Traveling in peak season has its perks. You’ll enjoy prime weather (i.e., sunny beach days in tropical locales, and fresh powder in winter sports destinations) and benefit from businesses being open, sometimes with extended hours.
But, you’ll also have to go shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists, accept inflated pricing, and choose from limited hotel and restaurant availability.
Instead, follow the strategy savvy travelers swear by and embrace shoulder seasons. Shoulder seasons are the sweet spot right before or after the peak tourist periods begin or end, when the weather is still ideal and attractions are open. During these months, destinations tend to be more affordable, attainable, and relaxed, and you won’t have to make as many itinerary sacrifices as you might should you visit in the off-season.
If you’re flexible with timing, these are the seven destinations that thrive during in-between shoulder months.
In this article
1. Amalfi Coast, Italy
In summer, the Amalfi Coast can feel impossibly crowded as narrow roads clog with tourists and hotels become fully booked. And in winter, businesses can shut down and colder weather makes it harder to beach hop. Instead, visit in fall after the summer throngs have departed, or early spring, right before they arrive. The weather will still be warm in both cases, seasonal services will still be functional, and you’ll have an easier time securing a waterfront table come dinnertime.
2. Santorini, Greece
Tourists flock to Santorini all summer to admire whitewashed buildings and sweeping caldera views. They often arrive by ferry, and overly crowded ones at that. Skip the summer saturation, or the winter when service significantly slows, and time your visit for April, May, or October. During those months, you’ll still benefit from regular ferry service, just without quite so many crowds (not to mention cruise ship passengers dropping in for the day).
3. Paris, France
Paris is always a good idea, but winter can be cold and drizzly while summer sees crowds, intense heat, and sometimes closures in the month of August. Prioritize late fall or early spring instead, when the weather is mild, museum lines are tolerable, and café culture is still in full swing.
4. Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii is a dream to visit all year, yet summer is when many families descend on the island. Winter is also a peak time when tourists arrive in droves for whale-watching season. Both periods drive up hotel and flight prices significantly. But there’s no reason to skip the months in between, when beaches are less crowded, hotels aren’t as busy, and flight prices tend to be lower.
5. Palm Springs, California
January through the end of April is Palm Springs’ peak, when golf and tennis tournaments pack the calendar (and local hotels), along with major music festivals. And since a visit in summer is likely too hot to handle, consider November or December, when it’s still warm and sunny during the day, or during the month of May, when the Coachella crowds have departed and it’s perfect pool weather but not yet the 120-degree dog days of summer.
6. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto buzzes with activity in spring as cherry blossoms bloom, as well as in fall, when peak foliage draws crowds. However, the months right before and after these periods offer a similar experience, but with far fewer crowds. And if mother nature cooperates, you might unexpectedly catch some of that early or late seasonal beauty, too.
7. Costa Rica
While most shoulder season destinations mean missing out on a summer trip, that’s not always the case. Early summer in Costa Rica is right in the smack of its shoulder “green season,” which runs from May through June. During this time, heavy afternoon rain showers are common. As a result, many tourists stay away. However, these storms are usually short lived and pass quickly. For most of the day, the weather is otherwise warm and sunny, and because of all that added rain, the rainforests will appear especially verdant and lush.
The Shortcut
Shoulder season delivers similar weather and hospitality as peak season travel, but at lower prices and with fewer crowds.
The best shoulder windows vary by destination. Spring and fall are common sweet spots, but some destinations flip the script entirely.
Flexibility is the key variable. Even a one-week shift in timing can make a meaningful difference.
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