Wanderlust · 6 min read · December 16, 2025

New year new holiday – where you should go in January

Start the year somewhere new, with destinations that shine in January – minus the crowds.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

This January travel guide highlights destinations that shine at the start of the year. Discover crowd-free culture in Genoa, winter sun on volcanic islands like São Tomé and Príncipe, Pico and Cape Verde, and peak whale-watching season in Baja California. Experience the energy of Benin's Voodoo Festival in January, or slow things down by the volcanic shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. Each destination offers a different way to start the year with travel that feels fresh and rewarding.

This month's beach read: The House in the Cerualean Sea, TJ Klune

For something wholesome to warm the heart in darkest January, you can't go wrong with The House in the Cerulean Sea. Uplifting, hopeful and magical, this hug-in-a-book will stay with you for weeks after you turn the final page. Set in an orphanage for magical children, it's a story of romance and found family in a world where kindness is quietly radical and difference is feared.

Find your next holiday read

Fancy reading The House in the Cerulean Sea? Buy it now on the Waterstones website and get ready for your next getaway.

If you buy something through this link we may earn a small commission.

Genoa | Italy

After an Italian city break but already completed Rome and Florence? Give Genoa a go. It's having a bit of a cultural moment, or renaissance if you're fancy, and if anyone knows about a renaissance it's the Italians.

Wander its tangled alleys in search of marble churches, grand palazzi and the scent of fresh pesto drifting from trattorias, stopping for focaccia still warm from the oven. Less polished than its famous neighbours but richer for it, Genoa offers art, architecture and seriously good food – without the crowds.

Sao Tome and Principe

Look out because a new Canary Island just dropped. If you like your volcanic African islands a bit more far-flung and exotic then you'll be excited to learn about São Tomé and Principe. These gorgeous islands are about as close to the equator as you can get, meaning it's warm and sunny almost all the time – with the odd tropical shower or two.

It's the Canaries but without the overtourism, high-rise hotels or 'Brits-abroad' vibe. Instead you've got smaller eco resorts, untouched beaches, unique wildlife and some genuinely beautiful scenery – the Pico Cão Grande looks straight out of an Avatar film.

Direct flights to the islands have recently started operating out of Lisbon, meaning it's easier than ever to get there – why not add an extended stopover in the Portuguese capital on the way?

Pico | Azores

Pico is very much Portugal's version of Tenerife – dominated by the jaw-dropping Mount Pico which is Portugal's highest peak. It's also the perfect spot for a bit of post-Christmas winter sun.

The island boasts a unique blend of natural wonders, from rugged lava fields to the vineyards intricately designed to make the most of the rich soil that's peppered with basalt rock. Then there's the azure waters that encircle the island, offering a striking contrast to the bright green flora that benefits from the fertile, volcanic soil. Perfect for whale watching and scuba diving, and home to the delicious seafood that influences the island's cuisine.

Soak up the slower pace of life and explore the rural communities, roll out your towel on the beach or hike the trails that wind up the slopes of Mount Pico for eye-popping views over the Atlantic.

Baja California | Mexico

Baja California is one of the best destinations in the world for whale watching and January is one of the best times to go.

The majority of the world's population of grey whales return to mate and give birth around this time of the year. The whale watching here is exceptional as you can get up close to the incredibly friendly whales – there'll be no need to squint into the distance for a hopeful sighting.

If you tire of the sea, there are land-based delights to explore too. Baja California is a great region for wine thanks to the warm and dry climate. There are plenty of vineyards to tour, and of course plenty of wine to taste!

Benin

Looking for something a little further off the usual travel trail? Benin in West Africa is rich in history, tradition and spiritual culture. Best known as the birthplace of Vodun (often called voodoo), it comes alive each January with the Voodoo Festival in Ouidah – a powerful, colourful celebration of music, dance and ancient rituals that draws visitors from around the world.

Beyond the festival, Benin offers vibrant markets, coastal towns, and deeply important historical sites, from royal palaces to reminders of the transatlantic slave trade. It's a destination that feels authentic, immersive and unlike anywhere else – especially if you're curious about culture beyond the familiar.

Boa Vista | Cape Verde

Looking to escape for some winter sun but bored of the Canary Islands? Head to Cape Verde instead.

This Atlantic archipelago is made up of 10 volcanic islands around 900 miles south of the Canaries, just off the coast of Africa. Cape Verde is imbued with a fascinating mix of west African and Portuguese culture and is largely unspoiled by mass tourism.

Check out our guide…

Lake Atitlan | Guatemala

Lago de Atitlán is the deepest lake in Central America and probably the most spectacular in the world. Surrounded by three imposing volcanoes, the mysterious waters shimmer and change colour throughout the day from deep green to dark blue, enchanting many backpackers to stay by the lake way longer than they had planned.

The villages dotted around the lake all offer something different. Party day and night in San Pedro La Laguna, then recover with a spot of meditation and yoga in the quieter San Marcos La Laguna.

If you can prize yourself away from the lake, visit Chichicastenango for a taste of authentic Mayan culture. Head there on market day and browse stalls filled with carved masks, huipil blouses and local products.