Our travel picks: The best places to visit in August

Right, don’t panic… but… it’s officially summer. “But… but… it was Easter like, literally last week!”, we hear you cry. We know, we know, 2017 is flying by. And somehow you’ve managed to make it to June without getting your summer holiday booked. But before you launch into a full-scale panic, have a read at this.

We’ve worked our way through hundreds of flight search data from across the UK, looking at average flight costs, popularity, and even weather forecasts in August – all in an effort to show the best holiday options for those of you who’ve left the summer holiday planning a bit late this year.

So get comfortable, read this, and then head onto Cheapflights.co.uk for the best flight, hotel and car hire deals. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to bag that amazing summer holiday…

For budget travellers…

Short-haul pick: Ibiza, Spain

Definitely one for the sun-worshippers, you’ll find temperatures soaring over 30 degrees in the month of August. And as long as you’re not planning five nights of excess in San Antonio, Ibiza could be your answer to a bargain summer break. Our data shows that flights in August are 11% cheaper than the yearly average – potentially leading to savings of over £90 per person. You’ll still be able to enjoy the Ibiza atmosphere (if you’re looking for it), but if you’re thinking more laidback resorts than Laidback Luke (sorry… dance music joke, we’ll see ourselves out) then head to the more peaceful areas along the north and eastern coasts such as Portinatx and Cala Pada.

Long-haul pick: New York, USA

Ok, we’re not going to lie, if you want to travel long-haul in August, you’ll be hard pushed to find a real bargain that isn’t served up with a side of Monsoon season. But if you’re looking for the best value over the summer months, then picking August over July for a trip to New York is where there are savings to be had. Our data shows that you can save over £100 in the month of August compared to pricey July. And there are hundreds of events going on including Restaurant Week, plus a variety of outdoor film, street-food and cultural events.

For trendsetters…

Short-haul pick: Burgas, Bulgaria

Bulgaria has now well and truly been ‘discovered’ as a cheaper alternative to the Spanish Costas and the Greek Islands. Our data certainly reflects this, with flight searches spiking at 186% higher than average for Burga in August. It’s no wonder really, you’ve got the lively resorts like Sunny Beach, pretty towns such as Nessebar oozing Balkan charm, a coastline of Blue Flag beaches and oodles of history crammed within a short driving distance – not to mention the city of Burgas itself that is definitely worth a day trip.

Long-haul pick: Bali, Indonesia

With searches for August up by 81% compared to the rest of the year, Bali is where those in the know are searching for this month. And it’s not difficult to see why. Indonesia made it into our top 20 most affordable long-haul destinations in our Compass Report and August also just so happens to be one of the driest months of the year for visiting this tropical island. Prepare yourself for temperature averages of 27 degrees, white sands and if you want it, nightlife at its most fun.

For advanced planners…

For advanced planners: Croatia

So, what if you’re looking to get away later in the year? In our recent article, When to buy, when to fly, our data crunching revealed big savings are to be had if you book a trip to Croatia in August, with a view to visiting in October. So get that marked in your calendar and enjoy Croatia without the hoards of Game of Thrones obsessed tourists. Whether it’s a city break in charming Zagreb, or a few days of bathing on the Adriatic Coast, October still has the sunshine, without August’s crowds.

Just so you know, this data is based on averages from departure points across the UK and is intended as a guideline only. Check the latest up-to-date prices and search for flights at Cheapflights.co.uk.