Photo by Michaela Jilkova at Shutterstock
Picture this: winding cobblestone streets embellished with a dust of snow, charming town squares decorated by the soft glow of twinkling lights, and the warmth of cozy cafes inviting you in from the winter chill.
From the medieval charm of Slovenia to the fairytale landscapes of the Czech Republic, these destinations redefine the season’s magic.
Join us on a virtual tour through 9 picturesque locales, each offering a unique blend of culture, history, and the undeniable charm only a European winter can provide.
Let the allure of these European winter destinations capture your imagination and inspire your next memorable winter getaway.
Who wouldn’t want to go to Switzerland in winter? While we love the entire country, Davos is a ski resort town in the middle of the Swiss Alps. It has the highest elevation of any European city and is a wintery playground for all snow sports enthusiasts.
Here, you’ll be greeted with an endless amount of terrain that features long runs, wide slopes, and 185 miles of paths. Most resorts in this charming town are geared towards intermediate to advanced skiers, with some beginner slopes if you’re not that experienced.
And even though Davos can be a bit pricey, if you don’t mind splashing some cash, the town is one of the best European winter destinations for skiers.
Between the charming cobbled lanes that shoot out from Prague’s Old Town Square and the icy columns of the city’s sprawling Castle Hill and St Vitus Cathedral complex, there’s no question that this historic Slavic capital is one of Europe’s most enchanting wintertime spots.
Many flock to this European winter destination in December to shop at the festive stalls on Republic, Wenceslas Square, and Havel’s Market, to see the Mikulas enactments in the Old Town, or to celebrate the New Year with majestic-looking fireworks over Charles Bridge.
They also come in February and March to celebrate the arrival of spring at the annual Masopust Fest and Bohemian Carnevale or to sip frothy underground beers next to Kafka’s ghost!
Many travelers would agree that there’s arguably no better European city to spend your chilly winter days and nights than Vienna, the magnificent imperial heart of old Habsburg, where sprawling neoclassical palaces rub shoulders with rowdy Austrian beer halls and smoky art deco cafes.
All the way through the end of January, this European winter destination throws events like the Vienna Philharmonic Ball and the Neujahrskonzert on New Year’s Day.
In December you can enjoy the Spittelberg markets, the Rathaus fairground, and the incredibly fragrant al fresco eateries at Schönbrunn, where spicy mulled wine mix with sauerkraut and schnitzel and of course, gingerbread.
And once you’ve had enough of the city, why not steer west to where the ski fields of the Salzburgerland are spread out over the country’s northern Alps?
From the moment of the first snowfall on this European winter destination, the label “winter wonderland” becomes a standard statement throughout Krakow.
It echoes through the ice-clad branches of the Planty Park, leaping through the misty side streets of the Stare Miasto and swirling around the towering Gothic spires of the city’s numerous medieval churches.
Of course, you’ll also be greeted by all the omnipresent ice rinks, Christmas trees, and craft markets to enjoy. Still, Krakow’s winter appeal is much more elusive than that.
It’s also found hiding in the mysterious underground bars of Kazimierz or the smoky oscypek cheese stalls of nearby Zakopane. One thing’s for sure, though: you won’t have time to be bored in this European winter destination!
Our favorite European winter destination is located in the northernmost area of Finland. If you’re after a snowy escape, Lapland will provide the ultimate frosty winter vacation.
It’s excellent for winter thrill seekers with fun activities like snowshoeing, husky dog sledding, and snowmobile safaris. Yet, if relaxing is what you’re really looking for, there are plenty of other options for that, as well.
You can ride a magical reindeer sleigh, decompress in a Finnish sauna, or have a drink in an ice hotel. Winter is also the best time to see the Northern Lights in Finland. Keep a lookout for clear nights when the stars brighten the sky.
If you’re traveling with the kiddos, make sure you go to the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, and you can meet the most famous jolly old elf. This village is open year-round. But a heavy coating of snow makes the experience all the more memorable.
When it comes to this European winter destination’s highlights, there can surely be only one event that everyone’s thinking about: Hogmanay!
Celebrated as one of the biggest street parties on the continent, this unrestrained eruption of high-profile concerts, fairground rides, and breathtaking pyrotechnics in Edinburgh is Europe’s answer to the shindigs of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It’s become so famous that an estimated 400,000 people attended the celebrations a few years ago. It even earned Edinburgh a spot in the Guinness Book of Records.
And when the parties begin to calm, it’s just a short ride from the city to the snow-tipped peaks and burgeoning ski paths of the Scottish Highlands and Cairngorms National Park!
When this European winter destination’s legendary Christmas markets burst forth in late November in a festive bluster of merry-go-rounds, fairy lights, feuerzangenbowle sugarloaf, hot mugs of aromatic glühwein, smoky bratwurst barbeques and earthy art and craft stalls, you know where you’ll find us!
Frankfurt, of course! It’s not hard to see why this sprawling cityscape in the state of Hessen continues to be one of the top tourist spots for visitors to Germany in December.
And while this European winter destination’s reputation as one of Europe’s financial centers does tell a different character, there’s no denying that the holiday cheer that ensues around the pretty Paulsplatz and Römerberg throughout the early winter can’t be beat.
If you find yourself in the nippy reaches of Denmark as winter sets in, we recommend you make a beeline for the capital of Copenhagen, which is surely one of Europe’s most popular destinations during the year’s colder months.
Most of the movement in this European winter destination focuses on the fairytale merriment that abounds throughout the snowy parks of the city in December and January, with ice rinks at the Frederiksberg Gardens and festive markets hogging all the space at the Tivoli and Christiania.
But that’s not all! Copenhagen is also famous for its wintertime hospitality and praises oodles of cozy drinking locales and smorgasbord eateries, complete with log cabins and friendly locals to boot.
With snow-dusted castles, frost-covered trees, and soaring mountain ranges that gleam white, Slovenia is one of the best European winter destinations. And out of the entire country, Bled is one of the most romantic places to visit in winter.
The lake freezes over, and the little church on the center island becomes more photogenic if that’s even possible. It’s the perfect place to take a lap around the lake while breathing in the fresh mountain air.
Afterward, do what the locals do and warm up with appetizers and wine tasting in the cozy little town center. And for even more fairytale winter scenes, visit Triglav National Park.
With magical waterfalls, stunning lakes, and snow-laden scenery, this is a dream destination for nature enthusiasts.
This European winter destination’s largest lake, Lake Bohinj, is inside the park. It freezes over in the wintertime and is rimmed by the spectacular Julian Alps and dense snow-covered spruces.
Have we convinced you to book your plane tickets yet? Be sure to let us know which of these European winter destinations were your favorites.
But no matter where you decide to go, don’t forget to pack a camera to snap a few memorable shots. Here’s our favorite from Amazon!
And if you need some more inspiration for your next trip, Must See Places has got you covered! Check out: 6 Small Towns in the US With Incredible Christmas Vibes
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Good Morning,
Thank you for showing me all these wonderful places to travel to in winter. They are truly beautiful winter wonderlands, filled with magic and child-like wonder. I have always traveled in spring or autumn because it's usually perfect weather at those times of the year. But, after seeing the pictures and reading about each place, I am now going to plan a winter wonderland vacation-and I know I am going to love it!! Sincerely, Author, Benedetta Isabella Lino