7 European Cities to Visit this Winter | Last-Minute Trip Ideas

Winter is approaching and you’re longing to get out of the house to wander through Christmas markets, see enchanting decorations, and experience the wintertime in the city? Traveling to Europe is the perfect solution that ticks all the boxes!
Buckle up to learn about the best European cities to visit this winter & read about some absolute winter travel essentials…

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Intro

Snowy buildings, twinkling lights, ice skating rinks, and the cozy flair of sitting in a warm café: Europe is truly magical in the winter months. Especially when you head into the bigger cities and the country’s capitals like Paris, London, and Vienna. It’s not only the white landscapes and holiday decorations that will fascinate you, but rather the historic landmarks and charm of the city, which hold up all year round.

Since every country and place comes with its own allure, whether it’s traditional Christmas markets or Nordic landscapes, the first question to solve is: “Where to travel in Europe this Winter?”. Keep reading to find out which city fits your perfect winter aesthetic the best.

This guide highlights some of the best cities in winter & gives inspiration for where to travel in Europe. Stay tuned for winter travel essentials & pictures in winter wonderland to save for later.

Europe in Winter: What to Expect

Largely depending on the exact month you’re visiting Europe, you can enjoy different seasonal celebrations and sides of the cities. Europe’s historic architecture combined with the cold season makes for an amazing festive spirit. While each country comes with its own individual draw and unique charm, you can’t go wrong no matter where you travel. And whether you have an entire week to spare or can only afford a weekend getaway, the following cities are perfect for everyone. (Of course, depending on where you’re traveling from.)

Weather

Europe is a fairly-sized continent, so the weather during winter varies across regions.

• Northern Europe: (e.g. Sweden) sub-zero temperatures with plenty of snow
• Eastern Europe: (e.g. Bulgaria) varies widely, usually cold with occasional snow
• Southern Europe: (e.g. Spain) milder climates, no snow
• Western Europe: (e.g. England, Germany) cool temperatures, occasional rain, moderate snowfall

Since this guide mainly includes Western European countries, the weather is quite similar in all the destinations listed below: cold, hovering around (nearly) freezing temperatures with either snow or rain. If you really want to experience the cities under a blanket of snow, you’ll have to rely on getting lucky. Nonetheless, every country is definitely worth experiencing around this season, regardless of the weather.

Best Time to Travel

Like most destinations, places like Paris and London get extremely popular around the summertime, with millions of tourists wanting to spend their “European Summer” there. Luckily, you can use this to your advantage in the colder months. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect:

• November-December: Heading to Europe’s metropolises before Christmas will get you into the pure holiday spirit, with thousands of twinkling lights and decorated storefronts. Personally, this is my favorite time of the year to see cities in their full glam.
• New Year’s: No one can blame you if you want to be part of the city’s spectacular New Year’s celebrations. Be mindful that stores and restaurants may be closed around this time due to holidays.
• January-February: If traveling Europe on a budget and avoiding crowds is important to you, consider visiting around this time. When most decorations and magical lights disappear, so do the tourists. This leaves more room for experiencing the true winter in a city as a local and saves A LOT of money.

Winter Travel Essentials

Aside from knowing where to travel, let’s first establish some of the must-haves to pack when traveling to Europe (or really anywhere) in winter.

Best European Cities to Visit this Winter

London, U.K.

Starting with probably the most popular city to visit in Europe. Each year, London’s famous Regent Street draws in millions of tourists during the holiday season when 300,000 lights make the angel displays glow. The city literally goes all out with its decorations, which makes traveling here around this time so special. Besides, London has great activities to offer all year round; during the cold weather, you can explore museums, shopping malls, and do hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours.

Berlin, Germany

As Germany’s capital, Berlin is a great place to visit during the winter months. Not only does the city have an abundance of Christmas markets with delicious traditional foods and mulled wine, but it also offers a different side for everyone longing for adventurous night-outs in clubs and bars. Besides, Berlin offers historical and cultural insights with its museums and famous landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate.

Paris, France

Sitting in cafés, wandering down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and watching the sparkly lights on the Eiffel Tower. What’s more romantic than spending winter in Paris? The city of love is very touristy all year around, but when the temperatures drop, so does the size of crowds. The festive lights on the facades of architectural masterpieces make this place truly magical and one of the best destinations to travel to in Europe.

Vienna, Austria

Heading a little bit more east, you’ll find the alluring city of Vienna. Renowned for its classical music heritage and elegant architecture, Austria’s capital invites tourists with famous Christmas markets, cozy coffee houses, and seasonal foods. The city is one of the oldest and most beautiful to experience during the holidays and wintertime.

Prague, Czech Republic

The city of Prague captivates its visitors with its medieval charm. Combined with the cold season, the cobblestone streets and castles will make you feel like you’re in a Disney movie. Moreover, Christmas markets with seasonal foods and drinks make a visit during the winter a wonderful experience.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

This list wouldn’t be complete if Amsterdam wasn’t one of the best European cities to visit this winter. The Dutch capital is celebrated for its picturesque canals, historic architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and, of course, the famous Van Gogh Museum. Winter here is not only great for walking along the frozen canals and visiting winter markets, but late January also marks the start of the tulip season. (Don’t be mistaken though, the tulips won’t start showing in fields until April.)

Stockholm, Sweden

Last but not least, the city of Stockholm has plenty to offer during the cold months. This place transforms into a winter wonderland with charming Christmas markets, outdoor ice skating rinks, and the possibility to see the Northern Lights. Winter sports, warm cinnamon buns, and the serene beauty of snow-covered landscapes add to the enchantment of exploring the Swedish capital.

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That completes the 7 best European cities to visit this winter…
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute vacation or a weekend getaway into the city, these places will be perfect to travel to during the winter. The places above are perfect for exploring culture & history, going ice skating, or visiting winter markets in town.

Nevertheless, this winter bucket list for Europe should help you discover the best destination for this or next season!

Let me know about your absolute favorite winter destination in Europe when it comes to city trips! 🙂

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