Picture this. You’ve arrived in St Tropez and there’s not a crowd in sight. Lake Como’s roads and waters are deserted. Families have departed the Algarve and Costa Brava for the school term. And Crete’s historical sites, beaches, and cities finally have enough space for you to snap a picture without another tourist getting in the way. Welcome to Europe’s off season, filled with as much il dolce far niente and savoir faire as it oozes in the summer months – but without the busy crowds. 

Sound like your type of holiday? We hear you. Read on to discover our guide to the most welcoming destinations and luxurious hotels dotted across Europe proving why off-season is the new on-season. 

Lake Como, Italy

Fancy holidaying like Hollywood? Head to Lake Como in northern Italy during its October to March low season to enjoy the wineries, markets and boat trips that are often jam-packed during the summer. Those planning a trip in December can visit Como’s Christmas Market until 8 January 2025, as well as Lake Como Lights, an immersive outdoor art gallery which transforms the Old Town. Don’t forget to pack your trainers so you can hike the Greenway: Lake Como’s most famous trail spanning 10km from Colonno to Griante. Or perhaps combine a pitstop here with your Italian ski trip: famous ski resorts such as Madesimo, Piani di Bobbio, Bormio and Livigno are easily reached in just a couple of hours by car. 

Where to stay: Villa d’Este

Two years ago, Villa d’Este made history when it remained open for Christmas and New Year for the first time. Due to its success, Villa d’Este continues to keep its doors open throughout the winter, paving the way for a new era on Lake Como with other hotels on the lake also remaining open this year. New for 2024, Villa d’Este is spotlighting the region’s little-known adventurous side. For ski lovers, its new Snow Dream package trades the tranquil lakeside for the dramatic peaks of the Italian Alps, whisking guests away by helicopter to Monte Cervino where they will be taken out by an expert guide for a thrilling adventure carving through alpine runs. Other new experiences include guided mountain hikes to the Swiss border, mountain biking with Olympic athlete Annabella Stopparo, and for children, llama walking adventures. 

Two sparkling glass houses – commissioned to extend the hotel’s Lake Terrace for guests to enjoy sweeping views of Lake Como as they would in the summer – become festive and cosy from November onwards. Book to enjoy classic evening cocktails, afternoon tea, a caviar selection and live music. Villa d’Este has also partnered with Blue Note Milano for a new jazz programme which will kick off from mid-November, while a roster of wine dinners spotlighting the likes of Dom Pérignon and Krug will provide more than enough to raise a toast to on Lake Como this winter. 

From £1,117 per night. 

St Tropez, France

There’s a very good chance you will experience blissful blue skies and seven hours of sunshine when you visit St Tropez during its winter season, from November to February. Having just recovered from an 80,000-per-day-strong influx of tourists in the summer months, visit the glamorous social playground now to experience the relaxed, sleepier side which made it famous in the 1950s. Pick one of the many coastal trails, such as the Sentier du Littoral, and weave along St Tropez’s cliffs and white-sand beaches in peace, or head back to the central square, Place des Lices, to visit the weekly markets which continue for locals throughout the winter. Finally, a must while in the South of France, drive along St Tropez’s empty roads to reach vineyards Domaine Tropez and Château De Saint-Martin, both offering guided tours and plenty of glasses of the good stuff. 

Where to stay: Arev

Reviving the legend of St Tropez, new five-star hotel Arev is one of a handful properties open year-round, and for its debut winter season, it has launched a selection of innovative experiences designed to dispel the notion that the riviera is only a summer destination. In time for Christmas, Arev’s courtyard will be transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring a glittering ice rink and festive treats from a retro food truck. 

Elsewhere, enjoy an olive oil tasting with master gardener Stéphan Rabany – where you’ll learn the true difference between black and green olive oil and trial some of the region’s very best creations – or enrol on a perfume masterclass with Maison ST to enjoy an immersive olfactory experience with personalised scent curation. If that’s not enough, there’s also hands-on pottery workshops focusing on traditional provençal techniques from sculpting to wheel-throwing; mixology workshops in the Q Bar featuring rare whisky tastings and guided cocktail classes; and, last but not least, regional wine workshops thanks to Arev’s partnership with a number of local, family-run vineyards, and a guided tour around the famous St Tropez market. 

From £590 per night. 

Algarve, Portugal

Often reaching a balmy 18°C in the day during its low season, visiting Portugal’s southern coast from November to March offers well-heeled travellers an authentic taste of the Algarve’s laidback lifestyle. Famed for its beaches, surfing spots, golf courses and hikes, book during the winter to ensure you won’t be fighting for parking spaces or sitting uncomfortably close to an adjacent sunbather. Visit picture-perfect spots such as Benagil Cave and Praia do Camilo; hike the Seven Hanging Valleys, Via Algarviana trail and the Rota Vicentina along the Vincentine Coast; and explore the colourful old towns before indulging in plenty of sardinhas assadas, cataplana de marisco and, of course, pastels de nata. 

Where to stay: Conrad Algarve

Nestled between the idyllic Ria Formosa Nature Park and the glittering Atlantic coastline, Conrad Algarve offers a family-friendly haven in one of Europe’s sunniest destinations. This winter, the five-star hotel invites foodies to get back to nature with its farm-to-fork foraging experiences, where guests can join local clam pickers for a day discovering ancient skills and secrets on a traditional wooden fisherman’s boat, before indulging in a delectable menu at the resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Gusto by Heinz Beck. 

Those looking for a dose of rejuvenation should look no further than the Conrad Signature Spa, offering custom wellness programmes, ranging from the three-night Life Reset to the seven-night weight loss programme, inclusive of lymphatic drainage, personalised nutrition plans and Amra Gold Intracellular massages. Keen golfers can also take advantage of the six championship courses, ranging from the low-cut Bermuda grass at Quinta Do Lago North Course, or the Laranjal Course, designed around five beautiful lakes, umbrella pines, cork oaks, and orange trees. 

From £210 per night. 

Crete, Greece

The small but mighty Greek island has been known to welcome more than one million tourists in July, so if you’re crowd-averse, winter is the best time to go. Offering a tepid 16°C, there are more than 500 beaches to explore, with spots like Falassarna on the western side of the island being home to three-metre waves perfect for surfing. Plus, those with a penchant for raki can trek up to the mountain villages to take part in Cretan distillation, which is usually accompanied by music, dancing and singing. Opa! 

Where to stay: Grecotel Amirandes

Designed to emulate an opulent Minoan Palace, Grecotel Amirandes is an elegant beachfront resort that delivers family-friendly luxury. This year, for the first time, the hotel is offering year-round hospitality and giving guests the chance to experience the charming side of local Cretan life that comes alive after the high tourist season. Autumn marks the start of the olive harvest on Crete, and guests are invited to celebrate this liquid gold during a private experience in the hotel’s verdant gardens before sampling a range of oils during a tasting session. 

For those with a penchant for history, Amirandes can also organise winter day trips to the grand Minoan palaces at Festos and Knossos, as well as to Gortyna for those interested in marvelling at the Gortyn Code – the earliest recorded laws in the Mediterranean – and the Cave of Zeus, where the Greek god is said to have been born. Back on property, choose from six restaurants, including Minotaur which displays a private collection of Picasso originals, and unwind at the Elixir Alchemy Spa which draws inspiration from ancient Greek alchemists to focus on longevity and personal exploration towards inner wellness. 

From £336 per night. 

Costa Brava, Spain

Home to three Salvador Dalí museums, the quaint, cobbled streets of Girona, hidden coves, ancient Greco and Roman ruins and nearby vineyards producing award-winning Catalonian wine, Costa Brava during the off season is a no-brainer. While it may not be sunbathing weather, the region offers plenty to do. Must-visit spots include Platja de Canyerets, which, surrounded by fragrant pines, is the only sandy cove of its kind in the local area, and Platja de Castella, home to soft sandy shores and a kayaking school ideal for families. It would be rude not to sample Costa Brava’s impressive gastronomy scene, which is considered the culinary capital of Catalonia thanks to its collection of restaurants totalling 18 Michelin stars. 

Where to stay: Hostal de la Gavina

Positioned on one of Europe’s most unspoilt coastlines, Hostal de la Gavina has become a byword for Costa Bravan luxury since the 1930s. Owned and operated by the Ensesa family, the grand palace hotel has an illustrious history, welcoming Spanish royalty, heads of state, Hollywood legends and musicians to its serene and timeless setting. Helming the five-star hotel’s four restaurants is Michelin-starred chef Romain Fornell, serving delectable dishes at Candlelight, renowned for its exquisite haute cuisine; Garbi, which offers healthy Mediterranean dishes; Barco Terrace for all day tapas; and La Taverna del Mar, famed for its locally-caught seafood. After a day exploring the serene Costa Brava, return to the hotel to relax at the large swimming pool, acres of landscaped gardens, a Spa by Valmont with treatment rooms overlooking the Bay of St Pol, a fully-equipped gym, clay tennis courts and yoga lessons. 

From £239 per night. 

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