Backpacking is a highly rewarding outdoor activity. It gives you an opportunity to explore different places, experience different cultures, tastes local cuisines, and see the world. You also get to share adventures with other travelers, stay in unique places, and make new friends wherever your backpacking adventures take you. However, one of the hardest parts about planning a backpacking trip is choosing where you should go for your next since there are so many options to consider. The good news is that we’ve already done the heavy lifting for you. We have narrowed down your options and identified some of the best backpacking destinations around the globe. If you are planning to go on a backpacking trip, here are some of the places that you should check out.
Greece
Spectacular beaches, a beautiful climate, pristine blue seas, and delicious fish and seafood, Greece offers more than just a backpacking adventure. As much as it might not be cheap compared to other places, Greece is still one of the best places to go on a backpacking trip to Europe. You have the option of staying on the mainland or choose one of the islands, depending on your preferences. Once you land in the country, you can start by exploring the club scene and nightlife in Athens, and then proceed to the ancient city of Delphi, explore Mount Parnassus or head off to the Ionian or Aegean seas for some island hopping. When it comes to exploring the islands, you can opt for the less crowded ones like Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, and Kefalonia, just to name a few. Most of the popular travel destinations are a bit crowded during the peak summer season. Therefore, ensure you book your accommodation early enough if you intend to spend the entire summer backpacking there.
The Netherlands
Known for its world-famous coffee shops, the unique Red Light District, tulip fields, flat landscape, canals, and thriving cycling culture, Netherlands remains a backpacker’s dream, and it’s easy to see why. Despite its small size, this country boasts some of the most prominent architects like Van Gogh, Vermeer, Piet Mondrian, and Rembrandt, just to name a few. Its capital city Amsterdam is renowned for its beautiful architecture, a network of canals, as well as bustling markets, among other attractions. If you head south, you will come across the historic, industrial port city of Rotterdam that has undergone complete makeover recently. And as you head towards the coast, you will encounter hundreds of windmills, spread across the colorful tulips fields.
June to August, which is the summertime, is usually the best time to go for a backpacking trip in the Netherlands. But if you want to avoid crowds, then you should visit between April and May or from September to October. If you are on a tight budget, then you should go for your backpacking trip between November and March, during the low season. As much as most attractions might be closed during this period, the open ones are not crowded. Besides, the hotel rates are incredibly affordable during the low season. Whether you spend your entire time in the capital city, in Rotterdam, Groningen, or Utrecht, you can rest assured that you will have a great backpacking adventure in the Netherlands.
The Caribbean
Most backpacking trips tend to revolve around North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. However, if you are looking for white beaches, azure seas, green forests, lively music, and culture, as well as delicious coastal delights, then you should head to the Caribbean islands. From Barbados to the Cayman Islands, St Vincent to St Kitt’s, Sint Eustatius to Jamaica, the Caribbean islands are infections when it comes to travel and adventure. The food is fresh and delicious, music festivals are plentiful and the weather is great throughout the year. And if you want to do some hiking and explore the wilderness areas of this region, then you should check out St Lucia or Dominica. With so many flavors, cultures, beaches, and islands to choose from, shimmering reefs to high mountain peaks, sandy beaches to spicy reggae and salsa rhythms, you can have any kind of backpacking adventure that you want in the Caribbean.
Canada
If you want to experience an amazing North American backpacking adventure, you should pack your bags and go to Canada. The entire country from Montreal to Toronto, Quebec to Ottawa and Vancouver to Calgary is beautiful. Apart from the cities, you should also spend some time in the wilderness areas of Canada, where you will get an opportunity to see crystal blue lakes, dense pine forests, waterfalls and rapids, vast prairies, and several canyons. The Sea-to-Sky Highway is also a sight to see. The Banff National Park offers an amazing hiking and trekking experience for adventure seekers. It features natural sights like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Sunshine Meadows, and Peyto Lake. It’s also home to several wildlife creatures like black bears, bighorn sheep, elk, and grizzlies, just to name a few. If you are a snowboarding enthusiast, then you should check out Whistler Resort, located in British Columbia. Canada has adequate facilities for backpackers, including affordable hostels as well as numerous opportunities for backcountry camping.
Norway
Norway offers some of the best amazing and stunning landscapes that you will ever come across in your life. As much as the country is a bit expensive for visitors, camping in most public areas is allowed and free. Hiking cabins are also plenty across Norway. However, ensure that you book them in advance, especially if you will be going for your trip during the high season. Backpacking in Norway gives you an opportunity to explore its incredible wilderness areas like snow-peaked mountains, waterfalls, fjords, lush-green forests, glaciers, and an amazing coastline. If you are going for a hiking and a camping trip, then you should visit between May and September. During this time, the weather is a bit friendly. You will also have a chance to experience the one of its kind midnight sun.
India
From its breathtaking temples to stark Himalayan terrain, lazy backwaters to delicious curries, backpacking in India should be on your travel list. Besides, it’s one of the most affordable backpacking destinations in the world thanks to its expansive public transport, a weaker currency, and cheap food options. Hotel stays in this Asian country will cost you approximately $6 to $8 while public transport via buses and trains will not cost you more than $20 per journey. Apart from being one of the most affordable backpacking destinations in the world, you will experience unique cultures and adventures that are not found anywhere else on earth. The different customs, variety of religions, unique landscapes, traditional architecture and dynamics of everyday life make India a worthy travel destination. In short, you can expect to have the time of your life during your stay in India.
You can choose to explore either the north, south or even both, depending on the length of your stay. If you opt for the north, you could explore the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, or Delhi. You can start your trip in the capital, then hit the Taj Mahala and then finalize your trip in the Rajasthan. This route is filled with traditional architecture, culture, and history. It’s also well served by public transport, as well as plenty of inexpensive home-stays, hotels, and hostels. This region is also home to the Golden Temple, which is the most important worship site for Sikhs. If you opt for the south, you will come across beautiful beaches, great food and plenty of forests. You can begin your backpacking trip in Mumbai, travel to Goa and then take a bus ride to Hampi. Kerala, which is also in the South, is also a popular travel destination, thanks to its picturesque waterfalls, expansive tea plantations, backwaters, and several national parks. Whichever region you choose, you are assured of a memorable backpacking adventure during your stay in India.
Nepal
With its unique blend of lifestyles and cultures, wildlife diversity, and a vast range of exotic sceneries, Nepal has grown to become one of the most popular backpacking destinations. Nepal is also an affordable backpacking destination, whether you are traveling solo, as a group or as a couple. March to May is usually the best time to go for a backpacking trip. The weather is great and there is a high chance that you will come across several other foreigners who have pitched a tent in various parts of the country. When it comes to food, you will enjoy a wide range of local delicacies and cuisines. Most of their food is mainly inspired by Chinese and Indian cuisines. The entire country is filled with natural beauty, architecture, and art. However, if you are a budget backpacker and you only have a limited amount of time to spare, then it will be almost impossible to traverse the whole country. The best backpacking destinations are Pokhara, Kathmandu valley, Lumbini and Chitwan. If you are an arts and crafts explorer, then you should head to Kathmandu Valley. It features an exotic display of sculptures, temples, pottery, monuments as well as historic buildings. On the other hand, if you want to explore natural sceneries during your backpacking trip, then you should head to Pokhara. Nature and wildlife lovers should check out Chitwan while Lumbini is filled with Buddhist monasteries. From jungle safaris to zip-lining, trekking to mountain bike riding, Nepal is a great destination for adventure lovers.
Australia
From its fantastic climate to beautiful landscapes, laid-back city culture to unique wildlife, a glorious coastline to cool sandy beaches, Australia is, without a doubt, a backpacker’s paradise. Snorkeling, Surfing, hiking, bushwalking, scuba diving, off-road driving, whale-watching, and mountain biking are among the activities that you should engage in during your trip. Also, make sure you check out the Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay, Fraser Island, Swan Valley wine country, the Blue Mountains and of course the Aboriginal culture. Besides, the country’s wildlife is unique, meaning you can only find it in Australia’s zoo and not anywhere else in the world. Traveling around the country will not give you any problems. You can hire a car, a campervan, use the buses or even opt for one of the cheap domestic flights.
Kenya
If you are planning to go for a backpacking trip to Africa, then you should include Kenya on your list. You can start your trip from either the coastal city of Mombasa where you will experience old Arabic charm or start with the capital city Nairobi and then choose the area that you want to explore from there. There are plenty of affordable and decent places, where you can stay such as Airbnbs, two-star hotels, as well as hostels. Luxury resorts and five-star hotels are also in abundance around the country, where you can have some relaxing experience after your adventure. Kenyan hospitality is plenty, and you will make friends from the minute you land to your departure. For your backpacking trip, your options are almost endless. You can visit Naivasha where you will enjoy panoramic views of Lake Naivasha, do some hiking, birdwatching, cycling, rock climbing, and fishing among others. You can also go for a hiking trip in Mount Kenya and the Aberdares Ranges or go kayaking on Tana River or Ewaso Nyiro. Hundreds of hikers, backpackers, mountain climbers and all sorts of adventure seekers visit Kenya every year, to experience the country’s rugged trails, undisturbed wildlife areas, and unique cultures. And it’s easy to see why.
Closing Remarks
As you can see, you have numerous options to consider when it comes to choosing a backpacking destination. Whichever location you choose, you can rest assured that you will enjoy the perfect blend of adventure, budget-friendly accommodation, local delicacies as well as memorable experiences that you will carry with you forever.
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