Off-season travel: Best times of year to visit some of the world’s most popular destinations
As more and more of us prioritise travel, destinations around the globe are getting ever busier. Aside from the positives of not having to constantly battle crowds, travelling off-season helps those working...
As more and more of us prioritise travel, destinations around the globe are getting ever busier.
Aside from the positives of not having to constantly battle crowds, travelling off-season helps those working in the tourism industry earn a decent living year-round.
Now, Lonely Planet has released its latest book, Offseason, which highlights 103 popular destinations and what month to visit them outside of busy periods.
Whether you’re looking to travel in Europe or want to head further afield, here are some of the recommendations included in the new book, which is out now.
The best off-season travel ideas
If you’re looking for a last-minute trip this month, November is the perfect time to visit Lisbon.
According to Lonely Planet, the cooler, wetter days mean you’ll have shorter queues at all the big attractions, but the stronger winds also mean excellent windsurfing down the coast in Cascais.
Japan might be better known for its autumn colours, but you’ll find yellow gingko trees and red maple leaves throughout South Korea at this time, too, and without the crowds.
Planning ahead on beating the January blues? The Western Canaries like La Gomera and El Hierro should be calling your name, with warm temperatures and gorgeous hiking trails.
As for February, you can jump on the The Odyssey-inspired set-jetting trend in a sustainable way with a visit to the Peloponnese in Greece. Here, you can visit Ancient Olympia or Ancient Corinth while basking in mild temperatures.
Alternatively, February is a great time to visit Türkiye, where you can visit the Roman Basilica Cistern or the Ottoman Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, or see the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia from a hot air balloon without the sky-high prices.
Looking ahead to March, if you don’t mind running the risk of encountering a bit of rain, you’ll have Naples and Pompeii practically to yourself.
Further afield, March a shoulder season for Uganda as you avoid both the busiest period and the heaviest downpours, being rewarded with encounters with gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and moody, misty scenery in Murchison Falls National Park.
May is all about the Baltics, with Lonely Planet suggesting you embrace the trip-maxxing trend by visiting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s capitals on one break, making use of public transport or by cycling the Baltic Trails network.
Just ahead of the peak summer season, June in the Austrian Tyrol means good weather for hiking without bumping into too many people while exploring.
Kyrgyzstan is starting to have its moment in the spotlight, and June is a great time for it as the mountain trails and nomadic yurt camps will have reopened, but prices are lower than in July or August.
Finally, October is a good time to visit Vietnam, with lower prices and improving weather from north to south.
Closer to home, Tunisia is an option, particularly as you can take a ferry from European cities including Palermo, Genoa and Marseilles. Don’t be surprised if you hear more and more about Tunisia in the next few months, as the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in February 2027 is seeing the country turn more heads.
