Europe is full of amazing winter destinations.
Between December and March, you can choose from beautifully festive Christmas markets to snow-covered medieval towns, outdoor winter fun, and Alpine villages surrounded by mountain peaks. There are even a few places where you’ll find sunny, mild-ish days.
I love visiting Europe in winter. City sightseeing is at its best with cool temps and no crowds. Medieval old towns and taverns serving plates of warm food and mulled wine never get old. And mountain ranges like the Alps are absolutely mesmerizing no matter how many times you see them.
For me (and I’m guessing you, too), it’s the closest I’ll ever get to spending time living a scene from a postcard.
So while everyone is lamenting how short a Euro summer is, there’s no time to waste when you feel that first chill in the air. Time to pack your bags and enjoy the best Europe winter destinations!
1. Prague, Czech Republic
I can’t gush about Prague enough. The medieval architecture is breathtaking all year long, but with a chill in the air and a fresh layer of snow? It’s easily one of the most beautiful winter scenes in Europe.
During the Christmas season, there’s a Christmas Market in Old Town Square, where you’ll find the iconic Gothic spires and baroque buildings Prague is famous for. And if you make your way to the top of the Astronomical Clock Tower, you can see a line of golden lights along the nearby streets.
And this is before you get to the Charles Bridge or Prague Castle!
When (not if) you need to warm up, Czech food is comfort food at its best. Think historic taverns serving bowls of goulash, potato dumplings, and stews along with local beer or mulled wine. (I’m convincing myself to go back as I write this!)
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Visit Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, especially during the Christmas market.
- Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower for incredible views of the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
- Walk across the Charles Bridge in the morning when the statues are covered in frost and the Vltava River is still.
- See Prague Castle, especially if there’s fresh snow!
Read More: 20 Things to Do in Prague for First-Timers
2. Tallinn, Estonia
I might be a sucker for a winterscape with cobblestone streets and medieval walls covered in white. But, once you see Tallinn’s UNESCO-recognized Old Town, you’ll hardly blame me!
During the holiday season, there’s a Christmas market in Town Hall Square. What I love is that it’s not overwhelming…or overrun. You can sip the local “hoogvein” or mulled wine and simply enjoy the sights and smells around you. Try the sea buckthorn flavor when you go!
Warm up like an Estonian by heading to the sauna or stopping into a cafe for coffee and a traditional cinnamon pastry.
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Walk the medieval city walls.
- Check out the shops in Old Town.
- Visit historic sites in the city center like St. Olaf’s Church and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
- Get warm at the sauna.
3. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has become quite a darling with European travelers, but I’ve got the secret to getting around these crowds. Visit in winter like I did! You’ll have places like the famous Buda Castle almost to yourself.
The Danube River looks gorgeous in winter, especially from a river cruise with a heated cabin! You can take photos of the famous Hungarian Parliament building and its golden glow all without a care for the real-feel temperatures outside.
Budapest is also known for its thermal hot baths, like the Szechenyi Baths or the Gellert Baths. And although I love the beautiful building with the Gellert Baths, the outdoor pools at the Szechenyi Baths are so dramatic in the winter. (Bonus points if there’s a coating of snow surrounding the pool.)
Then, head to the Central Market Hall for goulash, langos, and hungarian dumplings.
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Soak in the outdoor thermal hot springs.
- Take a Danube River Cruise. (Make sure it has a heated cabin.)
- Visit Buda Castle without the crowds.
- If you’re there at Christmastime, check out the markets at Vorosmarty Square.
Read More: Travel Guide for Budapest: A Cheat Sheet for First-Timers
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
One of my favorite things about Scandinavian culture is how it embraces the cold, winter months by staying active and finding comfort in all things warm and inviting.
Biking is a year-round city activity and, at night (as early as 3:30 pm when the sun sets), people are out enjoying the city. Copenhageners are used to the winter conditions so the city continues on no matter what the weather brings!
Copenhagen is full of coffee shops, places to eat, and shops that are alive with activity in the winter. Spend a couple of hours with a Danish open-sandwich and a hot soup before heading off to photograph the harbor or visit Rosenborg Castle.
Tivoli Gardens becomes a winter wonderland from mid-November through the Christmas season with beautiful lights, ice skating, and amusement park rides. Or take a quick trip outside the city to Kronborg Castle (a.k.a. Hamlet’s Castle) for one of Denmark’s most popular Christmas markets! (weekends only)
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- See the lights and decorations in Tivoli Gardens at Christmastime.
- Embrace Danish hygge culture by spending a few hours in a warm cafe with a book and a coffee.
- Sightsee by bike! (It’s your chance to bike in winter without turning heads.)
- Take a day trip to the UNESCO-recognized Kronborg Castle.
5. Rovaniemi, Finland
No where is the Scandinavian spirit for getting out in the fresh air in winter more on display than in Finnish Lapland! Not to mention, it’s also the official hometown of Santa Claus where you can visit his village year-round and even meet the reindeer.
But the highlight is undoubtedly the landscape and the winter sky! From the moment my husband and I arrived, we were off snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hunting the northern lights, visiting the Arctic Snow/Ice Hotel, cooking out in the winter forest, and dogsledding with an arctic circle sunrise on the horizon in front of us.
At the end of the day, you can rest and restore your body in the sauna. Many hotels have private ones like our cabin rental did.
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Meet Santa Claus and his reindeer at his village.
- Snowmobile through the frozen forests and across ice-covered lakes.
- Look for the northern lights every chance you get!
- Have a cocktail at the Arctic Ice Hotel bar.
Read More: How to Plan a Successful Trip to Finnish Lapland
6. Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s Christmas markets are legendary. The city’s grand architecture combined with wooden stalls, ice rinks, roasted chestnuts, and mulled wine are exactly what most people imagine when thinking about a winter trip to Europe.
All year-round, though, Vienna is known for its beautiful palaces, museums, classical music, and of course, coffeehouses. You could easily plan a Vienna winter trip to museum-hop by day and attend concerts at night, all the while breaking at some point for a coffee and piece of sachertorte, Vienna’s famous, rich chocolate cake.
I did exactly this with my husband on a trip to Vienna in February. No Christmas markets needed!
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Visit Vienna’s Christmas markets during the holiday season.
- Get tickets for a classical concert or opera.
- Museum-hop around the city.
- See Schobrunn Palace to glimpse Vienna’s royal history.
7. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of the most spectacular winter destinations in Europe or anywhere. This pedestrian-only Alpine village is tucked into the Swiss Alps with stunning views of the Matterhorn.
For skiers, Zermatt is absolute paradise. It has 200+ miles of trails and, to this day, I haven’t skied anywhere with better conditions or more incredible views.
But even if you’re not a skier, there are hills for sledging, trails for snowshoeing, and access to many other winter sports.
You can (and absolutely must!) take the Gornergrat Railway up into the mountains for drop-dead gorgeous views of the Matterhorn and Swiss Alps. You can even stay a while at a lodge to have lunch in the mountains.
Back in the village, walk along the snowy streets to shop, dine out, or have drinks. There’s absolutely nothing better than a bowl of hot fondue with a plate full of sides to dip after spending the day in the Swiss Alps in winter.
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Take the Gornergrat Railway to see the stunning above-the-tree-line mountain views.
- Ski! The terrain, conditions, and views will be among the best you’ll ever experience.
- Eat fondue.
- Enjoy the snow-covered mountains on a sled or snowshoes.
Read More: How to Spend an Unforgettable Christmas in Zermatt
8. Seville, Spain
How about a curve ball? Just as you were convincing yourself to lean into all things winter, along comes Seville with sunny days and streets lined with orange trees.
Seville (and other spots in southern Spain) deserve a spot on this list because winter is one of the best times to visit. Summers are brutally hot. Spring and fall are the most popular but winter comes with days as high as 65 F.
Even better, the city is quieter, prices are lower, and there are no lines snaking out from places like the Alcazar or the Cathedral. You could even make the quick train ride to Cordoba to see the Mosque-Cathedral.
During the Christmas season, you can visit the Christmas markets around the city before enjoying a night out eating in the Barrio Santa Cruz neighborhood and getting tickets for a flamenco show.
Must-Visit Spots in Winter:
- Get tickets to visit the Alcazar.
- Visit Seville Cathedral and climb to the top of La Giralda tower.
- Catch a flamenco show.
- Eat! Seville is a foodie paradise.
Read More: 15 Dazzling Things to Do in Seville
Practical Tips for Winter Travel in Europe
Winter travel needs a bit of planning. Packing the right clothes is essential and you have to plan for shorter days. The upside is that, outside of the Christmas season, prices in most places are much more affordable.
Keep these winter tips in mind as you plan your Europe trip.
How to Plan Around Short Daylight Hours
In many places, but especially northern Europe, it gets dark really early in winter.
For you, this means starting your day early. Plan outdoor sightseeing and activities for the start of the day and save museums and other indoor activities for later when you begin to lose light.
Christmas markets typically don’t open until later in the day, especially on weekdays. Plus, you’ll want to see them at night when all the lights are on.
Booking Tips for Christmas Markets & Peak Winter Weeks
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that traveling to popular Christmas markets and during the prime Christmas and New Year’s holidays come with crowds and higher prices. So it’s important to book flights and hotels at least 2-3 months ahead of time for trips during these weeks.
The same goes for restaurant reservations and popular activities. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, it’s almost always required to have a dining reservation no matter where you are.
Transportation
For European winter trips, use the trains as much as possible. If you’re city hopping, it’s generally the best and most relaxing way to travel.
Some winter destinations, like Finnish Lapland, may require a car if you plan to visit places outside of Rovaniemi. We rented a car for our Finnish Lapland trip from the Rovaniemi Airport and it made things a lot easier.
What to Pack for Cold vs Mild(er) Winter Destinations
For the majority of places on this list and in Europe, you’ll need warm, winter clothes. This includes things like:
- Warm layers
- Waterproof, insulated boots or footwear with good grip
- Hat, gloves, and scarf
- Insulated, waterproof jacket
For far northern places like Finnish Lapland or ski destinations like Zermatt, you’ll want to pack for extreme cold. This includes the things you’d normally wear in winter plus outdoor gear for skiing and high-performance base layers. I even brought my ski goggles to Finnish Lapland for activities like snowmobiling and dogsledding.
But for mild(er) destinations like Seville, you won’t need this type of winter gear. Instead, pack things like:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers for warmer temps during the day and cooler temps at night
- Waterproof jacket for rainy or windy days
- Vest jacket – something with a little warmth
ProTip: Don’t forget a portable phone charger. Batteries drain much faster in the cold weather.
Are you packing for Europe yet?!
Europe in winter is so underrated! Christmas markets are only part of what makes so many places in Europe special in winter.
Plan a winter season trip to see why it’s actually the best time to sightsee, get to know popular cities, and head out for natural experiences that are only possible this time of year.
I’ll see you there!
Which Europe winter destination would you like to visit?
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