Besides making some New Years resolutions (especially to lose all the weight you gained throughout the holidays), the beginning of January is a great time to plan your trips for the next year. In order to make choosing both the best place and the time of the year to visit it, I made this list that will help you decide on where to travel in 2023 with month-by-month recommendations.
Where to travel in 2023
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While creating this guide about where to travel in 2023, I tried to do a mix of regions, whole countries and cities. I also wanted to combine some popular cities like Barcelona or Paris, with some lesser visited places. I tried to choose the best possible time to visit these destinations, as well. For example, the most popular places during the low-season, some colder north European cities during the summer months and other while some special events or festivities are happening.
January: Paris, France
Paris is beautiful at any time of the year! I visited it in all seasons, and it’s hard to decide it is more beautiful when the flowers in its parks are in full bloom or when it’s glowing with all the beautiful Christmas lights. However, one constant thing in Paris is that it’s busy. But here is my tip: visit it in January! You’ll have museums in Paris all for yourself, group tours will be smaller, and you could slowly wander its streets without being overrun by large groups of tourists.
⤷ Top place to visit: Orangerie Museum
⤷ Read more: First Time in Paris Guide
February: Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the most beautiful European cities. However, the experience of visiting it could be ruined by the over-tourism it’s suffering from. Does it mean you shouldn’t visit it at all? Of course, not! Visit it during the low season! It’s better for the local people living there, for the city’s infrastructure and you’re definitely going to have a much better experience. Weather in Barcelona during February is probably going to be nicer than in the north of Europe. And you could enjoy eating some tapas, churros, and learning more about some of the famous artists who lived and worked there at a slower pace.
⤷ Top place to visit: Park Guell
⤷ Read more: Three days in Barcelona
March: Arles, France
Located in a beautiful region of Provence, the city of Arles is a place I’ve discovered a few years ago and absolutely loved it. You can reach it in only three hours with a fast TGV train from Paris. It used to be an important Roman town, and you can find many Roman ruins (including the still-standing amphitheatre) and Medieval buildings all around it. It has a lovely combination of French architecture and Mediterranean influences in the colours of the facades and the narrow streets. It’s also a place where some famous artists like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso or Paul Gauguin spent lived, as well. March is a great time to visit it because it won’t be too hot. But, you’ll have a chance to see some of the famous Provencal flowers start blooming.
⤷ Top place to visit: Arles Amphitheatre
⤷ Read more: Locations in Arles linked to the life of Vincent van Gogh
April: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Although having the word ‘grand’ in its official name, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe. And you can explore it quite well within a few days. Being surrounded by France, Germany and Belgium, it was under a cultural influence of these countries throughout history, and you can still feel that on every step while in Luxembourg. I visited it during the Easter weekends a few of years ago. And because of some interesting traditions linked to that holiday, April is excellent time to visit Luxembourg. It’s already warmer, and the snow is gone, so you can spend more time in nature, or by exploring some of its numerous castles.
⤷ Top place to visit: Vianden Castle
⤷ Read more:Luxembourg travel guide
May: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Another place that’s suffering badly from over-tourism in Europe is Dubrovnik. And I wouldn’t suggest anyone to visit it between June and September. However, it isn’t called The Pearl of Adriatic without the reason. And it’s, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. So, the same as I’ve suggested with Barcelona, visit Dubrovnik in the shoulder-season. I was there a few years ago in May, and the old city wasn’t crowded at all. Still, we enjoyed some gorgeous weather, and it was warm enough to swim in the outside swimming pool of our hotel. Having such an interesting history, beautiful Medieval old town and some great cuisine, definitely plan to visit Dubrovnik if you’re still wondering where to travel in 2023.
⤷ Top place to visit: Old city walls of Dubrovnik
⤷ Read more: Weekend travel guide to Dubrovnik
June: Flanders, Belgium
The region of Flanders in Belgium is probably one of my favourite parts of Europe. And although I’m visiting it at all times of the year, June could definitely be a great time to travel there. Weather is going to be good, it is when many festivals are happening and when you can enjoy in some of its beautiful nature, as well. Flanders has something for everyone, from great beers (probably each village has its own local beer), delicious chocolates, to some amazing architecture and fantastic art. You can visit only one town, or do a little tour starting from Brussels, and go to Leuven, Antwerp, Mechelen, Bruges, Ghent or Ypres. There is so much to do and see in Flanders, you could actually spend the whole month of June there.
⤷ Top place to visit: Mechelen is gorgeous, but still a bit of a hidden gem
⤷ Read more: The best weekend trips to Flanders
July: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Although there are so many beautiful Dutch cities you should visit, Rotterdam is definitely one of my favourites. The second biggest town in the Netherlands is home to some great street art, fantastic modern architecture and a lovely foodie scene. Visit it during the summer months, so you can enjoy in some of the outdoor activities, go on a boat tour and just enjoy in a great vibe Rotterdam has.
⤷ Top place to visit: The Cube Houses & SS Rotterdam
⤷ Read more: Rotterdam Travel Guide
August: Hamburg, Germany
You’ve probably noticed that I’m recommending destinations in northern Europe to visit during the summer months. Well, it’s one of my top tips if you’re still not sure where to travel in 2023. Summers are a bit milder than at the south, and usually, there are so many great outdoorsy things to do there. Hamburg is a town with a great vibe, beautiful architecture that spans from the former industrial buildings to some masterpieces of modern architecture. And you’ll find many awesome museums and musical performances in Hamburg, as well.
⤷ Top place to visit: International Maritime Museum
⤷ Read more: Things to do during the weekend in Hamburg
September: Lake Como, Italy
If a combination of high mountains, a beautiful large lake and Italian food sound like a great mix to you, then be sure to put Lake Como on your list of where to travel in 2023. Located at the very north of Italy, at the border with Switzerland, it’s one of the largest lakes in Europe. It’s also home to so many beautiful charming towns. September could be a great time to visit it because it’s still going to be quite warm and you could spend the whole days by exploring the lake.
⤷ Top place to visit: Small town of Varenna
⤷ Read more: Three days at Lake Como
October: Karlsruhe, Germany
With its interesting history, beautiful architecture, many cultural sites and numerous parks all around the town, Karlsruhe is absolutely worth visiting. That lovely town could be easily explored on foot, and it makes a perfect weekend break in Germany.
Karlsruhe is a town located in the southwest of Germany in the region called Baden-Württemberg. Because it’s situated at the edge of Schwarzwald Forest, it offers a perfect combination of cultural travel in the city and active tourism in nature. It’s also placed very close to the Rhine River and the border with France. It’s a unique place because it’s a typical German town with impressive historical and timber architecture, many cute pastry shops, a large technology sector and innovative media arts.
⤷ Top place to visit: Karlsruhe Palace
⤷ Read more: Karlsruhe travel guide
November: Rome, Italy
When the days get shorter and colder, it’s a good idea to visit some of the southern European countries again. Big and popular cities won’t be as crowded as in Summer. So, putting Rome to your list of where to travel in 2023 could be a great thing to do. You’ll still find plenty of sunshine in the Italian capital in November. Famous for its impressive Roman ruins, such as Colosseum or Roman Forum, are just some of the cities to do while there. If there’s going to be a rainy day during your trip, you can always spend it at some of the beautiful museums in Rome.
⤷ Top place to visit: Vatican Museum
⤷ Read more: My Travel Diary: Four days in Rome
December: Zagreb, Croatia
Home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and one of my personal favourites, you should definitely put Croatian capital on a list of places to visit in 2023. Zagreb city centre becomes a huge Christmas market each December. You’ll find local artists selling their work there, and many small restaurants offering some local specialities like fritule or štrudla, and some mulled wine. There is a chance for snow in December on a nearby Medvednica mountain. So, you can spend a day skiing or just enjoying in some winter activities there.
⤷ Top place to visit: Take a ride in one of the shortest funiculars in Europe while in Zagreb
⤷ Read more: Things to do in Zagreb 2024: Tips from a local
There are so many great places to visit in Europe, you could definitely make a trip to a different destination each month. If you’re struggling with where to travel in 2023, I hope this guide with a month to month recommendations will be of great help!
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