When it comes to the perfect getaway, timing is everything. Just because a destination is most popular in one month of the year, doesn’t mean that’s the best time to see it.
Extreme heat plagues southern Europe in summer, for example, while Lapland is swarmed by tourists in the winter months.
Instead, exploring off-the-beaten-track spots or destination dupes, travelling in shoulder seasons and opting for locations with cooler climates allows tourists to save money while also dodging the crowds.
But if you don’t do your research before you go, you might be caught out by monsoons, blistering heatwaves, or closed tourist attractions. The stuff of travel nightmares.
But fear not — Metro has created a handy travel calendar of the best destinations to visit each month, based on weather, seasons and unmissable local events.
If your New Year’s resolution was to jet-set more, check out these travel recommendations for 2025.
January — Thailand
If you’re looking for winter sun after a cold Christmas in the UK, January is an ideal month to visit Thailand.
Temperatures hover around 30°C at the start of the year, and it’s also one of the driest months.
This means you’ll be well in the clear of monsoon season, which runs from July to October.
Thailand’s cities are vibrant melting pots, complete with bustling markets and legendary nightlife as well as some of the country’s most famous temples and royal palaces.
Further south, island beaches offer crystal clear waters and pillow-soft sands dotted with palm trees — there’s a reason travel experts say Thailand is one of the best alternatives to the Maldives.
February — St Lucia
For tropical beaches and mouthwatering cuisine, the eastern Caribbean island of St Lucia is a paradise worth escaping to.
February sees average temperatures of 27°C and it’s also the driest month of the year, making it the perfect time to explore the lush rainforests without the oppressive humidity of later months.
The south of the island is home to the Pitons, two towering volcanic peaks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is a top holiday spot for relaxing getaways and romantic escapes.
Meanwhile, the north has a bustling, modern feel with vibrant nightlife and a thumping local music scene.
At just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, St Lucia is small. But it has plenty to cater to every travellers’ taste.
Visitors can sample the island’s famous rum and chocolate and embrace local culture at Gros Islet’s Friday night street parties, as well as enjoy relaxing sunset cruises and natural spa treatments at the Sulphur Springs.
March — Niseko, Japan
While many choose to ski around Christmas and New Year, it’s a good idea to head to the slopes later in the season — the result is shorter lift lines and more time actually skiing.
Niseko in Japan is perfect for this. Famed for its powdery snow, it’s home to one of the most reliable ski seasons in the world, thanks to consistent snowfall.
Set against the backdrop of the majestic Yoti mountain, there are 70 runs to choose from, as well as some off-piste terrain and plenty of Japanese woodland to explore.
And you don’t have to have years of experience skiing to enjoy a holiday in Niseko.
Take the opportunity to learn to ski on one of the nursery slopes, or indulge in other activities instead, such as riding snowmobiles, snowshoeing, and sampling sashimi, Wagyu and ramen in the local restaurants.
April — North Macedonia
Touted as a wildly underrated European destination, North Macedonia has buckets to offer, from glittering lakes and national parks to the ancient churches and bazaars of the capital, Skopje.
And with recent research revealing it to be one of the fastest-growing travel hotspots, be sure to tick this destination off soon and enjoy it while it’s still a quiet escape.
It’s also remarkably cheap, with holiday rentals in the capital starting at £25 per night in April.
Lake Ohrid, close to the Albanian border, is a hidden lake paradise and a UNESCO gem offering vibrant blue waters and heritage charm, and is a three-hour drive from Skopje by bus.
Balkan and Turkish restaurants line the water’s edge, while tourists can swim, boat and ride kayaks on the picturesque lake.
Expect mild 18-22°C weather in North Macedonia in April.
May — The Turkish Riviera
Turkey is a popular summer destination for British holidaymakers, with the city of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera just over a four-hour flight away from London.
But while the summer months see tourists squeezed cheek-by-jowl on beach towels, baking in temperatures as high as 35°C, the shoulder seasons are a much more pleasant time to visit the region.
Known as ‘the turquoise coast’, the Turkish Riviera is an off-season paradise.
Temperatures in May hover at a balmy 20°C, perfect for wandering around the city’s Old Town or hiking through the canyons, while still being warm enough to enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea.
Antalya is a great destination for families, offering plenty of resorts with kids clubs and water parks to keep the little ones entertained.
For an area less travelled, head three hours southwest to Fetiyeh, home to the same turquoise blue waters and famous for its ancient rock tombs.
Destinations to avoid in 2025
There are plenty of destinations that don’t want tourists, while other holiday hotspots are struggling with overtourism.
To protect these areas and keep the locals happy, here are a few of the travel destinations we don’t recommend visiting in 2025:
- Barcelona, Spain, has seen its locals become increasingly frustrated with overtourism. The city has clamped down on short-term rental apartments, and protests over the summer saw tourists squirted with water by locals.
- Mallorca, also in Spain, has seen a similar anti-tourism sentiment. Locals previously blocked a popular tourist beach, while Spain’s latest travel rules require hotels, travel agencies and car rental companies to collect up to 42 pieces of personal information per guest.
- Rome, in Italy, will be exceptionally busy in 2025, as it marks the Holy Year of Jubilee. The Italian city is tipped to become the epicentre of a global pilgrimage as a result, with more than 35 million people expected to flock to it over the course of the year.
- Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos are two of several popular holiday destinations that have introduced a visitor tax to combat overtourism. Despite only having an estimated 15,000 permanent residents, around 800 cruise ships made stops in Santorini last year, while Mykonos (with a population of roughly 10,000) received 750 cruise liners.
- Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, has experienced a surge in tourism to the ‘official home of Santa Claus’, which has driven up prices and pushed out long-term residents.
- The Canary Islands are also struggling with overtourism, and recently locals staged widespread anti-tourism protests. Their concerns include a lack of affordable housing and environmental problems.
June — Cádiz, Spain
For another beach getaway without the crowds, Cádiz, in Spain, is a lesser-known European gem that’s hailed as an alternative to Barcelona.
The 3,000-year-old city – one of the oldest in Western Europe – is home to a Roman theatre, a grand Gothic Spanish cathedral and Moorish whitewashed homes, making a trip to this Andalusian city feel like travelling back in time.
There are several beaches to choose from too, all within walking distance from the city and much quieter than the sands in the tourist hotspots of Barcelona and Valencia.
Traditional Spanish restaurants can be found on every street corner, offering tapas, fresh seafood and bienmesabe, a traditional dish in Andalusian cuisine made from cubes of dogfish, marinated and fried.
And if you fancy an excursion, Cádiz is less than two hour’s drive from Seville, which is famed for its jaw-dropping architecture and flamenco shows.
Average temperatures in Cadiz in June range from 20-25°C.
July — North Berwick, Scotland
July sees temperatures hotting up in the UK, and if you take a staycation earlier on in the month, you’ll beat the summer holiday crowds too.
North Berwick is an underrated beach town just a half-hour train ride from Edinburgh, boasting seaside charm, classic fish and chip shops and a quiet escape from the popular sands of England’s south coast.
It was also crowned the UK’s best place to live by The Sunday Times in 2024 and has gained the nickname ‘The Biarritz of the North’ thanks to its similarities with the elegant town on France’s Basque coast.
North Berwick boasts a sandy beach, top-rated golf courses, a high street full of independent shops restaurants, and some of the oldest heritage and natural sites in the UK, including Tantallon Castle and Bass Rock.
Nature lovers have the chance to spot seals, puffins and occasionally even dolphins, as well as take in panoramic views at the top of North Berwick Law.
Expect temperatures of up to 19°C in July – perfect for stomping along the dramatic East Lothian coastline.
August — The Faroe Islands
Swap UK heatwaves for dramatic North Atlantic landscapes in the Faroe Islands, hailed as an alternative to Iceland — only without the crowds.
The self-governing archipelago, found between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, offers wildlife encounters and epic scenery at a cool 15°C.
Last summer, Atlantic Airways launched direct flights from Gatwick Airport to Vagar Airport, making it even easier to exerience the cruises, hiking trips, fishing and other nature-inspired excursions on offer.
The capital, Tórshavn, is home to some higher-end spa hotels, but for those on a budget, there are plenty of hostels and camping options across the islands too.
The network of highways, tunnels and mountain roads make hiring a car the best way to explore the rugged cliffs and unsoiled landscape, you might even chance upon the world’s only underwater roundabout while you’re there.
September — Jersey, Channel Islands
Just 14 miles off the coast of France, Jersey might be home to plenty of pubs and buildings that wouldn’t be out of place in a British town, but look a little closer and you’ll notice roads with names like La Route de la Liberation and French food markets too.
And in September, this laid-back island comes alive for Pride.
Each year, Jersey and Guernsey take turns to host the festivities, and 2025 is the turn of the former.
Expect a funfair, bars and food trucks, a stage with local talent and plenty of space for children to run around and enjoy the celebrations.
In the evening, drag queens dressed to the nines entertain locals and tourists alike with a mixture of signing, dancing and insulting the crowd.
Other attractions on the island include its sun-trap beaches, a variety of olde world pubs, and Jersey Seafaris, which offers exhilarating RIB tours across the crystal clear waters.
October — Bavaria, Germany
Boasting medieval castles, breathtaking views of the Alps anda melting pot of history and culture, Bavaria is a somewhat overlooked region of Germany that deserves a space on your 2025 bucket list.
Head to the region in the autumn, when the sprawling forests have turned a delicious shade of orange, and feel like you’re walking through a fairytale land.
For lovers of German beer, Munich is renowned for its breweries, while October sees the annual Braukirta festival take place in Aying, a village south of the city.
While the region is swamped with tourists during September’s Oktoberfest celebrations, Braukirta is a smaller but equally rowdy event that sees the family-owned Ayinger Brewery celebrated with litres of beer, traditional food and brass band music.
For a more relaxed escape, Bamberg, a town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, also has its fair share of breweries and half-timbered houses — as well as a Gothic cathedral and a castle with a view over the entire city and surrounding green valleys.
November — The Azores, Portugal
Escape the descending winter temperatures in the UK for a few days by heading to the Azores, in the North Atlantic Ocean, where you’ll find mid-20°C temperatures across the nine volcanic islands.
The Portuguese archipelago has been dubbed ‘the Hawaii of Europe’ thanks to its tropical climate, looming mountains and black sand beaches — all of which come at a fraction of the price of the Pacific Ocean alternative.
An Airbnb in Ponta Delgado, the capital of the Azores and on the largest island of São Miguel, can cost as little as £40 per night, while a stay in Hawaii’s Honolulu will cost upwards of £130.
Thermal spas, tea plantations, whale and dolphin watching and, in Ponta Delagada, bustling nightlife are just a few of the things tourists can expect from a stay in this region.
The Azores are known to be a place where you get four seasons in one day, so make sure you pack accordingly.
December — Saas Fee, Switzerland
For a trip with a festive feel, head to the Swiss Alps in December.
Saas-Fee is the resort village where Wham! filmed the video for their iconic hit, Last Christmas.
In the centre of the village lies the five-star Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa, where the band stayed during the shoot.
Guests can check in to the George Michael Suite, enjoy a Last Christmas-themed dinner, a Wham! spa treatment and sip on George Michael’s favourite cocktail, a vodka and watermelon spritz.
Known as a ‘snow-assured area’, Saas-Fee’s reliable snow supply allows for exceptional pistes across some of the highest slopes in Switzerland.
Often called ‘The Pearl of the Alps’, there’s much more to Saas-Fee than skiing, with its Ice Pavilion thought to be the largest in the world, offering over 5,500 cubic metres of grotto to explore.
Meanwhile, the world’s highest revolving restaurant, Drehrestaurant Allalin, provides unique views of endless mountain peaks from 3,500 metres above sea level.
Happy travels!
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
