Travel Photography: Where to Go in August

In August, we’ll once again be spending most of our time in the mountains, which offer a welcome escape from the scorching heat. We’ll also be staying solely within Europe and North America, which, thanks to their long sunny days, are ideal in August for extended trips with a camera in hand. This time, however, we’ll skip the Mediterranean. While it’s the biggest tourist magnet in August, for us photographers it can turn into a nightmare—unless, of course, you’re like Martin Parr and are drawn to taking photos of people on beaches. In this article, however, I’m assuming that nature and mountains hold far greater potential for us.

Our first August stop will be the mysterious heather moorlands of northern England, which we can roam in Yorkshire Dales National Park. From there, we’ll hop across the North American continent to iconic San Francisco, where fresh Pacific winds will keep us cool even on hot days. For a proper mountain adventure, we’ll head to Romania’s Carpathians and the jagged peaks of the Făgăraș Mountains. We’ll then make one more stop in the United Kingdom, on the remote Isle of Arran, whose diversity will surprise you. Finally, we’ll finish in Slovakia, exploring the fairytale-like rock towers of the Súľov Rocks.

1. Yorkshire Dales National Park (England)

Why not brighten up a sunny Czech summer with a touch of northern English gloom? If you head to the heather moors of the Yorkshire Dales and experience the “right” kind of rainy weather spiced up with a thick fog, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into an Arthur Conan Doyle detective story. Vast valleys, mysterious solitary boulders, and lush moss-covered forests will offer countless opportunities for striking photographs. The sheer scale of this strange open landscape is hard to grasp. I recommend bringing a wide-angle lens and looking for elements in the scenery that can serve as compositional anchors—such as trees, boulders, or farmhouses.

Aside from moorlands, the Yorkshire Dales also hide many picturesque stone villages where you can stay and wait for the perfect moment to shoot. The national park is crisscrossed with interesting trails, and the farther north you go, the fewer people you’ll meet.

2. San Francisco (USA)

San Francisco is the only city on today’s list. Thanks to the Pacific Ocean’s influence, it maintains a pleasant temperature even in summer, making it a great choice for August. If you’re lucky, you’ll also witness the iconic fog that envelops the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding landscape, especially in the morning. The city deserves at least a few days’ visit—it’s vast, diverse, highly varied in terrain, and each neighborhood has its own distinct character. San Francisco is also surrounded by nature, so it’s easy to escape the city bustle and retreat into the peace of the mountains.

Its beaches are a chapter of their own. Forget crowded European beaches—if you’re not looking to swim but rather to capture fascinating scenery, this city will charm you. San Francisco has local beaches full of surfers and colorful locals. And if you venture beyond the city, you’ll find vast, often deserted beaches perfect for watching the sunset.

3. Făgăraș Mountains (Romania)

Romania is a fairly easy-to-reach destination for us—even by car. If you choose to drive, it’s worth winding your way up the endless switchbacks to the Transfăgărășan Pass, which lies at an impressive elevation of 2,042 meters.

From the pass, you can set out on hikes to nearby peaks. For mountain lovers, there’s also a long-distance trail that follows the crest of the entire Făgăraș range. However, it’s very demanding and requires not only experience but also a head for heights. If the sharp peaks of the Carpathians aren’t your cup of tea, head instead to the Apuseni Mountains, which have gentler shapes and are even closer than the Făgăraș.

4. Isle of Arran (Scotland)

When it comes to Scotland and mountains, most people probably think of the Scottish Highlands. But this landscape offers many other fascinating places. One of my favorites is the less-visited Isle of Arran, which is easily accessible from Glasgow. You can spend several days roaming the island, combining its central mountain massif with coastal trails.

Thanks to its diversity, the Isle of Arran is often described as “Scotland in miniature.” In addition to nearly every type of natural scenery, you’ll also find intriguing monoliths—without the queues you’d face at a famous site like Stonehenge.

5. Súľov Rocks (Slovakia)

Finally, we have the Súľov Rocks, located in Slovakia near the Czech border. This is a popular and well-visited area, so it’s worth going outside the weekend and ideally early in the morning. The Súľov Rocks are famous for their steep rock walls, rock towers, and various bizarre formations. For a photographer’s eye, this setting is a dream.

One of the best-known spots in the Súľov Rocks is the rock window known as the “Gothic Gate.” In addition to various picturesque rock formations, there are also several viewpoints. My favorite is the view from Súľov Castle. But be prepared for a very steep climb and several ladders along the way.