Great destinations to visit in Europe during winter

Colder weather might have you dreaming of a beach escape, but winter is Europe’s hidden gem season. Many European cities go all-out for the holidays, and the magic doesn’t disappear once the decorations come down.

From January through March, you’ll still find plenty of spots worth visiting — without the summer crowds.

And, since it’s low season in many places, you can often find great deals on flights and hotels.

Whether you want to ski, chase the northern lights, hide away in cozy cafes or brave the outdoors, these destinations are packed with winter charm.

The Dolomites

Nestled in Italy’s extreme northeastern corner on the Austrian border, the Dolomites are popular for skiing in winter and hiking in summer.

You can take in beautiful Alpine architecture while dining on culinary specialties like fondue and apple strudel. The region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, which means you’re just as likely to spot German influences as you are Italian ones.

Related: The best ski resorts in the US for your next trip to the slopes

Avid skiers can buy a Dolomiti Superski pass to access 12 ski resorts with 745 miles of slopes and 450 lifts. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is a good base (and will host the Winter Olympics in 2026), but there are also many ski-in, ski-out hotels and spa resorts in the mountains.

Where to stay: Forestis Dolomites is a sleek, modern hotel that combines pine-and-glass towers with a historic chalet built by the Habsburgs in 1912. The massive spa has an indoor-outdoor pool and saunas, and it offers activities like forest hikes and wyda (an ancient Celtic form of yoga). Rates start at $688 per night.

Gstaad, Switzerland

Nearby St. Moritz, Switzerland, may be more famous for its grand hotels and see-and-be-seen vibe, but the Swiss town of Gstaad is a lesser known winter wonderland also worth visiting.

You can reach this small town in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps via a scenic train journey from Zurich. When in Gstaad, visiting a cheese cellar and sampling fondue are musts. The town is also home to various upscale boutiques and galleries, including an outpost of the famed contemporary gallery Gagosian.

Where to stay: A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Gstaad Palace rises like a castle above the town. Inside, it features luxurious rooms, one of the only nightclubs in town, a fantastic spa and four restaurants, including one in a bunker where Swiss banks hid their gold during World War II. Rates start at $935 per night.

Copenhagen

Is it any surprise that the home of hygge is a wonderful winter destination?

Danes have mastered the art of coziness, with warmth-giving decor like candles and throw blankets. Copenhagen is a cool, stylish city with an internationally renowned food scene if you’re looking to feast through the cold.

Related: How to get to Denmark with credit card points and airline miles

Both kids and adults will love the rides and games at Tivoli, the historic amusement park right in the city center that dresses up for the holidays. There are plenty of art and design museums to retreat to when it’s too cold to stay outside.

Where to stay: Hotel Sanders has just 54 rooms and suites with charmingly vintage decor, a leafy rooftop terrace and an award-winning cocktail bar. Rates start at $205 per night.

Vienna

Did you know that the snow globe was invented in Vienna? Google “photos of Vienna” in the snow, and it’s easy to understand why.

Vienna fully embraces the holiday season and is famous for its varied Christmas markets. They pop up all over the city and sell handmade ornaments, gifts, local snacks and mulled wine or punch.

Some of the most atmospheric markets have palaces like Schonbrunn and Belvedere as their backdrops. You can also attend concerts in churches and concert halls around the city.

Where to stay: Hotel Sacher Vienna is home to the original Sacher torte, an Austrian chocolate cake. The Rosewood Vienna is a more modern interpretation of Viennese luxury, with a rooftop bar and a salon serving gugelhupf, a traditional Austrian bundt cake. Rates start at $583 and $636 per night, respectively.

Champagne, France

What could be more romantic than sipping Champagne with your significant other in Champagne?

During winter, the storied wineries in France’s Champagne region take on an enchanting air. Plus, the hotels and restaurants offer special menus. When in Champagne, be sure to spend time exploring Reims, and visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims to see the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. The high-speed train will get you from Paris to Reims in about 45 minutes, but you might want to rent a car to get around the countryside.

Where to stay: Built in 1904 for the Marquise de Polignac, Domaine Les Crayeres is a Relais & Chateaux hotel on a 17-acre estate with a two-Michelin-starred restaurant and an exceptional wine list. Rates start at $547 per night.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Winter is the perfect time of year to visit Edinburgh and hole up in cozy pubs to sip a hot toddy.

For the first time this year, the Polar Express Train Ride, inspired by the 2004 film, will arrive at Waverley Station. In addition to Christmas festivities, Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay, which has Viking origins. It has become a massive New Year’s Eve party with a torchlight procession and live musical performances in Princes Street Gardens.

Where to stay: The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is right in the heart of the Old Town on Princes Street. It has hosted celebrities and royalty, including Paul McCartney and the late queen mother. Rates start from $335 per night.

Swedish Lapland

If you really want to get into the winter spirit, consider making the unforgettable journey to Swedish Lapland, the Arctic part of the country.

From September through March, this is one of the world’s best places to see the northern lights. Fluffy white snow blankets the area, and you can sample the Arctic lifestyle with activities like snowmobiling, dogsledding and reindeer racing.

Where to stay: The Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi is open all year, but every winter, a collection of artist-designed rooms made entirely out of ice and snow offers the chance to sleep in a sort of igloo before the seasonal rooms melt in spring. Rates start at $196 per night.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Going to Finland in winter feels like stepping into a snow globe. In Lapland, you can visit Santa at his official village (yes, the Santa Claus), take a reindeer sleigh ride or race through the forest on a dogsled. Describing it as “picture-perfect” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Related: Best hotels to see the northern lights

If you’re lucky, you might even catch the northern lights painting the sky above. Don’t leave without experiencing a proper Finnish sauna followed by a refreshing (and shocking) roll in the snow.

Where to stay: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi lets you experience this wintery stay from inside a luxurious glass igloo. Set in the heart of Santa Claus Village, these igloos will give you a front-row seat to the stunning northern lights, all from the warmth of your bed. Rates start at $345 per night.

Disko Bay, Greenland

Greenland in winter is just about as close to a storybook setting as it gets, especially if you’re looking for an icy adventure. Head to Ilulissat, where you can hop on a boat and glide past jaw-dropping icebergs in Disko Bay. Or, if you’re feeling brave, try dogsledding with a local guide — the best way to see Greenland’s pristine wilderness.

Nearby, Kangerlussuaq is where you’ll want to be for prime northern lights viewing. Afterward, warm up with some local musk ox stew. The cold may bite, but Greenland’s winter magic runs deep.

Where to stay: Imagine waking to the sight of icebergs gliding by, rustic fishing boats bobbing in the water and maybe even a few whales flipping their tails — all from your floor-to-ceiling window. That’s the magic of Ilimanaq Lodge. Tucked away in a tiny, car-less village, getting here is half the adventure; it starts with a scenic boat ride through the Ilulissat Icefjord. Once at the lodge, the 15 cliffside cabins blend right into the Arctic landscape, with Nordic design and private terraces perfect for soaking in the views. It’s remote, peaceful and still a bit of a secret. Rates start at $448 per night.

Tromso, Norway

Winter in Norway is all about slowing down, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery and sipping glogg at a festive Christmas market. Start in Tromso, one of the country’s go-to spots for catching the northern lights. The area is also great for whale watching or taking a snowmobile ride.

If you’re into skiing, Hemsedal and Trysil, Norway, offer great slopes without the crowds. For something more laid-back, check out the Lofoten islands and cozy up in a cabin overlooking dramatic snow-covered fjords.

Where to stay: Scandic Ishavshotel juxtaposes modern comfort with Arctic adventure. Set right on the quayside in Tromso, you’ll wake to incredible wintery harbor views, and it’s just a short stroll to The Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral. Rates start from around $319 per night.

Ireland

Ireland may not be all snow and ice in winter, but it’s loaded with atmosphere. Dublin goes all-out during the holidays with twinkling lights, Christmas markets and warm, inviting pubs where you can grab a pint of Guinness by the fire.

Over on the West Coast, the Cliffs of Moher are something else — raw, windswept and stunning without the summer crowds. Connemara’s rugged landscape is perfect for a winter hike. You could also tour a centuries-old castle like Blarney or Kilkenny.

Don’t leave without tucking into some hearty Irish stew in a cozy countryside pub — it’s the perfect winter warmer.

Where to stay: Staying at Ashford Castle (in Cong, County Mayo) in winter is like stepping into a fairy tale. The 800-year-old castle, draped in frost with its roaring fires and cozy corners, is the epitome of magical. Outside, the sprawling estate is perfect for a winter stroll, or you can try your hand at falconry or horseback riding. Rates start at $530 per night.

Bottom line

Europe isn’t just a destination reserved for summer travel. If you’re looking for a wintery getaway during the holidays or in early 2025, there’s much to discover — whether you pine for mountainous hideaways or a snowy city break.

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