Top 5 summer holiday destinations: dreamy places to go this year

After months of cooler weather, Europe’s southern reaches come alive again. Days go on forever, cicadas chatter, seas shimmer with a kaleidoscope of blue hues and the scent of grilled seafood and citrus wafts on the warm, gentle breeze.

Andalusia is a historic, culturally-rich and absolutely stunning area of Spain, and its coast offers so much variety, stretching right across the south from the white sand Atlantic beaches of Cádiz to the warm Mediterranean waters of Almeria, with the local accent, food and feel gradually morphing as you explore your way along the coast.

Starting in the eastern corner, Almeria is home to the magnificent Cabo de Gata Natural Park, where beautiful desert-like landscapes meet the sea. This headland, protruding out into the Mediterranean, is fringed with gorgeous remote beaches with crystal-clear water, perfect for snorkelling or even diving.

Base yourself in a beachfront hotel in Almeria within easy reach of the carefully protected Natural Park, but don’t forget to pay a visit to the historic coastal city, where you’ll find your drinks come with free tapas.

Moving west along the coast, another of the best places for summer holidays in Andalusia is Málaga, a vibrant, culturally-rich city with incredible food and excellent transport connections, making it wonderfully easy to get there and away, and to explore the city and the coast, wherever you decide to stay along Malaga’s coast.

Head just a little further west again and you’ll come to famous Marbella, one of the top summer holiday destinations in Andalusia for good reason.

Whether your top priority is relaxing on the beach, or you want to mix a little adrenaline in the shape of water sports, or culture in the shape of museums, into your holiday, a holiday in Marbella has something for everyone.

Finishing up this whistle-stop tour of places to go in the summer holidays in Andalusia, we have Cádiz, the south-western corner of Spain, and an area with a totally different flavour to it. The Atlantic beaches here are just as stunning as their Mediterranean counterparts, but often quieter, and the cooler water can be wonderfully refreshing on the hottest summer days.

Book yourself into a beachfront hotel on Cadiz’s coast like the Barceló Costa Ballena, or opt for a stay at the Royal Hideaway Sancti Petri in the charming seaside town of Chiclana de la Frontera.

The Canary Islands are popular year-round thanks to their gentle climate, but can be particularly attractive summer holiday destinations to those who struggle in the extreme heat that descends on much of southern Europe.

As a rule, thanks to their location out in the Atlantic, the Canary Islands don’t get as hot as, for example, mainland Spain, making them especially appealing for families or those who tend to melt in the heat.

When it comes to selecting the perfect island for your break, you’re spoilt for choice, as there’s so much to see on each of the islands, and they each have their own unique character and volcanic landscape.

Fuerteventura is famous for its extensive, pristine sandy beaches and is great for those who love wind or kitesurfing. Tenerife, the largest Canary Island and brilliantly set up for tourists, is the place to head for dramatic volcanic landscapes, theme parks and nightlife.

Head to Gran Canaria for diverse geography, from sand dunes to lush ravines and charming historic towns. And Lanzarote is the place to go for lava fields, geothermal activity, unusual architecture, grape vines growing in volcanic ash and much more.

Whichever island you go for, you won’t struggle to find somewhere to stay in the Canary Islands that will make all your summer holiday dreams come true.

If it’s exotic summer holiday destinations you’re in the market for, then it’s time to look a little further afield. Mexico’s famous Riviera Maya could be just what the doctor ordered this summer.

The Riviera Maya is a stunning stretch of Caribbean coast to the south of Cancun. Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Isla Cozumel are all found here, and it’s well-known for its beautiful beachfront hotels.

The great thing about basing yourself in a Mexican beach resort for your summer holiday is that you can spend your days simply relaxing and enjoying the local cuisine (and a tequila-based cocktail or two).

But this is also one of those summer holiday destinations where you can explore the area, with stunning cenotes (sinkholes, many of which you can swim in), mindblowing Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá or Tulum, and picturesque historic towns like Valladolid.

For some people, summer breaks are all about taking it easy. But if you’re looking for alternative summer holiday destinations that will be a real adventure (with plenty of opportunities for relaxing thrown in too), then book yourself a trip to Costa Rica.

Nature lovers will be blown away by this incredible Central American country, which is covered in lush rainforest that’s home to endless amazing fauna. Keep your eyes open when exploring Costa Rica’s national parks and you’re bound to see sloths, monkeys, huge electric blue butterflies, toucans, and so much more.

There’s so much to see in Costa Rica, but for the best summer holiday, put the Puntarenas region on the Pacific coast at the top of your priority list, and mix in days of relaxation on the idyllic, palm-fringed Playa Tambor with unforgettable excursions.

To round off this list of the top 5 summer holiday destinations, we have the one and only Dominican Republic, the perfect place to do very little, sitting back and enjoying the Caribbean coast, and making the very most of your all-inclusive Punta Cana hotel.

There’s nothing quite like stretching out on a lounger by the pool or on the beach and enjoying a cocktail or mocktail as you read a good book, with nowhere to be and nothing to do except enjoy yourself.

Once you’ve had enough time to relax and unwind, you might feel like an excursion to the capital, Santo Domingo, or the stunning desert island, Isla Saona.

And that’s not all. You could also wander a flea market on the hunt for artisanal souvenirs, sample local chocolate or rum on a tour of the chocolate museum or distillery, go ziplining or horseriding, or swim in the crystal clear waters of the lagoons of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve, all before retiring back to your hotel for another well-earned, delicious meal.

Which of these summer holiday destinations is calling your name? Get your trip and hotel booked now, and start daydreaming about those lazy (or not so lazy) summer days.