written by Joanne Owen
updated 23.01.2023
Not sure where to go this summer? Read our run-down of the best places to visit in June to help you make up your mind. You'll be hard pushed to choose from festival-packed city breaks, unforgettable midsummer celebrations, and bucket list safaris. And that's just the half of it. Chances are, there'll also be a Rough Guide to help you make the most of your trip.
While most of Asia is in the throes of monsoon season in June, the east coast of Malaysia remains dry and sunny. Expect calm sea conditions and average highs of around 30°C.
As such, if you're looking for the best tropical places to visit in June, Malaysia's Perhentian Islands might just float your boat.
Close to Thailand, off Malaysia's northeast coast, they're made up of Besar (large) and Kecil (small). Besar is the more developed of the two, while Kecil is more geared towards backpackers.
Both islands deliver white-sand beaches and turquoise water offering top snorkelling and diving opportunities. Visibility extends up to 20m.
What's more, a bounty of beach huts and wonderfully easy-going atmosphere tops it all off.
Find more places to stay in the Perhentian Islands. Malaysia.
Kecil Island, Malaysia © Ruzaini Haron/Shutterstock
While Budapest, capital of Hungary, features as one of our best places to visit in Eastern Europe in winter, there's a banquet of reasons to visit this Baroque beauty in June.
This is especially true if you’re into food, with the Gourmet Festival taking place in Millenáris Park 2nd—4th June 2023.
Then, from 9th-11th June, Budapest’s City Park will host the Rosalia wine festival. Free events and concerts run alongside opportunities to buy fine Hungarian wine and nosh in beautiful surroundings.
Feasting aside, don’t miss Budapest’s top attractions. For example, take the Siklo (funicular railway) up to the Vár, or go to the Castle District to gawp at glorious Baroque architecture.
Meanwhile, over the Danube in Pest, meander the Jewish quarter to marvel at the magnificent Great Synagogue, the second largest in the world.
Travelling with kids and want some out-of-town freedom? Take to the Buda Hills to access the 3km Cogwheel Railway, and the Children’s Railway.
Built by Communist youth brigades after World War II, today this 11km-long narrow gauge remains run by teenagers (apart from the driver). It's a unique way to soak up stunning scenery, with places to stop-off for rewarding hikes and walks.
Browse more places to stay in Budapest, Hungary.
Into food festivals? Budapest, Hungary, is one of the best places to visit in June © Resul Muslu/Shutterstock
With a bounty of beautiful markets and majestic mosques, Fes is fabulous destination for foodies, history buffs and culture vultures alike.
As for why to visit in June, while July sees temperatures soar to the late 30s, June averages 30C. So, while it’s hot, hot, hot, it’s comfortable enough to explore the most complete medieval city of the Arab world.
Walled Fes El-Bali — the oldest area of Fes — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a maze of mosques, medersas and fondouks, plus a mile-long labyrinth of souks, it warrants several days exploration.
And in exciting news for music lovers, the 2023 Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (Festival de Musiques Sacrées du Monde) kicks off ten days of performances on 12th June.
If that wasn't enough, Fes is the culinary capital of Morocco. A stunning place to enjoy some of the country's best eating and drinking experiences.
Find more places to stay in Fes, Morocco.
Fes, Morocco — visit in June if you're into music and markets © Shutterstock
From its ancient caves and galleries of erotic art, to the steamy heights of Mount Vesuvius, Naples is a red-hot destination. A diverse southern Italian gem that smoulders with history and modern rough-round-the-edges verve.
Naples also offers easy access to glamorous islands like Capri and its elegant, easy-going alternative, Ischia. Alternatively, hop on a train and scoot down the stunning coast to Sorrento.
You also won't want to miss taking a trip to Mount Vesuvius, and visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Come June, though, your time is likely to be split between visiting Naples' unique historic sites, and filling your face with the world's finest pizza.
Seeing as the city lays claim to being the birthplace of pizza, it'll come as no surprise that participants in Naples' annual Pizza Fest take their work very seriously. As a result, you can expect to enjoy seriously good grub.
Discover more places to stay in Naples, Italy.
Love pizza? You'll adore Naples © Shutterstock
While it’s fair to say that the Swedes know how to party at any time of the year, it’s a fact that no one does midsummer quite like them.
Celebrated annually across the weekend closest to 24th June, Sweden’s midsummer celebrations herald a huge exodus from towns and cities. At this time, pretty much everyone heads to the countryside and coasts to gather with family and friends.
Centred around Lake Siljan, in a region of meadows and sweeping hills, Dalarna in Central Sweden hosts some of Sweden’s most famous midsummer celebrations
Expect to feast on the likes of herring, potatoes and akvavit — a grain or potato-based liqueur seasoned with herbs. And after? The merriment extends late into the long, light night, with maypole dancing and drinking enjoyed to the tune of accordions and fiddles.
Darlarna itself is known for a handicraft heritage that dates back to the Middle Ages, and cute red cottages trimmed with white frames. The very picture of rural idyll.
Discover more places to stay in Dalarna, Sweden.
Celebrating midsummer in Sweden © Shutterstock
If you’re looking to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime wildlife-watching experiences this summer, consider heading to Rwanda and Uganda between June and September. These are the best months for sighting endangered mountain gorillas.
Most likely you’ll use Rwanda’s capital Kigali as base from which to explore the country's numerous national parks.
With a verdant crater lake at its heart, and named after the chain of dormant volcanoes that make up the Virunga Massif, Volcanoes National Park counts mountain gorillas among its residents. It's also home to over 200 species of birds, and rare golden monkeys.
Meanwhile, the low-lying plains of Akagera National Park — a mix of savannah, woodland, wetland and lakes — offer opportunities to see the Big Five. It also boasts almost 500 species of bird, plus hippos, antelopes, zebras, giraffes and baboons.
You’ll also want to head to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park over the border in Uganda to see these magnificent beasts in their natural habitats.
After journeying through tropical jungles and valleys, the reserve's rare primate residents can be seen up close in the lush cloud forest. In a word: magic.
See more places to stay in Kigali, Rwanda.
Visit Rwanda for world-class wildlife experiences © LMspencer/Shutterstock
Love wildlife and looking to travel in the UK this summer? Tucked in the most south-westerly corner of Wales, Pembrokeshire is one of the very best places to visit in June.
At this time of the year, the internationally renowned Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is especially rewarding to walk. Covering some 186 miles, this is the UK’s only coastal National Park.
June is also a great time to visit Pembrokeshire to see spectacular wildlife. For example, Skomer Island is blessed with an abundance of iconic Atlantic puffins — an estimated 6000 breeding pairs, no less. You can see them up close from April until August.
Skomer and Skokholm Island are also home to the world’s biggest colony of Manx shearwaters, with an estimated 350,000 of them.
You'll want to watch out for grey seals, too, with Ramsey Island being one of the best places to see grey seals in Britain. Take a boat trip to watch them basking on the rocks as you circle Ramsey’s rugged caves and gorges. Ramsey is also ideal for spotting seabirds, peregrines and dolphins.
Meanwhile, granite Grassholm hosts the UK’s third-largest Atlantic gannet colony. Being a protected RSPB reserve, you can’t land, but boat trips offers excellent opportunities to see them. Females lay a solitary egg in April, and chicks hatch in late-May/early June.
Browse more places to stay in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Puffin in Pembrokeshire i© Shutterstock
Sprawling across the northwest of Wyoming, Yellowstone is the largest and oldest National Park in the USA. It was established back in 1872.
June is one of the best months to spot wildlife here. At this time of year, gangly, long-limbed bighorn lambs and elk calf are taking their early steps. Grizzly bears are on the prowl, and wildflowers are sprinkled across the lower mountain slopes.
What really sets Yellowstone apart, however, is that it's one of the world’s largest volcanoes. That said, because the caldera is so huge — a whopping 34 by 45 miles — the park doesn't look like a volcano.
The park also contains over half of the world’s geysers. Thousands of fumaroles jet plumes of steam. Mud pots gurgle, and hot springs bubble.
Find more accommodation near Yellowstone National Park, USA.
Grand Prismatic pool spring in Yellowstone National Park © Lane V. Erickson/Shutterstock
Back in the sixteenth century, Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) was the largest and most important ceremony to take place in the Incan capital of Cusco in Peru.
In June, with the sun at its furthest point from earth in the southern hemisphere, the sun-god Inti needed some seriously reverent devotion.
Since the mid-twentieth century, spectators have been able to watch a re-enactment of this dramatic ceremony on June 24th in Sacsayhuamán. Located a few kilometres from Cusco, Emperor Pachacuti began work on this fortress in the 1440s, although it took nearly a century to finish.
As for the ceremony, a dancing procession is followed by speeches in Quechua — the Incan language. You'll also get to witness the simulated sacrifice of a llama on a hill-top. Don't say we didn't warn you.
While it's not quite same as the original event, it's still a tremendous sight, and presents a great opportunity to party with Peruvians.
All that considered, culture vultures looking for the best places to visit in June would do well to consider Cusco, Peru.
Discover more places to stay in Cusco, Peru.
Rich in heritage, Cusco, Peru © Shutterstock
Want more inspiration? Read up on our best travel destinations for 2023, and discover some of the best European summer destinations.
Not sure which summer month to go for? Read up on the best places to visit in May and July.
Wherever you decide to go, there's sure to be a Rough Guide to enhance every step of your journey from the moment you start planning.
Prefer to forego the hassle of planning? No problem — our expert-curated, 100% customisable tailor-made trips are on hand to help.
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Header image: mountain gorilla, Rwanda © nomads team/Shutterstock
written by Joanne Owen
updated 23.01.2023
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