy
There’s a lot to see and do in the Puglia region of Italy (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C to 26°C
Sunshine hours: Nine to 10 hours
Flight time: Two hours, 45 minutes (to Bari)
Southern Italy in June? No explanation needed, really.
But, for the sake of it, Puglia (or Apulia) is nestled in the heel part of Italy’s famed boot shape, and perhaps doesn’t always get as much love as it deserves.
After all, just about everywhere in Italy appeals: history, incredible food, beautiful towns and beaches galore. And there are some very famous names: Rome. Sicily. Tuscany. The Amalfi Coast.
Puglia’s main port city is Bari, with Lecce and Brindisi also worth a visit. They, along with other towns, are oft-reported to be home to some of Italy’s loveliest beaches.
And TUI notes that June is a wonderful time to go for a dip in the sea, as the region’s waters are typically around 23°C at this point in the year. Ahh, what bliss.
From a gastronomical point of view, you’ll be pleased as punch in Puglia too. Bread, focaccia, fish, olive oil and orecchiette pasta (known as ‘little ears’) are all specialties here.
Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
The ABC Islands, or Netherlands Antilles, are an option for a June trip (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 30°C to 32°C (Aruba)
Sunshine hours:
Flight time: 15 hours, 55 minutes (Aruba) or 12 hours, 25 minutes (Curaçao)
Let’s be clear: the ABC islands are not at their hottest in June.
Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao typically excel weather-wise from December to mid April, which is peak season, but are warm all year round. June falls comfortably in shoulder season.
They’re in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela – but are technically part of The Netherlands. You might even hear them called the ‘Netherlands Antilles’ sometimes.
But each island has its own unique point of interest, as well as plenty of resort-type hotels for sun-seeking visitors.
Aruba is a dream come true for someone hoping to set eyes on a crisp white-sand beach, while Bonaire is a world-class scuba diving hotspot – and Curaçao has the UNESCO-listed capital of Willemstad, famous for its brightly-coloured Handelskade.
Andalusia, Spain
We know Spain is hot… so why not explore Andalusia? (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 24°C to 32°C
Sunshine hours: 11 hours
Flight time: Two hours, 45 minutes (Malaga or Seville)
Andalusia is Spain’s southernmost region – nearing Murcia on one side, bordering Portugal on another, and with tiny Gibraltar (at just 5km long) connected to it.
For classic beach breaks and poolside holidays, you’ve got your pick of Malaga, Marbella and the whole Costa del Sol.
Note the former was the artist Pablo Picasso’s childhood hometown – with a museum devoted to his work just a short walk away from Malaga’s Roman Cathedral.
If you’ve the time to go beyond, you can always make a trip to Seville, known for its incredible Moorish architecture, stunning mosaics, and for appearing as Dorne in Game of Thrones.
Cordoba is a history-packed city to uncover with a globally-renowned Mosque-Cathedral. Smaller cities Granada and Almeria are also inland, just waiting to be explored.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portuguese capital Lisbon has everything you need for a sunny city break (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 20°C to 25°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Two hours, 45 minutes
The Portuguese capital of Lisbon is the kind of city break destination worthy of a chef’s kiss.
It’s got just about everything you could want. The weather is grand (some of the best in Europe), there’s a pastel-hued old town and castles, towers and monasteries to explore – and the whole country is known for its truly incredible wine.
If that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps the vintage-style trams designed to carry you through the city’s hilly streets just might.
To get a view like the one pictured here, you’ll also want to make your way to one of several miradouros (viewpoints) – and when you’re exhausted from your trip around the city, you can take a break to try Portugal’s famed pastel de nata (custard tart).
If you’ve got the time, day trips to Sintra’s stunning, bright-yellow castle, and to the town of Evora, are also worth considering.
Mozambique
Mozambique, East Africa, Africa
Temperature: 26°C to 28°C
Sunshine hours:
Flight time: 11 hours, 55 minutes
East African country Mozambique excels in the weather department throughout June, with clear skies and late 20s temperatures.
Tour planners Audley Travel note you can experience Mozambique’s best bits at this time of year – from snorkelling opportunities to whale-spotting as the humpback whale migration commences.
It’s also ideal for day trips and guided tours, such as a national park or wildlife reserve visit, as well as the UNESCO-listed Island of Mozambique.
As it’s such a long-haul flight, this is not a fly-and-flop type trip. Unless you really want it to be. That said, Mozambique is not lacking spectacular beaches or idyllic islands.
You’ll simply have to find time to schedule it all.
The islands of Croatia
There are hundreds of breathtaking Croatian islands (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C to 27°C
Sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time: Two hours, 20 minutes
Croatia is usually a safe bet weather-wise in June, with temperatures regularly in the mid-20s and rarely dropping below, as the hottest month of the year (July) approaches.
You could literally visit anywhere and have an amazing experience – from capital Zagreb and Game Of Thrones location Dubrovnik to the natural wonders of Plitvice National Park.
But you should always find time for island-hopping, leaving off from city break gems such as Split, Rijeka, Pula and Zadar.
Resort island Hvar is probably the Balkan nation’s best-loved among tourists, as it is perfectly positioned in the Adriatic Sea just a way off the dreamy Dalmatian Coast – while Brač is known as a windsurfing paradise with crisp white-sand beaches.
But with more than 1,200 islands and islets scattered around, your hopping holiday hardly stops there. Krk, Vis and Korčula are three more islands to spend time exploring.
Pag, meanwhile, is home of the Croatian sheep-milk cheese of the same name, as well as festival hotspot Zrće Beach. Lastovo, Ugljan, Pašman and small, car-free Silba (which, by many accounts, is a total sun magnet) are lesser-known but equally exciting.
Tunisia
Tunisia, in northern Africa, is well known for its beaches (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 24°C to 29°C
Sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time: Three hours, 30 minutes
For a different type of beach break in the June sun, you could consider somewhere in Tunisia – such as its sprawling capital.
The region offers a mix of culture as well as gorgeous beaches, and sunseekers can top up their tan at Hammamet, around an hour away from the capital – with its white sands and warm waters, as well as activities including snorkelling.
There’s no shortage of sights in the capital either – take a trip to the famous Bardo Museum, where you can learn about Tunisian heritage and history – or visit Medina, which features no less than 700 monuments.
South Korea
June can be a surprisingly decent month to see Seoul, South Korea’s capital, and beyond (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 27 °C
Sunshine hours: 14.7
Flight time: 12 hours 35 minutes
June can be a very good month to see South Korea, and particularly its capital, Seoul – a huge metropolis which blends Buddhist temples and palaces with skyscrapers and pop culture.
The must-see sights include Changdeokgung Palace, which was the main royal residence for over 200 years – and from which you can also see the nearby Bukchon Hanak village as well as the Jogyesa Temple.
Or take a trip to the top of the N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain – for breathtaking views of the city.
Nairobi, Kenya
Want to go somewhere warm, but want to see more of the world? Visit Kenya in June and July for city, beach and safari (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23 °C
Sunshine hours: 12
Flight time: 8 hours 35 minutes
The Kenyan capital offers pleasantly balmy temperatures in June, as well as plenty to keep tourists busy – whether you prefer cultural sights or topping up your tan.
In the city itself you can check out the Nairobi National Museum, with artefacts which date back as far as the prehistoric era – or take a short trip out of the centre to the gorgeous Nairobi National Park.
If it’s sunbathing you’re after, then head out of town to the coast – including Diani Beach on the south coast, with its miles of white sand, and Nyali Beach in Mombasa.
Keep in mind before you book
It’s wise to check entry requirements before booking your dream June trip (Picture: Getty)
While travel in many parts of the world has opened up, it’s important to check the latest FCO travel advice before you book anything.
Travel rules can change quickly, as we all know too well, and countries all have their own travel restrictions and entry requirements – which can vary depending on your vaccination status.
Finally, the temperatures listed here are the average daily temperatures along with the average high.
Of course, no-one can be 100% sure of what they’ll get when they’re away. Make sure you’ve checked the latest forecast before you leave, so you’ve got the right essentials with you.
MORE : Where is hot in April? 12 top destinations for a sunny spring getaway
MORE : Where is hot in May? 11 top destinations for a late spring holiday
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