The 6 best sober travel destinations in the world

Fancy exploring Thailand’s highest mountain on a hangover? How about taking an outdoor cooking class in the sweltering heat? Didn’t think so. Compared to the bustling Bangkok, Thailand’s second city offers a more relaxed stay, with lots of opportunities to explore the epic natural surroundings (such as the Bua Thong ‘sticky’ waterfall, which visitors can walk right up, thanks to the unusual mineral composition of the rock) or take a breather at one of the city’s 300 Buddhist temples. If you’re not ready to give up all your vices, you’re in luck: Chiang Mai is Thailand’s unofficial coffee capital, with beautifully designed cafes serving locally sourced beans (Akha Ama is our top pick, particularly the ultra-stylish Old City location). 

Iceland is primed for adventure, whether you’re using Reykjavik as your base, or you’re staying out in the wilderness at an aptly named adventure hotel (ION Adventure is brilliant). The fact is that you’d be hard pressed to find a country which has so many brilliant outdoorsy things to see and do crammed into its borders – I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (there’s a fab hotel here called Hótel Búðir), as well as making a stop at Hvammsvik Hot Springs for a sauna, a dip and a bowl of the seafood soup. And now’s a particularly good time to go, as the sun is nearing its ‘solar maximum’, so your chances of catching the Northern Lights are at their highest in the 11-year cycle. 

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Though Türkiye is a predominantly Islamic country, people do drink in Istanbul, and there are a few streets in the city lined with late-night bars. But unless you seek them out, you’ll forget about drinking altogether while you’re here. The city is dotted with lively bazaars and beautiful ancient mosques (it’s hard to imagine how breathtaking the Hagia Sophia is until you’ve seen it in person), and between attractions, settle in at one of Istanbul’s tea houses and try a Turkish tea thick with sugar. Make sure to check out the Çiçek Pasajı shopping parade and the Basilica Cistern – otherwise known as the ‘Sunken Palace’. 

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Few places are built better to forget about drinking than Bali. The landscape, with the glorious combo of lush green rice paddies, dramatic volcanoes and heavenly stretches of beach, means there’s a ridiculous amount to rise early for and explore. Then there’s all the activities: the island’s got copious opportunities for hiking, paddle-boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, to name just a few. But if you really want to log off, unwind, and detox, you couldn’t really be in a better place. Bali has been a go-to destination for wellness-oriented breaks for years now, with plenty of resorts offering everything from tranquil yoga sessions to ‘floatation therapy’.

🏨 Discover the best hotels in Bali

This one might seem a bit obvious given the majority of the population in Marrakech are Muslim and therefore don’t drink, but don’t they say the best way to travel is to live like a local? Morocco’s capital, particularly inside the Medina, is a magnificent smattering of scents, colours, noise and winding alleyways which could well overwhelm you when your first arrive, but you’ll soon learn that, instead of a drink to take the edge off, the best way to enjoy Marrakech is to embrace the mayhem. Gorge yourself on wonderful seafood at Le Jardin and mezze at Souk Kafe, and hop on a vintage motorbike for an adventurous tour with Marrakech Insiders.  

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We know, when you think of a trip to Aus, you’re probably thinking of beers and a BBQ, but if you’re travelling sober through Australia then Sydney is likely your best bet. Why? Well, firstly there is just so much to do which is best enjoyed with a clear head – the likes of surfing, swimming, cycling and hiking, and there’s an emphasis on wellness and health for locals here. Check out its best restaurants, for everything from incredible steak to freshly-caught seafood, as well as the city’s best cafes for that world-class Aussie coffee. Oh, and here are our favourite bars and rooftop bars, many of which over delicious alcohol free options, as well as sober parties like No Lights No Lycra if you’re still craving a flavour of the nightlife. 

📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Sydney