If the post-holiday blues set in after the hectic end-of-year season, planning a vacation, even if it’s just a weekend trip, can be just what the doctor ordered. Whether you stay close to home for a local staycation or travel to a distant location, discovering a new destination or revisiting an old favorite is a terrific way to start the year.
We provide ideas for winter activities, sunny beaches, and interesting locations to visit. These are the top destinations to travel in January.
Best Travel Destinations In January 2024
We’ve picked together some of the top places on the earth to travel to this January, whether you’re searching for a short getaway, cultural experience, or wildlife marvel that can only be discovered at the start of the year, or you’re hoping to spend the entire month deep diving into a new destination. Here are the top 21 destinations to travel to in January …
#1. Norway
Make no mistake: it’s chilly in Norway in January. January is the coldest month of the year, with temperatures plunging to -2°C or lower depending on how far north you go. But it’s also one of the most gorgeous months to visit whether you’re looking for a unique snowscape or a winter sports experience. So get your warmest winter travel clothes and hit the road.
Expect most of the country to be coated in fresh, white snow, and prepare for some lovely sunrises and sunsets. With the possibility of viewing the Norwegian Northern Lights – a neon show made possible by the dark, clear winter night skies – you’ve got yourself a photographer’s dream.
Bonus? Because of the chill, there are fewer visitors around, thus the out-of-season photos you’ll be able to take will have almost no people in them. It also helps to make this traditionally pricey country a little less dear.
#2. Malé
Any tour to Malé will tell you that the Maldives’ capital is thickly inhabited. It also features numerous local markets, mosques, and museums.
Malé is also an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to tour the entire archipelago. It’s simple to get to the Atolls for scuba diving, water sports, and the chance to witness some of the Maldives’ most amazing marine wildlife, including reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and turtles on land.
Of course, you won’t be the only one taking in everything Malé and the Maldives have to offer. With temperatures ranging from 26°C to 31°C, January marks the start of the dry, sunny season, making it the greatest time to visit. After a tropical rainy season that lasts from May to November, it’s natural for locals and travelers to seek out the sun and clear skies.
#3. Los Angeles, California, USA
In January, the home of Hollywood is a surprise. It is not hot, but rather moderate, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 20°C. It’s a great time to take a walking tour of the city, spot celebs arriving for the Golden Globes in early January, or do what Los Angeles residents do best: climb!
Griffith Park, located to the east of the Santa Monica Mountains, is ideal for leisurely hikes. The Charlie Turner Trail is a popular 40-minute trek that offers spectacular views of the city and a glimpse of the renowned Hollywood sign. The prize doesn’t stop there: Griffith Park Observatory is nearby and a must-see for stargazers.
Runyon Canyon, one of Los Angeles’ most well-known paths, is another alternative. Even in January, there are lots of athletic residents strolling along this dirt trail. It steadily climbs, but there are a couple of steep surprises to keep you on your toes.
If all of this seems a little too touristy for you, there’s no better time to visit neighboring California places. The beaches of Malibu, Long Beach, and Santa Monica are among the most popular in Los Angeles County, while the neighborhoods of Burbank, Silver Lake, and Culver City provide a plethora of chic bars, health-conscious eateries, independent boutiques, and cultural gems.
#4. Barbados
Barbados shines with beautiful skies, sunshine, and temperatures reaching 30°C from December to April. If travel there in January, you won’t be in the thick of peak season, but this winter sun location is another not-so-off-the-beaten-path option.
You can’t go wrong with a beach in Barbados, but there’s more to it. Barbados Sailing Week, for example, takes place in mid to late January, kicking off a series of sailing events throughout the Caribbean. Meanwhile, if you go at the end of the month, you might witness a show as part of the Barbados Horticultural Society’s annual Flower and Garden Show.
#5. Slovenia
Slovenia does not immediately spring to mind as a winter destination. It’s not sunny, and you won’t see the Northern Lights, but you can see a different aspect of a nation that is usually visited in the summer.
First and foremost, there is Lake Bled. When frosted over, this famous stop looks simply magnificent, with the bonus of fewer visitors crowding up the paths.
There’s also skiing. Slovenia’s national parks transform into a skier’s paradise in January. Kranjska Gora is the mother of all ski resorts, but you’ll never be short of options: Vogel in Triglav National Park provides views of Lake Bohinj, while Krvavec, Slovenia’s second largest ski resort, is only 25 minutes from the city, Ljubljana. After a long day on the slopes, unwind with an evening at the spa. Bliss.
If Slovenia doesn’t appeal to you, the Balkan region and its neighbors are frequently surprising as low-cost ski options. Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kopaonik in Serbia both provide a variety of winter sports trips.
#6. The Mekong River and Laos
With no rain and warm, dreamy days, January is the ideal time to travel to Laos in terms of weather. This month, the temperature in its cultural capital, Luang Prabang, averages approximately 24°C.
We’d recommend getting to know the capital’s Paris-esque charms, Vientiane, and taking your time in Luang Prabang. After all, there are more than 33 temples to see, apparently endless lengths of night market stalls, and even a mountain to climb: Mount Phou Si.
Along the route, you’ll stop at Si Phan Do to admire the breathtaking sight of the Mekong’s mightiest waterfall, Khon Phapheng, dubbed the “Niagara of Asia.” Pakse, Laos’ second city, is located where the Mekong and Xe Don rivers meet and brims with colonial architectural elegance, culture, and one of the country’s most important temples, Wat Luang.
#7. Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador
The beginning of the year is unquestionably the best time to travel in Central America, with the best weather occurring from December through March. But why limit yourself to just one country when you can visit three? If you happen to have an open travel calendar in January …
Begin in Nicaragua and tailor your vacation to your interests. It would be foolish not to see its distinctive islands, look for some of the world’s most colorful birds, enjoy the colonial grandeur in Leon or Granada, or confront the scorching pit of Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya.
Then you can choose between Nicaragua’s neighbors, Honduras or El Salvador. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose which one to visit, only which one to visit first, because they’re all interconnected.
Both countries, like Nicaragua, have turbulent but fascinating histories, so verify the political situation before booking. Fortunately, political instability hasn’t completely kept them off travelers’ radars.
#8. Vietnam
In January, Vietnam, like its neighbor Laos, is a safe bet. The weather is similarly comfortable, dry, and sunny, with just minor variations between north and south. Crowds have yet to arrive after Christmas, so you may enjoy this wildly popular country in relative peace.
A longer adventure will allow you to see the entire country. Vietnam’s many cities will never tire you: Hoi An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue, which is ideal for cyclists.
Natural beauty can be seen around every corner in Vietnam as well. There’s Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, both of which are accessible from Cat Ba Island. You can go to Hang Son Doong, one of the world’s largest caverns, or look for the rare golden-haired langur. A challenging – but rewarding – sighting for the professional wildlife observer, as only about 100 remain in Cat Ba National Park.
#9. The Hill Country of Sri Lanka
Winter is widely regarded as the finest season to explore Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Due to the considerable rains in October and November, the months of December to March are the greatest for rain-free weather. A swarm of tourists arriving in December is avoided by visiting in January.
If you have time to see all that Sri Lanka has to offer, the Hill Country is the place to go. Kandy is a fantastic site to begin your journey. It is surrounded by mountains, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts. It’s a cultural hotspot in Sri Lanka, with museums, massive Buddhas, and big, golden temples to admire.
#10. Panama
Panama, is another Central American classic, with great weather in January. Naturally, your first stop will be the Panama Canal, an 82-kilometer-long man-made waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans that was built over a century ago.
The best way to appreciate this magnificent technical feat is to visit one of its visitor-friendly locks. Miraflores, in Panama City’s capital, is one of the nicest. There’s also a wild side to the canal, replete with untamed jungle.
Of course, Panama City has more to offer than its canal. For starters, there are the UNESCO-listed areas of Casco Viejo and Panamá Viejo. Cobbled streets, colonial architecture, and hip eateries abound, as does La Catedral Metropolitana, Panama’s largest Catholic church.
#11. Antarctic penguin chicks
A penguin chick is the only thing cuter than a penguin. Right? If we’re all in accord, a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Antarctica in January should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
During January, there is a lot of (loud!) activity at Antarctica’s numerous penguin rookeries. This is partly because it is summer in Antarctica, with temperatures reaching not-so-dizzying highs of 2°C and seemingly unending summer days. It is, indeed, the Midnight Sun season.
The penguin chicks, in particular, are out in force and very fluffy at this time of year. You have a chance of seeing Emperor, Adélie, chinstrap, and Gentoo babies. Other than penguin chicks, which are usually adorable, there are other species to see around this time. Whale watching is greatest in February and March, though they may begin to swim around in January.
#12. Tambopata, Peru, Macaws
Peru may be in the midst of the wet season, but there’s a very good reason to travel there in January if you’re a birdwatcher.
Rainbow-hued macaws congregate at clay-feeding licks in Tambopata National Reserve, located in southeast Peru’s Amazon Basin, around this time of year, when the food supply is at its peak.
Nothing beats the sight of dozens of red, yellow, green, and blue birds swarming on the same wall. There are six different types of macaws, so keep a lookout for them all. Naturally, Tambopata has more to offer than just macaws – the reserve is home to over 670 bird species, many of which you’ll be able to see during your stay.
#13. Birdwatching in the United Kingdom
Robins are frequently associated with snowy vistas and Christmas cards, which is possible because they are one of the only types of birds in the UK that do not migrate. As a result, they can be found in parks and gardens around the country during the winter. If you’re lucky, you might even hear them sing.
Of course, winter is not always a happy time for robins. Snow on the ground makes it more difficult for them to get food, so check for birdfeeders while birdwatching in well-kept parks – you’ll most likely find them there.
Birders in the United Kingdom used their spotting talents as well around the end of January. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) hosts the Big Garden Birdwatch every year, in which participants spend an hour observing the many species landing in UK gardens to identify patterns, trends, uplifts, and diminishing numbers.
#14. Poland
Poland is home to approximately 170 lynxes. Due to their tiny numbers and reputation as a tough monsters to locate, there are two essential places to investigate – with a guide, of course.
Around 100 Eurasian lynxes live in the Carpathian Mountains’ highlands, close to the Slovakian and Ukrainian borders, in southern Poland’s Bieszczady National Park. A limited number of lynxes live in the Bialowieza Primeval Forest in the north. Similarly, a few live at Kampinoski National Park in central Poland, close to Warsaw.
Fortunately, finding an appropriate wildlife tour of Poland’s parks and woods will not be difficult. You’ll also have the opportunity to track wolves and, if you’re lucky, brown bears.
#15. Tanzania
The Great Migration, when herds of wildebeest cross the northern Serengeti plains in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Park in Kenya, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife spectacles. The sight of thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River is memorable. This occurs during the ‘peak’ months of the migration, which are July and October.
From January to March, however, the herds congregate in the Serengeti’s south, particularly in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Because it is also the calving season in January, this aspect of the journey is most visible.
#16. Gujarat, India.
Every year on January 14, Gujarat, India’s westernmost state, celebrates the International Kite Festival. It’s exactly what it sounds like hundreds of people gather from all over the world to see the display of massive, often imaginative, and colorful kite designs.
Since its establishment in 1989, the event has been one of the largest and most important in India, commemorating the Indian calendar’s shift from winter to summer. As a result, Ahmedabad, the state’s largest city, traditionally celebrates in style, becoming a busy center for cultural events in the weeks preceding the kite display.
Few tour providers go to Gujarat, so you’ll have to book your trip, research local guides, and take appropriate safety precautions, such as driving carefully on deserted roads.
#18. Lerwick, Scotland
Here’s a good reason to visit frigid Scotland in the thick of winter. The blazing pandemonium represented in this image is exactly what to expect during Up Helly Aa, a series of 12 fire-themed festivities held across Scotland’s Shetland Islands.
On the last Tuesday of January each year, Lerwick, the Shetlands’ principal port town, hosts the largest and most well-known. Volunteers from all across the Shetlands come together to prepare gallery exhibitions, a strictly-organized procession, and numerous burning torches – all headed by a townsperson chosen as the ‘guizer jarl’.
Preparations for the following festival begin as early as February of the preceding year, all with the hopes of producing a dramatic, traditional, and heartfelt display to mark the conclusion of the winter yule season. Visitors and Lerwick women cannot participate in the parade, although they can view it.
#19. Sweden’s Kiruna Snow Festival
Speaking of cool, every year on the last weekend of January, residents of Kiruna in Swedish Lapland’s icy north gather to celebrate the Kiruna Snow Festival.
With temperatures as low as -9°C (-18°C during the day), the town comes alive with a variety of activities, including ice skating, dog sledding, talks, craft fairs, art exhibits, creativity workshops, family-friendly events, snow football tournament,’ and musical performances over several days.
The Kiruna International Snow Sculpture Competition, the festival’s crowning splendor, attracts artists and ice sculptors from all over the world. If nothing else, it’s a one-of-a-kind travel experience.
#20. Sydney, Australia
Travel to sunny climes in quest of a somewhat less frigid place to ring in the New Year if Moscow’s fireworks display is a no-go due to the low temperature.
Welcome to Sydney, Australia. Many consider the spellbinding fireworks displays above the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to be the best in the world, a neon deluge of pinks, purples, blues, and reds. Yes, we said displays, since two major shows are going on: one at 9 p.m. and one at midnight.
Australia is the first place to see in the New Year due to its geographical location. After the excitement has worn off, expect average temperatures of 23°C.
#21. Sundance Film Festival in Utah, United States
Utah’s landscapes offer some of the most stunning natural settings. Expect snow-capped mountains rising behind city skylines, as well as five spectacular national parks fit for the big screen. As a result, the state provides a perfect location for the Sundance Film Festival.
Every January, the USA’s largest independent film festival draws tens of thousands of moviegoers to Salt Lake City or Park City. Storytellers and audiences are invited to see short films and documentaries over many days and to participate in daily talks with filmmaker panels. Many of the films that have premiered at the festival have gone on to receive critical recognition.
Skiers and snowboarders can also take advantage of the slopes when they travel there in January because the mountains in Utah will have some of their best snow of the year.
Last Thoughts
January is a difficult month for most of us, so take a week (or two) off and travel to one of these locales to kick off the new year on the right foot.
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