Deciding on the best places to visit in July can be a tricky affair. As summer reaches its peak in June, the July monsoon quickly cools down the country, bringing in much-needed relief from the heat. The rainy season also turns the country lush green, leaving us spoilt for choice. From the northern tip of Ladakh, to the southern regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Lohono Stays brings you a list of 12 best travel destinations in July to help you plan your next monsoon trip!
12 Best Places to Visit in July
Coorg, Karnataka
Officially known as Kodagu, and lovingly called the “Scotland of India”, Coorg is a quaint hill station in Karnataka. It is best known for its cool climate, and its sprawling tea, coffee, and spice plantations. In July, Coorg turns even more fresh, awash in a new shade of green.
If you travel to Coorg in July, you can spend your time with elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp, trek up to Tadiandamol Peak or make the easier hike to Raja’s Seat, or walk through the historical walls of Madikeri Fort. One of the best places to visit in July from Bangalore, the monsoons give new life to Irupu and Chelavara waterfalls, making them a popular site among visitors.
On your next trip to Coorg, consider staying at one of our villas by Lohono Stays.
Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
If you live in Mumbai or Pune, Mahabaleshwar is one of the best places to visit in July. Nestled in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar greets you with its misty, rainy, and lush green hills.
For an active holiday in Mahabaleshwar in July, hike up to the multiple viewpoints, including Arthur’s Seat, Wilson Point, and Pratapgarh Fort, or head to Chinaman Falls, Lingmala Falls, or Dhobi Falls.
For a more relaxing break, check-in to one of Lohono’s villas in Mahabaleshwar. From here, you can explore the caves at Rajpuri, do some shopping at Town Bazar, or enjoy a sunset boat ride at Venna Lake.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur, which is otherwise scorching hot, experiences a slight dip in temperature with the onset of monsoon. This time of the year also sees thinner crowds, making Udaipur one of the best travel destinations in July.
Spend your days in Udaipur exploring the city’s rich history at the majestic City Palace and Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, embarking on a leisurely boat ride on Lake Pichola, walking through its vibrant bazaars, and catching the sunset at Fateh Sagar Lake.
Udaipur in July makes for a unique experience, and you can pick from Lohono’s range of villas to add to the sense of royalty and luxury that the city exudes.
Ladakh
Ladakh’s high altitude ensures that the monsoon brings in only moderate rainfall, leaving you with plenty of sunny days. Ladakh is not only one of the best places to visit in July, but also one of the best honeymoon destinations in India in July.
Surround yourself with snow-covered mountains, stark valleys, and a throng of lakes and monasteries. Witness the bluest waters at the Bollywood-famous Pangong Tso Lake, experience solitude and peace at the Thiksey Monastery, walk through the charming streets of Leh’s main town, and soak in some history at the Royal Leh Palace.
Whether it’s motor-biking through the mountain passes, rafting down the Indus River, or riding a camel in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh leaves you spoilt for choice!
Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Rightly nicknamed the “Queen of Hills”, the charming hill station of Ooty turns even more vibrant in the monsoon. Ooty is hands down one of the best travel destinations in July.
Ooty’s sprawling tea plantations come alive in July, while its lakes turn pristine and its waterfalls regain vigour. Walk around the beautiful Avalanche Lake, Rose Garden, and Botanical Garden. Watch the roaring waters of Pykara and Kalhatti Falls, and head up to Doddabetta Peak for panoramic views of the Nilgiris.
Place yourself in the lap of nature in Ooty and make the most of the monsoon!
Goa
Goa in July is an experience like none other. Taking you away from long sunny days at the beach, make the most of the monsoon in the “Sunshine State” by engaging in lesser-known experiences. Since this is also an off-season in tourism, the prices are lower, crowds are thinner, and you have more places to yourself. Due to these reasons, Goa definitely deserves to be one of the best places to visit in July.
Head out on scenic walks through quaint neighbourhoods, explore waterfalls and quiet backwaters, enjoy the best of Goan and Konkani cuisines, a bit of shopping in the flea markets, and perhaps even a rainy visit to the beach for a unique experience.
Lohono Stays has a wide range of villas in Goa. Consider one of our properties, whether it’s beach-front, hill-top, or river-side, to have the best time in Goa in July.
Lonavala, Maharashtra
Lonavala’s verdant green hills and close proximity to Mumbai and Pune are two key reasons why it is one of the best travel destinations in July. The hill stations not only offer relief from the sweltering heat of the cities, but also allow you to enjoy the monsoon in a better way.
Wake up to morning showers, and misty views as clouds roll by, before making your way to the popular Tiger Hill and Bush Dam. To explore beyond these, head to Rajmachi Fort, Karla Caves, and chase the sunset at Pawna Lake. Your time in Lonavala is mean to be spent in the heart of nature!
Consider staying at one of Lohono’s properties on your visit to Lonavala in July.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur is the ideal break, bringing together a rich mix of history, culture, and architecture. July brings slight rainfall to the Pink City, subduing the summer heat and making the temperature more bearable.
Jaipur’s plethora of sights and markets make it one of the best places to visit in July. You can spend hours on end marvelling at the majestic walls of Amer Fort, and the intricately designed doorways at the City Palace. Spot the popular monuments of Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and Jal Mahal, shop till you drop at Johari Bazaar and Chandpole Bazaar, and watch the sunset over the city from Nahargarh Fort.
To make your stay in Jaipur a special one, pick one of Lohono Stays’ villa!
Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
Located at a convenient distance from Srinagar, the town of Pahalgam, often called the “Switzerland of India” ranks firmly in our list of the best travel destinations in July.
If you crave for an active break, you can hike through the valleys of Aru, Chandanwari and Betab. Here you will find pristine hill slopes, verdant green meadows, and gushing rivers, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and luxurious pine forests. Nature-lovers should also visit the crystal blue Sheshnag and Tulian Lake. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, you can even opt for river-rafting.
Pahalgam is also the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place in July, making it a popular choice among both tourists and pilgrims alike.
To have a cosy stay in Pahalgam, consider staying at one of Lohono’s properties which come with excellent amenities and services.
Wayanad, Kerala
Wayanad in Kerala is the ideal place to experience the monsoon in its full glory. Think of lofty mountains, dense forests, thundering clouds, and gurgling waterfalls. Wayanad has got to be one of the best places to visit in July.
You can hike up to Chembra Peak, visit the Banasura Sagar Dam, go boating on Pookode Lake, take in the views from Lakkidi Viewpoint and freshen up at Irupu and Meenmutty Falls. In the area, you can also opt for adventure activities like camping, caving, and bamboo rafting to Kuruva Islands. Wayanad is also home to a wildlife sanctuary which gives shelter to tigers, elephants, and leopards.
Wayanad in July is certainly a beautiful place to experience the monsoon!
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal is a popular choice among couples. The monsoon adds an extra touch of magic to the hill station, turning everything greener and better.
Kodaikanal is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s one of the best travel destinations in July because it is brimming with natural wonders. You can spend your time boating on Kodaikanal Lake, hiking up to Dolphin’s Nose, visiting the 3 waterfalls: Silver Cascade, Bear Shola and Fairy. Don’t forget to check out the majestic Pillar Rocks.
Kodaikanal in July experiences pleasant temperatures and moderate rainfall. This is why it is one of the best places to visit in July.
Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna still remains one of the lesser-known beach destinations in India. Still unbothered by masses of tourists, Gokarna boasts some of the cleanest beaches in India.
During your time in Gokarna, you can head down to the beaches, including Om Beach, Paradise Beach, Baada Beach, and Half-Moon Beach. Explore the historical forts of Mirjana, or visit the Sri Mahabaleshwar Swami Temple.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can also go surfing, parasailing, dolphin spotting or scuba diving at Netrani Island. These are the reasons why Gokarna is one of the best travel destinations in July.