Think of holidays and you normally think of sun, sea and sand. But not everyone is so fond of holidays in the sun. In fact, some of the most interesting holiday destinations are found in places where the temperature rarely rises above zero at certain times of the year. If you prefer your holidays free of beaches and endless sunshine, here are five of the coldest holiday hotspots from around the world to consider for your next holiday overseas.

1. Tromsø

Tromsø is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Norway, and for top holiday destinations with a chill in the air it is hard to beat. You will find a large number of museums and art galleries to explore at your leisure, and make sure you keep a look out for the Northern Lights, which are regularly seen in the winter months. If you visit the city between May and July you will find yourself living in almost permanent daylight, so make sure you take some eye patches to help you sleep.

2. Reykjavik

The capital of Iceland is a very popular tourist destination. At only a few hours away from Northern Europe, it makes for the perfect weekend getaway. There are many things to see and do here, with one of the most popular being the nearby Blue Lagoon. You will also be able to explore the beautiful conservation area of Heiðmörk and the Rauðhólar volcanic craters, and if you visit between November and February you may be able to spot the Northern Lights.

3. Nuuk

Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and the most popular tourist hotspot in the country. There are lots of things to see and do here, including a visit to the Nuuk Art Museum. However, it is the natural attractions that make it so interesting and you will be able to arrange trips to see glaciers, icebergs and whales. It rarely gets above 10°C even in the summer, so you can count on it being nice and cold at any time of the year.

4. Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and is known as the coldest capital city in the world with temperatures dipping to -16°C and below in January. Top attractions here include the largest monastery in the country, Gandantegchinlen Khiid, as well as numerous museums including the Museum of Natural History. You can also organise a trip to the beautiful Terelj National Park.

5. Antarctica

Antarctica is the ultimate holiday destination for lovers of the cold. The best way to see Antarctica is on a cruise because you won’t find any hotels here. Cruises to Antarctica are becoming more popular, but few people ever get to visit the last true wilderness on earth, so this is one of the most unique holidays on earth. Watch out for whales, penguins, seals and even polar bears in the only continent that has resisted human habitation.

More Cold Hotspots

The following places may not be great tourist destinations, but if you like things super cold then you will just love any of these:

• Eureka in Canada is a research base that is the coldest place on earth that is inhabited, boasting average yearly temperatures of -20°C.

• Mount McKinley in Alaska is the highest mountain in North America at 6,194 metres, and the coldest place anywhere on the continent where temperatures as low as -34°C are common. Celebrity cruises operate Alaskan cruises for an alternative chilled out holiday.

• Oymyakon is a village in Russia, which is famous for setting the northern hemisphere record for the coldest recorded temperature when -71.2°C was recorded in 1926.

Enjoy a Colder Holiday This Year

If you like to avoid the heat and try to keep clear of sandy beaches, any of the above destinations could be perfect for a colder holiday. Whether you want to enjoy the cultural highlights of Tromsø or Reykjavik, or the empty wilderness of Antarctica, book your trip to one of the above travel hotspots and enjoy a holiday to remember.