Best Places to Study Abroad with Warm Weather

Average annual high: 67°F

Studying abroad in New Zealand is perfect for the warm weather seeker who also wants to cool off in the water. Water is never far away in this multicultural, urban capital. The city has a seemingly endless coastline and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Visit the black sand beaches along the country’s west coast or trek up the famous Rangitoto Volcano, which has been dormant for 800+ years. Paradise also isn’t far away from Auckland.

Start off your term with IES Abroad orientation on beautiful Waiheke Island. Later in the semester, join IES Abroad for a field trip to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, famous for its white sand beaches, where you’ll learn how to paddle an outrigger canoe and witness first-hand the island nation’s political and education systems.

Study Abroad in Auckland

Average annual high: 67°F

When you study abroad in France, why not stay in one of its sunniest cities: Nice! This chic, European city sits along the world-famous French Riviera with beautiful beaches that stretch on for miles. When you study abroad in Nice, the opportunities to soak up the sun are endless. Maybe you’ll climb a castle by hiking up Castle Hill—the perfect location for unforgettable views of the beautiful, blue Mediterranean Sea—or maybe you’ll rent a Velo Bleu (Blue Bike) and get lost in between the romantic European streets. From shopping at one of its open air markets to strolling through its breathtaking Vieille Ville (Old Town), Nice has plenty to offer any sunshine seeker out there.

Maximize your time outdoors on our Nice Summer – Multiculturalism & Immigration in the Mediterranean Program, which includes a two-week field trip to Marseille & Rabat (the sunniest city in France, and another city that made this list!).

Study Abroad in Nice

Average annual high: 70°F

Sitting high in the Andes mountain range and directly on the equator, this Latin American capital city has a consistently warm climate all year long. Studying abroad in Quito will allow you to take full advantage of the city’s inviting weather through countless outdoor activities. Climbing to the highest peaks of Volcano Pichincha, hiking with friends into the world-famous Andes mountains, standing at the equator at Mitdad del Mundo, exploring the city’s Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Spanish Colonial Architecture)—your time studying abroad in Ecuador will be full of adventure in the sun. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Join IES Abroad Quito for the perfect warm weather field trips outside of the city as well, including a course-related trip to Mindo, a mountainous watershed in the Andino Forest perfect for experiencing Ecuador’s biodiversity.

Study Abroad in Quito

Average annual high: 72°F

When you study abroad in Rabat, you’ll experience the city’s unique blend of North African, Arabic, and European cultural influences, with nearly 900 years of history. The palm tree-lined city meets the Atlantic Ocean and is filled with plenty of unforgettable views to marvel at while enjoying some sunshine. While still an urban area, the city boasts miles of beach space to enjoy a dip in the pleasant Atlantic Ocean.

Take advantage of IES Abroad field trips to nearby sunny Spain to visit Granada and Córdoba. When you study abroad in Morocco, you’ll also have the opportunity to journey on camel-back through the Sahara Desert to learn about Berber history, culture, and music complete with a night camping at a desert oasis.

Study Abroad in Rabat

Average annual high: 69°F

Much of Rome feels like an outdoor museum. With more than 2,500 years of history to be explored and countless landmarks, the city has plenty to offer the warm weather wanderluster when you study abroad in Rome. Spend the day enjoying the historic city’s perfect climate by sitting on the Spanish Steps enjoying some of the world’s best gelato or wandering through the romantic streets of Trastevere, one of Rome’s most famous neighborhoods known for its preservation of culture and tradition.

Escape the city life for a couple days and join IES Abroad for a field trip exploring the beautiful Amalfi Coast by boat.

Study Abroad in Rome

Average annual high: 73°F

With a climate that feels like summer nearly all year long and 70 beautiful beaches surrounding the city, there are endless ways to take full advantage of this warm weather paradise. While studying abroad in Sydney, you can stroll along the world-famous Bondi Beach or take a dive into the gorgeous Bondi iceberg pool.

Prefer grass over sand? Don’t worry. Sydney has more than 400 parks and open spaces, which are perfect for outdoor sports, running, or just a relaxing picnic with friends. Take a day to explore the Royal National Park with IES Abroad, the second-oldest national park in the world.

Study Abroad in Sydney