The kids have finished school and summer is just starting. That can only mean one thing – it’s time for a vacation! Many people wait until July or August to go on their summer vacation, making June an excellent time to travel if you’re in search of affordable flights, great deals on hotels, and major attractions that aren’t yet overcrowded.

If you’ve been dreaming about an African safari, you’re in luck. June is a fantastic time to hit Africa’s national parks in search of the Big Five. If that’s not your thing, maybe the aromatic lavender fields of Provence, the high-octane Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, or the dazzling Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia will inspire your inner wanderlust!

With so many great places to visit in June, it can be tricky to settle on just one. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of the 14 best places to visit in June. Every one of these spots has fantastic weather, hardly any crowds, and wonderful things going on at this time of year, guaranteeing an epic getaway.

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 14 Best Places to Visit in June to Escape the Crowds

The 14 Best Places to Travel in June

1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Head to Serengeti National Park in June for the chance to see the largest animal migration in the world. Known as the Great Migration, the colossal animal movement is when more than 2 million animals move from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of water, food, and breeding grounds.  

The impressive national park covers a whopping 5,700 square miles and is home to thousands of animals. From gazelles, zebras, and wildebeests to hyenas, elephants, and hippos, being here is far better than visiting any zoo or safari park in the world. If you’re lucky, you may even get to witness one of the 2,000 lions hunt their prey.

June falls within the dry season in the Serengeti, which means there will be less foliage to block your view. It also means there’ll be fewer mosquitoes, which is a definite plus. In June, the mornings and evenings can be pretty chilly, but highs sit comfortably around the 75°F (24°C) mark in the middle of the day.

2. Glacier National Park, Montana

Small sections of Glacier National Park remain closed throughout June, making it a great place to avoid the crowds. If you don’t mind missing out on certain areas, such as the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you can save yourself a small fortune by traveling at this time of year. The lodging rates are much cheaper in June, and you’ll have a greater choice of places to stay.

At this time of year, temperatures rarely go higher than the low 70s, creating the ideal conditions for hiking the Highline Trail or the Iceberg Lake Trail without the risk of overheating. If that sounds like it’s a bit too much for you, you can always go boating on Lake McDonald instead! 

Thanks to its unprecedented beauty, Glacier National Park is often called the “Crown of the Continent.” With more than 700 glistening lakes, countless thundering waterfalls, and two monumental mountain ranges, you’re never far from a stunning panorama here! The park is even home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

3. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinac Island is a well-known summer vacation spot among Midwesterners. But many go too late in the season to enjoy the Lilac Festival. Plan your visit for the first two weeks of June, and you’ll get to join in with the sweet-smelling event without jostling for space. Dates may change each year, so be sure to check the website before planning your visit!

The peaceful pedestrian spot is home to some of the biggest and oldest lilacs in the country, some of which are over 40 feet tall and more than 100 years old! Not only can you admire the dreamy flowers during your visit, but you’ll also get the chance to sign up for walking tours led by experts, see the stunning lilac parade, and witness the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen.

There are plenty of things to see and do here besides the festival program. What it lacks in cars and chain hotels, it more than makes up for with world-famous Mackinac Island Fudge, the historical Fort Mackinac, one-of-a-kind shopping, and diverse restaurants. Whether you explore this place on foot or from the luxury of a horse and carriage, Mackinac Island is a great place to escape to!

4. Prince Edward Island, Canada

For the best of both worlds, choose to visit Prince Edward Island in June. At this time of year, the weather is warm and dry, but the crowds have yet to appear. This means you get to enjoy the ideal weather for all sorts of outdoor activities while taking advantage of great accommodation rates and restaurant deals, too!

Life seems to move a little more slowly on Prince Edward Island, making it a fantastic vacation choice if you need to get away from it all. Here you can relax on sandy beaches, cycle along the coastline, or simply wander around the quaint streets.

There are plenty of relaxing, peaceful activities and events to join in on throughout June, too. Depending on which part of the month you visit, you’ll have the chance to check out the work of local artists at the Mutual Festival of Small Halls, enjoy outdoor yoga classes at the Island Tides Yoga & Wellness Festival, and learn how PEI became the place it is today at the Multi-Cultural Community Heritage Day.

5. Bergen, Norway

If Europe’s calling your name, Bergen, Norway, is one of the best places to visit in June. Throughout the end of May and beginning of June each year, the city comes to life with the Bergen International Festival. Attracting more than 100,000 people from all over the world, this huge festival is well established in the Northern European arts scene.

The Bergen International Festival is made up of more than 400 unique events spread out over 70 impressive venues. The biggest and most important festival in Scandinavia, the culture-packed event invites you to admire art in all its forms – from music concerts and theatrical shows to operas, dances, and visual art displays. With so much going on, there’s guaranteed to be something that suits your taste and style – however obscure it is!

The events program is divided into three sections. The festivities lineup is made for people of all ages and includes playful street scenes that will excite your heart, head, and feet. The Foundations section covers the classical art traditions with concerts and performances that focus on the past. The Friction part is reserved for art that highlights experimenting and exploring, using new technology and boundless artistic landscapes.

6. Provence Lavender Fields, France

If you’re wondering where to travel in June, this is a wonderful time of year to visit any part of France. The sun-kissed beaches and cosmopolitan cities are really quiet since most visitors wait until at least July to go there. But the most compelling reason to visit France in June is for the opportunity to lay your eyes on the unprecedented beauty of Provence’s lavender fields!

The first weeks of June mark the beginning of the lavender season in the region when miles of the countryside are blanketed in thick, purple flowers for as far as the eye can see. As summer progresses, the flowers are harvested, making the start of summer the optimum time to go. 

Make a road trip of it and hop from lavender farm to lavender farm, snapping gorgeous pictures along the way. You’ll be spoiled for choice with decadent castles and pampering spas to stay in, many of which feature locally-grown lavender in their restaurants and treatment menus.

During your trip, you’ll have plenty of chances to try all kinds of lavender products. From lavender essential oils and soaps to lavender perfumes and dried lavender, you’ll find loads of great gifts to take home with you.

7. Machu Picchu, Peru

If you’re in the mood for a cultural and enlightening adventure, head to Peru for your June vacation. At this time of year, the area surrounding Machu Picchu is just entering the cool months of winter. While you’ll definitely bump into other travelers during your expedition, the tourist numbers will be much lower than in July or August, making it a sensible time to visit.

Mild daytime temperatures make June an excellent time to hike the challenging Inca Trail. You’ll avoid overheating while you’re hiking during the daytime and won’t risk sub-zero temperatures when you’re camping overnight. This time of year is also pleasantly dry, so you won’t have to suffer through four days of hiking in the rain!

If you’re not up for anything as intrepid as that, you can always take the scenic train and glide into Machu Picchu via the railroad. It’s common for tickets to sell out months in advance. So whichever option you’re going with, make sure you book everything early to avoid ruined plans.

8. Yosemite National Park, California

If you’re only going to visit Yosemite National Park once in your life, make sure you go in June. Easily the best time of year to visit the iconic park, the beginning of June is when the weather is warm and dry, but the busy crowds have yet to descend and make the place feel cramped.

The famous double waterfall, Yosemite Falls, is at its most spectacular at this time of year. The powerful falls get their water from the winter’s melting snow, which is at its peak at the beginning of June. To avoid disappointment, you can check the national park’s webcam to see how powerful the falls are before you go.

If Yosemite Falls is in full flow, you can be sure the park’s other waterfalls are just as thunderous. Ribbon Fall (the single largest drop in North America) and Bridalveil Falls are definitely worth checking out, too! 

Almost all of the major roads throughout the national park are open at this time of year – with the exception of Tioga Road, which sometimes doesn’t open up until the end of June.

9. Niagara Falls, Canada

Niagara Falls can be too cold to visit outside of the summer season. But visit in July or August, and you’ll be competing with thousands of other visitors for the best views. The ideal solution is to visit this iconic landmark in June.

During this month, the daytime temperatures sit comfortably in the 70s (24°C), and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to snap fantastic photos without the huge crowds. 

No matter how many pictures and videos you’ve seen of Niagara Falls, it’s impossible not to be blown away by it when you see it with your own eyes. The 188-foot-tall waterfall flowing at up to 68 mph really will take your breath away! The falls are so powerful that you can hear the water thundering and feel the misty fog far even when you’re far away from the falls themselves.

There are several different ways to admire this natural wonder. You can sign up for a boat trip for the chance to get so close to the falls that you’ll get wet! If you’d prefer to keep your distance, head for the Niagara SkyWheel, where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the falls. 

10. Bordeaux, France

If you’re looking for the best places to travel in June, Bordeaux is at its most stunning at this time of year, when the city streets are dappled in warm sunshine, parks are filled with flowers of all colors, and bushy green trees provide the ideal shade for enjoying a picnic with your travel buddy. 

These are all great reasons to visit the French city at this time of year, but the most convincing argument to head to Bordeaux in June is for the chance to take part in Bordeaux Fête le Vin!

Known as the Bordeaux Wine Festival in English, this spectacular annual event takes place every year from mid to late June. It’s a vibrant celebration of the culture and tradition brought to the region by local winemakers, and the festival is the perfect opportunity to sip wines produced by more than 1,200 vineyards from Bordeaux and the entire Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

As well as the wine tasting opportunities, the Bordeaux Wine Festival also features a jam-packed events program with tall ship tours, music concerts, fireworks displays, food tasting, cooking demonstrations, and so much more.

11. Virunga Mountains, Rwanda and Uganda

For an experience you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life, plan to trek through the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda and Uganda in June. At this time of year, you’re almost guaranteed to spot magnificent gorillas in the wild!

June marks the beginning of the dry season in this part of the world, so you may have to peer through a little mist to see the gorillas. But it’s nothing in comparison to the dense fog that you get in April and May.

Not only is the weather pleasant and ideal for gorilla-spotting in June, but it’s also delightfully mild. This month sees lows of around 60°F (16°C) and highs of around 80°F (27°C).

Because it’s the start of the best season for sightings, it can get a little busy in June. But the region tends to get busier as the season progresses, so try and go as early in June as possible to avoid the crowds. Tours sell out astonishingly quickly, so book your favorite one as far in advance as you can to avoid missing out.

12. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

June may mark the beginning of the winter season in Australia, but that doesn’t mean the Great Barrier Reef is out of bounds. At this time of year, the water is still wonderfully warm and clear, making it ideal for snorkeling and diving. 

The entire reef covers over 1,800 miles and is made up of around 2,900 coral reefs, 1,500 unique species of fish, and 600 individual islands. Around 2 million people visit this natural wonder each year, but only a small percentage plan their trip for June.

Base yourself in Cairns, and you’ll enjoy quick and easy access to some of the most incredible diving spots in the world and a great selection of independent boutiques and restaurants. This is where most visitors choose to stay.

If you’re looking for a quieter experience, head further south and stay in Townsville or the Whitsunday Islands. This is the central part of the reef where there are just as many spectacular things to see, but without the higher diver numbers that Cairns attracts.

13. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

For an exceptional safari experience, visit the South Luangwa National Park in June. This month marks the beginning of the dry season when the bush just begins to dry out, and the landscape starts to become desperate for rain.

This may sound like a bad time to visit, but the lack of water forces the majestic wildlife to huddle together around a small number of watering holes to drink, giving you excellent odds of seeing all kinds of phenomenal creatures. Visit during June, and you’ll have the chance to spot everything from leopards, giraffes, and elephants to hippos, lions, and buffalo!

July is when the visitor numbers (and prices!) begin to soar. So plan your trip for June, and not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also get out of paying overly-inflated prices. Just make sure you take warm clothing. While the temperatures may be hot during the daytime, early morning and late evening safaris can get pretty cold. 

14. Somerset, United Kingdom

For most of the year, Somerset is a quiet, welcoming village that time forgot. Lush green fields, romantic thatched cottages, and classic British pubs all invite you to enjoy the slower side of life. But visit at the end of June, and you’ll discover a completely different side of the county!

For around four days at the end of June, Somerset comes to life with the iconic Glastonbury Festival. The largest performing arts and greenfield music festival in the world, Glasto is unbelievably popular and attracts some of the biggest groups and artists from all over the world. 

Although British laws are still in place, Glastonbury is the time when anything and everything can happen. There’s a sense of wildness and freedom in the air that sweeps everyone in the vicinity up with it. But it’s not all about crazy parties and loud music!

To make Glastonbury more inviting and inclusive, there are dedicated chill-out zones, family-friendly areas, and sections dedicated to more relaxed acoustic music. The festival has been going since 1970 and continues to host the biggest and best names in music. If you’re a music lover and you’re looking for the best places to visit in June, Somerset will not disappoint!

There you have it! The 14 best places to visit in June. What’s your favorite place to travel to in June?

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