Category Adventure Travel

The city may be a part of musical history, but there’s more to Chattanooga than a catchy tune. Besides stunning scenery and outdoor activities,  visitors will also find a city full of engaging cultural experiences. 

While Chattanooga is best known for classic ticketed attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium and Rock City, affordable activities abound. From public sculpture gardens and city parks to historic sites and craft markets, there’s plenty to do in the Scenic City for free. Start with our roundup of the 20 best free things to do in Chattanooga.

1. Coolidge Park

Once an abandoned shipping yard, Coolidge Park is a family-favorite spot. It has a fountain with stone lions, a restored wooden carousel, a 50ft climbing wall and walking paths along the river’s edge.

One end of the park is anchored by the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, which has put on fun performances by adult and youth casts for decades. The other ends with the Market Street Bridge and connects to Renaissance Park.

A kayak and canoe launch will get you onto the Tennessee River, and many restaurants and shops have back entrances opening to the park. Grab a sandwich from River Street Deli, ice cream from Clumpies, or a gourmet weenie from Good Dog and start exploring.

The best day trips from Chattanooga 

2. Walnut Street Bridge

The Walnut Street Bridge has been part of the Chattanooga skyline for over a century. It became a symbol of racial divides in the Jim Crow South after two lynchings – one in 1893 and another in 1906.

The bridge was nearly demolished in 1978 due to disrepair. Concerned citizens rallied to save the bridge and got it added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Money was raised to retrofit the Walnut as one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. It quickly attracted tourists and locals, linking the revitalized downtown and North Shore neighborhoods.

Today, the Walnut Street Bridge hosts various events like the Wine Over Water Festival and Seven Bridges Marathon. It also provides a viewing spot for waterfront events like the Riverbend Festival, Iron Man competition or downtown fireworks displays.

3. First Street Sculpture Garden

Towards the Walnut Street Bridge’s south end at First and Market Streets is a sculpture garden that rotates its works every year or so. Stroll down the hill on your way up to the Bluff View or down towards the Aquarium. Enjoy pieces like Louise Peterson’s “High Four,” a beloved statue of a Great Dane offering a paw that took on a patina as visitors paused to shake it.

4. The Tennessee Riverwalk

The Tennessee Riverwalk is a 16-mile greenway running from Chickamauga Dam in Hixson to the old Wheeland Foundry in St Elmo. There are several restaurants and businesses to stop at along the way, from the Boathouse on Amnicola Highway (get the tableside-made guac and margaritas) and the Overboard Bar & Grille on an old riverboat downtown to The Tap House. You’ll also encounter plenty of picnic spots, playgrounds and kayak launches.

5. The Chattanooga Market

Half farmer’s market, half craft fair, The Chattanooga Market typically runs from April to December, thanks to the city’s mild climate. The solid roof on the First Tennessee Pavilion covers the market in case of rain, but its open-air sides bring pleasant breezes.

Live music acts perform at one end of the market, where food trucks cluster around first-come cafe seating. The rest showcases booths selling everything from fine art to jewelry, spices, produce and local gifts. 

6. Sculpture Fields at Montague Park

Home to huge sculptures, Montague Park is a 33-acre outdoor art space. There are 40 pieces of art here at any given time, sprinkled throughout a field punctuated by trees, picnic pavilions and walking paths.

The Sculpture Fields are dog-friendly and feature views of Lookout Mountain. Since opening in 2016, it’s become a popular place for joggers, photographers, kite enthusiasts and families. 

The best city parks in Chattanooga

7. Chickamauga Battlefield

Once the site of one of the bloodiest fights of the Civil War and supposedly haunted by a cryptid called Old Green Eyes, Chickamauga Battlefield is mostly a maze of walking, cycling and driving routes spread across former farmland and tall pines.

It’s all within a National Military Park, and you can learn a lot about Civil War history here from the park rangers. Chickamauga Battlefield is also a great place to learn about local ecology, Indigenous history, monumental art and Reconstruction-era symbolism.

Expect to find parents teaching their kids to ride bicycles, out-of-town history buffs, locals out for a walk, sunset ghost hunters and families campingfor the weekend.

8. The Passage

Before Chattanooga was settled by European colonizers, it was a trading post for Indigenous nations, including the local Cherokee. In the 1800s, John Ross arrived via the Tennessee River and formed a long-standing relationship with the Cherokee. They even inducted him into their tribe.

Ross’s trading success directly led to Chattanooga’s founding, and the point of his arrival is still known as Ross’s Landing. The Tennessee Aquarium was built near that spot, and later the Passage was added to honor Indigenous history.

Tucked between the Tennessee Aquarium and the Tennessee River, the Passage is a gathering place, art installation and memorial to the Cherokee who were removed on the Trail of Tears. Ceramic sculptures inspired by Cherokee legends and history are blended with fountains that invite visitors to bear witness to the terrible impact wrought by the Indian Removal Act. 

9. River Gallery Sculpture Garden

Located near the Hunter Museum of American Art and the Bluff View Art District’s Victorian Christmas village of bed-and-breakfasts and bakeries, the River Gallery Sculpture Garden is a perennial favorite for its mix of diverse art in an unbeatable setting.

The permanent collection debuted in 1993, though visiting workspop up from time to time, too. There are cast bronze skateboarders, kinetic sculpturesand abstract works that glitter in the sunshine. The Garden connects to the Tennessee Riverwalk, so it’s easy to take a longer stroll through downtown, by the water and up to the historic Fort Wood neighborhood.

10. Hiking to Sunset Rock

Partway up Lookout Mountain, hikers can find Sunset Rock. If you plan to use the small parking lot at 405 W Brow Rd, be aware it can fill up fast. Pack a thermos of coffee or a picnic lunch to make the most of your time at Sunset Rock. It’s less than half a mile from the parking lot, though you can continue along other trails. While attractions like Rock City on Lookout Mountain often cost money, this hike and scenic overlooks are free.

11. Forest Hills Cemetery

Learn more about Chattanooga’s early history at Forest Hills Cemetery in St Elmo. This garden-style graveyard has been in use since the 1880s. Its splendid tombstones and mausoleums pay tribute to some of the city’s founders and prominent families.

Civil War generals are buried here, plus industrialists who profited off Chattanooga’s old foundries and railroad empires, the founders of local private schools and a United States Postmaster General. With a canopy of spruce trees, winding paths and a quiet atmosphere, it’s a great place for a stroll near St Elmo’s main hub of shops and restaurants.

12. Disc Golf

There are several disc golf courses available free to use throughout Chattanooga. Carver Community Center has a nine-hole disc golf course perfect for kids and beginners. 

The Sinks in DuPont Park is a well-regarded disc golf course with challenging wooded terrain that’s free to use as long as you already have your gear. Portland Park also features a free disc golf course. The nine-basket course challenges players to navigate trees and tunnel shots. 

There’s even a disc golf course at Cloudland Canyon State Park (a 30-minute drive from Chattanooga), though you’ll need to pay a fee to use that one.

13. Hiking to Snooper’s Rock

Snooper’s Rock is another viewpoint that offers high returns for little effort. Head to Prentice Cooper State Forest near Signal Mountain, north of downtown.

You’ll have a winding drive down forest service roads that always feel like you’ve gone a little too far. Thankfully, the walk from the trailhead to Snooper’s Rock itself isn’t long at all, just a little steep.

The result is a view of the gorge between Signal and Raccoon Mountains where the Tennessee River carved its path. Hawks circle overhead and houses peek out of the mountainside’s dense green foliage. It’s one of Chattanooga’s best views.

14. Geocaching at Cloudland Canyon State Park

Cloudland Canyon State Park has many fun activities, from hiking to staying overnight in a yurt. But geocaching is a kind of scavenger hunt the whole family can get behind. Several themed geocache hunts at Cloudland Canyon include educational components on Indigenous history or the park’s geography.

You’ll need a phone or other GPS device to help solve clues leading to buried treasure. Cloudland Canyon has a $5 parking fee, but all other activities are free.

15. Enterprise South Nature Park

An old World War II munitions-manufacturing site is now a network of mountain biking courses, equestrian trails and walking paths. Since 2016, Enterprise South Nature Park has become popular with residents of the city’s northern suburbs and workers at the local Volkswagen plant. Bunkers #28 and #50 are open to the public for viewing if you’re curious about the place’s history, and leashed pets are allowed if you want to get outside with your furry friend.

16. Filling your photo reel at Umbrella Alley

Take eye-catching photos to remember your Chattanooga trip at free spots like Umbrella Alley. Find this whimsically decorated photo backdrop in one of the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga, the West Village. Colorful umbrellas suspended overhead make Umbrella Alley perfect for a photoshoot. For variations on the decorated alley theme, visit Cherry Street’s Urban Chandelier Alleyway and patio full of vibrant sculptures.

17. Touring the Bluff View Art District

Stretch your legs on a self-guided walking tour of Chattanooga’s Bluff View Art District. While the River Gallery Sculpture Garden alone is an excellent free attraction, it’s not the district’s only budget-friendly entertainment option. In the Bluff View Art District, travelers can also discover the historic Bluff View Inn, beloved restaurants like Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria, and recreation areas like the Bocce Court Terrace.

18. Listening to live music during Nightfall

For 30 years, the Nightfall Free Music Series has livened up Chattanooga summers with Friday night musical performances. Visit Miller Plaza from May through August to catch one of the shows. Attendees are encouraged to arrive with the whole family, including pets. Featured musicians range from folk artists and soul singers to jazz bands and indie rock acts.

19. Foster Falls Recreation Area

Drive out to one of Chattanooga’s surrounding natural wonders and spend a day at Foster Falls Recreation Area. Located near South Cumberland State Park, this recreation area is named after its centerpiece waterfall. Take the short but steep hike down to Foster Falls, or pack your bouldering gear and go climbing. In the summer, visitors can cool off by swimming in the pool beneath the falls.

Keep planning your trip to Chattanooga:

Fall-ing for Tennessee: unforgettable outdoor autumn adventures
Get outside in Chattanooga, a little city that’s big on adventure
The best day trips from Chattanooga

Just because the year is winding down doesn’t mean your travels need to peter out – particularly when October dazzles with an abundance of epic adventures. Whether you want to get active in Montenegro or wander a medina in Morocco, here are some ideas for where to go in October.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for relaxation?

Menorca, Spain

Why now? Swim, cycle and stroll in “winter’s spring.”

After the heat of high summer abates, hardcore beach-loungers depart but the sun hasn’t quite finished with the easternmost Balearic. In the first weeks of autumn – sometimes dubbed primavera l’hivern, describing the bright, warm days of “winter’s spring” – tourist facilities are yet to close up shop and the Mediterranean lapping Menorca’s glorious beaches remain delightfully balmy, yet you’ll have many places to yourself. Despite the odd shower as October wears on, conditions are fine for discovering the Anglo-Spanish heritage of charismatic capital Maó (Mahón) and former chief settlement, Ciutadella, marveling at four-millennia-old megalithic monuments, and hiking or biking the undulating 185km (115=mile) Camí de Cavalls coastal circuit. Menorca as a whole is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, centered on the bird-bustling wetlands of Parc Natural S’Albufera des Grau. Pack binoculars, load up with famed Menorcan pastries and explore in glorious peace.

Seychelles

Why now? Calm seas in paradise.

Seychelles is probably how Pixar would draw paradise: swaying palms, supernaturally blue seas, bling-white sand, artfully smoothed and scattered boulders, plus a few cute turtles wriggling ashore. Fantasy made real. Given these high levels of loveliness and the balmy 25–30°C (77–86°F) year-round temperatures, there’s no awful time to visit this Indian Ocean archipelago. However, October – the period between the brisker southeasterly trade winds switching to the lighter northwesterlies – brings especially calm conditions, so is an excellent month for swimming, snorkeling and diving. The water can be 29°C (84°F), visibility is around 30m (100ft) and migrating whale sharks have arrived. It’s also cheaper than the peak of June to August.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for wildlife and nature?

New Mexico, USA

Why now? For cool weather and hot air.

New Mexico, officially the “Land of Enchantment,” is especially enchanting in sunny, mild October – the 20°C (68°F) days are ideal for discovering the historical riches and extraordinary outdoors. Sites such as 1000-year-old Taos Pueblo nod to the region’s Native American roots, while the capital Santa Fe (founded by Spanish missionaries in 1610) combines old adobe houses, Romanesque architecture and a slew of modern-art galleries. Then there’s the plentiful wilderness, from the Sangre de Cristos mountains of the north to the blinding-white dunes of the south. Scenic drives cut through these badlands, while there are opportunities for activities and ranch stays aplenty.

New South Wales, Australia

Why now? Drive between quiet national parks.

Sun, sand, surf, scuba, schooners – standard-issue fun awaits along the Pacific Highway, the justifiably well-trodden trail between Sydney and Brisbane. But a world of natural and cultural wonders awaits just a little inland, some well known – the cliffs, cascades, caves and trails of the Blue Mountains – others much less visited. Spring shoulder season brings warm sunshine, wildflowers and a furry of animal activity, but without the crowds and costs of high summer – even the trails around Katoomba are quieter. Take the road less traveled to discover canyons and caves, historic mines and glow-worm tunnels, Aboriginal rock art and dizzying rainforest biodiversity.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for culture?

Fez, Morocco

Why now? October is the area’s weather sweet spot.

Stepping through blue-tiled Bab Bou Jeloud is as close as most of us will get to time travel: a journey back 1200 years to a city without motorized traffic, into the most mesmerizing and extensive medieval city in the Islamic world. Visit in October, between sweltering summer and chilly, damp winter, to explore (or, more likely, get hopelessly lost in) the tangled skein of 9400 alleys in Fes el-Bali. This oldest section of the walled Medina is romantic and relentless in equal measure. You can admire glorious Moorish zellij tilework and ornately carved wood and alabaster adorning medersas (Islamic colleges); feast on pastilla (pigeon pie), tagines and a traditional glass of mint tea; and bed down in an Arabian Nights–worthy palace, riad or dar (courtyard mansion). But you’ll also be deafened by the hubbub of the souks (bazaars) and hit by the stench of the colorful but pungent tanneries.
Editor’s note: On September 8, 2023, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Morocco, centering around the Atlas Mountains and southwest of Marrakesh. Travel to other parts of the country, including Fez, is largely unaffected, but we encourage travelers to check bulletins and monitor reliable local news sources for the latest information.

Southwest England

Why now? Roam historic marvels and glorious countryside in serene autumn.

England’s shapely left leg is crowded with grand mansions and stately homes, castles and abbeys, megalithic henges and barrows. In summer they’re jammed with tourists; many then close, at least partly, from the end of October. This month’s ideal, then, for a road trip immersing yourself in centuries of history: playing lord or lady of the manor at Montacute or Cotehele, communing with ancestors among Avebury’s standing stones, or jousting with King Arthur at Tintagel. Now, too, the hiking routes – not least England’s longest, the South West Coast Path – are wonderfully quiet, and cozy country pubs more enticing than ever.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for food and drink?

Le Marche, Italy

Why now? Hunt truffles, wines and other tasty treats.

“It’s the next Tuscany!” declare the cognoscenti, vaunting their new favorite “hidden” corner of Italy with culinary and cultural cachet. Well, Le Marche, sandwiched between the Adriatic and the Apennines, has no pretensions to be the next anywhere. As yet largely uncrowded, its low-key historic gems, Verdicchio and Conero wines, fungi and other local flavors speak for themselves – and do so most persuasively in harvest season. Autumn brings pleasant temperatures for hopping between medieval hilltop towns and hiking in Monti Sibillini National Park, watching for chamois, wolves and bears. True, some aspects evoke a whiff of Tuscany: the walled historic centers of Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, packed with medieval and Renaissance architecture, and the vine-striped hillsides. But Le Marche has favors all its own, evident in beautiful villages such as Gradara and Offda, renowned for their wines, and Acqualagna and Apecchio, both hosting white-truffle fairs in autumn – toast your trip with fine Apecchio beers.

Tohoku, Japan

Why now? Make a gastronomic pilgrimage in a season of harvests and fall finery.

Most visitors to Japan head west from Tokyo towards Kyoto and Fuji, or bypass northern Honshū to reach Hokkaidō. Too bad for them: the six prefectures comprising Tōhoku encompass steaming onsens (try Nyuto), gleaming castles (Hirosaki), golden-halled temples (Chūson-ji in Hiraizumi), peaceful farming valleys and forest-clad mountains, now flaming red and gold. The clear days of harvest season are perfect for exploring the region’s culinary highlights: fabulous seafood and fish, of course – squid and mackerel are particular specialties – plus local takes on ramen, soba and udon noodles, apples and excellent sake. Fuel up for hikes among the cedars on Mt Haguro, through the virgin beech forests of mountainous Shirakami-Sanchi or along the 1000km-plus (621-mile) Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for adventure?

Montenegro

Why now? Hit the heights.

Don’t pack away the hiking boots just yet – thanks to their southerly latitude, the mountains of Montenegro remain open and awesome for ambling until November. And what mountains: the highest are within Unesco-listed Durmitor National Park, a cluster of dark, serrated summits (of which 48 soar to over 2000m/6065ft) scattered with pine forest, lush meadows and glittering glacial lakes, and home to all manner of wildlife, from birds to bears. There’s also good walking amid the peaks and primeval forests of Biogradska Gora National Park. Coastal high points such as Mts Orjen and Lovćen offer sweeping views of the Adriatic – mix hikes here with dips in the azure sea, which remains beautifully inviting throughout October, and is wonderfully crowd-free. A week’s walking could include an ascent of Rumija, on the south coast; hiking in the Kučka Krajina range near capital Podgorica; admiring the autumn colors around Mt Bjelasica in Biogradska Gora; and varied trekking in Durmitor, with the chance to stand atop Bobotov Kuk (2523m/8277ft), the country’s highest peak.

Cusco Region, Peru

Why now? Traverse alternative Inca trails.

“The” Inca Trail winds for around 42km (26 miles) over breath-snatching passes and past ancient remains to end with the big reveal framed by the Sun Gate: Machu Picchu. But it’s far from the only Inca trail. Those ingenious ancient Peruvians constructed a vast network of highways – the Qhapaq Ñan, spidering some 30,000km (18,641 miles) throughout the Andes – much of which remains more or less intact today, beckoning hikers keen to explore past glories and meet modern Quechua people. Visit in October, after peak season but before the rains set in, to roam these historic paths in peace. The Salkantay Trek traverses thrilling Andean wilderness: snow-clad peaks, glaciers and mesmerizing lakes. The Lares Trek, north of the Sacred Valley, boasts fewer Incan sites but ample interaction with local communities. And Choquequirao rewards with another ridge-top citadel – a mini-Machu Picchu, with tiny crowds to match.

A paradise for anyone who loves wildlife and raw nature, the Galápagos Islands contain wonders you’ll find nowhere else on earth.

Plying the islands’ shores and coastal waters are Galápagos giant tortoises that weigh more than 500 pounds. Marine iguanas that swim and eat seaweed and algae.

Blue-footed boobies (seabirds), Galápagos penguins and many other incredible creatures. Such unique biodiversity has earned the archipelago a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Many visitors see the islands on a multi-day small-boat cruise, while others explore on land, hopping on ferries to get between islands. Either way, you will need to be with a certified guide at visitor sites in the national park, which composes 97% of the islands’ landmass.

As you plan your first trip to this wondrous place, read on for more tips to keep in mind.

When should I go to the Galápagos Islands?

The most popular time to visit the Galápagos Islands is during the warm season, from December to May. This time of year sees only intermittent rainfall, while air temperatures stay in the high 80s to low 90s F (30–34°C) – making the water lovely for swimming and snorkeling.

The June-through-November cooler season brings stronger winds and cooler air temperatures, but it’s still a nice time to visit. Since the islands are located near the equator, you can expect around 12 hours of sunlight each day year-round.

How much time should I spend in the Galápagos?

If you come all the way to the Galápagos, you’ll probably want to spend at least a week here – with four or five nights a bare minimum. Two weeks is a good length of time for more in-depth exploration. Many cruise companies split the islands into eastern and western itineraries. 

Since the islands are both remote and fairly spread out, you should research in advance which ones you want to call at.

Keep in mind you will need to get between islands, which can take some time when traveling independently. If you join a multi-day cruise, you’ll likely be in transit between islands at night, allowing you to fully enjoy activities during the day.

Is it easy to get in and around the Galápagos Islands? 

It takes some effort to get to the Galápagos Islands, which are 600 miles (956km) off the coast of mainland Ecuador. Most visitors fly from Quito or Guayaquil into one of the islands’ two main airports.

Keep in mind there are strict agricultural regulations in place, including a declaration and inspection. You’ll need to pay a park entrance fee of $200 for adult international visitors (this must be paid in cash upon arrival), as well as a $20 Transit Control Card.

Multi-day cruises are very popular, with vessels and amenities that range from budget to luxury; just about all cruise operators offer activities like snorkeling, hiking, kayaking or scuba diving. 

Independent travelers can find accommodations on a few islands, including Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. To get between some islands, take an inter-island ferry (tickets are available at shops and ticket booths); there are also a few propeller-plane flights between select islands.

To see the sites, book half- or full-day excursions – but keep in mind you need a certified Galápagos National Park guide with you to visit most sites. To get around, take a taxi, rent a bike or just walk.

Top things to do in the Galápagos Islands 

Spot blue-footed boobies on a hike

Join a guide to hike and explore the terrain on foot. North Seymour Island is just one of many locations with great places to walk, including a popular trail where a stroll among prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees will let you see species like like blue-footed boobies, great frigate birds, Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas.

Snorkel with penguins off Bartolomé Island

While many species stick to land, many more are in the sea, and snorkeling provides an excellent vantage point for encountering them. (If you have your own mask, consider bringing it from home to ensure just the right fit).

Join a tour to go for a snorkel in locations like Bartolomé Island – a great place to see penguins.

Set out on bucket-list SCUBA opportunities 

Experienced scuba divers place the Galápagos Islands on their bucket lists for good reason, for the Galápagos Marine Reserve teems with underwater wonders.

On a scuba trip, you’ll see spotted eagle rays, manta rays, Galápagos garden eels, bonitos, hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, Pacific seahorses, Galápagos giant sea turtles and much more.

Keep in mind that the area’s strong currents and swells make it a challenging environment, one best suited to experienced divers.

Get a scientific take at the Charles Darwin Research Station

In Puerto Ayora, stop by the Charles Darwin Exhibition Hall at the Charles Darwin Research Station to take in exhibits about scientific research on the islands and see natural-history specimens, including whale skeletons.

Be sure to spend some time strolling around the native gardens, and grab a ticket for a tour of Ruta de la Tortuga (“Tortoise Route”), along which you’ll spot Galápagos giant tortoises.

My favorite thing to do in the Galapagos

Some places have their “Big 5.” The Galápagos are so wildlife-rich that they have a Big 15.

Every time I visit, I love to check off as many species as possible – penguins, iguanas, tortoises and blue-footed boobies, of course, as well as such other species as flightless cormorants, red-footed boobies, Galápagos hawks, Santa Fe iguanas, Nazca boobies, Galápagos flamingos, Galápagos albatrosses, Galápagos fur seals, land iguanas…have we gotten to 15 yet?

How much money do I need for the Galápagos Islands? 

Ecuador uses the US dollar, but since there are a limited number of ATMs on the Galápagos, you should bring cash with you, especially smaller denominations. Tipping is customary for guides and boat staff.

The cost of a visit to the Galápagos Islands can vary widely, with a wide variety of multiday cruise ships and accommodations available, from basic rooms to luxurious ecolodges. If you book a cruise, be sure to find out what is and isn’t included – think meals, guides and activities.

Every visitor will need to budget for the park entrance fee and Transit Control Card, which may be included in the cost of some cruises.

• Transit Control Card: $20

• Park entrance fee: $200 (for adults from outside Ecuador, payable in cash)

• Basic accommodations: $40–100+ per night

• Luxury accommodations: $500–1000+ per night

• Meals: $20-40 per day

• Inter-island ferry: $30–60 one way

• Liveaboard boat, basic to luxury: $2000–20,000

• Tours: $60–250

Do your part to protect Galápagos National Park

Be sure to follow all the rules in Galápagos National Park, including sticking to trails and permitted areas, and giving wildlife plenty of distance. Never disturb, touch or feed any animals, and be sure not to use a flash when taking pictures.

Respect plants by leaving them be, and be sure not to transport anything – even sand –between the islands. Before you leave, read up on all the biosecurity rules of this unique ecosystem, and be sure not to bring any agricultural products to the islands.

You’ll need to complete a declaration and are subject to inspection.

Packing tips for the Galápagos Islands

Since the equatorial sun is always strong, be sure to bring sunglasses, reef-friendly sunscreen, SPF lip balm, a wide-brimmed hat and UPF clothing. Insect repellent and a water bottle to stay hydrated are also musts.

For clothing, you’ll want to bring a water-resistant day pack, rain jacket  and rain pants, swimsuits and rash guards along with a dry bag or plastic bags to keep out the moisture.

You won’t need to dress up, but you’ll want comfortable walking shoes and sport sandals for water landings in the boat.

Pack sturdy sandals rather than flip-flops for this, since you don’t want to risk walking barefoot on sharp corals.

Most importantly, bring binoculars and camera gear to see and photograph the incredible scenery and wildlife you can count on spotting.

Looking to get closer to nature and linger longer at a US national park? RV camping is the perfect way to experience the majestic wide-open spaces of the US national parks.

Camping in an RV within a national park provides a comfortable base to immerse yourself in a park’s beauty from sunrise to sunset (and beyond for great stargazing). National park campsites also create a fun sense of community between RV campers, who share everything from vehicle advice to travel tips, BBQ recipes and s’mores around the campfire.

The national parks listed below are top destinations not only for the quantity and quality of RV campsites within the parks but for the access that RVs have to tour the parks on wide, paved roadways with key park attractions within roadside viewing distance.

1. Acadia National Park, Maine

Number of RV campsites: 3 campsites with 160 total RV spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Acadia’s Recreation.gov website
The most scenic RV route through the park: The 27 miles of Park Loop Road unveils a spectacular vista of mountains, ocean, lakes and forests, with plenty of nearby trailheads for hiking. Acadia National Park does become quite crowded in summer, so consider a fall visit to avoid the heaviest traffic and also do some prime Maine leaf-peeping.

2. Arches National Park, Utah

Number of RV campsites: 1 campground with 51 sites
Reserve your RV spot here: Arches’ Recreation.gov website
The most scenic RV route through the park: Arches National Park’s Main Park Road traces 18 miles from the entrance to Devils Garden Campground on a nicely paved roadway, with multiple pull-out stops with views of the park’s epic rock arches. After your visit here, you can add stops to southern Utah’s Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion for an epic Utah national parks RV roadtrip.

3. Denali National Park, Alaska

Number of RV campsites: 3 campsites with 207 total spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Reserve Denali (NOT Recreation.gov)
The most scenic RV route through the park: The only RV route in Denali National Park is the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road, although RV campers at the Teklanika River Campground can continue another 14 miles to the campsite on a gravel road. Both segments of the road provide spectacular sweeping views of Denali’s mountainous landscape.

4. Everglades National Park, Florida

Number of RV campsites: 173 spots in 2 campgrounds
Reserve your RV spot here: Flamingo Adventures (Not Recreation.gov)
The most scenic RV route through the park: Take your time with plenty of pull-offs to appreciate the rich biodiversity inside Everglades National Park. The well-maintained 40-mile road from the Eastern Homestead Entrance to the Flamingo Visitor Center has vibrant birdlife (and lurking gators) in the lush green wetlands of the Everglades.

5. Glacier National Park, Montana

Number of RV campsites: 5 campsites with 631 RV spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Glacier’s Recreation.gov page
The most scenic RV route through the park: Although Glacier National Park’s famed Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles more than 20 feet long, RVers can still enjoy a great sightseeing route along Highway 2 at the edge of the park. Head to the park’s eastern side along Many Glacier Road to see (as you might guess) many glaciers.

6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Number of RV campsites: 4 campsites with 519 spots available for RVs
Reserve your RV spot here: Grand Canyon’s Recreation.gov page and the Trailer Village concessionaire website
The most scenic RV route through the park: The 23 miles of Desert View Drive east of Grand Canyon Village offers stunning views of the canyon, multiple pull-out points for photos and short trails through Grand Canyon National Park itself. There’s even RV parking at the Desert View Services area at the East Entrance of the park.

7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee

Number of RV campsites: 9 campsites with 924 RV spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Recreation.gov page
The most scenic RV route through the park: Newfound Gap Road traverses across 31 miles of hilly terrain between Tennessee and North Carolina inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The thick forests change from southern hardwoods to northern pines so dramatically along the road, the park service says it’s “like a drive from Georgia to Maine.”

8. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Number of RV Campsites: 8 campsites with 495 spots open to RVs
Reserve your RV spot here: Joshua Tree’s Recreation.gov webpage
The most scenic RV route through the park: Driving the park north to south on Park Boulevard from the West Entrance Station of Joshua Tree National Park will give you roadside views not only of plenty of the park’s eponymous trees but notable landmarks like Skull Rock and the Jumbo Rock formations. As you continue south on Pinto Basin Road watch as the landscape and flora transform from the Mojave to the Colorado desert ecosystems.

9. Yellowstone National Park, Montana & Wyoming

Number of RV campsites: 12 campsites with 2147 spots (and yes, they all regularly get booked up)
Reserve your RV spot here: Yellowstone’s Recreation.gov page and Yellowstone National Parks Lodges website
The most scenic RV route through the park: Grand Loop Road is Yellowstone National Park’s classic route passing key attractions like Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The 140-mile route can easily take a full day to drive, so its best to tackle in bite-size chunks, like the Lower Loop past Old Faithful and otherworldly hydrothermal highlights.

10. Yosemite National Park, California

Number of RV campsites: 9 campsites with 1231 spaces welcome RVs
Reserve your RV spot here: Yosemite’s Recreation.gov website
The most scenic RV route through the park: Escape the traffic of Yosemite Valley to drive Tioga Road, which bisects Yosemite National Park from west to east. It offers 46 miles of Yosemite’s greatest hits, including mountains, streams, forests, lakes, meadows, and a view overlooking Half Dome, with plenty of turnoffs to stop for photos.

Top tips to consider when seeking out RV camping at US national parks

• Most national parks use Recreation.gov as the website to make reservations for campsites. Each park has its own quirks regarding the timing and process for making reservations, so check out each park’s rules and regulations prior to booking.

• Make reservations as far in advance as possible. National park RV campsites can become fully booked within minutes of dates being offered, particularly for the summer high season and holiday weekends.

• For your RV campsite, research the length restrictions and available hookups for water, electricity, and sewage dumps. You don’t want an unpleasant surprise after a late-night arrival at a remote campground.

• If you’re not able to secure an RV campsite within a national park, be aware that many commercial RV campsites operate just outside the boundaries of most National Parks. Reservations at commercial campgrounds will be easier to make, and these campgrounds often provide many more services than those within park limits.

• Bringing bicycles or a towed car with your RV can greatly expand your options for exploration in a national park, particularly in areas with limited RV access. Also, consider leaving your RV in the campground and using park shuttle services when available.

Picture Utah and images of red-rock arches and deep canyons will spring to mind. However, the Beehive State adds up to much more than its landmark national parks. Taking a road trip across this ruggedly handsome US state will immerse you in the heart of America, taking in stunning landscapes, famous national parks, friendly small towns and roads that were made for driving.

Since you’ll be passing through one of America’s most beautiful states, you can expect an abundance of jaw-dropping views. There are plenty of places to visit and plenty to do wherever you park up. Thankfully, many of the best vistas can be accessed via paved highways and scenic byways with plentiful roadside viewpoints, with Salt Lake City as a convenient hub. 

While most of Utah’s best road trips are accessible in a conventional car, some more rugged routes require an all-wheel-drive crossover or a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. To really get to know this state, fuel up, roll down the windows and hit the road – here are the best road trips in Utah.

1. Scenic Byway 12

Best for tight itineraries

Panguitch–Torrey; 122 miles; one day

If you take only one road trip in Utah, make it this one. Along this route, linking the towns of Panguitch and Torrey in the national park-filled south of the state, you can experience much of what Utah is famous for in a single afternoon.

Highlights include red-rock tunnels, desert landscapes, nearly two million acres of pinyon pine woodland in Dixie National Forest, a summit overlook from 9000ft, and access to four of Utah’s greatest natural treasures: Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Capitol Reef National Park.

With plenty of shops and stops along the way, you can easily make a day of it – or even a couple weeks of it, if you stop off to thoroughly explore the parks.

Planning Tip: Most road-trippers begin the route at Panguitch, just north of Bryce Canyon. The nearest air hub is Cedar City Airport, served by Delta Connections flights from Salt Lake City, with car hire firms at the terminal.

2. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy

Best for dinosaur fans

Starting and ending in Vernal; 512 miles; 1–3 days

Utah is covered by deserts today, but millions of years ago, this was part of a coastal floodplain rich in flora and fauna. Evidence of this abundance of life comes in the form of dino footprints and fossils buried in the state’s desert cliffs and rocky outcrops – things visitors can easily seek out today.

For a trip back to prehistory, there’s no better route than Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy. Starting and ending in the beautiful town of Vernal, this epic route travels in a diamond shape through Utah and parts of Colorado, following I-70, US 6, US 40, and US 191, among other roads.

The highlight is the legendary fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument – where dozens of dinosaur skeletons lie in situ – but the route also takes in Flaming Gorge, Jones Hole, Fantasy Canyon, and Canyonlands and Arches National Parks near Moab.

Planning Tip: It’s best to come in spring or autumn to explore the dinosaur sites along the route, as temperatures soar in summer. Vernal is around 175 miles east of Salt Lake City – an easy drive along US 40 and US 191.

3. Monument Valley Hwy 163

Best for cinematic views

Mexican Hat–Monument Valley; 45 miles; half a day

Dozens of movies, including one Academy Award winner, have been shot in Monument Valley in the far south of Utah. With arguably the greatest backdrop in American movie history, this road trip will leave you feeling like a character in Stagecoach or The Searchers.

For the most impressive views, travel southwest from Mexican Hat, taking pictures of the sombrero-shaped rock and “Forrest Gump Point,” then drop into Monument Valley itself for even more surreal photography. Spilling across the state boundary into Arizona, this dramatic collection of towering sandstone buttes is administered by the Navajo Nation.

While you can easily complete the route in under two hours, you’ll want to allow extra time for side trips and scenic detours along connecting byways such as Hwy 276.

Planning Tip: To immerse yourself in movie lore, visit John Ford’s Point near The View Hotel – used as a filming location in The Searchers and several other John Ford westerns.

4. Mirror Lake Scenic Hwy

Best for an adventure from Salt Lake City

Kamas–Wyoming border; 42 miles; half a day
Starting an hour from Salt Lake City, the Mirror Lake Hwy is one of the most popular mountain driving routes in the state. Heading east from Kamas, about 45 miles east of Salt Lake, the paved highway takes you through the High Uinta Wilderness, one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

Highlights of this easy adventure include Upper Provo Falls, photogenic Mirror Lake, Bald Mountain Pass and the Christmas Meadows trailhead, as well as numerous overlooks, picnic areas and campsites along the way. It’s also an ideal way to experience the state’s fall foliage.

Planning Tip: This is a great route for independent adventurers – camping is permitted in many parts of the High Uinta Wilderness, but be sure to follow Forest Service rules.

5. Utah’s “Mighty 5”

Best for bucket-list landscapes

Arches National Park–Zion National Park; 1040 miles; 10 days
Few places in the country – if not the world – offer such a high concentration of national parks and national monuments as Southern Utah. And this ultimate route will get you to them all – and then some! To explore, give yourself at least a week to 10 days.

Starting in Moab at Arches National Park, the route works its way east through Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. As there’s no single highway linking the parks, it makes sense to tack on other parks and reserves along the way, such as Monument Valley, Goblin Valley State Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park. However you make the trip, you can look forward to admiring the full scope of Utah’s natural wonders.

Planning Tip: Southern Utah’s big-name national parks can be very busy from March to October. Come just outside this window in February or November and you’ll have a quieter experience; just bring gear for chilly mornings, evenings and nights.

6. Potash to White Rim Rd

Best for dirt-road thrills

Moab–Island in the Sky Visitor Center; 32 miles; half a day

A thrilling dirt road trip from Moab, this is one for adventurers. Check your vehicle’s roadworthiness, then drive north from Moab on Hwy 191, turning south on Hwy 279 to snake around the Colorado River – perhaps pausing to hike at Corona Arch or visit nearby rock-climbing cliffs and ancient petroglyph sites.

Next, turn west onto Potash Rd to make your way through Dead Horse Point and into Canyonlands National Park before finally ascending the towering switchbacks of the Shafer Trail to finish up at the Island in the Sky Visitor’s Center. After admiring the views, head back the way you came to return to Moab.

Planning Tip: Although many conventional cars will be capable of handling this dirt drive, a 4×4 or an all-wheel-drive vehicle with higher-than-normal clearance will give you peace of mind when crossing rougher sections of the route. 

7. Moki Dugway

Best for exceptional views

Mexican Hat–Natural Bridges National Monument; 34 miles; half a day

This might be one of America’s most famed white-knuckle car rides, but the views are life-affirming. With hairpin turns and an elevation gain of over 1000ft, this graded dirt road is best driven north from Mexican Hat (on the north side of Monument Valley) toward Natural Bridges National Monument.

You can look forward to truly exceptional vistas. While at the top, take a detour west to see stunning Muley Point, which overlooks the deep canyons of the San Juan River. Other highlights include the overlook above the Valley of the Gods, with its stunning buttes and stone pinnacles. If you don’t plan on exploring further than Natural Bridges, this is also a wonderful out-and-back drive from the Monument Valley area by car.

Planning Tip: The Moki Dugway can be safely driven in a conventional car, but you may feel more comfortable in an all-wheel-drive vehicle or 4×4 if weather conditions are poor.

8. Cathedral Valley Scenic Backway

Best for seclusion

Cathedral Road–Hartnet Road; 72 miles (with detours); half a day

To see the half of Capitol Reef National Park that few people ever visit – and we promise it’s the better half! – you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance. The rewards for leaving the asphalt are significant. Expect castle-like sandstone formations, panoramic desert views and rarely another person in sight.

The region’s unique sandstone formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving behind sculpted monoliths striated with the scars of eons of desert winds. For the full experience, camp out under starry skies blissfully free of light pollution. The Earthtrekkers website has a useful route description.

Planning Tip: If you decide to stay in Capitol Reef National Park, you can reserve a space at the Fruita Campground (from March to October) or camp at the park’s two free primitive campgrounds, where you’ll need to bring everything you need, including food and water.

Never underestimate humanity’s ability to turn the mad or the mundane into a competitive sport. In our pursuit of amusement, we have brought some wonderfully weird sports to the fore, which not only offer an insight into the psyche of nations but also provide travelers with an opportunity to meet eccentric – and passionate – locals.

So switch up that afternoon at the football or evening hockey game for something a little more…unique, and grab tickets to one of these weird sports around the world.

1. Sheep shearing, New Zealand

Competitive sheep shearing? Ewe better believe it. In fact, it’s kind of a big deal in New Zealand, which proudly hosts the annual Golden Shears International Championships – a lanolin-infused jamboree touted as “the Wimbledon of sheep shearing.” 

Held in the War Memorial Stadium in Masterton since 1961, the four-day event seeks to identify the world’s fastest sheep shearer, with spectators merrily fleecing themselves out of a few dollars as they bet on the outcome. The event provides an illuminating insight into local life, but it’s not all about shearing; live bands bring a party vibe to proceedings, and there’s much food and drink to be enjoyed. Can’t make the Masterton event? Fear not. Shearing competitions are also held in Europe, Australia and the US.

2. Lawnmower racing, UK

Like all the best ideas, lawnmower racing entered the world via a pub. It was 1973, and Jackie Stewart was winning his third Formula One title while a group of wannabe racers from West Sussex dreamed of making motorsport – historically the preserve of the wealthy – more accessible to the masses.

Over a few pints they came up with lawnmower racing, which now has its own governing body – the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLRA) – and a 30-race championship that runs from May to October. Most races are part of larger rural events, such as the Cranleigh Show in Surrey, where spectators can experience other eccentric pursuits such as ferret racing. The BLRA remains defiantly uncommercial and donates all profits to charity. It also advises spectators to bring packed lunches with them to races.

3. Lucha libre, Mexico

Part sport, part amateur dramatics, lucha libre is a form of freestyle wrestling with a devoted fan base in its native Mexico. Mexico City is home to two legendary Lucha Libre venues: Arena México, known as “The Cathedral of Lucha Libre,” and Arena Coliseo, one of the oldest wrestling arenas in the country. Both offer thrilling experiences for fans of Mexican wrestling. 

Competitors are renowned for their elaborate masks, which keep their identities a secret. That’s until they are defeated in a high-stakes fight, which often requires losers to reveal their faces (other ignominious forfeits include having their heads shaved).

It certainly makes for compelling viewing, and the tequila-charged atmosphere adds to the sense of occasion. Don’t forget to bring some loose change: when spectators are impressed by a victorious wrestler, they throw money at them. The coins are then collected by the wrestler and stored in a commemorative vase to remind them of the victory.

4. Wife carrying, Finland

Legend has it this curious sport is a nod to the ancient custom of wife stealing, whereby gangs of Finnish robbers supposedly raided villages and made off with other men’s wives.

Mercifully, this nefarious activity has been confined to the pages of folk tales. But in an amusing subversion of this fabled criminal act, wife carrying continues, albeit with consenting females, who acrobatically cling to male counterparts as they navigate an assault course – climbing over large wooden obstacles and plunging headlong into cold-water pools in the process. The quickest pair win the wife’s weight in beer. As you might expect, much lager is consumed on the sidelines too, particularly in Sonkajärvi, Finland, which hosts the original Wife Carrying Championships in July. Competitions also take place in Australia, Estonia, Hong Kong, the US and UK. And before you ask, no, the participating couples don’t actually have to be married.

20 unmissable extreme sports (and where to try them)

5. Kabaddi, India

A variation of a game most of us played in the schoolyard, kabaddi is a lot like tag, only with a rulebook and scoring system that could reduce a child to tears. In essence: two teams of seven players face off on a rectangular arena. One player from the offensive team, the “raider,” crosses the midline in the center of the play area and attempts to tag as many opposition players as possible. If the raider makes it back to their team’s side, that team scores a point for every opposition player tagged. However, the other team is able to physically restrain the player from making it back, in which case the team scores nothing. An additional point is awarded if the raider steps over the “bonus line.” Also, this must all be done in a single breath. Simple enough, right?

Though considered a national sport in Bangladesh, it is India that has perhaps the most competitive league. Dubbed the Pro Kabaddi, it unfolds dramatically in stadiums across the country, where players twist, kick, duck and dive around the arena, cheered on by huge, vociferous crowds spilling from the grandstands.

6. Chess boxing, international

Brains and brawn combine in this thinking person’s combat sport, which brings together the unlikely bedfellows of boxing and chess. Matches unfold over 11 rounds – six chess, five boxing – and competitors (or “nerdletes,” as the nerdy athletes are known) must either KO their opponents in the ring or outwit them on the chessboard.

The sport is popular in India (the believed birthplace of chess), but the best place to watch a match is in London, where spectators can enjoy the all-out action of a big fight mixed with the quiet suspense of a chess match (plus a series of weird and wonderful ringside performances between bouts) that culminates in one of the Big Smoke’s most memorable nights out. Fights are organized by Chess Boxing Nation and take place throughout the year.

7. Call of Duty Championship, US

It was once something you begrudgingly did while waiting for your turn on Mario Kart, but now watching other people play computer games is a bona fide spectator sport, with e-sport events now taking place all over the world (and also streaming to huge audiences online).

It’s particularly popular in the US, where fans pay upwards of $50 to watch pro players battle it out in the biggest shoot-‘em-up of all: Call of Duty. The first-person shooter series, which has been a firm favorite with gamers for over a decade, has its own World League Championship. The tournament’s winning team nets a cool $2.5 million. The leaked Call of Duty League 2025 schedule suggests five Majors over seven months, with Major 1 in Barcelona from February 6-9 and the CDL Championship in Toronto from June 26-29. Speculated locations for the remaining Majors include Dallas, Florida, and Chicago, though exact dates and cities for Majors 2-4 are still unconfirmed.

In terms of the spectator experience, expect a largely male and millennial crowd, who typically sit in neat rows, clutching beers and watching the drama unfold on huge screens. And just think, your parents told you playing video games would get you nowhere in life…

8. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, UK

If you think tradition and history are missing from these unusual sports, check out the cheese-rolling competition held at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester, England. The renowned Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling event is set for Monday, May 26, 2025, during the spring bank holiday, with races kicking off at noon.

The earliest written record of the event is from 1826, though historians believe it to be much older than that. Participants chase a 7-9lb wheel of Double Gloucester down Cooper’s Hill, a steep slope that measures 200 yards long, with the first person who makes it over the finish line at the bottom of the hill being crowned the winner and taking home the cheese. The event draws thousands of spectators and athletes from all over; winners have come from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, and the US, to name just a few places.

9. Sepak Takraw, Malaysia

If we were to judge sports based solely on their difficulty, Sepak Takraw would be high on the list. Imagine volleyball using only your feet, knees, chest and head to play, as in soccer. Also known as kick volleyball, the sport was standardized in Malaysia in 1960 and is now considered the country’s national sport, although that doesn’t mean its reach is limited to Asia. 

With an international federation (called the ISTAF) consisting of 50 member countries, supporters of Sepak Takraw aim to make it an Olympic sport by 2026. With a fast pace and wild acrobatic kicks in every match, it’s easy to see why. Major events include the ISTAF SuperSeries, the ISTAF World Cup and Sepak Takraw as a medal event in the Asian Games. 

10. World Chase Tag, international

Like most people, you probably played tag when you were a kid. What if you kept at it? What if you could turn pro? Well, since 2012, you can. Founded by Christian Devaux in the UK, World Chase Tag is an international competition that combines competitive parkour with tag. Two teams face off over 16 one-on-one rounds in a 12m x 12m square full of obstacles, aiming to win the most rounds by either tagging the opponent within 20 seconds or, for the other team, evading the tagger for the allotted time. Not only are these athletes paid well for playing tag–with top competitors earning anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 per event depending on sponsorships and performance–but the events are also televised on ESPN and Channel 4 in the UK. The exact earnings vary, but many athletes can also secure additional income through brand partnerships and appearance fees. Not just a game for kids anymore! 

Keep planning your next adventure

Looking for more inspiration for your adrenaline-filled travels? Check out these expert guides to help you plan the perfect sports adventure:

Best time to visit for extreme sports: 20 Unmissable Extreme Sports (and Where to Try Them)
Winter sports with a twist: 8 Wild Winter Sports from Around the World
Explore offbeat sports experiences, starting with 9 of the World’s Craziest Mini Golf Courses

For the longest time, travelers to Cambodia only had eyes for the temples of Angkor, but in recent years, the beaches and islands dotting the south coast have become a major attraction in their own right.

Sunseekers are spoiled for choice in Southeast Asia, with legendary beaches tracing the shores of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, but Cambodia can compete with the best of them when it comes to powdery sands, swaying palms and turquoise waters.

If you’re in the mood for a bit of Cambodian island-hopping, the idyllic isles off the coast near Sihanoukville have something for everyone, from die-hard party people to folks seeking sun-smooched solitude. And getting to Cambodia’s islands is easy, with regular ferries and longtail boats setting out from the mainland coast.

All you need to do to find beach perfection in Cambodia is pick your island, choose your beach, and sprawl on the sand surrounded by warm, clear waters. There’s a reason many visitors to Cambodia check in and decide to never check out!

Whether you crave a crowd or a calm escape, here’s our guide to the best beaches in Cambodia.

The best time to visit the beaches of Cambodia

It pays to consider the climate when planning a beach trip to Cambodia. From November to March, the beaches and temples bask under mostly dry skies, and temperatures are warm but not overpowering. This is also the best time to dive on the reefs around Koh Rong, but rates peak at Cambodia’s beach resorts.

Rainfall is moderate in April and early May, but temperatures can climb to uncomfortable levels, often reaching 35°C (95°F). The soggy monsoon months from June to September are not ideal for a beach trip, but it doesn’t rain all day every day, and this coincides with the summer vacation season in Europe, North America and Oceania, so there are still plenty of visitors to the south coast.

1. Long Beach, Koh Rong

Best for serene sands

Hugging the western shore of the idyllic island of Koh Rong, Long Beach – also known as Sok San Beach – is the island’s finest escape, an almost empty stretch of beyond-beautiful sands running for 7km (4.3 miles). The powder-like sand is so squeaky soft that you might be forgiven for thinking there had been an explosion in a baby powder factory!

Confusingly, the beach is sometimes known as 7km Beach thanks to its length, or Royal Sands Beach in honor of the resorts that lie at the northern and southern ends of this castaway fantasy. In case the beachfront looks familiar, the strip was used as a key filming location for the popular US television series Survivor.

Planning Tip: Motos (motorcycle taxis) can zip you around the island to other beaches, or you can charter a longtail boat for beach-to-beach transfers. 

2. Saracen Bay, Koh Rong Sanloem

Best for an easy escape from Sihanoukville

Blessed with endless sands and steamy jungles, Koh Rong Sanloem is tropical perfection. The island has three main settlements, each with its own distinct personality, but there’s no doubt that crescent-shaped Saracen Bay is the most beautiful, with a graceful curve of white sand hemming the island’s eastern shoreline.

If you are weighing up Koh Rong versus Koh Rong Sanloem, the latter is calmer and has a more barefoot vibe, with less development behind the sand. There are few roads on the island, so walking or chartering a longtail boat is the default way to get around.

Planning Tip: There are resorts to suit every budget strung along its 2.5km (1.5 miles) of sand, and this popular bay is well connected to Sihanoukville on the mainland by high-powered speedboats. Ferries also shuttle across to nearby Koh Rong.

3. Long Set Beach, Koh Rong

Best for a low-key island experience

Also known as 4km Beach thanks to its ample proportions, this stunning stretch of sand graces the south coast of Koh Rong island. It takes its name from one of the first resorts to set up shop here, but it’s still relatively undeveloped compared to neighboring Koh Tuch.

You’ll find a handful of hostels and boutique resorts lined up behind the greenery-backed sands, but it’s still pretty peaceful. To the west, Long Set is connected to busy Koh Tuch via a short forest walk, passing the rather lovely Treehouse Bungalows.

Detour: At the extreme east end of Long Set Beach, behind Koh Rong Hill Beach Resort, a short path leads to nearby Nature Beach, another pretty spray of sand that feels more exclusive.

4. Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Sanloem

Best for a family beach break

On the southwest coast of Koh Rong Sanloem, this idyllic hideaway is home to one of the most stunning beaches you’ll find anywhere. There is only one place to stay here, Lazy Beach – the agreeably rustic resort that gave the beach its name.

The basic bungalows have balconies and hammocks to take in the splendor of the sands, and the combined restaurant and lounge area is well-stocked with books and board games, making this beach a good fit for families.

5. Lagoon Beach, Koh Kong Island

Best for pristine waters

Basking off the coast north of Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s largest island rises out of seas so clear you can almost make out individual grains of sand in the shallow waters. The island has seven beaches, lined up along the west coast, and backed by coconut palms and lush vegetation, just as you’d expect in a tropical paradise.

Several of the best beaches are at the mouths of little streams – we strongly recommend the sixth beach, known as Lagoon Beach, where a narrow channel leads to a hidden lagoon.

Planning Tip: To access Koh Kong Island, you’ll need to arrange a boat tour from Koh Rong city or Tatai on the mainland; direct buses and minivans run to Koh Kong city from Phnom Penh, Kampot and Sihanoukville.

6. Koh Ta Kiev, Sihanoukville

Best for an island getaway from Sihanoukville

If your dream beach escape involves switching off and tuning out, then the little island of Koh Ta Kiev, off the coast near Ream National Park, will tick all the right boxes. Although developers are circling, for the moment the southern tip of the island retains its castaway mood.

On arrival, you’ll find a clutch of delightfully bohemian and eco-friendly budget digs and the impressive Long Beach to sprawl on. This is where the backpacking vibe of Otres Village lives on under the watchful gaze of high-rise Sihanoukville.

Planning Tip: Resorts on Koh Ta Kiev offer transfers by longtail boat from Otres Beach or Ream Beach near Sihanoukville.

7. Koh Sdach Islands, Koh Kong

Best for secluded snorkeling and diving

Just off the southwest tip of Botum Sakor National Park, the Koh Sdach Archipelago is a castaway cluster of 12 small islands, many of which have good snorkeling and scuba diving. The main island – Koh Sdach (King’s Island) – lacks beaches but it’s a great place to experience island life without the crowds.

From here you can hire a boat to explore nearby islands with blissfully empty beaches, including Koh Totang, the sand spits of the Koh Ampil islets, and the long white beaches on either side of Koh Smach. This is definitely one for adventurous beachcombers.

Planning Tip: Boats to the Koh Sdach Islands leave from the southwestern tip of Botum Sakor National Park, but you can make arrangements with the Koh Sdach Resort, or with agencies in Koh Kong city.

8. Lonely Beach, Koh Rong

Best for sustainable living

Lonely Beach is an idyllic traveler bolthole hidden away on a private beach at Koh Rong’s northern tip. There is a strong commitment to sustainability at this low-key eco-resort; cute bungalows and open-air dorms are cooled by sea breezes and all water is dispensed via coconut-shell scoop.

High season brings excursions to other islands, snorkeling trips and nightly banquets on the beach. Don’t be surprised if you never want to leave; some travelers who end up here extend their stay by months.

Planning Tip: The resort offers transfers via a daily boat service, leaving from Sihanoukville’s Royal Pier.

9. Koh Tonsay, Kep

Best for a taste of the old Cambodia

On the mainland near Kampot, Kep was Cambodia’s original beach resort, attracting the glamorous and beautiful in the country’s pre-civil-war heyday. The decades have seen a little of the polish come off, but it’s still an appealing hangout and a popular resort for locals, who are lured here by family beach fun and the city’s famous peppered crab.

For a more peaceful beach escape, head over to Koh Tonsay – Rabbit Island – accessible by boat from Kep in 20 minutes. On weekdays, a tranquil mood pervades the island’s sandy, palm-backed beaches, and there’s decent snorkeling if you have your own gear. Locals gather at the weekend for pocket-friendly seafood feasts.

A flashy new resort is under construction at the southwestern tip of the island, so focus your attention on the main beach, where a handful of bungalow places offer chilled-out accommodation, inexpensive meals, hammocks to sway in, and boat trips to tiny Koh Puos and Koh Svay, where you may spot dolphins.

Planning Tip: It’s easy to reach Rabbit Island – boats depart from Rabbit Island Pier near Kep’s main beach.

10. Koh Thmei, Sihanoukville

Best for a true castaway vibe

Koh Ta Kiev isn’t the only idyllic hideaway basking off the coast near Sihanoukville. Closer to the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc than Sihanoukville, Koh Thmei has serene, sandy beaches backed by tropical greenery but no roads, cars or phone signal – perfect if you want to truly escape from it all.

There’s just a single resort – an off-grid work of art, full of contraptions that minimize its ecological footprint. Everyone gets their own hammock swinging on the front deck, and board games and listening to the sounds of nature are the main activities in the evenings. With no other settlement or business on Koh Thmei, there’s every chance you’ll have the island to yourself.

Planning Tip: The Koh Thmei Resort arranges transfers from the pier by Ouchomna Market, about 35km from Sihanoukville, accessible via the minivans that run from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.

Europe is not just home to headlining-grabbing ski playgrounds such as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – it’s also home to off-the-radar areas such as Spain’s remote Val d’Aran, a high-altitude skiers’ paradise famous for its steep valleys and jagged couloirs, and France’s often-overlooked Pyrenees region, where ski trails weave between ancient farming villages.

As a former snowboard instructor who has tackled slopes across Europe – including in Sweden, Norway and some seriously remote ski areas in France, Italy and Switzerland – I can guarantee that the most accessible and popular ski areas are not always the best.

Travelers heading to resorts further afield will reap huge rewards, whether that means crowd-free trails or shorter lift lines and cheaper lift passes. Here are the remote resorts worth going out of your way for in Europe.

1. Narvik, Norway

Best for Arctic Circle skiing

Fancy skiing in the Arctic Circle? Head to the resort of Narvik, an alpine skiing hotspot in Norway’s sparsely populated north. Ski here and it’s likely you’ll see the northern lights while flying down the resort’s 16 ski runs, served by six lifts. Skiing here is a slightly different experience to skiing in France or Italy. In winter, the lack of daylight means the slopes are floodlit, and the ski area has fixed opening times – from 10am to 4pm on weekends and 3pm to 8pm on weekdays.

This means plenty of time for off-piste activities, including a ride on the Arctic Train, Norway’s northernmost train service, which whisks passengers from Narvik to Bjørnfjell near the border with Sweden. When it comes to accommodation, try Camp 291, where you can stay in sleek glass cabins perched on the mountainside.

2. Fjätervålen, Sweden

Best for sustainability

This beautiful Swedish ski resort, set 451km (280 miles) north of Stockholm, has 18 slopes and a 47km (29-mile) network of cross-country skiing trails. The ski area is located between 683m (2240ft) and 1003m (3290ft), but what it lacks in altitude, it makes up for with epic views. 

Skiing in this remote corner of Sweden, you’ll enjoy gorgeous vistas of snow-dusted forests, and even have a chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis. Another reason to love this resort is its sustainability ethos – all the electricity used is renewable, there are numerous charging points for electric cars and LED lighting can be found throughout the resort.

3. Großglockner, Austria

Best for natural beauty

Austria’s most popular ski regions include North and South Tyrol, but for crowd-free skiing and breathtaking views, it’s hard to beat the East Tyrol region, separated from the rest of Austria by the Central Alps. It’s a ski area that feels wonderfully remote, with few major roads and just a handful of ski resorts.

Großglockner is one of Austria’s largest ski areas, with 43km (27 miles) of trails, 55km (34 miles) of cross-country tracks and a ski season that lasts from December until April. Here, après-ski isn’t about knocking back Jägerbombs in slopeside bars – it’s about exploring this wonderfully wild region on guided hikes through Hohe Tauern National Park, and stargazing and eagle-spotting sessions with local naturalists. It’s also a resort that offers fantastic value for money – children aged under six ski for free.

4. Baqueira-Beret, Spain

Best for off-piste skiing

Set in the Catalan Pyrenees, Baqueira-Beret is a resort that still feels wonderfully wild, although it’s admittedly more accessible than it once was. You’ll find it in Spain’s Val d’Aran, a Pyrenean valley that was once so cut off from the rest of the country that it developed its own language and culture.

A three-hour drive from Barcelona will deliver you to 169km (105 miles) of slopes that climb to 2500m (8202ft) above sea level. The ski region is divided into four distinct areas: Baqueira, Beret, Bonaigua and Baciver. Top trails include Escornacabres, a fantastic off-piste descent popular with adrenaline junkies. Fun fact: The name Escornacabres means “the place where goats die.”

5. Les Orres, France

Best resort in the Southern Alps

Les Orres, in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, is proof that venturing away from the larger ski areas pays dividends. Perched at 5400m (17,717ft) above sea level, the resort is famous for its spectacular night skies and laidback way of life. The lack of light pollution makes it a great spot for stargazing.

Les Orres boasts 100km (62 miles) of slopes, served by 17 lifts, and the resort is known for being incredibly snow-sure due to its north-facing position, although the Southern Alps location brings plenty of sunshine. Come here in late March or April and you’ll likely see skiers taking to the slopes in T-shirts.

6. Aletsch Arena, Switzerland

Best for sunny slopes

Ski areas don’t get more stunning than Aletsch Arena – a network of snow-blanketed slopes close to Switzerland’s Aletsch Glacier, the first UNESCO World Heritage site in the Alps. There are 103km (64 miles) of slopes located between 1845m (6053ft) and 2896m (9501ft) above sea level, and most of the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out.

It’s also one of the sunniest places in Europe to ski, with 300 days of sunshine a year and a wide range of off-piste activities designed to showcase the surrounding landscapes. Try a visit to the pretty Maria Zum Schnee chapel, built in 1697 and now a listed building, or take a few laps of the ice rink you’ll find beneath the Bettmerhorn cable car.

7. Sella Nevea–Kanin, Italy and Slovenia

Best for spectacular backdrops

The Sella Nevea–Kanin ski area straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia and it’s known for being extremely snow-sure – the ski season typically runs from November to June, and there’s fantastic backcountry terrain waiting for those who love to venture off-piste.

The resort’s 29km (18 miles) of slopes are best suited to beginners and intermediate skiers, who can soak up gorgeous views while exploring the resort’s well-maintained slopes – on sunny days, you’ll enjoy views as far as the Gulf of Trieste.

When you think of swaying palms, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters in Southeast Asia, Vietnam might not be the first country that comes to mind.

Let’s change that.

Among its myriad other natural wonders, the country’s 3400km (2113 miles) of coast hides more than its fair share of resplendent beaches – not to mention the handful of tropical, coral-ringed islands bobbing off shore. Whether you’re looking for a stretch of sand adjacent to one of the country’s buzzing cities, a spot suitable for families or a quiet cove to escape the crowds, our list of the best beaches in Vietnam has you covered.

1. Nha Trang

Best city beach

Forming a magnificent sweeping arc, Nha Trang’s 6km-long (3.75-mile-long) golden-sand beach is the city’s trump card. Sections are roped off and designated for safe swimming (where you won’t be bothered by Jet Skis or boats); two popular lounging spots are the Sailing Club and Louisiane Brewhouse. If you prefer tanning alone, head south toward the airport to avoid the majority of the crowds.

Consider setting out on one of the many reasonably priced island-hopping tours offered along the beach, which include lunch and snorkeling. The beaches north of Nha Trang, around Ninh Van Bay, are also worthy of a day trip.

Planning tip: Full-day boat trips out to the islands are very value priced but expect to join a very full boat. For a more relaxed experience, check out Rainbow Divers which runs daily snorkeling and diving tours.

2. Mui Ne

Best beach for kitesurfing

Mui Ne was once the jewel of Vietnam’s beach resorts – yet in recent years, harsh tides have eroded much of its golden beach, while overdevelopment has eroded much of its charm. Even so, there are still some nice sections of sand tucked away here, ideal (in season) for those who like to party at night and snooze on chaise lounges during the day. Kitesurfing is also a huge draw: there are several excellent schools and world-class wind conditions between late October and April. The opening of the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet highway in mid-2023 has cut down travel time between Ho Chi Minh City and Mui Ne from 4½ hours to a little over two.

Planning tip: The Mui Ne Kitesurfing School teaches kitesurfing, traditional surfing and stand up paddle boarding in six languages using IKO-certified instructors.

3. Phu Quoc

Best beach for island hopping

Fringed with white-sand beaches and with large tracts of the interior still cloaked in dense tropical jungle, Phu Quoc has rapidly morphed from a sleepy island backwater to a must-visit beach escape for Western expats and sun-seeking tourists. With its picture-perfect white sand and mineral-water-clear sea, Sao Beach is probably the pick of the lot – yet if you venture off alone and you might find a section of sand all to yourself.

Island-hopping tours visit the islands off of Phu Quoc’s southern coast or its lesser-visited northern coast. You can also catch the reasonably priced, 8km-long (5-mile-long) cable car from the An Thoi Station on the island’s far south to Hon Thom Island – and enjoy panoramic views of these alluring islands during the ride.

4. Ho Coc

Best beach for a HCMC getaway

With golden sands, clear waters and a journey time from Ho Chi Minh City of just 2½ hours, this beach – which stretches for almost 10km (6.25 miles) north of Ho Tram – makes a tempting place to stop. Ho Coc is getting increasingly busy with visitors from HCMC, especially on weekends – but on weekdays, it still remains peaceful.

5. My Khe

Best beach for people-watching

My Khe is fast becoming Danang’s easternmost suburb. In the early morning and evening, the beach fills up with city folk doing tai chi. Tourists emerge during peak suntanning hours; locals prefer the evening, when fishermen still cast off from the sands in their coracle boats. The water can have a dangerous undertow, especially in winter, however, it’s protected by the bulk of the mountain peninsula Nui Son Tra.

6. An Bang

Best beach for endless views

Just 3km (2 miles) north of Hoi An, An Bang is one of Vietnam’s most happening and enjoyable beaches, with a wonderful stretch of fine sand (with less of the serious erosion evident at Cua Dai) and an expansive view of the sea interrupted only by the distant Cham Islands. Staying at the beach and visiting Hoi An on day trips is a good strategy for a relaxing visit to the area.

7. Cat Ba

Best beach for an off-season visit

Rugged, craggy and jungle-clad Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay and a stop-off for some of the many tourist boat trips around the UNESCO-listed region. To that end, the island can get very busy, somewhat shattering the serenity. Yet if you visit during the quieter months, you’ll find beaches that are up there with the best in Vietnam. The three beaches of Cat Co Cove, a 10-minute walk southeast from Cat Ba Town, are perhaps the pick of the bunch.

8. Con Son

Best beach for sheer natural beauty

Isolated from the mainland, the Con Dao islands are one of Vietnam’s star attractions. For decades a site where political prisoners and undesirables were detained, they now draw visitors with their striking natural beauty. The largest of the chain of 15 islands and islets, Con Son is ringed with lovely beaches, coral reefs and scenic bays, and remains partially covered in tropical forests. Just an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City (or a longer ferry ride from several southern cities), Con Son remains relatively undeveloped, more popular with local Vietnamese as a historic site rather than a beach destination. Which is all the more reason to get there soon.

9. Doc Let

Best beach for white sand and shallow waters

Stretching for 18km (11 miles), the chalk-white sands and shallow turquoise waters of Doc Let ensure its place among Vietnam’s best beaches. Unfortunately, the world has caught on – and in recent years, developers have moved in big time, attracting busloads of tourists on tours from Nha Trang. Keep heading north along the coast for more-secluded spots, including Bai Bau and Bai Xep.

10. My Khe Beach

Best beach for shallow waters and family fun

Not to be confused with Danang’s beach of the same name, this My Khe is located a short distance from Quang Ngai in central Vietnam, and boasts a superb beach with fine white sand and good swimming. It stretches for kilometers along a thin, casuarina-lined spit of sand, separated from the mainland by Song Kinh Giang, a body of water just inland from the beach. If you avoid holidays and weekends you’ll have a good chance of having the pretty stretch largely to yourself. The shoreline’s profile has a gentle shelf, making it great (and safe) for children.

Finding the perfect place to ski in Europe is like falling in love. My first experience was in Avoriaz in France. I was slopeside eating a melted raclette panini – bubbling and oozing in my gloved hand – with the sweet tang of local cheese like a hot gourmet love letter. Surrounded by lyrical accents, fang-like mountains and toe-tapping techno, Cupid’s arrow hit my heart. Somewhere, your ski-slope love affair is waiting to be discovered.  

And there’s a blizzard of choice out there. Among the starring peaks (like Verbier and Val d’Isère) you’ll find spots that would be headline acts anywhere else: quiet achievers like the 25 linked resorts of Ski Amadé (named after nearby Salzburg-local Mozart) or Switzerland’s sweet little Bettmeralp. 

So whether you’re seeking lonely lift lines or buzzing après-ski dance floors, we’ll help you find the perfect place in Europe to plant your poles.

1. Selva, Italy

Best for distance 

In Italy’s Dolomites, take a 40km (25-mile) “ski-fari” around the Sella Ronda, skiing your way from resort to resort using only one ski pass. Circling the huge limestone formation of the Sella massif, the route dips through four culturally ancient Ladin valleys and five mountain passes. You can keep your ski or board permanently attached ⁠— and even get towed by a horse through the Hidden Valley.

There are other, longer ski circuits in the region, like Ski Alberg’s 85km (53-mile) Run of Fame, and the 12 Portes Du Soleil resorts straddle both France and Switzerland, but the Sella Ronda’s drawcard is that it’s in Italy, where skiers can combine la dolce vita with stunning Dolomites scenery.

Formed by a giant prehistoric coral reef 200 million years ago, the UNESCO-listed mountains are streaked in a myriad of hues – catch the dawn and dusk enrosadira phenomenon, or alpenglow, when the rocky peaks blush pink.

Selva is the perfect base in Val Gardena, with direct access to the Sella Ronda via the Costabella chair lift. Bonuses include nearby tiny towns like church-studded Ortisei. 

Best alternative for distance: Limber up for Les Trois Vallées, the largest interlinked ski area in Europe with over 600km (373 miles) of pistes. Base yourself in charming Méribel in the heart of the valleys for all area access.

2. St Anton, Austria

Best for après ski 

Bare-chested, bearded mountain men dance on tables and no one even notices. Slopeside at St Anton’s MooserWirt ⁠— one of the wildest après outposts in Austria, if not the world ⁠— the crowd goes crazy like a Eurovision audience drinking schnapps shots and steins of beer. It’s an outdoor, joyful mass of humanity living their best lives, encapsulating Austria in a nutshell ⁠— or a shot glass. Imagine a funfest of people dancing like it’s 1999 to a playlist that is often from 1999.

The 3pm après bar crawl starts along Piste 1, beginning at relatively tame Heustadl and continuing to Sennhütte before culminating at the full-tilt MooserWirt. Pro tip: finding your skis post-party is like wading through metal avalanche debris. Stow them somewhere memorable.

The ski area itself (part of Ski Arlberg) is an amphitheater of frozen peaks soaring like static sails, where the gourmet experiences are as hectic as the afternoon shenanigans (don’t miss deliciously sweet Kaiserschmarren pancakes at the Alm Hospitz). 

Best alternative for après ski: Head to the cumbersomely named Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn, which boasts more than 30 bars. Try the locally distilled Bartl Enn Schnapps, regarded as some of Europe’s best.

3. Crans Montana, Switzerland

Best for freestylers

“Build it and they will come”, believed 20-something Alaïa Chalet founder Sam Bonvin, and he was right. Well known as the home of Bond actor Roger Moore, Crans Montana (until 2017 it was two villages of upmarket Crans and Montana), is experiencing a generational twist where fur-wearing is out and froth is in. 

Bonvin’s one-stop-freestyle-spot Alaïa Chalet was a catalyst with trampolines, indoor skate ramps, foam pits, bowls outdoor skatepark, lodge, action sport camps and Alaïa Bay, a mechanical surf pool. 

Up on the 150km (93 miles) of slopes, the resort cemented its freestyle status by hosting Red Bull’s 2022 The Nines event, prompting the low-pant-wearing brigade to arrive carting GoPros and fresh energy with them. The Alaïa Parks by Tudor is the largest snowpark in Western Switzerland, boasting a Main Park stretching 100,000 sq m (1,076,391 sq ft) over two sites.

In the town, creative urban art from the Vision Art Festival (including over 80 murals) mixes with traditional carvings, creating a tale of old happily meeting new. 

Best alternative for freestylers: Watch the Mottolino Snowpark in Livigno in Italy as it ramps up to host the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic freestyle competition.

4. Borovets, Bulgaria

Best for budget skiers

A bang-for-your-buck bonanza with lift tickets for but 85 lv (€43, or $47), Bulgaria is a hands-down winner for budget skiers. The former aristocratic playground of Borovets was tarred by the UK-tour-package push in the 2000s, but post-pandemic it’s been rediscovered as having all the trimmings. It’s located about an hour from Sofia airport, and has a ski school and rentals. Plus, eating out nightly costs half the price of a catered chalet in France.

Beginners seeking low-cost commitment are the main market and the skiing terrain of 58km (36 miles) with a longest run of 12km (7.5 miles) among atmospheric pine forests over-delivers. Regarding the village, the main drag is a package holiday town on snow, with a smattering of currency converters, English-style bars and local-style tavernas called mehana with traditional food and music. 

Best alternative for budget: Bansko is a cosmopolitan step up with notable nightlife (visualize roaming saxophonists at après), a cobblestone town and even a Kempinski hotel. It costs more than Borovets, but you get what you pay for.

5. Zermatt, Switzerland

Best for non-skiers

If you know someone on the brink of joining the snow tribe, Zermatt will entice them over the edge with mountain-focused, non-skiing encounters.  

The car-free glamorpuss of Zermatt is known to skiers for the omnipresent Matterhorn, the highest lifted ski point in Europe (3899m/12,759ft) and 360km (223 miles) of riding. 

But the big news for non-skiers is the Glacier II gondola opening, the final link of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing connecting Swiss Zermatt to Italy’s Breuil-Cervinia. The 90-minute trip includes the summit Glacier Paradise station and point-blank glacier views. 

Then there’s the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis, which tracks the village’s fortunes from poor farming hamlet to international magnet (including the broken rope from the Matterhorn’s tragic first ascent). Try wandering the 500-year-old Hinterdorf alley, with its crooked wooden buildings, and riding the 125-year-old Gornergrat cog railway to Europe’s highest-altitude hotel, the Kulmhotel Gornergrat.

Best alternative for non-skiers: Buzzing Chamonix in France is the grande dame of mountaineering, with a pedestrian main street, shopping, belle epoque architecture and Aigle du Midi cable car (3842m/12,604ft) up Mt Blanc.

6. Avoriaz 1800, France

Best for design lovers  

Ah, Avoriaz. Love it or hate it, there’s nowhere like this futuristic, snowbound village perched on a spectacular balcony at 1800m (5905ft).

The location seems impossible, coiled like a cat poised to freefall into the Morzine Valley. And if the location doesn’t stun, the mimetic architecture will. The collection of acutely angled, red cedar shingle-covered buildings, each more bizarre than the last, melds organically with the mountain. Avoriaz was a wild gamble involving three renegade architects under 30 (Jacques Labro, Jean-Jacques Orzoni and Jean-Marc Roques) in 1966. It was built to be environmentally focused way before sustainability was a “thing,” using passive heating principles and mainly natural materials.

With a seasonal snowfall average of around 7.5m (24ft), Avoriaz is France’s snowiest ski resort – a reason alone to visit. Throw in its Portes du Soleil address with linked slopes and a trip here becomes as unique as a Savoyard snowflake.

Best alternative for design lovers: The French went hard on brutalist high-altitude resorts in the ’60s. Once maligned due to their appearance, ski areas like Val Thorens and La Plagne are now lauded as snow-sure, forward-thinking masterpieces. 

7. Scandinavia

Best for early- and late-season skiing

Scandinavia is the cool kid on the block – literally – from blazing northern lights to traditional Sami ice-bound culture and remote wilderness. If you’re a passionate connoisseur of skiing, at some point, you’ll dig an edge into Scandinavia.

Think of a ski trip here as a winter holiday based around skiing rather than a pure ski trip. Imagine skiing in Levi, Finland under the Aurora Borealis, nuzzling reindeer after visiting Santa in Saariselkä or hitting peak hygge after a cold plunge and sauna basically anywhere.

SkiScandinavia is the local expert, organizing trips including to Sweden’s largest alpine ski area, Sälen, and Norway’s largest Alpine ski area, Trysil located either side of Scandinavia Mountains Airport.  

Best alternative for early- and late-season skiing: Riksgränsen, a freeriding hot spot 16 hours’ drive north of Stockholm opens in February when the sun appears and stays open til midsummer, with skiing under the midnight sun.