15 Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter for an Epic Snowy Getaway
Looking for the best places to visit in Europe in winter for the perfect winter getaway? Then keep reading!
Winter is one of the best times to visit Europe. This is when you can find the fewest tourists, the lowest prices, and a completely different atmosphere than summer welcomes.
However, Europe is a big continent with a stark contrast in weather between the northern countries and southern countries. If you are looking for the best places to enjoy a classy cold and snowy winter getaway then this list is for you! Or you can check out this post on the warmest places in Europe in winter!
Nonetheless, here are the 15 best places to visit in Europe in winter for a snowy holiday.
(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information.)
In This Post
15 Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland and one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. The city itself is great for spending a few days enjoying cozy cafes, nordic architecture, and local museums. However, there is even more to do and see in Iceland beyond Reykjavik.
The best thing about visiting Iceland in winter is that this is when the country is thriving. You will have a ton of things to do like swimming in The Blue Lagoon, driving the Golden Circle, admiring the Black Sand Beaches, watching the Northern Lights, or visiting the other beautiful cities in Iceland. Your entire holiday will be an epic winter holiday you will never forget.
Read More: Best Girls Trip Destinations in Europe
Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt is the perfect winter wonderland place to visit in winter in Europe. The quaint village is located along Lake Hallstatt within the Salzkammergut mountain region.
During the winter season, the snow-covered houses and mountains are beyond picturesque and look like something out of a postcard. If you want to enjoy a cozy and stunning winter getaway, Hallstatt is for you!
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter if you want to enjoy a very budget-friendly getaway.
In the winter months, you will find most places are cheaper than in the summer and this is especially true for Prague (which is already one of the most budget-friendly places in Europe)! Temperatures are often below 0 during the winter season and snow is possible, but only a few centimetres.
Prague is also one of the best places to visit for Christmas in Europe.
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg is a historical city in the German state of Bavaria and a wonderful place to visit in Europe in winter. Everyone knows Germany in winter is charming and magical, and Nuremberg does not disappoint. Head here to enjoy snowy streets, mulled wine, and a fairytale holiday.
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
For an unexpectedly beautiful winter holiday head to Luxembourg City! The small, and often overlooked country of Luxembourg offers more than meets the eye.
Its capital city Luxembourg City is home to historic neighbourhoods, beautiful views, and cozy cobblestone streets. During the winter season, you can bundle up and explore the charming streets in a peaceful environment.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s most famous winter travel destinations lusted over by travellers from around the world. This is one of the few places on earth that is actually better in the winter months than in the summer months.
It is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter for an exciting nature-filled holiday. Here you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, mountain chalets, restaurants, cafes, and a vibrant après-ski scene.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is one of the top places to visit for a winter holiday in Europe. It is a true winter wonderland destination where you can find many ski hills, ice skating and charming cozy streets.
Ljubljana is especially amazing during December where you can find many Christmas markets and Christmas concerts to enjoy!
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and a wonderful place to visit during the cold winter months.
The colourful medieval city is even more charming covered in a blanket of snow, making it the perfect place to enjoy a winter getaway. Explore one of Europe’s best-preserved Old Towns, enjoy local cafes and restaurants and admire one of Europe’s best-hidden gems.
Riga, Latvia
Riga is another beautiful yet off-the-beaten-track place to visit in Europe in winter. If you want to skip the tourist cities and go somewhere with untouched local charm and beauty then Riga is the ideal place for you!
This stunning Baltic gem has a deep and complex history that only adds to the visit. Plus, with temperatures often falling below zero it is likely you will see the city covered in snow!
Lapland, Finland
Lapland is not just one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter, but one of the best places to visit in the WORLD in winter.
This region in Finland is one of the most picturesque winter wonderland places you can find with its huge amounts of snow, northern lights, and magical attractions. There is no question as to why Lapland is called “the home of Santa Clause”.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is a stunning place to visit all year round. In the summer months, you will notice it is extremely busy, but in the winter months, you can enjoy the charming postcard-perfect streets with very few others around. Visiting Strasbourg feels like you’ve entered a fairytale world.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is an amazing city and the perfect place to visit for a Scandinavian winter holiday. Enjoy a cozy getaway full of cozy cafes, quaint streets, and amazing shopping. You can also enjoy a ton of outdoor activities like skating and hiking to add something more to your holiday.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is a beautiful city on Norway’s southwestern coast. It is the gateway to the world renowned fjords of Norway and a world heritage city.
Bergen is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter to enjoy a combination of nature, culture and urban life. For travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-track European travel experience then Bergen is for you.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Visiting Switzerland in winter is something everyone must do at least once in their life. The breathtaking alps, charming towns, and plethora of winter activities make it a top winter destination not only in Europe but in the world.
Heading to Interlaken is ideal for enjoying a picture-perfect winter getaway where you can easily move other stunning villages like Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen with ease.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most breathtaking attractions that is made more magical in the winter months.
The island in the middle of the lake surrounded by the snow-covered mountains is fairytale-like and the perfect place to escape to for a peaceful winter holiday. Keep an eye out on the weather because if temperatures get cold enough and the water freezes you can skate here!
Lake BledTravel Insurance
Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.
I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings, enter your details to get a free quote!
Your winter holiday awaits! Pick your favourite from this list of the best places to visit in Europe in winter and prepare for an epic snowy holiday.
Like this post? Pin “15 Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter” for later!
Love,
SSW
