I recently made a list of places to visit in the UK in winter. Today I want to do the same for Europe. There are a lot of places on the continent that are worth a special trip at this time of year, so today I bring you A Lady in London’s best places to visit in Europe in winter.
Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter
My list of the best places to visit in Europe in winter stems from my personal experiences in them. I’ve traveled to each destination on this list in the cooler months, so I’m confident in telling you they’re great places to go.
In fact, many of them are so good that I’ve been back many times in winter. If you go, I hope you’ll agree.
1. Salzburg
First up is Salzburg. This city in Austria is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter for its spectacular scenery, Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and decorations.
The Mirabell Gardens look beautiful in any season, but in winter they come alive with the colors of seasonal flowers and magical dustings of snow.
The Christmas markets also light up the city. The square in front of the cathedral fills with chalets and lights, and the sounds of carol singers serenade visitors as they wander through.
Salzburg’s restaurants also get into the Christmas spirit. I love the way St. Peter Stiftskeller restaurant, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Europe, decorates its labyrinth of small dining rooms for the season.
2. St Moritz
For skiers and lovers of luxury, St Moritz is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. This resort town in the Swiss Alps is famous for its skiing, and it’s world-class.
But there’s more to do in St Moritz, and winter is a good time for enjoying everything the town has to offer. There’s the Olympia Bob Run, which has been home to multiple winter Olympics and world bobsled championships.
There’s also a funicular visitors can take to the top of Muottas Muragl for a winter snow hike and a toboggan run down.
As if that’s not enough, there are horse-drawn carriage rides through the snow, warming spas, luxury shopping, and great restaurants and cafes.
3. Prague
Back to urban areas, Prague is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. The Czech capital enchants when it comes alive with Christmas markets and snowy scenery.
I studied in Prague during the winter, and loved how it emptied of tourist crowds in the colder months. Its indoor attractions come into their own, too.
The city’s pubs, restaurants, and cafes are the perfect places to cozy up and enjoy the country’s famous beer.
Prague’s museums are also great in winter. The Mucha Museum is my favorite, what with its Art Nouveau focus and beautiful works by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha.
4. Paris
Despite working in Paris for a summer, I’ve probably visited the city more in winter than at any other time of year. Paris is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter for a lot of reasons.
First, it’s a lot less crowded than at other times of year. It’s much easier to get into and around museums, shops, attractions, and landmarks in the cooler months.
Additionally, prices are lower in Paris in winter, it’s easier to get restaurant reservations, and things are generally calmer.
Second, the Christmas markets in Paris are some of my favorites in Europe. From the Champs-Elysees to the Place des Abbesses, there are a lot of them dotted throughout the city.
Third, winter is a great time to indulge in the cafe culture in Paris. I love to channel my inner Hemmingway and hole up at one of the city’s historic cafes on chilly afternoons.
If you want to see more, you can take a look at my blog post with an itinerary for 3 days in Paris in winter. It will show you all the highlights, including snow.
5. Courchevel
Back on the slopes, Courchevel is another of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. Together with Val Thorens and Meribel, it comprises the 3 Valleys, one of the largest ski areas in the world.
There are great opportunities to get on and around the pistes here, and there’s a lot more to do in Courchevel beyond skiing.
The resort has excellent restaurants serving alpine cuisine, luxury goods shops galore, sledding opportunities, spas, and a fun apres ski scene. They make it one of the best winter travel destinations.
6. Canary Islands
There aren’t many places for true winter sun travel in Europe, but the Canary Islands provide it and more.
This Spanish archipelago off the coast of North Africa is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter if you want to escape the cold.
While sunbathing is a popular way to spend time in the Canary Islands, you can also get outdoors and into nature. I visited Tenerife and hit the hiking the trails of Teide National Park. The area awed me with its volcanic beauty.
I also enjoyed visiting Los Gigantes, a town at the base of stunning rock cliffs. The bright red crabs in the harbor caught my eye and kept me entertained for a long time.
7. Innsbruck
Back in Austria, Innsbruck is another of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. This city has a best-of-both-worlds feel, with its historic center being right next to its ski slopes.
Given I love exploring urban areas as much as I love skiing, Innsbruck is right up my alley. It’s amazing that it’s possible to explore the Imperial Palace and cathedral and be on the ski slopes 10 minutes later.
Innsbruck also has a great Christmas market and seasonal decorations, so it’s a good place to visit in the Yuletide season.
8. Lisbon
Lisbon is another ideal city to visit in Europe in winter. The Portuguese capital enjoys milder weather than a lot of other continental cities, so it’s perfect if you want to take a European trip in the cooler months and not be too cold.
Lisbon is a great city for more than just the weather, too. Beautiful views, classic trams, local restaurants, and loads of history all contribute to its charm.
It also has more reasonable prices than a lot of European cities, and the off-season means they get even better.
9. St Petersburg
Over in Russia, St Petersburg is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. Not only does snow make the city atmospheric, but the ice formations on the frozen Neva River are also stunning to see.
St Petersburg has a lot of indoor highlights, which is great when it’s cold outside. I could spend days in the State Hermitage Museum, which has everything from gorgeous state apartments to Impressionist paintings and sculpture rooms.
Other indoor highlights in St Petersburg include the State Russian Museum, Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood, and St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Add to that good restaurants and the ballet, and there are a lot of things to keep a visitor busy (and warm) in the city during the winter months.
10. Krakow
Krakow is another magical place to travel in winter. This Polish city is one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter for its stunning scenery.
I’ll never forget my visit to Krakow. It snowed so heavily there were snowballs falling from the sky. I’d never seen anything like it. It made the city spectacularly beautiful and my whole experience there enchanting.
Everything from the castle to the main square looked like it was in Narnia, and the city’s restaurants and cafes felt especially comforting.
11. Andorra
Andorra is another of the of the best places to visit in Europe in winter. This tiny country sandwiched between France and Spain is perfect for skiing and sightseeing in the colder months.
Andorra has a lot more to do than one might think for such a small place. If it’s not snowing, there are opportunities to drive off-road on all-terrain vehicles on old smuggling routes between Andorra and Spain.
There are also cultural shows and performances in places like Sant Julia de Loria.
Hiking is ideal if conditions permit. There’s a beautiful waterfall in a nature preserve at the base of the Coma Pedrosa peak in the town of Arinsal, and before heavy snow sets in it’s possible to hike along snowmobile paths in the ski areas.
Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter
I hope this list has inspired you to visit a city or get on the ski slopes in Europe in winter. Writing it has made me want to see more of the continent in the cooler months, too.
I would love to go to Norway, Sweden, or Finland in winter, and I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights. I hope we can all get more winter travel in before the season is over.
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