Knowing where to go on your travels is a great start, but you also need to know when to go. There are optimal times to visit most tourist destinations, depending on the weather, how busy they might be, what major events are taking place, and many more factors.

The right place, at the right time

This is the kind of research you need to do when planning a trip, but what if you’re looking for ideas of where to travel at a certain time in the year?

We’ve done the legwork for you. In this guide you’ll find some of the best cities to visit around the world for each month of the year. No matter when you’re planning a trip, you’ll find inspiration here.

Kochi’s history as a vibrant spice port in the 14th Century makes it a diverse and multicultural hub of activity, and is how it earned its nickname “Queen of the Arabian Sea”.

January is the perfect time to take in the sights of Kochi, as it is warm and dry, unlike in the summer months when it receives a lot of rainfall.

You can get there by taxi, Uber or bus from Cochin International Airport, which is 25km (around an hour by taxi) outside the city centre, or via ferry if you’re feeling adventurous and aren’t fazed by a more circuitous route!

The annual Festival of Kodikuthu takes place on January 14 each year, and is a multi-faith event which includes folk performances, elephant processions and traditional art. It takes place at the Kanjiramattom mosque and can be reached by bus (around an hour) from the city.

Make sure you book accommodation well in advance - check out the best hotel options for Kochi.

The seventh most-visited city in the world and home to the tallest building on the planet, Dubai has to be seen to be believed.

February is the perfect time to explore the skyscrapers and splendour, with 11 hours of winter daylight a day and a comfortable average temperature of 25°C.

As you’d expect from a major hub, transport to and around the centre is smooth and easy, with a Metro link direct from Dubai International Airport. Flights to Dubai are plentiful and inexpensive.

Whether you’re into fashion, books, tennis, boats or bikes, there’s an event for you this month. The Dubai Literature Festival is one of the world’s leading literary gatherings, Dubai Tennis Championships attracts the sport’s biggest names, and the Sikka Art & Design Festival and Dubai Fashion Week ensure there is something for everyone in this busy period.

A trip to Varanasi is a journey into India’s past as well as a taste of one of its holiest sites, where Hindu pilgrims come to visit the Ganges.

March is a wonderful time to make this trip because the temperatures are very warm without being sweltering. You can expect plenty of sunshine and very little rain.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the closest airport to Varanasi. You can get a taxi into town, and from there taxis, buses or auto-rickshaws are the most popular forms of transport for getting around in Varanasi.

Visiting in March means you have a chance to experience festivals like Mahashivratri, Dhrupad Mela (music) and Holi, if you time it right. Make sure you don't get caught out with the influx of tourists to these events - check out the best Varanasi hotel options.

From its natural beauty to its nightlife to its spirituality, Bali has drawn travellers like a beacon for generations to its sandy shores.

April is the end of the wet season, and offers a pleasant balance between sunshine, manageable temperatures and the odd refreshing burst of rain.

You can fly to Ngurah Rai International Airport, and there are plenty of flights to Bali at affordable prices. From the airport, there are easy taxi and bus connections to the capital Denpasar. Rental bikes and scooters are great ways to explore the island.

Visiting in April means you can experience the Gianyar Art and Cultural Festival, and the Bali Spirit Festival falls in either April or March.

Galungan is one of Bali’s most important religious holidays - it last three days in April and is a unique experience that gives a true taste of Balinese culture.

Kathmandu, dating back to the second century AD, is the centre of Nepal’s history, art, culture and religion, and an entry point to the stunning Himalayas.

May brings up to 11 hours of sunshine and high temperatures of up to 28°C, making it ideal for exploring this ancient city and its surroundings.

Tribhuvan International Airport is just outside the city centre, so it’s simple to get a bus or taxi after landing, while microbuses and rickshaws are convenient for navigating the city itself. Check out the best priced flights to Kathmandu.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in May in Kathmandu, one of the major Buddhist festivals, so the city will be full of flags, flowers and lights.

A global centre for art, fashion, cuisine and culture, Paris is a city everyone must visit at least once. With iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Montmartre, you’ll be wondering how to fit it all in.

But with long, warm (but not too hot) days in June, you’ll have plenty of sunshine to help you navigate this beautiful city at its blooming best.

As a major international hub there are several airports, meaning there are many flight options to Paris to suit whatever your budget may be. Charles de Gaulle is the largest airport, and all are well-served with public transport connections to the city centre. Once you are there, the Metro network is ideal for getting around.

June is a great month for culture buffs, with the Champs-Élysées Film Festival and Fête de la Musique taking place, as well as the start of the Paris Jazz Festival.

A vibrant city full of history, culture, food and landmarks, London is a multicultural melting pot of fun for tourists at any time of the year.

But in July, even the changeable British weather can offer long, hot, sunny days to make this famous old city look so much more special. Maybe pack a ‘brolly’ (umbrella) just in case.

Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are the main gateways to London, and both are easily connected to the capital via trains and the famous Underground (metro) network. This is also the best way to travel around the city and see the sights.

July is also a special time for sports and culture in London, with Wimbledon reaching its climax while the BBC Proms season begins.

Also known as the Garden City, Singapore is known for its remarkable architecture and greenery, offering a rich culinary scene and plenty of shopping destinations.

With nine hours of sunshine a day in August and average temperatures in the late 20s, it’s the perfect time to visit this green city in all its splendour.

The natural wonders start as soon as you step into Changi Airport, home to a Forest Valley with an indoor waterfall. It’s easy to get to the city centre afterwards with the Mass Rapid Transport system’s Green Line.

The MRT and complementary bus network make it easy to move around the city. This is especially important on National Day, which sees a huge parade and fireworks on August 9th.

Singapore Night Festival casts a magical spell over the city in the latter half of August too.

A real city of two halves, Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus between its European side and its Asian side, which makes it a fascinating place to visit at any time of year.

September is an excellent time for sightseeing, with the heat of summer starting to fade but still enough warmth and sunshine for long days and pleasant evenings enjoying al fresco dining.

The city’s two main airports, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, offer plenty of flight combinations, and sit on either side of the Bosphorus. They are both connected well to the centre by public transport. It’s worth buying an Istanbulkart smart card to pay for your travel around the city.

Every two years, the contemporary art exhibition the Istanbul Biennial takes place in September. The Istanbul Fringe Festival brings together local and international performing artists, and the Bosphorus Cup Regatta is also held.

Mysuru is famous for its royal history and is full of spectacular palaces and monuments, as well as the incense and spices of its bazaar district.

Visiting in October makes it a pleasant experience to wander around Mysuru in the warm temperatures, without the humidity of summer.

Mysuru Airport is just 8km south of the centre and you can catch the bus or take a taxi when you arrive, with auto-rickshaws the best way to move around the city.

The standout Mysuru Dasara Festival often falls in October, bringing 10 days of pomp and spectacle including an illuminated Mysuru Palace, elephant processions, and plenty of cultural highlights.

Since establishing itself as an international tourism destination in the 1980s, Hanoi’s vibrancy, impressive architecture and multicultural heritage have turned it into a real tourist hotspot.

The summer months can be very hot and wet, but November gives you the chance to explore this fascinating city as it enters its dry season, but with temperatures remaining warm for most of the day.

Noi Bai International Airport is 15km north of Hanoi and you can catch the bus or take a taxi into the city centre. Once there, a cyclo is a great traditional way to explore the Old Quarter.

If you’re a film buff, November is a great time to visit, as it’s usually when the Hanoi International Film Festival takes place.

From its soaring eagle statue to its stunning forests, waterfalls and blonde sandy beaches, Langkawi is a perfect island for spending December enjoying the wonders of nature.

With average temperatures at 28°C and seven hours of sunshine a day, it’s the perfect winter escape.

Langkawi International Airport is 15km from the city centre and taxis are available to get you there, while car rentals are also popular for getting around the island, along with scooters. Flights to Langkawi from India are frequent and reasonably priced.

As with most international tourist destinations, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are both celebrated here in late December, helping visitors from around the world enjoy the festivities. Langkawi Food Festival also takes place in this period.

Year-round opportunities

From January through to December, there's an option to explore for any time of the year. Don't forget to check out our calendar planner for top tips for each location!