Travel with You, Me, Away

Where to go in August: late summer for couples

Eight places to consider for August as a couple, from cool Atlantic and northern cities to hot beach and heat-warning stops. Each section names one official climate source and states exactly what it measures.

Reviewed

How to choose an August destination as a couple

August is the month where the question is often less where it is warm and more where it is too hot. The mean daily maximum below runs from 19.17 °C in Edinburgh (Met Office, 1991-2020) to 35.5 °C in Seville (AEMET, 1981-2010), so decide early whether you want heat or relief from it.

The stations come from different services and periods, so compare the size of the gap, not the last decimal. Northern and Atlantic places such as Edinburgh and Porto keep walking days comfortable, while Faro, Lisbon and Seville are for couples who accept strong heat.

Averages are not forecasts. Every figure is a long-term mean for one named station and period. Check the forecast a few days before you travel and confirm sea temperatures separately.

Edinburgh and Scotland

The Met Office's 1991-2020 long-term averages for Edinburgh, Gogarbank list August with a mean maximum temperature of 19.17 °C, a mean minimum temperature of 10.98 °C, 74.71 mm of rainfall and 11.17 days of rainfall of at least 1 mm.

A late-summer city break with long walks between castle, old town and hills, where layers matter more than sunscreen. Compare the maximum with the southern European stations on this page before you commit. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Edinburgh, Gogarbank: location-specific long-term averages, 1991-2020

Lisbon

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Lisboa / Gago Coutinho list August with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 29.0 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 23.8 °C, 5.0 mm of precipitation and 1.0 days with at least 1 mm.

Lisbon is hot and very dry in this table, so plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings and keep afternoons slow. A good fit if heat does not bother you. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Lisboa / Gago Coutinho climate normals, 1991-2020

Porto

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Porto / Pedras Rubras list August with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 24.8 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 20.2 °C, 29.3 mm of precipitation and 3.2 days with at least 1 mm.

Cooler than Lisbon in the same month, which helps for steep hill walks and river-front evenings. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Porto / Pedras Rubras climate normals, 1991-2020

The Algarve (Faro)

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Faro list August with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 29.2 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 24.6 °C, 3.0 mm of precipitation and 0.2 days with at least 1 mm.

The Algarve is hot and almost dry in this table, so beach days are likely but shade and water matter. Check the sea temperature at your coast separately. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Faro climate normals, 1991-2020

Seville

AEMET's Sevilla Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list August with a mean daily maximum of 35.5 °C, a mean temperature of 27.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 5 mm and 0.5 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Seville is included as a warning: the mean daily maximum is far above the other stations on this page. Most couples will want a different month for this city. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Sevilla Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Boston and New England

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Boston Logan Intl AP list August with an average daily maximum of 80.4 °F (about 26.9 °C), an average temperature of 72.7 °F (about 22.6 °C) and 5.4 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

A summer city break with museums and waterfront walks, with warm daytime values. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Boston Logan Intl AP

Burlington, Vermont

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Burlington Intl AP list August with an average daily maximum of 80.7 °F (about 27.1 °C), an average temperature of 70.7 °F (about 21.5 °C) and 6.9 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

A lakeside small city that suits couples who want relaxed days outdoors and a base for the region. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Burlington Intl AP

Southern Tenerife

AEMET's Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list August with a mean daily maximum of 28.4 °C, a mean temperature of 24.7 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 1 mm and 0.2 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

August is hot and almost dry at this station, which is dependable for beach days but offers little relief by day. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

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