Where’s hot in August?
In the height of summer, August is one of the best times to experience many European and Mediterranean destinations in all their glory. Enjoy azure waters, golden-sand beaches and an endless number of things to do in the plentiful hours of sunshine on offer. While hitting the beach may be favoured by many, there’s lots of other activities to do and places to explore if you’re thinking of booking a summer getaway and might be wondering where’s hot in August. Discover Portugal’s beautiful southern coastline in the Algarve, or the stunning island of Crete. Both destinations enjoy scorching temperatures of 29°C, so pack plenty of sunscreen!
The Algarve
Located on Portugal’s southern coast, the Algarve boasts rolling green hills, cave formations, idyllic beaches and plenty of sunshine, making it an absolute must for our guide to where’s hot in August. Many of the activities on offer focus on getting outside, with a variety of water sports to discover, as well as golf, sailing and walking and cycling trails to explore.
Looking for a little adventure outside of your countryside Villa Dora? Leave the private pool for a day and spend some time with the kids at Zoomarine Algarve near Guia. Children will love the shows featuring dolphins, pirates and tropical birds. A combined animal and water park, there’s plenty of water slides and pools to splash around in too.
Another notable point of interest is the Ponta da Piedade – a cluster of cliffs of the coast of Lagos that have been naturally formed from sandstone. This is one of the area’s main attractions, and is home to beautifully bold green-blue waters, which can be accessed by a staircase that has been carved into the rock. You can snorkel, swim, kayak or enjoy a boat tour of the area, depending on how you’d like to experience it.
If you’re staying in the Lagos area, enjoy a traditional lunch of Caldo Verde (green soup), or a Bifanas (a Portuguese pork sandwich) at a local taverna, before hopping in the car and driving to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, close to Faro. This is one of the Portugal’s ‘Seven Wonders’ and is home to pink flamingos. Walk, cycle or kayak around the park and get back to nature as you and your loved ones discover rare bird species, aquatic life and other animals you don’t often see in their natural habitat (such as the chameleon). A must for any animal lover!
Crete
It isn’t hard to see why Crete is such a popular Greek island for a perfect summer holiday. If you can be tempted, take some time away from your spacious Villa Elea, complete with perfectly manicured gardens and a spacious swimming pool, and discover a range of outdoor activities for the whole family. From ancient history sites and scuba diving, to hiking trails and water parks, there is something for everyone to enjoy as the mercury pushes 30°C in the heat of the day.
Back in 2700 BC, Crete was at the heart of ancient Minoan civilisation, and there are plenty of traces that link back to its fascinating past. Visit historical sites like the Palace of Knosses, which is the biggest archaeological site in Crete, or take a tour of the Palace of Malia. You can also visit the Palace of Knossos, which is said to be where the Greek Minotaur once lived, just outside Chania.
If you’re a keen hiker, Crete is dotted with some fabulous walking trails that offer spectacular views that you’ll want on your Instagram. Visit Samaria Gorge – an 18km ravine that is the longest in Europe. You can easily drive there by car, and then take a tour that descends towards the shoreline, taking you past sheer rock walls known as the ‘Iron Gates’.
For little ones, there’s the Limnoupolis Waterpark in Chania, which boasts 65 acres of slides, splash pools, a lazy river and plenty of lounge areas for parents. Hersonissos also features three water parks that you can pick from – Star Beach Waterpark, which is just by the shore, Labyrinth Theme Park (complete with mini golf course), and Acqua Plus Waterpark.
Discover your dream August villa holiday – explore our range of August holiday villas, as well as other desirable properties across the Algarve and Crete.