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9 Best places to visit in January 2025

Writer's picture: iris de neveiris de neve

Gran Canaria Beach
Gran Canaria Beach
As we anticipate 2025, a full year of incredible adventures, cultural experiences, culinary explorations, and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters awaits us. However, deciding where to begin your next year of fantastic adventures can be challenging.
Whether you're seeking inspiration or information, I've done the research for you, addressing the travelers' timeless question: where to go when? To kick off the year on a high note, here are some of the top destinations to visit in January. 

1.Canary Islands

Best for a European island break 

Canary Islands
Carary Islands


Escape the winter chill of the Northern Hemisphere with a surf trip beneath the sunny skies of the Canary Islands. Kitesurfers and windsurfers will find plenty of wave-riding destinations, while those who prefer land can relax on the golden beaches or explore the region's unique volcanic landscapes through hiking or cycling.
January marks the peak season in this unusually warm part of Europe, so it's wise to book in advance or consider visiting the three smaller western islands: the remote El Hierro, the hiking haven La Gomera, or the lush La Palma. 


2.Genoa, Cinque Terre and the Ligurian Alps, Italy

Best for a low-season trip to Italy 

      Cinqueterre Italy
Cinque Terre
Italy boasts more than one set of Alps. In addition to the famous peaks along its northern border, there is a range curving around the Mediterranean: the Ligurian Alps. During winter in the Ligurian Alps, the crisp air and snowy forest trails attract snowshoers to Aveto and Antola natural regional parks, as well as the rugged Beigua Geopark, where snowshoe rentals are available, and marked circular trails offer views of the sea.
All are within easy reach of the regional capital Genoa – which is delightfully quiet in January yet equally flavorful, with cafes and restaurants serving typical dishes: pesto, salt cod, focaccia, and farinata – savory chickpea pancakes. To burn off those calories, head along the coast to the picturesque, cliff-side villages of the Cinque Terre, linked by 120km (74.5 miles) of walking trails that are usually least crowded this month.

Planning tip: Numerous hotels, especially in the Cinque Terre, shut down during the winter – make reservations in advance.


3.Arizona and Utah, USA

Best for winter walking 

 Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park
The red-rock ravines and outcrops in the area spanning the Utah and Arizona borders appear even more enticing with a layer of snow, and in January, you'll encounter these marvels with significantly fewer people. Be prepared, as temperatures drop well below freezing. However, with the right clothing and footwear (or better yet, snowshoes), you'll uncover breathtaking landscapes that become even more enchanting without the crowds: Zion, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef national parks, Antelope and Bryce canyons, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly.


4.Budapest, Hungary

Best for thermal baths 

Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Széchenyi Bath
Hungary’s sophisticated capital, Budapest, ensures you stay warm, even in January. The city is built on land with over 120 hot springs, many accessible to the public as thermal baths. From the Turkish-style Rudas Baths to the art nouveau treasure at the Gellért and the expansive Széchenyi, where those famous images of elderly men playing chess in steaming water were taken, these springs are ideal for winter warmth. The city is stunning year-round, with Buda’s Castle Hill’s medieval wonders contrasting with Pest’s Secessionist splendor. With lively nightlife options ranging from trendy ruin bars to performances at the magnificent neo-Renaissance State Opera House, there’s plenty to enjoy during the long, dark evenings.

5.Anguilla

Best for a Caribbean vacation 

Anguilla Beach
Anguilla Beach
Few travelers heading to the Caribbean discover the long, narrow island of Anguilla, which remains intentionally low-key and relatively undeveloped. Nevertheless, it offers all the elements of a Caribbean dream: friendly locals, an uplifting reggae soundtrack, and some of the region's most stunning palm-fringed beaches, including the lively Shoal Bay on the north coast and the more tranquil Rendezvous Bay in the south. You'll find luxury resorts and the high-quality cuisine expected by their guests, featuring fresh lobster and crayfish. However, smaller, charming guesthouses allow everyday visitors to experience a dozen white powder-sand beaches—free to access—and enjoy the island's other attractions.

Planning tip: January is the peak season, and affordable accommodations are in high demand, so be sure to book early.


6.Kerala, India

Best for relaxation

Kerala for relaxation
Kerala for relaxation
In recent decades, the beaches of Varkala and Kovalam have transformed from tranquil havens for fishermen and Hindu pilgrims into popular spots for backpackers and even full-scale resorts with exclusive hotels. However, with peaceful stretches of sand still available in Kerala, you can choose from trance parties, luxurious hotels, relaxing homestays, and yoga retreats.
Following the excesses of Christmas, Kerala provides opportunities for reflection and detoxification at a yoga retreat, exploring the backwaters on a rice barge, or venturing into the Western Ghats for fresh air and wildlife watching among the region's forested hills and tea plantations.


7.Southern Thailand

Best for beaches 

Southern Thailand
Southern Thailand
Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Phi-Phi have long been favored as sun-sea-sand destinations, especially during the European winter. However, venture further south to discover lesser-known spots. The Trang Islands – Ko Kradan and rugged Ko Muk – have avoided large-scale development, despite their sparkling beaches, clear waters, and the stunning Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave) on Ko Muk. Continue to Tarutao National Marine Park, a group of 51 islands just north of the Malay border.

Planning tip: Consider taking an overnight train from Bangkok to Trang, then catch a ferry from Hat Yao Pier to Ko Muk or opt for a longtail boat to Ko Kradan. 


8.Mt Kenya, Kenya

Best for summiting a mountain


Mt Kenya,National Park
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, ‘Africa’s roof’, may be loftier, but Mt Kenya offers a more achievable, beautiful and wildlife-rich trekking experience, best attempted during this driest period and a great way to start a new year off with a bang. Conquering Point Lenana (4895m/16,060ft) is no picnic, demanding a good level of fitness and careful acclimatization, but it is a walk in the park – Mt Kenya National Park, protecting bountiful wildlife as well as those rusty, jagged spires.
Spy elephants, elands, baboons and turacos on the verdant lower flanks; higher up, cheeky rock hyrax and bold sunbirds scamper and flit among giant lobelias. Camping at over 4,000m (13,123ft) on summit night, prepare for subzero temperatures and a pre-dawn start, navigating by star and moonlight for the final push. But icy fingers and a throbbing head can’t dent the thrill of watching the sun rise across the African plains from your mountaintop aerie.


9.Chūbu, Japan

Best for snow lovers

Snow Monkeys
Snow Monkeys
Winter provides a magical opportunity to explore the historic settlements of Japan's central Honshu region, where snow lightly covers temples, castles, and traditional wooden houses. Beyond the ski resorts, crowds diminish after the late-December holidays and before cherry blossom season.
In the Japanese Alps, 'snow monkeys' (Japanese macaques) relax in hot springs near Yudanaka, and there are wonderful opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing. Visit Kanazawa on the north coast, known as 'Little Kyoto' for its castle, Kenroku-en garden, and geisha and samurai districts. To the south, the enchanting thatched villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are nestled on the wooded eastern slopes of Hakusan National Park. Feeling chilly? There's always a steaming onsen (hot spring) and warm sake close by.


January's dream journey: Witness the northern lights in Svalbard, Norway


the northern lights in Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard

As night descends, the sky shifts in a disconcerting manner with flashes of green like wizard's wands. The lights have arrived. It's as if the Nordic gods are hosting a strobe party in the sky. Everyone gazes upward, holding their breath in the chilly night, as if speaking would be sacrilege. Cold fingers struggle to adjust shutter speeds to capture this magnificent spectacle. Snow-dusted mountains all around glow with a pearl-like whiteness, as if illuminated from within.
Situated midway between Norway and the North Pole, and home to more polar bears than humans, Svalbard epitomizes the High Arctic, a realm of rock, ice, and astonishing beauty. Beyond the rumbling snowmobiles and the howling huskies lies a white wilderness, resonant silence, and frequent displays of the aurora borealis. January is an ideal time to visit, as during the darkest months of the Polar Night (mid-November to January), the chances of witnessing these lights are excellent, provided the skies are clear and activity is high. Fortunately, 2025 is expected to be an outstanding year for viewing the northern lights. 

Planning tip: Norwegian and SAS offer flights to Longyearbyen from Tromsø and Oslo. 

 

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