If you give up alcohol at the beginning of the year, you don't necessarily have to give up great trips. These cities offer unforgettable experiences and relaxing wellness offers - for a "zero alcohol" vacation.
A non-alcoholic Dry January doesn't have to be boring. With the right cities, activities and tips, you can enjoy the start of the new year full of culture, wellness and the joy of discovery - in a very sober way. The airline "Icelandair" has therefore identified the best destinations for an alcohol-free vacation, which are not only worth discovering in January.
For the study, 55 popular locations around the world were assessed using the so-called "Booze-Free Friendly Index". Factors used to determine this included the average alcohol consumption per capita in the cities, the number of bars and clubs, wellness offers and alcohol-free evening activities. The result shows which destinations are ideal for Dry January - and which should be avoided if you want to stay dry.
At the top of the ranking are destinations where alcohol consumption traditionally plays a lesser role in cultural, religious or legal terms. Dubai therefore leads the index with 18.5 out of a maximum of 22 points. The city impresses with almost 400 wellness offers, including luxury spas, exclusive bathhouses and modern fitness studios. Marrakesh and Denpasar follow in second and third place. Marrakech offers spa treatments, yoga retreats and vibrant souks, while Denpasar is ideal for mindful relaxation with beach resorts, holistic therapies and lush nature. Other top destinations worldwide are Hanoi, Shanghai, Bangkok, Seoul and Auckland.
The list of European cities is headed by Rome, which received the best rating of 15.2. Despite its many bars and clubs - and excellent wines - the Italian capital offers numerous alcohol-free activities, including cooking classes, city tours and spooky ghost tours. In second and third place are Reykjavik and Paris, which score points for their relaxed wellness offers and cultural highlights. Other top European cities include Athens, Stockholm, Paphos and Barcelona.
If you want to avoid alcohol in January, you should avoid cities with high alcohol consumption and lots of bars. According to the index, these include Liverpool, Manchester, Málaga, Ljubljana, Brussels, Dublin, Boston and Berlin. According to "Icelandair", it is much more difficult to enjoy an alcohol-free vacation here.
