Summer is on the verge and it’s a hot time for vacations. We simplify the task for those who are undecided and offer 12 travel ideas: we have selected resorts for every taste — sea and ocean, rivers and lakes, mountains and cities. All of these destinations are perfect for July, but you’ll definitely enjoy another summer month!
The article was published in 2024 and updated in April 2025.
Content
- At sea
- On lakes and rivers
- In the mountains
- In cities
At sea
In July, Russians most often rush on vacation to the Black Sea coast or to the beaches of Turkey or Egypt. The main disadvantage of these places in the middle of summer is the sizzling heat and the crowds of vacationers, so we have three alternative destinations in mind.
Vladivostok: Sea of Japan
- How to get: by plane to Vladivostok (from 30,000 rubles from Moscow by Aeroflot in both directions). Here and below, the ticket price is given as an example and shows the minimum prices for tickets in July, available at the time of publication of the article.
The bathing season in the Far East begins in the middle of summer. By the end of the month, the water here warms up to +25 ° C, so the local sandy beaches will compete with the Black Sea beaches. The most popular of them, Shamora, is located in the suburbs of Vladivostok. It is also worth a trip to the Glass Bay, covered with small rounded glass beads. At the same time as swimming, you can organize a boat trip through the bays and islands, go to Russian Island via a beautiful suspension bridge and visit the Land of the Leopard National Park.
By the way, of the 13 Russian seas, six are quite suitable for beach holidays — we talked about them in this article.
It is also worth a trip to the Glass Bay, covered with small rounded glass beads. Photo: INDUPHOTOS/Shutterstock.com
Mauritius: Indian Ocean
- How to get: Emirates flights to Mauritius with a transfer in Dubai (starting from 110,000 rubles. from Moscow in both directions).
- Entry rules:Russian citizens do not need a visa to Mauritius to travel for up to 180 days.
The island state of Mauritius knows how to surprise: the local beaches with snow-white sand and emerald waters of the Indian Ocean practically do not differ from the expensive Seychelles and Maldives. Natural beauties await in the depths of the island: Chamarel Waterfall, Pamplemous Botanical Garden with giant water lilies and the picturesque crater of the extinct volcano Trou aux Surfes.
Winter is coming to Mauritius in July and the air temperature is kept at +26 °C, and the water temperature is around +25 °C. This is the driest month with comfortable and predictable weather. Another undoubted advantage is that in the midst of the Russian summer, Mauritius has a low season, which means fewer tourists and lower prices.
Natural beauty awaits in the depths of the island: Chamarel Waterfall. Photo: Marc Stephan/Shutterstock.com
Zanzibar: Indian Ocean again
- How to get: FlyDubai flights to Zanzibar with a transfer in Dubai (starting from 78,000 rubles. from Moscow in both directions).
- Entry rules:Russian citizens do not need a visa to Tanzania to travel for up to 90 days.
And again, the endless Indian Ocean and another island on it — Zanzibar. It is located closer to the equator, so in July (the height of the local winter) the air temperature here reaches +30 °C. The water remains warmed up at +26 °C.
Hurry up to relax in Zanzibar in July, because in August the high season will begin and the beaches will be packed to capacity. You can diversify your vacation with a safari tour in the national parks of mainland Tanzania — Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
You can diversify your vacation with a safari tour in the national parks of mainland Tanzania — Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Photo: Marc Stephan/Shutterstock.com
On lakes and rivers
Lake and river beaches will replace the sea for those who are allergic to crowds of tourists, but still want to relax by the water. At the same time, you can see unique architectural monuments and admire the lotuses.
Lakes that will replace the sea
Psh, do you want to look at the blue waters stretching beyond the horizon, look at the picturesque skerries, mighty mountains and ancient monasteries open to all winds? For you, a selection of lakes for summer holidays.
Kizhi: Lake Onega
- How to get:by plane to Petrozavodsk (starting from 17,000 rubles from Moscow in both directions), then to the island by sightseeing boat or Meteor.
Kizhi cemetery is located on an island in the middle of Lake Onega. Its most famous landmark is the 22nd Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a breathtaking monument of Russian wooden architecture. There is also a windmill and traditional peasant houses on the territory of the churchyard.
You can combine the trip with a visit to Valaam, located on the neighboring Lake Ladoga.
Its most famous landmark is the 22nd Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a breathtaking monument of Russian wooden architecture. Photo: WorldStockStudio/Shutterstock.com
Astrakhan: Volga
- How to get:by train or plane to Astrakhan (from 20,000 rubles from Moscow in both directions).
In the middle of July, lotuses bloom in Astrakhan. You can see them both in the city itself and outdoors. Organized boat trips to the lotus fields are organized here.
On especially hot days, you can plunge into the Volga River and relax on the city beach: in July, the bathing season begins here.
It is also worth a trip to Sarai Batu, a restored museum city on the site of the capital of the Golden Horde. There are also several dunes and deserts around the city, which will be interesting to walk through. We talked about them in a separate article.
In the middle of July, lotuses bloom in Astrakhan. Photo: Ana Kulagina/Shutterstock.com
Armenia: Lake Sevan
- How to get:by plane to Yerevan (from 34,000 rubles from Moscow in both directions), then by taxi or bus.
- Entry rules:Russian citizens do not need a visa to Armenia to travel for up to 180 days. You can enter using an internal passport.
Lake Sevan is only comparable in beauty to Lake Baikal. The bathing season begins in July, when the water warms up to +23 °C. Pebble and sandy beaches can be found on the coast.
The surrounding mountain landscapes and the medieval Sevanavank monastery towering over the lake are particularly impressive. We recommend you to try another local attraction — Sevan trout (“ishkhan” in Armenian).
Especially impressivethe surrounding mountain landscapes and the medieval Sevanavank monastery towering over the lake. Photo: marketa1982/Shutterstock.com
In the mountains
When else can you go hiking, if not in the middle of summer? The main hiking trails for beginners have been collected in a separate article. Here we will tell you about the mountain resorts, where you can go not only under a heavy backpack.
Kabardino-Balkaria: Elbrus region
- How to get:by train or plane to Mineralnye Vody (from 33,500 rubles from Moscow in both directions), then by transfer or by bus to the village of Terskol (180 km).
Every summer, Elbrus, the highest point not only in Russia, but throughout Europe, attracts up to 10,000 climbers. However, to admire its mountain caps and stroll through the Alpine meadows, it is not necessary to climb to the top. An alternative would be day trips to the waterfalls of Devichye Kosy and Terskol, to the observatory “Peak of Terskol” or along the eco-route “Polyana Narzanov” along the Baksan mountain river.
There are several all-season resorts with cable cars in the Elbrus region. The highest point where the lifts go is 3,847 meters. It is most convenient to stay in the village of Terskol, as well as higher up in the mountains — in the Cheget Glade or the Azau Glade.
We have collected several excellent options in Terskol:
- newly renovated mini-hotel “Two Peaks”;
- Grand Terskol — reviews say that there is a free shuttle service to Azau Glade;
- Salam Hotel;
- cottage for family holidays “Jappu.”
To admire the mountain caps and stroll through the Alpine meadows, it is not necessary to climb to the top, you can walk to the observatory “Peak Terskol”. Photo: Aleksandr_Alekseev/Shutterstock.com
Uzbekistan: Fan Mountains
- How to get: by plane to Samarkand (from 27,000 rubles. from Moscow in both directions), then by transfer.
- Entry rules:Russian citizens do not need a visa to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Just do not forget to register at the place of stay: in the first case — on the 15th day of stay, in the second — on the 10th. It is allowed to stay in Tajikistan without a visa for up to 90 days.
The Fan Mountains are a ridge in the western part of the Pamirs. They are mostly located on the territory of Tajikistan, but the most convenient way to get to the main natural attractions will be through Uzbekistan.
Fans are one of the most beautiful places for tracking in Central Asia. This is a land of high-altitude lakes, glaciers and snow-capped five thousand meters. Minerals have colored their slopes in red and yellow colors. Go to the Haftkul Valley, which is also called the “valley of the seven lakes”, to see the mountain ponds with turquoise and clear water. And, of course, don’t forget to take a walk around ancient Samarkand.
Fans are one of the most beautiful places for tracking in Central Asia. Photo: Enamish Baloch/Shutterstock.com
Georgia: Svaneti
- How to get: by car or plane to Tbilisi (from 40,000 rubles. from Moscow in both directions), then by transfer or minibus to Mestia (243 km).
- Entry rules:Russian citizens do not need a visa to Georgia to travel for up to one year.
Medieval tower complexes and ancient Christian churches have been preserved here, and the mountain scenery is breathtaking. In Svaneti, you can travel both on foot by trekking routes and by car.
It doesn’t hurt to just come to your favorite hotel to enjoy the views from the rooms while drinking Georgian wine. It will be most convenient to stay in the village of Mestia, and then take walks or trips from there. Be sure to visit Ushguli— the highest mountain community in Europe.
Medieval tower complexes and ancient Christian churches have been preserved here, and the mountain scenery is breathtaking. Photo: Punnawit Suwattananun/Shutterstock.com
Georgia is so different
The Islet guide will help you plan a trip around Georgia, covering the mountains, the sea and ancient architecture.
In cities
The hottest month of summer, as a rule, you want to spend in peace and coolness. Therefore, modern concrete megacities are not very popular for holidays in July. However, we offer three options where it is not so hot and very interesting at this time.
Turkey: Trabzon
- How to get: by plane via Istanbul (from 35,400 rubles. from Moscow in both directions). Or fly to Batumi (from 38,400 rubles. from Moscow in both directions), and then take a bus to Trabzon (207 km).
- Entry rules:Russian citizens do not need a visa to Turkey to travel for up to 60 consecutive days and up to 90 days per half-year.
Discover Turkey from an unexpected side and come to Trabzon, the main city on the Black Sea coast of the country. The high hills, gardens and parks surrounding Trabzon will relieve the July heat.
After visiting the local Hagia Sophia (with free admission, by the way), it’s worth visiting the Maiden Monastery on the hill, and then take a bus to the mountains to the legendary monastery of Panagia Sumela, built on a steep cliff.
What else to do in Trabzon, we told you in the city guide.
Head to the mountains to the legendary monastery of Panagia Sumela, built on a sheer cliff. Photo: boyoz/Shutterstock.com
Russia: Saint Petersburg
- How to get:by train, plane, or Sapsan from Moscow.
Summer St. Petersburg is a place where you definitely want to return more often. In July, the white nights are already waning, but it still doesn’t get dark for a long time. So you can stay up late strolling along the embankments and admiring the raised bridges, or go on a tour of the rivers and canals and see palaces and parks among the night lights.
For a week before the second
It is worth staying longer in the vicinity of St. Petersburg for a beach holiday on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. The best resorts are described here.
Russia: Kaliningrad
- How to get:by plane to Kaliningrad (from 24,600 rubles. from Moscow in both directions).
After the excursions, reward yourself with a vacation on the Baltic Sea coast. For example, on the beaches in the village of Yantarny, which are considered one of the cleanest in the country. In the middle of summer, the water here warms up to +24 °C.
Include a trip to the Curonian Spit in your plan to walk through the ecotropics, watch birds at the ornithological station and take epic photos against the background of sand dunes.
Include in your plan a trip to the Curonian Spit to walk through the ecotropics and take epic photos against the background of sand dunes. Photo: Aleksei Karasev/Shutterstock.com
Summer is inexorably approaching, but it’s not too late to plan a full-fledged vacation. Run to the Island for cool hotels, apartments and guest houses.
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Cover photo: Raphaël Biscaldi/Shutterstock.com
