The benefits of travelling during shoulder season

Picture yourself standing in quiet contemplation beneath Iceland’s shimmering northern lights, with a small group of fellow adventurers by your side; or wandering Colombia’s artful city of Medellin when the August orchids are in full bloom. This is the magic of travelling in shoulder season – when you can absorb the true essence of a destination, unhurried by the peak-season rush. It’s a time when you can explore at a slower pace, witness real local culture and make authentic connections, the way you’ve always imagined travel to be.

If you’re yearning for an experience that’s both immersive and mindful, the shoulder season is your invitation to a more relaxed, spacious type of travel. Read on for the many reasons why opting to travel out of season could be a better option than joining the peak-time crowds.

What is shoulder season in travel?

The shoulder season marks the periods that ‘book-end’ the peak tourist season in a destination. If we imagine peak season as the head, the weeks either side of that peak time, both before and after, would be the shoulders.

In the UK, for example, the peak tourist season is generally the summer in mid June-August, as that’s when the weather is clearest and warmest and children are off school for the summer. The shoulder season is spring time (outside of the two week Easter holiday) usually in April and May – and the autumn period in September and October. In these times, conditions are still pleasant with lots of chances to see sights and do activities in mild temperatures, but you won’t see as many crowds, queues or traffic as you would in peak time.

When is shoulder season on different continents?

Shoulder season depends on a lot of factors in different regions across the world. To start, not everywhere has the typical four-season weather cycle (where the shoulder season would typically fall either side of summer). This cycle applies mostly to Europe and North America, and parts of Australia.

In parts of South America, Africa and parts of Asia, tourist numbers typically fluctuate between wet and dry seasons. Shoulder season in these places might be just before the wet season, when temperatures cool and the air feels more comfortable; or after, when rains occur less often, but the grounds are fresh and verdant.

You should always research into your chosen destination to see when is the best time to visit, and when shoulder season usually hits – or ask a local travel expert for advice.

Why travel during shoulder season?

There are plenty of strong reasons to consider travelling out of peak season – and not just the obvious ones of fewer crowds and cheaper prices. If tourists visited popular spots at a more evenly dispersed rate throughout the year, the benefits are many to both tourists and the local communities.

Beat the crowds – and help curb overtourism

Overtourism is a huge problem for countless places across the globe; from ‘bucket list’ cities like Barcelona in Spain, iconic wonders of the world such as Machu Picchu in Peru, to small Cornish fishing villages in the UK. When too many people visit somewhere at the same time, it’s corrosive to the nature and local culture, and the experience can feel inauthentic – but most importantly, local communities and heritage can be all but wiped out. By visiting in quieter periods, you allow locals the opportunity to carry on with business throughout the year rather than in a condensed time frame, as well as enjoy your surroundings and activities at a more leisurely pace, with fewer fellow tourists.

More opportunities for local immersion

When crowds aren’t overwhelming, there are more opportunities to find the authentic adventures you go travelling for. Local people that aren’t fatigued and overworked by the tourist crowds in peak season are more welcoming, willing to converse and share their local area. Having the time and space for conversations with locals boosts the relationship between tourist and visitor, deepens your relationship with a place, and makes your trip more memorable.

The weather is still great

The shoulder season doesn’t have to mean missing out on good weather, as it still allows for clear skies and pleasant, manageable temperatures. Places such as Greece still see warm, sunny conditions in months such as March, April, September and October. Though spring cherry blossom season is peak time in Japan, the autumn is still hugely inviting, promising golden foliage and fresh breezes. Similarly, places that experience a wet season, such as Tanzania or Kenya, start to see less rain during their shoulder seasons (April to May, October to November) – yet landscapes are lush and vibrant, and wildlife still abundant.

Enjoy lower costs than in peak season

One of the most obvious benefits to shoulder season is cheaper prices across the board – flights, accommodation and expenses on the ground are usually a lot lower when it isn’t peak tourist time. This could even allow you to stay longer and travel slower, allowing a more intensive vacation.

Avoid the closures of off-season

In the off-season, you may get the cheapest prices available, but a lot of the most desirable sights, accommodations, restaurants and attractions might be closed. In lots of places where tourism is one of their main industries, businesses shut up shop in the off-season, often going somewhere where custom is more reliable. This isn’t the case in the shoulder season, where businesses are either just starting up again in preparation for peak time, or they’re winding down.

Our favourite destinations for shoulder season travel

Here are just some of our best ideas for excellent shoulder season travel destinations…

Venice, Italy

Venice is one of Italy’s treasures – it’s romantic, iconic, sublime – but sadly these days, becoming more famous for its overcrowding. The winding alleyways and charming canals of Venice are inundated with visitors in May through to September, but particularly in its summer months of June to August. For a more relaxed pace and a memorable experience that won’t be marred by a tourist squeeze, consider travelling in March and April, or late September to October. If you’re up for travelling off season, there’s also a fantastic Venetian Carnival in winter, with an elaborate masked ball that usually takes place in February.

Iceland

Visit Iceland in the shoulder season (March to May, September and October) to witness the glorious, elemental landscapes in all their glory with fewer tourists and lower costs. Tours to chase the northern lights will have fewer people, as will the geysers and waterfalls of the popular Golden Circle route, including highlights like Thingvellir National Park. Explore the dramatic black-sand beaches of Vik and the glacier lagoons of Jökulsárlón, or unwind in the powder-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. These are just some of the perks you can enjoy, along with milder temperatures and longer daylight hours than in the dark off-season.

Australia

Australia’s shoulder seasons hit in spring and autumn – but spring is opposite to the northern hemisphere and falls in September to November, while autumn is from March to May. These periods offer the perfect balance of manageable heat and fewer crowds; an ideal time to tour Sydney’s iconic beaches, the art scene of Melbourne and the desert wonders of the Outback, or to dive and explore the Great Barrier Reef. You can also get to know the breathtaking landscapes of Tasmania, hike through the Blue Mountains, or discover the coastal beauty of Western Australia. Everything marvellous in Australia can all be visited while avoiding peak season price hikes – and that long flight will be cheaper, too.

Medellín, Colombia

The warm climate of Colombia stays relatively consistent all year round, so there are a few periods that are great to visit – but the high tourist season hits in the months of December through to March. The shoulder season is in July and August; the perfect time to visit the culture-rich city of Medellín. Nestled in the Aburrá Valley in the Andes Mountains, Medellín is often referred to as the City of Eternal Spring due to its pleasant, spring-like weather year-round. In shoulder season the weather is glorious (but for a few showers), and an abundance of festivals take place – the International Poetry Festival, the Flower Festival (Medellín is blooming with orchids in August!) and the International Music Festival, to name a few.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife’s two shoulder seasons come pre- and post-summer – in April and May, and September and October. This sun-splashed Mediterranean island enjoys a wonderfully warm spring, where you can meander beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and unique volcanic landscapes at a more leisurely pace without the summer crowds. Autumn, too, enjoys fresh breezes and sunny days, whether you’re hiking the rugged trails of the Anaga Rural Park or reclining on the black sands of Playa Jardín. Visit Tenerife in the shoulder season for al fresco dining in charming towns like La Laguna, and serene moments lounging by the sea.

Turkey

Shoulder season falls in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) for this culture-rich gem of the Mediterranean, Turkey. Avoiding the peak tourist rush of the summer months means wonderful weather, more space, and colourful scenery. In spring, the country comes alive with blooming flowers and greenery, an ideal time to absorb the ancient ruins of Ephesus or wander the lively bazaars of Istanbul. It’s also more of a treat to take in the surreal beauty of Cappadocia, with its hot air balloons dotting the skies. Autumn, with its cooler temperatures and harvest season, brings golden hues to the countryside.

Make it happen

To enjoy a more immersive experience in some incredible destinations across the globe, chat to our local experts about travelling during shoulder season. Our experts are ready to build an itinerary entirely around your perfect vacation.