Travel experts also told us what they can be replaced with.
Not all popular tourist destinations are suitable for vacations at different times of the year for different reasons, even if we are talking about different regions of the same country.
Travel experts Travel Off Path have named seven popular tourist destinations that you should avoid visiting this winter.
“Winter vacation is a two-word phrase that conjures up images of cozy vacation spots, festive fairs, or sun-drenched beaches that offer refuge from the cold. But let’s be honest: the difference between the travel experience you see on Instagram and the reality can be vast, especially during the winter. As an experienced team of Travel Off Path editors and contributors, we’ve seen it all. We know what it’s like to arrive in a dream destination only to find it cold, gray, and completely closed for the season. It’s not about avoiding these wonderful places forever. It’s about avoiding them when they might disappoint,” the authors of the article noted.
They also suggested reasonable alternatives for each of the destinations on the list.
1. The islands of Mykonos and Santorini, Greece – the atmosphere of a “ghost town”. Experts warn that these beautiful places only have a special charm in the summer, when they are flooded with sunlight. In winter, not only is it boring and everything is closed, but the weather is also terrible.
“The weather is often cold, rainy, and windy, and most of the charming hotels, lively restaurants, and even the inter-island ferries are closed until spring. You’ll find a lonely, dreary reality instead of the sun-drenched paradise you’ve been dreaming of,” seasoned travelers warn.
Instead, they recommend that tourists visit the Spanish Canary Islands, which offer year-round sunshine and hospitality.
2. Amalfi Coast, Italy – the atmosphere of “seclusion”. As with the Greek islands mentioned above, in winter, beach clubs, restaurants, hotels, and shops are mostly closed in the Amalfi resorts. And the weather is not very pleasant.
Instead, winter tourists can go to the Portuguese Madeira, which is also called the “island of eternal spring”.
3. Marrakech, Morocco is a trap of “exotic deep freezing”. Many tourists mistakenly believe that this African country will be a great place to escape for warmth from cold Europe. The reality is that Marrakech can be surprisingly cold.
“Although the daytime temperature of around 15°C can be pleasant, it drops sharply to 4°C at night. The biggest trap that floods travel forums every winter is that these beautiful open-air riads are built to keep cool and often lack central heating, leading to uncomfortably cold nights,” experts warn.
Instead, tourists are advised to visit Egypt (Luxor and Aswan).
4. Dublin, Ireland – “eternal darkness”. Travel experts explain that while Dublin’s pubs are always cozy, the real challenge for tourists in winter is not only the cold and rain, but also the extremely short daylight hours. In December, the sun can set before 4 p.m., making it difficult to explore the city’s attractions.
Instead, tourists are advised to travel to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon – one of the sunniest and mildest winter capitals in Europe. Here, guests will find a world-class history, amazing cuisine and a lively atmosphere without the oppressive winter darkness.
5. Paris, France – not worth the cost. “Paris is undoubtedly magical during the Christmas and New Year holidays, but the price is very high. Airfare and hotel prices are at their peak, and the city becomes incredibly crowded. You’ll spend most of your trip standing in long queues in cold and wet weather. It’s a classic case of paying more for a larger crowd,” experts warn.
Instead, travelers are advised to pay a visit to the Czech capital, Prague, where they can experience a true winter wonderland.
6. Iceland is a “high-stakes game.” Although most tourists travel to Iceland in the winter to see the Northern Lights, their trip is often marred by extreme weather, snowstorms, frequent road closures, and only 4-5 hours of daylight.
“Seeing the aurora borealis is a risk, not a guarantee, which makes the trip very expensive and potentially disappointing if the weather is not pleasant,” note experienced travelers.
Instead, tourists are advised to visit Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi), which is much better prepared for extreme winter weather conditions.
7. The Lake Region of Northern Italy (Como, Garda) – “Hollywood vs. Reality”. Most of the famous lake towns become extremely quiet and are often shrouded in cold fog during the winter months.
“Many of the grand villas, famous gardens, and even the ferry services are operating on a very limited schedule or are completely closed until spring. This is beautiful, but it doesn’t offer the vibrant and glamorous Italian lake experience that you’ve seen on screen,” experts warn.
Instead, they recommend that tourists pay a visit to Lake Tahoe in the U.S. states of California and Nevada. It offers the same stunning combination of a deep blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, but it is a winter destination with world-class ski resorts and vibrant coastal towns.
