When to go · Sweet spots

Same place, better month

Most places have a month when the weather is good but the price isn't at its peak. Here it is for 14 of them, with the peak month alongside, in calendar order.

Each price level and weather line comes from that place's month-by-month guide, where the sources are listed.

February
Zanzibar
Beach weather before the long rains, without the Christmas rush.
Often the hottest month and one of the driest, with around 56mm of rain. In 2027 Ramadan is expected to begin on 8 February, which quietens Stone Town by day.
February · sweet spot
Shoulder: good value before the rains
December · peak
Peak: the most expensive month; book six months ahead
Zanzibar, month by month
April
Dubai
Warm, dry and swimmable, before the summer heat.
Warm and dry, with highs around 34°C and the sea at about 25°C. Mornings and evenings still work well outdoors; midday is for the pool.
April · sweet spot
Shoulder, with Easter peaks
December · peak
Peak: book six months ahead for Christmas
Dubai, month by month
May
Bali
Sunny and settled, before the summer crowds.
Sunny, settled and uncrowded, with about seven rainy days and ten hours of sun. Underwater visibility around Nusa Penida is often very good.
May · sweet spot
Shoulder, strong value
July · peak
Peak: book villas 6 to 9 months ahead
Bali, month by month
May
The Amalfi Coast
Warm days and lemon groves in flower, without the August crush.
One of the best months of the year. Days around 20°C, a sea of about 19°C and lemon groves in flower, with far fewer visitors than summer.
May · sweet spot
Shoulder, book well ahead for late May
August · peak
Peak, the most expensive month
The Amalfi Coast, month by month
May
Croatia
Long warm days and quiet anchorages before the summer peak.
One of the best months. Highs around 23°C, a sea of about 19°C by the end of the month, and quiet anchorages for anyone sailing.
May · sweet spot
Shoulder, rising late in the month
August · peak
Peak, the most expensive month
Croatia, month by month
May
Portugal
Beach-warm in the Algarve, before the summer holidays.
One of the best months. Lisbon reaches about 22°C, the Algarve is usually warm enough for the beach and Comporta is quiet and green.
May · sweet spot
Shoulder, good value
August · peak
Peak, the most expensive month
Portugal, month by month
May
Japan
Green and calm once Golden Week is over.
The first days belong to Golden Week, when trains and hotels are full. After 6 May the country exhales: green, warm and calm, with blossom arriving in Sapporo.
May · sweet spot
Peak to 5 May, shoulder after
April · peak
Peak: book months ahead
Japan, month by month
May
Barbados
The last of the dry season, at shoulder prices.
The last of the dry season with shoulder prices. Hotels quieten, the sea is warm and both hawksbills and leatherbacks are nesting.
May · sweet spot
Shoulder, good availability
December · peak
Peak, festive weeks book out months ahead
Barbados, month by month
June
Thailand
Swap Phuket for the Gulf islands, at low-season prices.
Showers tend to come in heavy bursts with clear spells between. A strong month to swap Phuket for the Gulf islands.
June · sweet spot
Low: easy to book
December · peak
Peak: Christmas and New Year book out
Thailand, month by month
July
Sri Lanka
The east coast's prime weeks, and the last month of the best wildlife viewing in Yala.
The south-west stays showery while the east coast enjoys its prime weeks. July is the last month of the best wildlife viewing in Yala.
July · sweet spot
Shoulder: European summer demand rises
January · peak
Peak: book months ahead
Sri Lanka, month by month
September
Iceland
Dark enough for the aurora, with many highland roads still open.
Our favourite all-rounder. Nights are dark enough for the aurora, many F-roads remain open into the month, and the crowds thin.
September · sweet spot
Shoulder, easing from peak
July · peak
Peak, book months ahead
Iceland, month by month
September
Morocco
The heat eases, and the wind drops in Essaouira.
The heat starts to ease, with the Sahara around 33°C and the High Atlas still warm. The wind drops in Essaouira and the sea reaches about 20°C.
September · sweet spot
Shoulder, rising to High late in the month
April · peak
Peak over the Easter holidays: book months ahead
Morocco, month by month
October
South Africa
Whales at Hermanus and a warming Cape, before the summer holidays.
Whales are at their most active around Hermanus and the Cape warms up. In Kruger the first rains arrive and migrant birds return.
October · sweet spot
Shoulder, a quieter run before summer
December · peak
Peak: book months ahead
South Africa, month by month
November
Mexico
The dry season starts, and prices ease after Día de Muertos.
The dry season begins and the month opens with Día de Muertos. Pleasant at 10 to 22°C in Mexico City and 27°C in Acapulco.
November · sweet spot
High for Día de Muertos, shoulder after
February · peak
Peak: book months ahead
Mexico, month by month