✈️ Winter vacation: 6 destinations from Kopaonik slopes to Phuket beaches

The New Year holidays are ending, but winter is still here. If you don't want to spend January at home, you have two options: snow and skiing, or a warm sea without the summer heat.

We looked at six countries and broke them down by weather and how to get there. The ski season at Balkan resorts is already open, and the 2025/2026 schedules and passes are published on the official Ski resorts of Serbia website (as of 09/2026).

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What to consider when choosing a January destination

💡 In short:

If you want warmth: pick Thailand, Cuba, or Mexico, where you get sea and sun without the summer mugginess.
If you want snow: go to Serbia, the slopes are a couple of hours from Belgrade.

Destination	January weather	Main reason to go	Who it's for
Serbia	frost and snow in the mountains, around freezing in Belgrade	skiing and hearty food	those who want winter
Czechia	cool and damp, no hard frosts	Prague without the summer crowds	city and museum lovers
Netherlands	mild winter, rain and wind	ice rinks and Amsterdam museums	those who don't like heat
Mexico	dry and warm, the heat eases off	the Caribbean and pyramids	those who want sun
Thailand	dry season, rain is rare	Phuket and free beaches	those going for the sea
Cuba	warm by day, cool at night	diving and Hemingway's house	those who want something exotic

Below we'll go through each destination one by one: weather, how to get there, and the honest catch.

1. Serbia

Belgrade street with a historic building and TUDORS sign

In January, Serbia has plenty to do even without the sea. You can walk around Belgrade, try the local food, and get on skis all in the same trip. Čvarci and pljeskavica taste especially good in the cold.

The country's main ski resort, Kopaonik, runs all winter. Lift schedules and pass prices are published by the state-owned company Skijališta Srbije (as of 09/2026, official website). Besides Kopaonik, the country also has smaller resorts, such as Divčibare.

January weather: around freezing and slushy in Belgrade, below zero with snow on the slopes in the mountains.
How to get there: direct flights to Belgrade, then a bus or car to the mountains.
Hotels: find a hotel in Belgrade on Trip.com.
Who it's for / Not for: for those who want skiing and hearty food; not for those dreaming of a warm sea.
The catch: Kopaonik is far from the capital, and getting there takes several hours.

2. Czechia

Old Town Square and Church of St. Nicholas in Prague

In January, Prague empties out after the Christmas markets, and you can walk through the old center without the summer crowds. Museums run on winter hours, and tickets are almost always bought online. You can end the evening with beer and local food: pork knuckle, goulash in a bread bowl, steak tartare.

Czech pubs are open in January too.

January weather: cool and damp, hard frosts are rare.
How to get there: direct trains and flights to Prague from many European cities.
Hotels: find a hotel in Prague on Trip.com.
Who it's for / Not for: for those who like cities and museums, because lines are shorter in winter.
The catch: it gets dark early, leaving little daylight for walking around.

3. Netherlands

Corner building with a restaurant on an Amsterdam canal

Amsterdam is mild in winter: hard frosts are almost unheard of here, but rain and sea wind are common. The weather doesn't get in the way of plans, the city has plenty to do in any conditions.

Start with the Van Gogh Museum and see his paintings, and nearby in winter they set up one of the most beautiful ice rinks in Europe. Museum tickets are sold only online and for a specific entry time (as of 09/2026, official website).

Weather in January: mild winter with rain and wind, snow is rare.
Getting there: direct trains and flights go to Amsterdam, trams run from the station to the museum.
Hotels: find a hotel in Amsterdam on Trip.com.
Who it's for / Not for: for those who love museums and bicycles; not for those expecting a snowy fairy tale.
The catch: the sea wind is felt even at mild temperatures.

4. Mexico

Night fountain with blue mosaic in downtown Cancun

January falls in the dry season: the heat eases off and there is almost no rain. In Cancun, January is considered high season, with plenty of tourists. Two of the country's well-known resorts, Cancun and Acapulco, offer the sea and warm water.

Besides the beaches, you can see pyramids and amusement parks. For food, try tacos, nachos and salsa, and in the evening, local tequila.

Weather in January: dry and warm, noticeably cooler by evening.
Getting there: charters and connecting flights go to Cancun; Acapulco is usually reached via Mexico City.
Hotels: find a hotel in Cancun on Trip.com.
Who it's for / Not for: for those going for beaches and pyramids; not for those who want a short flight.
The catch: it's a long flight from Europe, usually with a connection.

5. Thailand

Colorful Patong Beach sign on Phuket beach

January falls in the dry season, so Phuket has almost no rain and the sea stays calm. This is the best time for a beach vacation if you're freezing and tired of gray days.

Almost all beaches in Thailand are free; you only pay for loungers and an umbrella. When you get tired of lying around, head out on excursions to ancient temples and palaces.

Weather in January: dry season, warm both day and night, rain is rare.
Getting there: flights to Phuket connect through Bangkok or Dubai.
Hotels: find a hotel in Phuket on Trip.com.
Who it's for / Not for: for those who want sea and warmth; not for those seeking quiet, because January falls in high season.
The catch: in high season, hotels and flights cost more than usual.

6. Cuba

January in Cuba is warm, but nights can be cool. The weather doesn't spoil your trip: you can swim during the day and walk around town in the evening.

Besides the beaches, check out excursions and underwater photography workshops. Diving is also popular here, and at Hemingway's house museum Finca Vigía you can see how the writer lived.

Weather in January: warm during the day, cool at night, little rain.
Getting there: you fly to Cuba, most often with a connection.
Excursions: Cuba excursions on GetYourGuide.
Who it's for / Not for: for those who want warmth and diving; not for those looking for a short flight.
The catch: the island sometimes has power outages and goods shortages, so keep a cash reserve.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where to go in January if you want warmth?

For sea and sun in January, Thailand, Cuba and Mexico work well. Phuket is in its dry season, Cancun's heat eases off, and Cuba is warm during the day.

Where can you ski in January?

Serbia's ski resorts operate in winter, the main one being Kopaonik. Direct flights go to Belgrade, then you reach the mountains by bus or car.

Is it worth going to Prague or Amsterdam in winter?

Yes, if you like cities and museums. In winter, Prague and Amsterdam have fewer tourists and shorter museum lines. Keep in mind that it gets dark early, so plan walks for the first half of the day.

What to pack for Cuba in January?

Bring light clothing for the day, a windbreaker for the evening, and sunscreen. No umbrella needed: January falls in the dry season. Cuba is warm during the day and noticeably cooler at night, so a warm layer won't hurt.

Do you need to book the Van Gogh Museum in advance?

Yes. During winter holidays, popular time slots sell out quickly, so book your date in advance.

In short: what to book

If you have a week and want snow, go for Kopaonik. If you want a short flight and museums, choose Prague or Amsterdam. If you want the sea, look at Phuket, Cancun or Cuba.

Book accommodation and excursions in warm countries in advance: January falls in high season.

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6 Countries for a January vacation: where it's warm and where there's snow