All prices included in this article are either based on average flights prices or were current at the time of publication, and are only to be used as a guide. Always check with the airline or hotel before booking.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Why you should go in August: Edinburgh hosts the world’s largest arts festival every August, and the sun might be shining!
Cost from UAE to Edinburgh: From around AED1,987 per person
What to do there
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is arguably the best – and definitely the biggest – arts festival in the world. Because of its popularity we recommend you get planning sooner rather than later. There are thousands of comedy, music, theater, dance, cabaret, children’s, opera and poetry shows hosted by household names, as well as newcomers hoping to launch successful careers. You can pre-order the 2019 Fringe program here. There’s a great vibe in the Scottish capital city when the festival is on (it runs throughout August) and you’re guaranteed a good time. Tickets are released in stages throughout the year so keep an eye on the website so you don’t miss out. If you wanted to explore the rest of the UK while you’re there, you can fly from Edinburgh to London in around 90 minutes.
Read more: Best things to do in Scotland’s capital city
Where to stay
If you don’t know anyone who can lend you a couch or floor for the night, you’ll need to book your hotels early but it’s worth it, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to visit in August! The city has great public transport links so you don’t need to be too concerned about location, unless you want to be in the heart of the action. The Baxter Hostel is a good option if you do want to be in the center. It’s a smart, modern and funky hostel with exposed brickwork and wrought iron bed frames. The downside is you’ll have to book a dormitory bed to make the biggest saving. There are six to choose from, including large mixed rooms and four-bed rooms with private bathrooms. There’s a clean shared kitchen area so you can save money on eating out and buy more Fringe tickets! Shared rooms cost from around AED172 in August. Another city center option is the easyHotel Edinburgh which costs around AED555 per night in August for a double room. Each room has a private bathroom, under bed luggage storage, air conditioning, heating and towels. WiFi, housekeeping and access to the in-room television during your stay costs extra. If you’re happy with a no-frills hotel stay, it’s a great option.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Why you should go in August: Great weather and the best time to visit one of the world’s best national parks
Cost from UAE to Johannesburg: From around AED1,373 per person
What to do there
Don’t overlook Johannesburg in favor of Cape Town, it’s a city on the rise and has plenty to keep you busy on an August vacation. You can take the elevator to the Top of Africa skyscraper, with 360-degree views over the city, or check out the art in the studios in Joziburg Lane, or learn about the country’s difficult history at the incredible Apartheid Museum. And while it’s not strictly in Johannesburg itself, Kruger National Park is only an hours’ flight away (the closest airport is Nelspruit) and August is one of the best months to view game. The park is one of the best in the world and home to elephants, leopards, rhinoceros, buffalo, lions, hippos and giraffe. You can stay at a private lodge in the park or just take a day trip, and be back in Johannesburg in time for dinner.
Read more: Top 10 attractions and things to do in Johannesburg
Where to stay
Johannesburg has plenty of hotel options for every budget. Faircity Mapungubwe Hotel Apartments is a smart, clean and convenient hotel in Johannesburg’s business district. It has all the benefits of an apartment rather than a standard hotel room, including a kitchenette and dining area. The rooms, which cost from around AED333 in August, are large and bright. If you decide to visit Kruger National Park, your hotel choice will very much depend on how much you want to spend. Casart Game Lodge has three types of private rooms, each with a small kitchenette, private terrace and dining area. It’s a lot cheaper than some of the other resorts in the park and offers safari trips with a qualified guide and all food and drink supplied. Kings Camp offers some serious luxury with private gyms, bars and terraces in every private villa. The villas themselves are very large and decorated with lots of animal print! Luxury costs, however, and rooms in August can be as much as AED32,000 per night!
Bali
Why you should go in August: Fantastic summer weather and the annual Bali Kites Festival
Cost from UAE to Bali: From around AED1,803 per person
What to do there
It’s windy season in Bali in August but the temperatures remain in the high 20s, making it a perfect summer vacation destination. It’s also the month of the incredible Bali Kites Festival, which attracts thousands of people from across the island to the coast of Padanggalak and other coastal spots around the country. The kites are a sight to behold – forget your traditional three-pointers – and come in every design imaginable, with some up to 10 meters in length. There’s a great atmosphere, lots of music, food and festivities running alongside the festival. The three main events in this year’s festival take place at Padanggalak, Pedungan Denpasar and Mertasari Beach, and the festival continues through August. So book yourself a cheap beachside hut and enjoy the action from your sun lounger. Other must-visit destinations in Bali include Pura Tanah Lot temple, the spiritual center of Ubud, and the Nusa Lembongan beach.
Read more: Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Bali, from temples to chocolate tours
Where to stay
The Diwangkara Beach Hotel & Resort has a good location near to the Sanur Beach at Padanggalak. It’s a traditional-looking guesthouse with private rooms, villas and bungalows, as well as a large swimming pool and spa. Rooms in August start at around AED189 per night.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Why you should go in August: Warm weather and lots to see and do outdoors
Cost from UAE to Copenhagen: From around AED1,450 per person
What to do there
There’s an action-packed calendar of events in Copenhagen in August, making it the perfect month to visit. For starters, there’s the Copenhagen Opera Festival (1-10 Aug), Copenhagen Fashion Week (6-9 Aug), and the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix (3-4 August). If that’s not enough for you, there’s also the usual Copenhagen attractions including Tivoli Gardens amusement park, Denmark’s National Museum, and plenty of funky cafes serving the traditional smørrebrød open sandwich. It’s a great city to explore on foot, and the weather in August is perfect for it.
Where to stay
August is a popular month to visit Copenhagen and hotels are generally able to cash in on this. The Best Western Hotel Hebron is one of the higher-rated cheaper hotels with rooms in August costing around AED900 per night. It’s in the city center, just minutes from Tivoli Gardens and Stroget, the largest pedestrian street in Europe. Rooms are fairly plain and a little old fashioned, but clean and generally generous in size. If you’re a fan of two wheels, you can also rent a bike from the hotel to take on your sightseeing trips. If you’re happy to spend a bit more, book at the room at the boutique Avenue Hotel Copenhagen which is located in a building designed by the same architect behind Tivoli gardens, Emil Blichfeldt. The rooms are minimalist in decor, but the main entrance is stunning. It has a nice restaurant and is also close to the Gardens and Stroget. Rooms cost around AED642 in August but this hotel has much more character than some of the bigger chain hotels.
Hyderabad, India
Why you should go in August: Hyderabad is a fun, off-the-beaten-track vacation destination and direct flights are available
Cost from UAE to Hyderabad: From around AED981 per person
What to do there
There’s lots of things to do in Hyderabad, and reasonable flight and hotel rates available it really is one of the best places to travel in August. The city is home to the world’s biggest movie production studio – Ramoji Film City – which produces hundreds of Bollywood and Tollywood movies every year. You can tour the site, taking in fake airports and other movie sets, as well as visit the exotic bird park and activity adventure park. The city also has some wonderful forts and mosques, including one of the oldest mosques in India (Makkah Masjid, which was made with soil from Mecca, Saudi Arabia), and tombs. To read more about things to do and see in Hyderabad, read our Hyderabad destination guide.
Where to stay
In a city as busy as Hyderabad, you’ll want to choose your accommodation carefully. The Mercure Hyderabad Kcp is in the Banjara Hills neighborhood, around 15 minutes’ walk from the Charminar, one of the most popular places to visit in the city in the center of the main market area. It’s a large hotel with 128 rooms, gym, free WiFi, three restaurants, one bar and room service. The rooms – which cost from around AED266 per night in August – are smart, well laid out and come with all the modern amenities you’d want (minibar, irons, safe deposit boxes and air conditioning). If you’re happy to spend a little more, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is a modern chain hotel with large, contemporary rooms, a helpful travel desk who can help you navigate the city, business center, outdoor swimming pool and restaurants. It costs more per night – from around AED279 per night in August – but the city is such a cheap vacation destination that you might be happier spending a bit more on your hotel.
*Updated June 2019. Prices correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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