The best June holiday destinations for an early summer holiday
From peaceful rural regions in the UK to coastal beauty spots in Europe, here's where to go on holiday in June
Are you looking forward to a summer getaway? While July and August are classic months for a sunny escape, a June holiday ticks all the boxes on the summer holiday wishlist while giving you a better chance of avoiding the crowds and soaring temperatures of peak season.
WHERE TO GO ON HOLIDAY IN JUNE
June holidays allow you to bask in glorious sunshine, explore ancient cities before the school holiday crowds arrive, relax on golden beaches, and even take a dip in the sea as the temperatures begin to rise in southern Europe.
While here at home there's always a chance of getting caught in a shower, June offers a good chance of sun, and the country's most beautiful gardens will be in full bloom, with the fragrant scent of summer roses filling the air. It's a great month for exploring the UK's great outdoors, like the open moors of the New Forest or the rugged clifftops and white-sand beaches of the Hebrides.
And if you're looking for a June holiday abroad, the milder June temperatures make exploring the history-packed streets of cities like Porto and Venice more comfortable.
So whether you're looking for a fabulous June staycation or hoping to travel further afield, take a look at our June holiday ideas and start planning for your early summer getaway now.
Kent and Sussex
Kent is affectionately known as 'the garden of England' — and with good reason. The county is home to some of England's finest gardens, from the swathes of Magnolias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons at Great Comp Garden to the unique garden rooms surrounding Sissinghurst Castle.
June is one of the best months for visiting these delightful gardens when the flowers are in full bloom and the wonderful scent of roses floats is carried on warm summer breezes. Green-fingered visitors can also combine a visit to Kent with a trip to neighbouring Sussex, where you'll find more beautiful gardens like Great Dixter and Perch Hill.
Good Housekeeping is offering a four-day tour around some of Kent and Sussex's best-loved gardens, including Sissinghurst and Great Comp Garden. Joining you will be garden designer Sarah Raven, who'll give a special talk about her own garden restoration project at Perch Hill in East Sussex.
The Hebrides
These wild and wonderful Scottish Islands are perfect in the early summer. While the weather isn't likely to be tropical, the chances of sunny days are higher than usual, meaning walks along their glorious white-sand beaches feel almost like a long-haul getaway.
June is the ideal time for wildlife lovers to visit this Scottish archipelago. This is when the grey seals come ashore to have their pups, so you'll have a good chance of spotting these adorable fluffy creatures rolling in the sand on a long, seafront walk.
Good Housekeeping's six-day tour of the Hebrides is perfectly timed for spotting incredible wildlife. You'll visit the islands of Harris, Benbecula and Barra, and will hear a talk from local wildlife expert Dr Charlie Main about the amazing creatures found on these isles.
Crete
If it's sun, sea and sand that you're after from your early summer holiday, Crete is a great choice. This sunkissed Greek island offers some of the best chances in Europe of weather warm enough for sitting on the beach in your swimmers, with average daily temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius.
One of our top picks for a beachfront hotel in Crete is the sleek Syntopia, just moments away from the pretty harbour town of Rethymnon. And just a few metres from the hotel you'll find a golden sandy beach and an excellent beach bar with comfy seating areas, sun beds, umbrellas and hammocks.
Spend four nights at The Syntopia with Good Houskeeping's offer and you'll get a full body 'Cretan massage' at the hotel's chic spa, a tasting of local Cretan wines and two private yoga classes either in the beachside tipi or at the Beach Bar.
Croatia
Sun-seekers will also be charmed by the idyllic shores of the Dalmatian Coast and its hundreds of islands and islets. The water along this stretch of Croatian coastline is famously blue, and even in the early summer the water temperatures are around 21 degrees Celsius, warm enough for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding and other activities.
One of the best beaches for enjoying the sun and water is Zlatni Rat - the Golden Horn - whose distinctive shape has made it an emblem of Croatian tourism, and you'll definitely want to spend time exploring Hvar, a stylish resort town which is likened to the French Riviera for its upmarket bars and spectacular beaches.
With Good Housekeeping's cruise along the Dalmatian Coast you'll be able to discover some of the tiny islands along the coast, as well as Hvar and Dubrovnik, with its labyrinth of limestone streets.
The New Forest
Another favourite spot in the UK for a June staycation is the peaceful New Forest. This wonderfully green part of southern England is particularly famous for its free-roaming ponies, and June is a great month for catching sight of cute little foals alongside their mothers.
As well as ponies, you'll find vast swathes of unspoilt woodland packed with ancient trees surrounded by pinky-purple foxgloves, which burst into colourful bloom in the early summer. You're also never too far from the coast in the New Forest, and June offers a good chance of sunny days for enjoying an ice cream, admiring the brightly-painted beach huts, and perhaps even taking a dip.
One of our favourite New Forest hotels in Careys Manor with its stylish SenSpa. Good Housekeeping has an offer for a two-night stay here, including use of the swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and hydrotherapy facilities.
Kenya
If you're itching to travel a little further afield, a June holiday in Kenya is worth adding to your bucketlist, especially if you're a wildlife lover. June marks the beginning of the dry season, and the lack of rainfall means the animals tend to congregate around waterholes in the country's vast national parks, like Tsavo West and Amboseli, making them easier to find.
There'll also be less vegetation, making it easier to spot the parks' leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and crocodiles in the bushes. Spotting these magnificent creatures in the wild is an experience like no other, especially set against the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.
Join Good Housekeeping for an unforgettable Kenyan safari holiday in June. You'll stay at Amboseli, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and at Tsavo West in a luxury lodge overlooking a busy waterhole.
The Douro Valley
For a wine-themed European getaway in June, a cruise along Portugal's Douro River has lots to offer. The sun-kissed hills that sweep up the Douro Valley will be at their most verdant in the spring and early summer, with the miles and miles of terraced vineyards lush with green foliage.
Travelling in June will also mean you avoid the scorching heat and crowds of the peak summer months, making it easier to explore the region's pretty towns and cities by foot. Make sure to get to know Porto and the narrow streets of its storybook old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a patchwork of houses, many decorated with ornate azulejo tiles.
Join Good Housekeeping's cruise along the Douro in June and you'll have a full day to get to know Porto. Before arriving in the coastal city, you'll sail along the river visiting historic towns and tasting wine at traditional hilltop wine estates.
Venice
The enchanting 'City of Water' and its neighbouring islands make for a wonderful European city break for lovers of culture, history and good food. June's pleasant and sunny weather means it's a great time to explore on foot, wandering between the city's many historical landmarks and stopping for an aperitivo on an outdoor terrace, watching the world go by.
As June marks the start of the summer season, the city will be getting busier. A luxury boutique cruise is a great way to travel around the city and the islands of the Venetian Lagoon without having to worry about overcrowded hotels or busy local transport, while still enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of Venice in the summer.
Good Housekeeping has a cruise of Venice and the islands of Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. With large ocean lines banned, the cruise's small ship offers extra exclusivity, being one of the few still allowed to sail through the heart of the city.
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