TRENDING: What is shoulder season and why is it so popular?
Shoulder season: no, it’s not a new workout trend or a fashion statement for your upper body. It’s the Goldilocks of the travel calendar — when destinations breathe a sigh of relief and slip into something more comfortable. Forget playing human Tetris on busy promenades or queueing for hours for a bite to eat at must-visit bakeries. No. Shoulder season is all about being in the know, enjoying cities and destinations at their very best, without following the crowd.
The catch? As long as you’re flexible with dates, there isn’t one. So, grab your bags and make sure to pack your sense of adventure — it’s time to shoulder your way into the best-kept secret in travel.
What is shoulder season?
Shoulder season is the period just before and right after peak season. It’s those few weeks just before the high-rolling summer months come into full swing, and afterwards when there’s still a buzz about before the off-season hits.
Picture sun-dappled streets, sipping coffee al fresco, and soaking in the local vibe — all without the suffocating crush of the crowds. That’s shoulder season. When cities reveal their true colours, offering a more individual experience without compromising on the good stuff. Think of it as the Cinderella hour of travel – not quite prime time, but far from turning into a pumpkin.
When is shoulder season?
Timing is everything here. Look from April to June pre-summer and September and October afterwards. Aim for those ‘just right’ interseasonal months when the weather’s still playing nice, but the crowds aren’t there yet to interrupt your you-time.
Why travel in shoulder season?
Great weather
Seriously, it’s the best. No sweltering Sahara-like heat that turns you redder than the tomatoes you ate at lunch. No bracing Arctic blasts that Shackleton himself wouldn’t have even dared go up against. Travelling in shoulder season means you’re making the most of those often-overlooked interseasonal months: when it’s not too hot or too cold — it’s just right.
Fewer crowds
Remember that crushing anxiety of trying to snap a selfie at the Spanish Steps while being judged by a thousand other eager onlookers? That’s not a thing in shoulder season. You’re not sardined into every attraction, fighting for breathing room. Museums become your personal galleries, landmarks your private photo shoots. You might even — gasp — find a table at the go-to restaurant without booking beforehand.
Local Vibes
Cities don’t suddenly shut down just because peak season is over. In fact, they often breathe a collective sigh of relief and remember how to be themselves again. Local festivals pop up, cultural events flourish, and that vibrant energy that made you fall in love with the destination in the first place? It’s back, baby. You get to experience the city as the locals do, without the veneer of high-season polish. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s absolutely riveting.
Slower Pace
Summer, you’re overrated. Sorry, not sorry. Busy airports, pre-booking dozens of activities and planning every single day to the minute just aren’t the one. Shoulder season, by contrast, is. It’s a throwback to when we weren’t tied to tours based on FOMO. Where you can experience cities at a more leisurely pace and not set alarms for the crack of dawn just to avoid the crowds. And holidays that actually felt like… you know… holidays.
Where to go during shoulder season
London
Forget the sweaty, overcrowded tubes of summer and drizzly greys of winter. London in shoulder season is a revelation. Spring brings a riot of colour to the royal parks, while autumn paints the city in hues of amber and gold. Stroll along the South Bank without battling selfie snappers, catch a West End show without selling your firstborn for tickets, and enjoy afternoon tea in peace — without having to ask anyone sat across from you to repeat the same sentence for a third time.
Amsterdam
Visit the Dutch capital during shoulder season and there’s an 83% chance you’ll find inner peace. Amble canal after canal at your own leisurely pace, cycle through Vondelpark without fear of tourist-cyclist pileups, and actually get a table at that ‘if you know, you know’ canal-side café. The museums? All yours, without the elbow-jabbing crowds. And if you time it right in spring, you might just catch the tail end of tulip season – all the beauty, none of the busloads of flower-frenzied visitors.
Rome
Ah, Rome – eternally beautiful yet eternally crowded. Except in shoulder season, when la dolce vita truly comes alive. The oppressive summer heat gives way to balmy days perfect for sipping espresso in piazzas and long, leisurely strolls through ancient ruins. Imagine actually hearing the splash of the Trevi Fountain coins or having a moment of quiet contemplation in the Sistine Chapel. And let’s not forget the food – with fewer tourists to cater to, restaurants remember their nonna’s recipes and serve up authenticity on a plate.
Berlin
Berlin in shoulder season sheds its winter layers and party-hard summer skin to reveal its true, complex self. The city’s vast green spaces transform into canvases of autumnal art or spring renewal. Biergartens are still open but cosier, perfect for long conversations over frothy steins. And as for the city’s infamous nightlife, everything becomes less about seeing and being seen, and more about genuine experiences and connections. It’s Berlin raw, real, and ready for you to explore.
How to make the most of shoulder season
Seizing the shoulder season sweet spot requires a dash of flexibility and a pinch of planning. Keep your dates loose if possible – being able to shift your trip by a week or two can make all the difference. Equally, planning ahead (and saving up to 25%* while you’re at it) goes a long way. Just do your research, make sure you know what you want from a holiday, and be bold and book it.
Oh, and one last bit of advice: pack layers. Shoulder season weather can be as mercurial as a cat’s affections, so be prepared for anything.
