When the year speeds round to month number eight, peak sunshine season approaches Europe. Summer’s busiest month attracts flocks of devout holidaymakers looking for heavenly spots to relax in the heat and experience local customs.

If you’re searching for somewhere to go on holiday in August, here are eight of our top picks to inspire you.

Corfu

Spend August falling in love with the Greek way of life on this charming Ionian island. Cloaked in olive groves and wildflowers, creating a sea of green that contrasts beautifully against the shimmering Mediterranean lapping at the shore, Corfu has a certain je ne sais quoi. Go north-east to experience the island’s wild coastline, with secluded pebbly beaches tucked into coves. As temperatures reach 32C in August here, there’s no place you’d rather be.

If you’re craving a dash of atmosphere, Corfu Town’s got a spectrum of lively bars and taverns squirrelled away within its cobblestone streets. Bob into a local restaurant for freshly-grilled octopus, then a low-key café for wine and people watching.

Kefalonia

Lush emerald-green landscapes make up most of Kefalonia, so it’s a hotspot for nature seekers. And speaking of heat – expect the top temps to rise to around 29C in August! This is the largest of the Ionian Islands too, so you can bank on having a lot of ground to cover. Start at the pebbly beaches for some chill time then head back inland to mountainous territory. Chalky cliffs and dense forests will be your playground.

It’s all laid-back in Skala and Lassi, while Koutavos Lagoon and Drogarati Cave are must-tick boxes. As the lights go low, why not pitch up in a traditional taverna for a meze feast?

Antalya Area

Dubbed the Turquoise Coast, Turkey’s Antalya Area is home to impossibly clear waters and some of the country’s best beaches. And with the mercury hovering around 33C during August, there’s no better place to enjoy the weather than by the glimmering Med. But beaches aren’t Antalya’s only naturally-beautiful feature – it’s easy to chase waterfalls here, with plenty of thundering cascades dotted among valleys and national parks.

Peel yourself away from Mother Nature’s magical touches and you’ll find there’s plenty more to this sun-baked destination. Ancient relics of empires gone by can still be seen today, from the Temples of Apollo and Athena to the historic settlement of Perge.

Crete

When you set your sights on Crete, you’ll have two choices – do you pick Chania Area or Heraklion Area? And when both offer plenty of must-sees, narrowing down your favourite can be tricky. But who said you can’t pay the west a visit if you stay in the east or vice versa? Nobody! Flexibility is all part of the fun when you embrace this plucky island.

Venetian harbours, Blue Flag beaches and dinky souvenir shops all mingle between Chania’s patchworked Old Town and characterful resorts. Self-confessed history buffs will be enchanted by Heraklion – especially at the majestic Palace of Knossos.

Venetian Riviera

You’re in for a very Venetian getaway when you land in Lido di Jesolo. Past the stripy parasols of the main beach that runs on for kilometres, pretty promenades dotted with handy cafés, bars and shops will be at your fingertips. Who’s for a scoop or two of gelato?

One of the brilliant things about this part of Italy is that you can explore so many different elements. There are cycle paths for leisurely pedallers, plush pizzerias and venues for wine tastings. You might wander past fascinating museums too. And that’s all before you even venture over to awe-inspiring Venice…

Gran Canaria

It’s summer all year long on this fun-for-all-the-family isle, but nothing beats the fun-loving atmosphere in August. And the chance of rain dampening your sun-soaked siestas? Almost zero!

Diversity is Gran Canaria’s middle name. Head along the south coast and you’ll find big-hitting beach resorts like Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico, where it’s all about baking in the sunshine all day and then enjoying the vibrant bar scene all night. As you venture inland, hotels are replaced with sun-baked mountain ranges, dramatic ravines and lunar-like lava fields, so get your walking boots out and go explore! Up in the north, you’ll find the cultural jewel in Gran Canaria’s crown, Las Palmas. The cosmopolitan capital’s got architectural gems, tropical gardens and a smattering of urban beaches to boot, so it’s a haven for history-hunters.

Santorini

Spend a few days discovering Santorini’s whitewashed towns, out-of-this-world landscapes and swanky restaurants, and you’ll see why so many holidaymakers succumb to its charms. This idyllic isle is a tale of two halves. On the west coast, you’ll find plucked-from-a-postcard villages like Oia and Imerovigli, which cling limpet-like to the edge of the caldera. If you’re searching for a spot to watch Santorini’s sensational sunsets, these are the best seats in the house! Over on the east coast, resorts such as Kamari and Perissa boast volcanic shores and an array of traditional tavernas serving up tasty, Greek goodies. If you love spending time by the water during your holiday, the sea is at its warmest in August, so it’s perfect for paddling!

Skiathos

Skiathos holidays promise a delightful dose of sensational scenery thanks to a coastline fringed with sweeping sands, and a countryside studded with electric-green mountains. The island’s compact size makes exploring a doddle, so spend your mornings lounging on golden beaches and your afternoons hiking through caves, coves and hilltop towns. On the south coast, go-slow getaways are what the resorts of Achladies and Agia Paraskevi do best, while livelier breaks are on the cards in Skiathos Town. The island’s chic capital boasts boutiques, bars and a bounty of high-end eateries that attract a steady stream of VIPs. Skiathos isn’t short on cultural sights either, with everything from enchanting monasteries to medieval villages to discover.