15 incredible destinations to visit in June

Why go in June? For a sun-drenched landscape in full purple glory

What is the scent of Provence? Thyme underfoot, perhaps the aniseed aroma of pastis — and of course lavender. Flowering starts in June and though there’s some annual variation, the last week of the month should be a good time to drive among the lavender fields. Better to arrive a little early than just after the harvest, which usually begins in late July — and visitor numbers to the south of France only increase as the summer progresses. The main growing areas are around the Luberon and Sault to the west, and the Plateau de Valensole in the east. The former has more in the way of picture-book Provençal villages, but the latter is best for rolling purple panoramas. It’s also near the Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s closest thing to the Grand Canyon.

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Stay near to the region’s heart at Le Moulin in Luberon. This stylishly updated 18th-century mill sits in the centre of the town, offering pastoral elegance with quaint lawn games and nearby shops, restaurants and sights

To make the best of the lavender-scented breeze, hop on a bicycle. Exodus has a five-day hilltop village cycling tour of Provence, taking in the best of the summer countryside

• Best villas in the South of France
• Best things to do in France
• Read our full guide to France

2. Split, Croatia

Diocletian’s Palace In Split

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Why go in June? For old towns and island escapes

Sunny days send Croatia’s colour palette into overdrive, on a coast of endless white limestone islands, thick pine forests and orange-tiled historic towns, all overlooking the azure Adriatic. You could wait for July for even more heat, but you’ll run into peak crowds. Regular ferries reach islands such as glammed-up Hvar and Mljet with its national park, while sailing trips are the way to see the largely uninhabited Kornati archipelago. The city of Split, built around the remains of the Roman emperor Diocletian’s retirement palace, is more central to the region than Dubrovnik, and has its own summer tradition with the beach ball game of picigin.

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Murum Heritage Hotel is connected to Diocletian’s Palace, making it a grand and historic place to stay in the city. Exposed stonework walls, gauzy canopies and soft muted tones make the hotel a delightful hub for exploration

On the Go’s Sailing Split is an eight-day deep dive into the Croatian coast. From Split, sail the islands of Korcula, Mljet, Hvar, Brac and more. There’s also a visit to Dubrovnik

• Best places to visit in Croatia
• Best Croatia tours
• Read our full guide to Croatia

3. Tennessee, US

The guitarist for The Very Best performs at the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee

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Why go in June? For music festivals in a home of modern legends

Though the weather is starting to get humid in the southern United States, country music lovers make a beeline for Nashville, Tennessee in June for the four-day CMA Fest. Meanwhile, an hour south in Manchester, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival takes in a wide range of genres. Both ends of this state have sites of musical pilgrimage, from Graceland in the west to Dollywood in the east. There’s more to Tennessee than its tunes though, whether it’s the history of the civil rights struggle in Memphis or the forested skylines of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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In Tennessee’s west, ARRIVE Memphis is a beautiful four-star hotel kitted out with class and splashes of vibrant colour across its public rooms and large, lush suites. It’s right in the city centre and the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum is just half a mile away

Rock out on Globus’ Music Cities tour, taking in the sultry noise of Nashville and the legendary music of Memphis over seven days

• Best road trips in the US

4. Amalfi coast, Italy

The beach at Marina Grande in Sorrento is a good base for exploring the Amalfi coast

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Why go in June? For cinematic beauty along a steep and fragrant coast

The Amalfi lemon, now at the midpoint of its harvest season, concentrates all the sunshine that hits the terraces of the dazzling Amalfi coast. June temperatures are already well into the 20s, so best not to leave it any longer to hike trails such as the Sentiero degli Dei (path of the gods). With its winding roads and its historic towns tucked between cliffs and lapping sea, the region seizes up all too easily when visitors pile in. June is a better bet than July and August; pick a local hotel in order to appreciate the scenery outside day-tripping hours.

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For a completely different Amalfi take, opt for Agriturismo Mare e Monti. High up on the coast in San Lazzaro, surrounded by vineyards, this sweet, rustic hotel and restaurant is family-run, with mozzarella, meats and red wine all made on the family’s estates

Combine hiking the coast with kayaking, taking in the picturesque cliffside towns from the teal-tinged waters. Intrepid’s comprehensive eight-day tour is perfect for those looking to explore the landscapes under their own steam, with Pompeii, Naples and Capri thrown in

• More great hotels on the Amalfi coast
• Best things to do on the Amalfi coast

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

Celebrating Iceland’s Independence Day on June 17 in Reykjavik

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Why go in June? For a festive spirit when darkness never falls

Daylight takes almost complete hold of the world’s most northerly capital in June, so although Reykjavik’s bars strictly speaking offer no “nightlife” this month, they’re perfect spots to toast the arrival of Iceland’s brief but precious summer. The Reykjavik Arts Festival, held in even-numbered years, brings performers of all kinds to spaces across the city. The often-stark countryside beyond is now at its greenest, and with up to 21 sunny hours per day, there’s time to stagger visits to the major scenic spots even in this popular season.

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Exeter Hotel in the city’s Old Harbour exudes urban cool. Concrete, warehouse chic is tempered with soft furnishings, bright natural light and warm stone tones; there’s also a street food-style restaurant and in-house bakery

Reykjavik features heavily in the excellent eight-day Iceland Family Journey with G Adventures — cover geysers, glaciers, fjords and black sand beaches alongside the small capital city’s highlights

• Best hotels in Iceland
• Best things to do in Reykjavik

6. Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s annual Pride parade

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Why go in June? For the best bar-hopping weather in the Spanish capital

With the earlier dawns that June brings, it’s a little easier to prove the truth of Hemingway’s remark about nobody in Madrid going to bed until they have “killed the night”. Locals are full of pent-up energy ahead of the summer holidays next month. Though the city is warm, the heat isn’t yet an ordeal. Still, the main park areas to the east and west are especially prized now and are conveniently close to big-ticket cultural sites such as the Prado Museum. Madrid Pride usually begins every year on June 28, International Pride Day.

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Room Mate Alba, in the perfectly central Barrio de Las Letras, has carefully curated rooms with graceful decor of woodwork and warm colours

Trailfinders’ Madrid’s Bright Sights tour spends four days showing off the heart of the Spanish capital, with tapas, art, shopping and sights

trailfinders.com

• More great hotels in Madrid
• Best things to do in Madrid
• Read our full guide to Spain

7. Kadavu, Fiji

Why go in June? For downtime under the palm trees and among tropical fish

The South Pacific nation of Fiji enjoys sultry temperatures all year round, but visit in June and you’ll be one month into the drier half of the year. From the last week of June until mid-July, Australian school holidays usually signal a busier time, so come earlier to enjoy those beautiful beaches in more solitude, or head away from the main island of Viti Levu to one of its 300 further-flung neighbours. The Kadavu Group is a small-scale dreamscape of lushly forested islands, fringed by the rich corals of Great Astrolabe Reef, a top diving destination.

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On the largest island, eponymous Kadavu, Papageno Resort and Dive has Edenic jungle bungalows, palm-strewn garden, private beach, bar and restaurant. It also has diving, fishing and cultural village experiences

Make the most of Kadavu’s paradise with Tamarillo Active Travel’s Kadavu Supreme tour: ten days of sea kayaking, snorkelling, hiking, culture, wildlife and blissful, empty beaches

tamarilloactivetravel.com

• More great hotels in Fiji

8. Porto, Portugal

Festa de Sao Joao de Porto

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Why go in June? For carnival-like times toasted with Douro Valley vintages

Portugal’s second city and historic namesake, Porto has one of the most impressive settings among European cities, with houses rising in tiers on the high banks of the Douro River, linked by soaring bridges. June is the month when the city is at its most joyful. After weeks of build-up, the Festa de Sao Joao de Porto has its big night on June 23, with fireworks over the Dom Luis I Bridge, and revellers hitting each other on the head with soft plastic hammers (it used to be leeks). The next day sees a regatta of old port-carrying barges on the river.

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Armazem Luxury Housing is an incredible design hotel located in an old 19th-century iron warehouse, with unique rooms that bring a bit of fun to seriously sophisticated architecture and decor

Cruise the Douro with bookended stays in the buzzing coastal city. Riviera Travel’s Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise (with option to extend in Porto) lazes its way through wine regions, rolling vineyards and the city’s big hitters

• Best things to do in Porto
• More great hotels in Porto
• Read our full guide to Portugal

9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Cameron Highlands in Malaysia

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Why go in June? For a tasty way into a land of diverse landscapes and cultures

June is a wet month in much of southeast Asia, but it can be a great time to tour Malaysia. Although it’s getting rainy in Langkawi and Sabah, at the far northwest and northeast of this spread-out nation, islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia such as Tioman or the Perhentians are now perfect for beach-basking or snorkelling in clear seas. Back on the mainland, the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands are also experiencing a slight lull in that which makes them so green. The high-rise capital Kuala Lumpur is the obvious launchpad for trips around the country — and for sampling the city’s wonderful assortment of dishes.

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For a central city stay, it’s hard to deny the lure of the Chow Kit. There aresumptuous rooms, modern Malay cuisine, cocktails for the glittering evenings and restorative rooftop yoga come morning — all for a brilliant price

Visit the wider country with Bamba Travel’s Malaysia Encompassed Adventure holiday, with nine days to get stuck into Malacca, the Cameron Highlands, Penang and KL

• Best islands in Malaysia

10. Stockholm, Sweden

A traditional midsummer celebration in Stockholm

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Why go in June? For midsummer revelry in and around a city of islands

In Sweden, maypoles belong in June. Dancing around them is a cherished Midsommar tradition, along with wearing floral crowns, eating lots of herring and strawberries (separately), and doing rounds of drinking songs. The celebration always falls on the weekend between June 20 and 26, and is a huge deal nationally, with much of the urban population decamping to idyllic lakeside or island settings. If you can’t cadge an invite to someone’s midsummer party, there’s a three-day equivalent in Skansen: Stockholm’s open-air museum and Sweden-in-miniature. With its lingering evening light, the rest of the month is a fine time to see the capital and the Stockholm Archipelago beyond.

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For a slice of Stockholmer solitude, choose the unbeatable Ett Hem: a red-brick townhouse that’s an ode to stunning design, thoughtful touches and vintage finds. It’s in the exclusive Larkstaden neighbourhood; lounge in the library with a fine glass after a day’s exploration

Iconic Stockholm with Indus is a six-day spectacular around Stockholm city and its archipelago. See the Royal Palace, try local delicacies, wander markets, neighbourhoods, museums and more

• Best hotels in Stockholm
• Best things to do in Stockholm

11. Turquoise Coast, Turkey

Oludeniz on the Turquoise Coast

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Why go in June? For vivid blue shores and ancient cities just ahead of peak season

The sun-blessed shores that the home crowd call the Turkish Riviera are sometimes named the Turquoise Coast in English. June conditions certainly pick out that particular hue, in the shallows off long beaches and in rocky coves visited on sailing cruises in a traditional gulet. This southwestern stretch of Turkey, between and around Antalya and Bodrum, is super-popular over the summer holidays, but the first half of June means a little less competition for space at the blue lagoon of Oludeniz, and a little less glare coming off the white stones of ancient Ephesus. With over 600 miles of coastline, there’s room to share.

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Yazz Collective, toward Fethiye, is a beach club hotel-meets-gallery space, only accessible by boat — making it feel as exclusive as it looks. Think gorgeous landscaping, an outdoor gym, spa, yoga classes, kids’ lounge and DJ sets each sun-dripped weekend

Intrepid sails a glorious section of the Turkish Riviera, from Bodrum to Fethiye, over the course of eight days. Swim in Cleopatra’s Bath, visit ancient rock tombs, mud bathe in Kaunos, dine on divine seafood or simply swim and tan to your heart’s content

• Best hotels with swim-up rooms in Turkey
• Read our full guide to Turkey

12. Dublin, Ireland

Celebrating Bloomsday in Dublin

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Why go in June? For late spring ambles in the footsteps of Leopold Bloom

James Joyce could scarcely have imagined that a hundred years on from his greatest novel, people would be dressing up in Edwardian costume to go on pub crawls and stage readings of Ulysses. The author and his 1922 work are celebrated in Dublin on June 16, Bloomsday, but you don’t need to be a fan to appreciate the Irish capital this month. Explore the local dining scene at the Taste of Dublin festival, or simply stroll through garden squares and along the banks of the Liffey at a warmer time of year. While Ireland has nothing resembling a dry season, Dublin counts as the least rainy part of the country.

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A short, pint-warmed plod away is Number 59 Dublin — a fun and fancy boutique townhouse. Housed in a 120-year-old building, Number 59 is all about personal touches and palettes of grey and terracotta

For a fabulous literary vision of the city, book onto Context’s Dublin Literature Tour. The three-hour, local historian-led tour follows in the footsteps of writers like Joyce, Wilde, Beckett and Yeats while seamlessly weaving in local history

contexttravel.com

• More great hotels in Dublin
• Most beautiful places to visit in Ireland

13. Alaska, US

Bears fishing at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park

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Why go in June? For glaciers and grizzly bears in America’s “Last Frontier”

The main sightseeing season, from June to August, is short but spectacular in the largest state in the union. Coastal cruises to national parks such as Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjords get going this month, promising views of ice walls and island wildernesses, with the chance to spot whales, dolphins, seals and otters offshore. Coming in June rather than July avoids the biggest rush of visitors, though it’s best to aim for the end of the month if you’re set on seeing the first bears fishing for salmon in the rivers of Katmai National Park and other key viewing spots.

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For families and friend groups, there’s no better stay than Bootleggers Landing: luxury rental apartments in Anchorage that are pristine, private and come with chefs, guides, three outdoor decks and spacious rooms

Princess Cruises has a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, operating north and southbound between Vancouver and Anchorage. Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord and Anchorage in one epic voyage

• Best Alaska cruises

14. Corfu, Greece

Paleokastritsa in Corfu

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Why go in June? For the closest of Greek islands getting into summer mood

How much head start can you safely get on a Greek island summer holiday? Some might find the beaches toasty enough in May, but in Corfu — one of the country’s most northerly islands, and with a wetter-than-average climate — June is a safer bet for temperatures regularly in the 20s. The streets of old-town Corfu and beauty spots such as the luminous sandy coves around Paleokastritsa are still one month away from their fullest complement of visitors, and the rain-refreshed look of early summer plays to a Corfiot strength, as it’s one of the greenest of Greek islands. Village festivals begin in earnest now, and if you’re here on the night of June 23, St John’s Eve, you might witness with trepidation the revived custom of lampatines (leaping over midsummer bonfires).

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For a truly rural experience, The Merchant’s House sits on a mountain in Perithia, with sweeping views over the landscape and coast. The 14th-century Venetian village and this 300-year-old heritage house are full of history and Corfiot charm

Immerse yourself in Corfu with Walks Worldwide’s 15-day walking tour, visiting tranquil villages, serried vineyards, prolific olive groves and plenty of pristine beaches

walksworldwide.com

• Best hotels in Corfu
• Best things to do in Corfu

15. Virunga Mountains, Rwanda

A mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park

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Why go in June? For guided encounters with silverbacks in the jungle

Rwanda is one of Africa’s smallest countries and one of its most densely populated, yet it’s crucial to the survival of some of the world’s largest and most famously shy primates. The Virunga Mountains on the northwestern border are home to around 600 mountain gorillas, and Rwanda’s share of these rainforest-covered peaks — Volcanoes National Park — is accessed through limited and pricey gorilla trekking permits that get booked up far ahead. Given that you’ll need to put in a few hours of forest hiking to come into the presence of gorilla families, the two dry seasons make the experience more comfortable; June marks the start of the longer one.

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Virunga Lodge was built by Volcanoes Safaris, a pioneer of Rwandan gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism. The incredible ten-banda lodge sits high on a ridge overlooking the volcanoes, valleys and lakes, while inside offers timeless chic

volcanoessafaris.com

On the Go has offer a four-day Gorilla Express round trip from Kigali, taking you on gorgeous treks through Volcanoes National Park in search of gorillas, golden monkeys, scenic lakes and more

Additional reporting by Jo Davey

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