As the fall months turn cooler and the days become shorter, Europe sees its tourist numbers dwindle, however winter in Europe offers a unique charm as many of its iconic landmarks transform into winter wonderlands. Here are 9 destinations to experience the best that Europe has to offer in winter.
Imperial Elegance in Vienna, Austria
Average Temperature: 0° C to 5°C
What to do:
- Visit the incredible Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace and marvel at the beautiful adornment for the winter season.
- Stroll through Rathausplatz as the square transforms with its many market stalls during the holiday season.
- Lace up your ice skates and glide across the ice at Wiener Eistraum in front of Vienna’s City Hall
- Attend a classical music concert at one of the city’s fine venues such as Golden Hall, Hofburg Palace or St. Peter’s Church.
- Enjoy seasonal Viennese treats such as roasted chestnuts, Kasekrainer, Krapfen and mulled wine in the many market stalls.
Winter Fairytale in Prague, Czechia
Average Temperature: -1° C to 5°C
What to do:
- Wander through the breathtaking Prague Castle and enjoy the beauty of Prague blanketed in snow.
- Wander through the decorated Market Stalls as you sip mulled wine.
- Bottle your own beer at the Czech Beer Museum.
- Warm up with a traditional Czech Meal, which includes many comfort foods such as hearty soups, dumplings or the famous Prague Ham.
- Enjoy the rich cultural heritage in one of the many museums such as The National Museum of Prague, The Prague Jewish Museum or The Kafka Museum, dedicated to the famous writer Franz Kafka.
- Head to a Bohemian wonderland, take a day trip to Český Krumlov, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
Brave the North in Lapland, Finland
Average Temperature: -16° C to 3°C
What to do:
- Watch in awe the magic of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.
- Hit the slopes at one of Finland’s many ski resorts such as Ylläs, Levi, Paljakka, Iso-Syöte, and Ruka. The season typically runs from late October until Early May, but be sure to check each resort’s schedule.
- Bring the whole family to Saariselkä at Kaunispää fell to experience the longest toboggan hill in Finland
- Enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride. Reindeer safari are a great way to enjoy the scenic winter beauty and learn about these iconic animals.
- Feel like an arctic explorer – head to Kemi to tour the Arctic Icebreaker Sampo, an amazing “cruise” ship that crushes the ice filled seas.
- Sleep in an ice castle in Lapland Hotel’s Snow Village – each year this fairytale world is crafted from the abundance of snow the region receives. Don’t worry, plenty of blankets are provided!
Majestic Mountain Escape in Hallstatt, Austria
Average Temperature: -4° C to 5°C
What to do:
- Enjoy stunning views as the lake and alpine mountains are blanketed in snow – winter time is truly a photographer’s dream!
- Trek the Hallstatt Skywalk, a gorgeous vista point over 800m up the mountain. Fear not, you do not need to hike the whole way as the Salzbergbahn funicular makes quick work of the steep journey.
- Learn of Hallstatt’s salt mining past at the Altaussee Salt Mine, a 2.5 km underground walk. An interesting historical fact, these mines were once used as storage by the Nazi’s for stolen art!
- Embrace your morbid side with a visit to the Bone House at St. Michael’s Church, home to a collection of over 1200 skulls!
- Head to the nearby ski resorts such as Krippenstein Freesports Arena or Loser Ski Arena.
- Don’t let the winter weather keep you from exploring the many beautiful hikes Hallstatt has to offer, such as the Experiences trail, or the trail along the lake from Hallstatt to Bad Ischl.
- Head to the nearby Bad Mitterndorf to visit the Grimming Therme, a beautiful thermal bath in the mountains
Old World Beauty in Budapest, Hungary
Average Temperature: -2° C to 6°C
What to do:
- What better way to experience winter in Budapest than soak in one of the city’s famous thermal baths such as Szechenyi Baths, the Gellert or Kiraly.
- Enjoy Hungarian delicacies at Nagy Vásárcsarnok (the Great Market Hall) , an expansive food market that offers something for everyone.
- Catch a performance at the beautiful Hungarian Opera House. This gorgeous venue offers a variety of cultural events such as plays and musical performances.
- Visit Vajdahunyad Castle, a fairytale-esque castle that is even more romantic draped in fresh snow. The castle is also home to the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.
- Ice skating in one of the many scenic locations such as City Park or in front of the Vajdahunyad Castle at Varosligeti Mujegpalya.
- Book lovers need to pay a visit to Budapest’s most beautiful library, Ervin Szabó Library, converted from a 19th century mansion.
Winter Luxury in the Swiss Alps
Average Temperature: -12° C to -3°C
What to do:
- Explore the stunning natural landscapes of the Jungfrau Region, home to many impressive sights such as Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier, and Lauterbrunnen Village
- Ski in the world class resort of Zermatt, home to the most famous mountain in the alps, the Matterhorn.
- Indulge in the high life in St. Moritz, Switzerland’s luxury winter resort town. Here you will find high end shopping and dining options as well as opportunities to relax such as a visit to the St. Moritz mineral springs.
- Book a scenic train ride and witness the amazing winter landscape on the Glacier Express, which travels from Zermatt to St. Moritz or book a trip on the Oberalp Pass. Be sure to reserve your ticket early, passes can sell out quickly.
- Enjoy the lovely town of Lucerne, which offers both mountain and lake views. Enjoy picturesque views such as Chapel bridge and the beauty of the local town’s architecture as you wander the streets.
Explore the Arctic in Tromso, Norway
Average Temperature: -5° C to 0°C
What to do:
- Experience the unique transportation of the arctic by booking a dog sledding tour – with options for a self driving tour for the adventurous or a guided ride for those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery.
- Book an Northern Lights tour, but remember that seeing these natural wonders are not guaranteed, although Tromso is known to be one of the best areas to see them.
- Visit a Sami Reindeer Camp for the perfect family friendly experience. Learn about the cultural traditions of the Sami people, who have herded reindeer for centuries and interact with these adorable creatures in their natural habitat.
- Book a whale watching day trip, best for early winter before the whales migrate by end of January.
- Book a night in an ice hotel, such as the Tromso Ice Domes, which are located just outside the city. You will marvel at the craftsmanship and beauty of these beautiful temporary structures as you stay in this unique accommodation.
- Enjoy panoramic views of Tromso with a ride on the Tromso cable car (Fjellheisen). Once at the top there are areas to hike and of course take some amazing pictures of the town below.
La Dolce Vita in the Italian Alps
Average Temperature: -5° C to 9°C
What to do:
- Ski the alps in the Dolomite region. Beautiful mountain vistas and resorts that resemble Switzerland, without the price tag, enjoy ski resorts such as Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val Gardena and Giro della Sellaronda.
- Ride the scenic Bernina Express Train, dubbed one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, take the scenic route as you travel from Italy to Switzerland
- Indulge in regional Northern Italian dishes. The northern alp regions are home to unique culinary flavors inspired from the surrounding cultures such as Austrian, German and of course Italian.
- Relax in one of Italy’s many thermal baths and spas such as La Thuile at the Pre Saint Didier Spa, Lurisia Spa, Bormio Spas and Terme di Boario.
Natural Wonders in Iceland
Average Temperature: -10° C to 0°C
What to do:
- Chase Northern Lights with an Aurora Borealis Tour. The best time to see them in Iceland is between October – April. Many Hotels in Iceland also have a “Northern Lights Wake up Call” feature if you don’t mind interrupting your beauty sleep to see them from the comfort of your room.
- Craving adventure? Try a snowmobile tour over the second largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. You will enjoy the beauty of Iceland’s rugged scenery in this exciting winter activity.
- Tour the famous Golden Circle which takes you from Reykjavík to many of Iceland’s most iconic sights such as Gullfoss Waterfall, through Geysir areas and Þingvellir National Park.
- Warm up in the many natural geothermal pools and hot springs. While the famous Blue Lagoon is at the top of many travelers lists, be sure to check out some lesser known hot springs such as Mývatn Nature Baths and Secret Lagoon.
- Festival season is not just for summers, enjoy Iceland’s many arts festivals held in winter such as the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) in October, and musical festivals such as Iceland Airwaves (november) , Dark Music Days (January) or the Reykjavík Blues Festival (April). Other cultural events include Reykjavík Food and Fun Festival and the Iceland Winter Games in March or the Winter Lights Festival in February.
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