This world is beautiful at any time of year. But sometimes if you travel to a particular place at a particular time, your travel experience sparkles with the added glitter of serendipity. In this particular edition of the ‘Best Places to Travel’ Series, we’re going to be looking at the best places to travel in July.
We’ve got a whole list of countries to inspire you with links to added resources so you can start getting excited. Of course for this one, you're going to need a tasty beverage.
Let’s begin!
1. Canada
City Recommendations: Calgary
Nomad List Rating: 2.3/5
Normally when you think of Canada, you may be tempted to think of extreme weather conditions, frostbite and winter sports. Such horrendous stereotypes, especially as Canada during the summertime is one of the most verdant and soul healing places you will ever visit. The cities...amazing. Countryside...lush.
Generally, in comparison to other countries, Canada can be an expensive location; I’d say it’s comparable to other European countries. Calgary’s rating on Nomad List is low but look at it properly because it scores very highly in lots of different areas that may be a priority to you. I personally think more of us need to check it out. Internet access is great, there are lots of coworking spaces and you’re surrounded by plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten track somewhere beautiful. It’s a win-win.
Another thing to note is that July usually brings the iconic Stampede festival into town - two weeks of fun, games, music and cowboy vibes!
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Calgary Tower
- Visit Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cowboys Dance Hall
- Do A Horseback Riding Tour
- Banff National Park
Content to Get Your Research Started
- 25 Things to Do in Calgary - The Crazy Tourist
- More Things to Do in Calgary - Reader’s Digest
- Best Places for A Nomad to Live, Work and Play in Canada - Nomadically Inclined
- Calgary - Life Of A Digital Nomad
2. France
City Recommendation: Biarritz
Nomad List Rating: 1.8/5
French culture has captivated so many of us for generations. The food, the wine, the fashion, the lifestyle...we think of warm summers and vibrant colours. There are loads of cities to visit in France, but one city that’s piqued our interest is Biarritz. Not a popular choice, if the Nomad List is anything to go by, but you don’t know how you really feel until you’ve been right? It’s actually a very elegant seaside town and it’s a perfect place for surfing enthusiasts...who’d have thunk?
For remote professionals that need great internet access, you’ll get all that, but in Biarritz, you get amazing cafes, a seaside view and all the amazing food and drink that reminds you why we love the French so much. Vive Le France!
Top 5 Bucket List
- Go Surfing on the Basque Coast Beach
- Walk to the Virgin on the Rock
- Watch the Sunset at La Grande Plage
- Visit Le Moulin de Bassilour - the bakery with the stream
- Eat steak in Haragia
Content to Get Your Research Started
- 10 Things to Do and See in Biarritz - Biarritz by Locals
- Top Things to do in Biarritz - Lonely Planet
- Ask a Local: What Should I Do/See/Eat in Biarritz, France? - The Ramble
3. Estonia
City Recommendation: Tallinn
Nomad List Rating: 3.4/5
Estonia, a gem of a country on the Baltic Sea. It’s a sight for sore eyes at any time of year but in July...the place is alive with culture, history, music and fun. The city that we’re focusing on here is Tallinn; a seaside town that perfectly fuses the old and the new to create a vibrant atmosphere. You’re right on the coastline so you can expect a beautiful sea breeze, incredible food and views you’ll never forget.
Tallinn has more startups per capita than any other city in Europe, and they’ve been making strides in the tech scene for years. Estonians have been responsible for some apps we know and love. Take Skype for example. It was an Estonian team that helped to put that bad boy together. The internet access is amazing, and the coworking spaces are brilliant. It’s also home to some meticulously preserved archaeological sites if that’s your thing and it’s a great nightlife spot too. Quite simply, Tallinn has it all.
Top 5 Bucket List
- Lahemaa National Park
- Aleksander Nevskii Katedraali
- Visit the Old Town (Tallinn)
- Viru Hotel and Museum - Soviet History
- Kadriorg Park and Palace
Content to Get Your Research Started
- 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Estonia - The Guardian
- 15 Things To Do in Tallinn - Eternal Arrival
- Nightlife in Tallinn - In Your Pocket
- Recommended Coworking Spaces - Coworker.com
5. Iceland
City Recommendation: Reykjavik
Nomad List Rating: 3.7/5
The best place to go if all you need is clean air and beautiful landscapes. At this time of year you can see the beauty all around for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’d argue that’s a fair compromise for not seeing the Northern Lights. In the meantime, you can enjoy black sand beaches, geysers, glaciers and geothermal hot springs.
The weather is a tad cooler here; it’s not what one might call a typical European summer destination, however, you’ll definitely get hot and sweaty doing some of the most amazing hikes on earth. For digital nomads, having a base in Reykjavik will give you what you need in terms of internet speeds and there’s a pretty decent coworking scene going on in the city as well. So you can get plenty of work done and then get some of that active rest and recovery in the volcanic terrain...sounds perfect.
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- Relax in Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool
- Visit Hallgrimskírkja Cathedral
- Climb Mount Esja
- Visit Reykjavik’s Botanical Gardens
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Travel Itinerary for Iceland - Responsible Vacation
- 25 Things To Do In Iceland - The Crazy Tourist
- 22 Free or Cheap Things to Do - Nomadic Matt
6. Germany
City Recommendation: Cologne
Nomad List Rating: 3.9/5
Germany in the summer is such a joy. The wonderfully lush landscape of forests, rivers and beachy coastline, make it such an amazing country to visit in the summer! Coworking spaces, and even coliving spaces are popping up all over the place and we are loving it.
For digital nomads, Cologne is perfect. It's got a history spanning over 2000 years, making it a city filled to the brim with character, culture and learning. You've got medieval cathedrals, beautiful parks and gardens and museums and art galleries to keep you occupied.
The coworking scene is well established here and there are plenty of cafes to have productive days in. The internet access is great, with high speeds and few worries. Make sure you get yourself some kölsch (a style of beer Cologne is known for) after a productive day in the office setting of your choice!
Top 5 Bucket List
- Brandenburg Gate
- Tiergarten
- Visit the Cologne Chocolate Museum
- Check out gorgeous views on the Cologne Cable Car
- Visit the Cologne Cathedral
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Digital Nomad Guide - Remote Swap
- The Best Coworking Spots - The Culture Trip
- 25 Best Things to do in Cologne - The Crazy Tourist
7. Russia
City Recommendation: St. Petersburg
Nomad list Rating: 4/5
Russia is the dark horse location on the list. When you visit, its beauty will catch you off guard in a way you could never have anticipated. The history, the food, the people and the landscapes; it all comes together to ensure you have an experience you’d never ever forget.
The city we’d highly recommend is St. Petersburg; it’s the seaside city of culture with palaces, museums, ballet...Of course for another city experience, you’ve also got the option of visiting Moscow as well.
From a digital nomad perspective, getting visas can be tricky, but it just means you have to plan in advance. If you’re going to be staying for an extended period of time, St. Petersburg has the allure of being a really beautiful city with all the modern touches and comforts you’d find in other European cities; there’s a reason why St. Petersburg is known as the ‘Venice of the North’.
Mobile data is also really cheap so internet access isn’t going to be a problem. General costs of living in terms of food, accommodation etc is also pretty reasonable. I would absolutely love to go for an explore around this gorgeous place.
Top 5 Bucket List
- Winter Palace
- Peterhof - Seafront Palace
- Soviet Arcade
- Watch Swan Lake
- Visit the Faberge Museum
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Comprehensive Guide - Fyodor Ivanischev (This guy has loads of great information to share)
- Living in St. Petersburg - Anna Everywhere
- Awesome places to eat - Like A Local Guide
8. Colombia
City Recommendation: Medellin
NomadList Rating: 3.93/5
The landscapes are breathtaking and the Colombians uncanny ability to build cities nestled into stunning jungle scenes is second to none. If you love the city life but don’t want to sacrifice that Bilbo Baggins-esque adventurer in you, then Colombia will steal your heart without a doubt.
As a Tribe, we adore Colombia and would highly recommend Medellin as a city for digital nomads who are experiencing South America for the first time. It has a huge digital nomad community and all the trimmings that go with it; cafes, coworking spaces, events and meetups, conferences...the list goes on. Oh and the coffee? It’s plentiful, world-class and people go nuts for it. The cost of living is reasonable and it’s a perfect opportunity to learn Spanish if you haven’t learnt it already.
We are here every year and we never get tired of it.
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Get on the cable cars for an aerial view of the city
- Spend a long weekend in Guatape
- Do a coffee tour
- Learn Salsa...everywhere
- Visit Comuna 13
Content To Get Your Research Started
- Where to Stay in Medellin - WiFi Tribe
- Best Cafes to Work From - WiFi Tribe
- Best Coworking Spaces - WiFi Tribe
- Best Restaurants in Medellin - The Unconventional Route
- Things to Do in Medellin - The Crazy Tourist
9. Romania
City Recommendation: Bucharest
NomadList Rating: 4.2/5
Nestled in mainland Europe, Romania is a country with an incredible landscape; mountains, rolling hills and the beautiful Transylvanian forests. In contrast, city life in Romania is upbeat, modern and thriving and digital nomads have been enjoying experiencing this enigmatic country for quite some time.
The city that is buzzing with nomad life is Bucharest. 50mb internet speeds, reasonable cost of living, hearty food and a thriving startup culture. You will get the benefit of living really well in this gorgeous city. If you need a great place to go out of an evening there's plenty. If you want to visit some of the amazing parks during the day and take a picnic and a good book, you are in luck.
At the weekends, you've got a variety of options in terms of day trips just outside the city.
Dracula Tour anyone?
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Visit the Old Town
- Visit the Palace of the Parliament
- Do a walking or cycling tour
- Visit the fountains in the Piata Unirii Square
- Eat everything!
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Digital Nomad Guide - Omega House
- Bucharest Food Guide - 2 Food Trippers
- Best Things To Do - Two Scots Abroad
- Best Day Trips - Two Scots Abroad (love these guys!)
10. Tanzania
City Recommendation: Go Everywhere
If you are looking for your safari adventure and a wonderful culture hit, Tanzania is the place for you. At this time of year, you can set yourself up with some of the most epic adventures of your nomadic journey. I’m talking climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, enjoying an incredible safari in Serengeti...I need to stop otherwise I’ll reveal my Top 5 Bucketlist options too early.
In July, you’ll have missed the rain season so the weather and the visibility should be perfect for you to have the time of your life. Dar Es Salaam is the main city, so this will be your best bet if you need to get work done. Chances are you'll take this time to go on epic adventures so this may not be a priority. WiFi tends to be pretty spotty so a data plan is going to be your best friend. Internet is not amazing but if you only have a few video calls to attend to and the rest of your work doesn’t require a superfast internet connection, you will be fine.
Make sure you spend a bit of time in Zanzibar for incredible beaches and a different vibe. Whilst it is technically part of Tanzania, Zanzibar as a result of its history, has a culture all of its own. Known for the wonderful spices, you can have a great time enjoying food tours, spice tours galore. The underwater wildlife will also keep you more than occupied and an undisturbed sunset on a dhow cruise will be something you'll never forget.
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
- Safari in the Serengeti
- See the giant tortoises in Changuu
- Go on a Dhow Cruise to watch the sunset
- Go Snorkelling in Zanzibar
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Tanzania Travel Guide - Responsible Travel
- Things to do in Mainland Tanzania - The Planet D
- Things to do in Zanzibar - Helen in Wonderlust