Beat the winter blues by visiting the best places to spend winter in Europe and enjoy some sun or snow on your mini-break.
Winter is a season many people associate with fun in the sun, dreaming of heading to a warm beach. If this is you, then look away now!
Think about heading to Europe for a quick city break. With so many great cities, steeped in history, culture, and plenty of great markets, making a choice can be difficult.
Whether it’s swimming in the Mediterranean or watching ice skaters on an ice rink in the heart of a romantic city centre - Europe always offers the best places to spend winter breaks.
Europe takes on an entirely different persona during the winter months. Many travellers are drawn to the white-covered lands to experience wintertime in its truest form and explore continental Europe at its best.
Rundown Of The Best Places To Spend Winter in Europe
There’s nothing better than enjoying the frosty magic and unique sights and smells of Europe during the colder months.
Pack your winter woollies because here are the best places to spend winter in Europe - the reasons you should travel to Europe during winter.
1. Wonderland Bamberg, Germany
If you are looking for the best place in Europe to spend your winter breaks, then, you should consider going to Bamberg.
Explore Bamberg in northern Bavaria for a German winter retreat that includes a Unesco-listed ancient old town, famed smoked beer, and gigantic Christmas night markets.
Stroll around the 14th century Town Hall (Altes Rathaus in German), which is located on an island in the Regnitz River.
You'll feel as if you've walked into a medieval fairy tale after crossing the bridge past the Town Hall, complete with half-timbered buildings, the majestic 11th century Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, and a wealth of palaces, courtyards, and alleyways.
From November to December, a traditional Franconian Christmas market will take over Maximiliansplatz and the surrounding streets during the Advent season.
Warm-up with a couple of beers of Rauchbier, a famous local specialty, in a historic brewery restaurant after wandering through this Christmas wonderland.
2. Fairytale-Like Bergen, Norway
Wintry Bergen in the evening light via Dreamstime
Bergen is blanketed with snow in the winter, giving it a Disney-like aspect.
With its cobblestone streets surrounded by pine trees and fairy lights, as well as a strip of beautiful and colourful restaurants, craft shops, and galleries, Bryggen is particularly lovely.
Thousands of Bergen locals gather with torches around Lille Lungegrdsvannet lake for the Festival of Lights to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree, which includes carols and beautiful fireworks against the dark winter sky.
The Fløibanen funicular transports visitors to the summit of Mount Fløyen for spectacular city views, while the lower slopes are well-lit at night and ideal for sledding. If there is enough snow, you can slide right into the city center.
3. Festive Berlin, Germany
Berlin at Christmas time via Shutterstock
Berlin is undeniably one of the best places to spend winter in Europe.
Despite the fact that Berlin is a popular summer holiday destination, the city comes alive at night with an enchantment that can only be discovered there.
There's no better way to start a cold and dreary winter than with a mug of glühwein and some big sausage at an outdoor Christmas market.
Berlin's famous nightlife never ends, therefore the club atmosphere will always be warm, even in the chilly, dismal winter.
Not to mention the plethora of winter festivals and events, which vary from the annual Transmediale, an alternative arts and culture festival, to the Berlinale International Film Festival, which is widely recognized as one of the best in the world.
4. Splendid Brno, Czech Republic
Gothic castle in Brno, Czech Republic via Dreamstime
Remove Prague from your mind. Brno, a vibrant city in the south of the Czech Republic, must be your next city break destination.
Brno is crammed with history, art, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a dazzling nightlife scene.
From castles and old towers to contemporary architecture and wine tasting, there is something for everyone. The best part is that you can still walk around, see the main sights, and reserve a table at the best restaurants without being bothered by tens of thousands of people.
During the winter, the city may be coated in snow, which adds to the old town's splendour, and the bars are the ideal place to warm up and meet new people.
There is a long list of things to do in Brno. If you just have a few days to spend in the area, however, you must tour the Old Town Hall, Villa Tugendhat, and Pilberk Castle.
You can start your fun in the Bar That Doesn't Exist in Czech or the Bar That Doesn't Exist in English. After that, you can continue on to Super Panda. There will be a cocktail extravaganza at the circus.
If you have more than three days in Brno, go to the South Moravia region, which is home to numerous palaces, wineries, and underground rivers.
5. Excellent Cagliari, Sardinia
Cagliari by night via Shutterstock
Tourists go to Sardinia in droves during the summer to enjoy its magnificent beaches. Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is, on the other hand, increasingly becoming a year-round tourist destination.
Winters in Cagliari are warm, with just a few cold waves to fight with, and rain is uncommon. This makes strolling through the narrow alleyways of the historic neighbourhoods a pleasurable experience.
Cagliari is home to a plethora of spectacular finds, including a slew of exquisite religious structures, such as the Cathedral, stunning archaeological sites, such as the Roman theatre, and a plethora of hilltop vistas and urban walks that offer the best views of the city while keeping you away from the commotion.
The city has a thriving cultural scene as well as excellent dining options. During the Christmas season, Cagliari is decked out with beautiful lights. The atmosphere is festive, thanks to the lights, and there are numerous Christmas markets dispersed across the city.
6. Magnificent Dublin, the Republic of Ireland's Capital
Dublin pub, Ireland via Shutterstock
In every weather, including rain, wind, and snow, Dublin is a magnificent city to visit.
Explore the city's historic libraries, such as Trinity College, Marsh's Library, and the Chester Beatty Library, in the winter. In the winter, these libraries receive fewer visitors, making them a must-see because you'll be able to take in the surroundings and snap a lot of photos.
Before seeing Glasnevin Cemetery or catching the DART rail to Howth for a coastline walk and food market browse, don't forget to eat the famed cinnamon bun and soup at Simon's Place in George's Street Arcade.
You could also look through the Christmas section at the Brown Thomas department store.
Starting in late November, you may notice the O'Connell Street Christmas tree lighting up when visiting one of Dublin's 750 pubs, such as The Confession Box.
If you appreciate Irish music, make sure to visit Temple Bar during TradFest, which takes place every January.
Temple Bar is the ideal spot to go if you like Irish music, especially during TradFest, which takes place every January.
7. Fabulous Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon at night via Shutterstock
Lisbon, on Europe's westernmost tip, is one of the continent's hottest cities in the winter, which is reason enough to go.
In the winter months, the spectacular Christmas light show, low tourist numbers, the Time Out Market, which is gourmet heaven beneath the surface, and curling up in one of the many quiet wine bars are all things to enjoy.
Stop for a glass of Ginja, a warm Portuguese liqueur served in a chocolate cup. Dress up and go to Park or Lost In, two rooftop pubs that are inexcusably crowded in the summer.
Don't forget to pay a visit to one of Lisbon's numerous museums, such as the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT).
8. Ethereal Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland via Shutterstock
Darkness reigns supreme in Finland's far north during the holiday season. The icy landscape is bathed in an ethereal brightness, thanks to a blanket of snow that reflects the moon's glare and the fabled northern lights, which often flash across the night sky.
On the 23rd of December, enthusiastic children may watch as Santa Claus, escorted by his reindeer, departs for his epic journey around the world in Rovaniemi, the region's capital and Santa's hometown.
A traditional Christmas market and an Elf school with plenty of steaming berry juice are among the other popular attractions.
9. Fantastic Sofia, Bulgaria
Frozen lake in Sofia, Bulgaria via Dreamstime
Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, is a fantastic winter destination. You may visit the markets and museums during the day, then go to the jazz clubs at night.
On Vitosha Mountain, you can even go snowshoeing or skiing and return the same day.
Every year, the picturesque Ariana Lake in the Borisova Garden is converted into the Balkans' largest open-air ice rink. At the Christmas Market, browse traditional handicrafts before sipping rakia, a local grape liquor.
Many free Sofia tours are offered, like the 'Balkan Bites' cuisine trip and the Communist Trabant tour, which meets at Starbucks, ironically.
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Palace of Culture, the Saint Sofia Statue, Independence Square, and the National Palace of Culture are all must-sees in Sofia.
It's also easy to get out of Sofia for a day trip to Rila Monastery or Plovdiv, the European Capital of Culture for 2019.
10. Scenic Timisoara, Romania
Timisoara at Christmas time via Dreamstime
Timisoara is noted for its scenic old town, river lined with restaurants that flows through a beautiful central park, superb dining and nightlife options, a blossoming coffee culture, and laid-back locals who welcome the few visitors who arrive.
After a little snowfall, the city has a bustling Christmas market that spans the main squares, and it's tough not to be delighted by the atmosphere as you sip your hot spiced Tuica, a national liquor created from plums.
It's also cheap, with good, cozy guesthouses for a fraction of the price in Western Europe and a low-cost airline terminal with direct flights to Munich and London.
Conclusion
Winter is the perfect season to visit Europe. You get to experience a whole different side to the continent you thought you knew.
The cold won’t dampen your spirits because Europe transforms into a magical place during the festive season. There are parties, lights, night markets and festivities across the board.
A winter break in Europe presents the traveller with a wonderful mix of culture and adventure. Whether you’re seeking museums, shopping, nightlife or Christmas markets, there are winter destinations across Europe to suit every taste.
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