Top 9 European Destinations for Winter

Europe is known for a variety of different things. That includes beaches, mountains, food, and so much more. Most tourists tend to avoid Europe in the winter as it’s cold and flock there in summer to enjoy the nice weather and the beaches. In my opinion, Europe shouldn’t be overlooked in winter, as winter brings a lot more fun than summer. You’ve got the Alps, where you can ski and snowboard the greatest mountains: the northern lights, one of the earth’s most beautiful phenomenons: and the small towns covered in that beautiful winter snow. Summer just can’t replicate this. Let’s see why winter is so great here as we count down Going Locations list to the top 10 European Destinations for winter.

1. Bergen, Norway

As one of my favorite places in the world, I can safely say that Bergen is a stunning city. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here as the city has such a unique charm. Three sides of the town are covered with mountains, and the last side borders the North Sea. One of Bergen’s most popular sites is the Fløibanen. It’s a cable car that runs up the mountain of Fløyen. This cable car is open year-round but gets pretty cold in winter, so make sure to bundle up! The view from there is great in summer but is in a league of its own in winter. Seeing the entire town covered in snow with the fjords in the background is a sight that can’t be beaten. The northern lights can also be seen here in winter. If you’re lucky to see the northern lights, I consider that an ultimate experience.

2. Hallstatt, Austria

A small isolated town in the middle of Austria is what some might say. But I would argue that it is the epicenter of nature. This charming town has less than 1,000 people but welcomes over a million tourists annually. Hallstatt is located in the center of the Alps, which makes sense as mountains surround it. Ski resorts are as close as just 10 minutes from the town, a walkable distance to some of the best mountains on earth! Hallstatt is connected by train, thankfully, and there are many hotels to choose from. Hallstatt is for you if you want to experience some of the most remarkable winter slopes while experiencing the center of the Alps.

3. Rome, Italy

This one might come as a surprise, but I’ll explain. Summer is Rome’s peak season and can often be hot and overcrowded. If you don’t mind wearing a jacket, Rome might be perfect for you in winter. Everything in Rome is cheaper at this time, I mean it. Hotels can often be half the price, attractions are cheaper, food is cheaper, and even flight tickets are cheaper. Not only can you save a lot, but you can also do much more. The crowds are way less in winter, meaning less waiting in line, fewer people obstructing your photos, and generally less overcrowding. Your favorite attractions, such as the Colosseum, Sixteenth Chapel, and Pantheon, are open year-round, so you won’t miss out on anything. You basically get a city that made the top 10 list for the best places to travel by Going Locations for cheaper and better. I emphasize bringing some warm clothes, as it gets relatively cold in the winter months, especially January and February.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Before we move back north, we have to discuss one other winter gem in the south. Like Rome, you’ve probably heard much about Barcelona, but not in winter. Just like summer, winter can be a fantastic time to visit for the same reasons as Rome. The prices are significantly lower, and the city is considerably less crowded. The one thing you might have to miss is the beach, as the winter months don’t provide enough warmth to make that experience enjoyable. If you can overlook that, your trip will be as if not more enjoyable than if you went in summer. All the most popular attractions, including La Sagrada Familia, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, and Park Güell, are all open throughout winter. Winters aren’t too bad here. The lows can get relatively cold, but it’s pleasant even in the coldest months. A light jacket should be adequate in winter. The benefits of traveling here in winter far outweigh the downsides, in my opinion. So next time you travel to Southern Europe, consider traveling in winter.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

A trip to Europe isn’t complete without talking about Iceland. It’s over 500 miles from the European mainland, with its closest neighbor being Greenland. If you’re planning a trip here, be prepared to get some warm clothes. Just like the country’s name suggests, Iceland gets pretty cold. Reykjavik is the country’s capital and the island’s largest city, with just over 100,000 people. The city’s proximity to nature is insane; with just a short drive out of the city, you will feel like you’re in a paradise in the middle of nowhere. The city is covered with snow in winter as well as the rest of the island. Other than Greenland, it’s the closest feeling to Antarctica without actually being in Antarctica. Popular destinations outside the city include Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and Thingvellir National Park. All places that look better in winter as the snow transforms the landscape. If you’re not looking to leave the city, you could visit Laugavegur, where you can find the famous rainbow road. You could also visit Hallgrímskirkja, a famous Icelandic church that’s free to all guests. Admire the beautiful architecture while escaping the cold, and climb to the observation deck to get sweeping city views.

6. Zermatt, Switzerland

If you are looking for the best place to ski in the Swiss Alps, Zermatt might be for you. This small resort town attracts over 2 million visitors each year. People flock here to ski/snowboard on the best slopes in Europe, according to Tripadvisor. There is a mountain ridge called Gornergrat, a must-see destination for travelers. From here, you can see the famous Matterhorn, an almost 15,000-foot or 4,500-meter-high mountain. In winter, you can ski down from here, catching unforgettable Swiss Alps views along the way. Forget ski lifts; the Gornergrat Railway takes you from the ski town of Zermatt up to Gornergrat. Zermatt is connected to almost 150 slopes, some easy and some extremely difficult. Fifty-four lifts are getting you up the mountains; they range from traditional ski lifts to gondolas and even railways. You can take a 40-minute train ride from Zermatt to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest mountain station in Europe. It’s located south of Zermatt, under 2 miles or 3.2 km from Italy. With such proximity to Italy, it is possible to ski from one of Zermatt’s lifts straight into Italy; talk about an adventure. If you want to ski back to Zermatt from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, it’s a 15-mile or 25-km slope that will take around 45 minutes to complete. You will descend almost 7,500 feet or 2,300 meters to the village. As you are skiing, there are plenty of bathrooms, restaurants, and even hotels along the mountains. I could go on all day about Zermatt, but we still have more places to cover. Here is a complete guide to Zermatt if you’re interested in further researching this place.

7. Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi is a small town in the northern part of Finland. The small village attracts over 500,000 people per year and is the only place on this list that is partly situated in the arctic circle. As it’s so north, it’s become a popular place to view the northern lights. Rovaniemi is one of the best places to see this natural phenomenon; you don’t even have to leave the city to see the lights in full bloom. The Arktikum, a science center and museum in the center of Rovaniemi, has become not only a popular museum but also a popular place to view the northern lights thanks to its glass dome situated in the center of the museum. This small town is most prevalent during Christmas, thanks to Santa Claus Village. During the winter, the park lights up with tons of winter activities. You can view Santa’s Main Post Office, meet real reindeer, and buy souvenirs. If you’re not used to a bunch of snow, you better get used to it, as the entire winter is practically covered with snow. This makes places like Santa Claus Village even more remarkable, as nothing is better than Christmas with snow. If you plan to visit Rovaniemi in winter, you must pack warm because temperatures remain below freezing for the entire winter. People need to think about how north this place is; because of this, the town gets no sunlight in the winter. No joke, you won’t be able to tell the difference between day and night as it’s constantly dark 24/7. So if you’re ok with that for a few days, Rovaniemi is a perfect place for you.

8. Courchevel, France

If you thought the Swiss Alps were insane, just wait till you hear about the French Alps. Courchevel is connected to the largest ski area in the world! There are over 375 miles or 600 kilometers of slopes that weave through some of the most beautiful parts of the Alps. Courchevel is just a short distance from Zermatt; you can drive from one to the other in just 4 hours. Unless you have a lot of time, it is better to stick to just one, as there is too much to see in each location. Courchevel is connected to Les 3 Vallees, translated to The 3 Valleys. Les 3 Vallees is the largest ski area in the world, with over 330 slopes and 180 lifts, an insane number. The name Les 3 Vallees is due to the three valleys this ski area connects. It connects Vallée des Belleville, Méribel, and of course, Courchevel. When staying in this winter resort town, you are not only connected to slopes but rather a network of slopes, each leading to a different resort town. These slopes can’t be all covered, even in seven days. So pick and choose which ones you’ll be doing on your trip. If you were to do one thing after reading this article, look up a ski map of Les 3 Vallees; your mind will be blown.

9. Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb has been repeatedly named one of the best Christmas destinations in Europe due to its Christmas markets, famous ice skating ranks, and vibe that it carries through this time of year. Zagrebs Christmas markets are open from November 25th to January 6th; this time is called Advent in Croatia. European Best Destinations voted these markets the best in the world from 2016-2018. They have only gotten better since recently making CNNs list last year. At these markets, you can find all kinds of things. Foods include hot chocolate, sweet treats, and classic Croatian foods. Holiday assortments are also sold here; you can buy Christmas ornaments, Christmas gifts, and even Christmas trees. Art is center stage at these markets, as you can get art pieces personalized to whatever you’d like. There are several markets scattered throughout the city at this time, but the one I recommend is at King Tomislav Square, right in front of the city’s main train station. It is a beautiful area in the city’s center, making it the most happening part of town. There are also multiple ice skating rinks right in front of the iconic train station that is open at the same time as the Christmas markets. They light up the night and make the area extremely lively.

Conclusion

Europe has always been a go-to destination in the summer. I hope this blog post opened your mind to all of the travel opportunities that Europe has in winter. If you don’t mind packing some warmer clothes, Europe would be the perfect place for you in winter. There are many other places that I could’ve discussed including London, Paris, and more but with just nine spots, I couldn’t cover it all. I hope this encourages you to not stay put in winter waiting for the warmer months. Get out there and explore no matter the season!