Visiting Europe in winter offers a unique charm. While most travelers seek tropical beaches, we dream of snow-dusted cobblestones and festive Christmas markets. Winter is the perfect time to explore Europe’s cities without the crowds and enjoy both outdoor adventures and cozy experiences. Imagine a warm mug of hot chocolate in a riverside Belgian café!
Whether planning a trip for the end of this year or looking ahead to 2025, these 21 European cities will help you make the most of the coldest season.
Bruges, Belgium
Europe’s best-preserved medieval city is bewitching during the holiday season. Every tree and storefront glows with twinkle lights, and historic cafés like Craenenburg offer mugs of Belgian hot chocolate.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn’s turreted castles and Baltic Sea views are charming, especially under snow. The UNESCO-protected historical center includes medieval churches and merchant houses.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb’s cobbled streets and baroque architecture are even more enchanting during the annual Advent festival. Enjoy Christmas markets, ice skating, and nearby Plitvice Lakes National Park’s frozen waterfalls.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken offers varied winter activities beyond skiing, including paragliding, curling, and winter kayaking on Lake Brienz.
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg’s centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt is renowned, featuring gingerbread, handmade gifts, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The city also boasts grand hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Prague, Czech Republic
Snow-dusted St. Charles Bridge and Old Town spires make Prague magical. The city’s Christmas markets are some of the best outside Germany, offering trdelník and mulled wine
Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, offers reindeer farms, husky sledding, ice skating, and Northern Lights safaris. Stay at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel for cozy winter views.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Amsterdam Light Festival from November to January illuminates the city with global light installations. Later winter months offer peaceful, snowy canal views and hearty Dutch cuisine.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival celebrates New Year with concerts, fireworks, and dancing. Explore the Royal Botanic Garden or enjoy whisky at speakeasy-style bars.
Ilulissat, Greenland
Ilulissat offers the Ilulissat Icefjord, dog sledding, and winter tranquility. Visit in winter to avoid summer crowds and mosquitoes.
Budapest, Hungary
Winter is the best time to visit Budapest, with ice drifts on the Danube, grand cafés, museums, and thermal baths.
Paris, France
Paris becomes even more dazzling in winter with twinkle lights on the Champs-Elysées and shorter lines at the Eiffel Tower and Louvre.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, the birthplace of hygge, offers cozy experiences in winter. Michelin-starred restaurants, Tivoli Gardens, and Nyhavn’s colorful buildings make it a winter delight.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana’s Baroque architecture and riverside cafés are magical in winter. The city is also a great base for day trips to Lake Bled and the Julian Alps.
London, England
Christmas in London offers decorated Georgian townhouses, lively pubs, ice skating at Somerset House, and charming day trips to nearby cities.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik offers shopping for traditional Icelandic sweaters, whale watching, geothermal pools, and colorful houses.
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø is perfect for Northern Lights viewing, with the world’s northernmost botanical garden and the striking Arctic Cathedral.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, offers gingerbread cookies, fluffy beds, and snowy views at Hotel Goldener Hirsch.
Stockholm, Sweden
Northern Lights, check. Christmas markets in the heart of the Old Town, check. Cozy cafés and fika? Double check. Stockholm may get more travelers in the summer, but we’d argue it’s made to be experienced in the winter. Christmastime is the best time for a visit when local restaurants offer traditional Christmas buffets called julbord—smorgasbords of cured fish, liver paté, sausage, cabbage, and more.
If you’re looking to photograph the city frosted in snow, though, plan your trip for January or February. Start planning your next winter adventure with us today!
