Five Retro Destinations You Need to Holiday At Today

Retro is having a moment—and not just in your wardrobe or playlist. Around the world, some destinations are oozing with vintage vibes, kitschy charm, and mid-century magic, just waiting to be rediscovered. Whether you're craving pastel motels, neon signs, or a slice of 1960s glamour, these five throwback spots offer a nostalgic escape—with all the modern comforts.

So grab your sunglasses, channel your inner screen siren or Rat Pack rogue, and book that ticket:

1. Palm Springs, California

Vibe: Mid-century modern meets poolside cocktails.

Why go now: Once the playground of Sinatra and Elvis, Palm Springs is pure retro gold. Think sleek architecture, desert landscapes, and enough pastel pinks to fill an entire Instagram feed. Stay in a restored 1960s motel or a breezy bungalow, rent a cruiser bike, and sip martinis under the shade of a swaying palm.

Don’t miss:

A tour of the legendary Mid-Century Modern homes

The kitschy, iconic Dinosaurs in Cabazon

Pool lounging at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Vibe: 1950s Italian Riviera glamour.

Why go now: Once the stomping ground of Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly, the Amalfi Coast remains effortlessly stylish. Wind your way through cliffside villages, lemon groves, and tiny trattorias. Despite the TikTok crowd, you can still find a Vespa-worthy corner that feels timeless.

Don’t miss:

Classic Aperol Spritz with a sea view in Positano

A day trip to Ravello, where time moves slower

Renting a wooden speedboat for that La Dolce Vita moment

3. Brighton, England

Vibe: Seaside kitsch and mod nostalgia.

Why go now: Brighton's pebbled beach, candy-striped deckchairs, and vintage arcade games make it a time-warp treat. It’s like stepping into a 1960s postcard—if the postcard also had craft beer and drag brunches.

Don’t miss:

Riding the Victorian-era Brighton Palace Pier

Browsing the North Laine’s vintage shops

Dancing to Northern Soul at a mod-themed night

4. Miami Beach, Florida

Vibe: Art Deco dazzle meets 80s neon flash.

Why go now: Nowhere does pastel pinks and palm prints quite like Miami’s South Beach. The Art Deco Historic District is like a candy-coloured time capsule, and the city’s nightlife still knows how to strut its stuff.

Don’t miss:

A sunset stroll down Ocean Drive

Cocktails at a rooftop bar in a restored Art Deco hotel

A visit to the Wolfsonian Museum for vintage design fans

5. Tokyo’s Showa-Era Bars (Japan)

Vibe: Post-war Tokyo nostalgia, with whisky and jazz.

Why go now: Hidden in the backstreets of Shinjuku and Golden Gai, Tokyo’s tiny Showa-era bars feel like stepping into another century. Low lighting, vinyl records, and whisky served by bartenders in suspenders—it’s a slice of old Japan you don’t see in the neon-soaked tourist guides.

Don’t miss:

Golden Gai, where bars are barely bigger than a wardrobe

Retro kissaten cafés, complete with wood-panel walls and 70s music

A trip to Yanaka, one of Tokyo’s last “shitamachi” (old town) areas