12 Best European Cities To Visit In Winter
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you can’t go on vacation. There are plenty of places to visit in the winter. If you’ve ever fancied yourself a European vacation, winter might be the best time to travel the continent. With so much culture and experiences to offer, Europe should not be reserved as a travel destination for the summer. Change it up and bring your holiday vacation to Europe. Don’t know where to go? No worries! Here are 12 European cities to visit in the winter!
1. Seville, Spain
This is a beautiful city to visit during the winter time. Not only are temperatures cooler than in the summer, but Seville partakes in many seasonal activities. These include nativity scenes for the Christmas holiday as well as holiday markets where you could purchase great, traditional, foods. There is not much of a tourist crowd during this time of year, so hotels and flights tend to be cheaper. Come explore Seville for the winter holiday this year! This is one of our favorite European cities!
2. Salzburg, Austria
If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, travel to Salzburg. This city is covered in snow during the winter. To make it feel more like a winter wonderland, partake in some skiing activities and some sightseeing. Visit the cities beautiful castles and cathedrals and revel in the Baroque architecture. You’ll feel like a winter princess as you explore all this beautiful city has to offer! Be sure to stop by the Christmas market that pops up during this season for some traditional festivities.
3. Venice. Italy
Come to Carnevale! In a similar fashion that New Orleans does Mardi Gras, Venice has its own eccentric festival in February where people wear costumes and masks. You can join in on the festivities by paying to attend a dance or you can enjoy the myriad of free events. Either way, it is bound to be a fun time partaking in the traditional festivities of the city during the winter season.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
If you want to have a once in a lifetime experience, visit this snowy city in the wintertime. Not only is the city dark and illuminated by twinkle lights, it is also a great time to see the famous Aurora Borealis! This is a spectacular phenomenon that if you get a chance to see, you will be recanting the experience to friends for years to come. Come make some memories in Iceland this winter!
5. Lisbon, Portugal
If you want some sun during the winter months, come to Lisbon! Take a stroll through the Lisbon streets and admire its various displays of street art and colorful buildings. Like much of Europe during the winter, Lisbon has winter markets and concerts for the locals and tourists to enjoy. If you want to brave the cold, you might even fancy a stroll on the beach. It might be cold though! This is one of the best European cities you can visit!
6. Edinburgh, Scotland
A beautiful city all year round, Edinburgh is especially magical in the winter time. It hosts countless holiday festivities like the Hogmanay festival and various Christmas markets. Join locals for concerts, fireworks, and dancing as you take in the cities wintertide energy. All that is missing is a horse-drawn slay! There could be no better European city to visit this winter season!
7. Paris, France
“We’ll always have Paris!” No matter what time of year it is, Paris is always a good idea. It’s famous allure is enhanced by the blanket of white snow that envelopes the cities monuments. Enjoy the Parisian essentials like cafes and museums without the endless line of people impatiently waiting to get into an exhibition or find a seat. Head over to the Christmas markets and local hotels for all of the holiday decor! It is a dream vacation waiting to be booked.
8. Warsaw, Poland
Like many European cities, Warsaw is like a picturesque town decorated from floor to ceiling for the winter holidays. Visit the polish pubs for a big helping of traditional Polish cuisine and all the beer you can drink. The colorful buildings and the snow will make you feel like you stepped straight into a Disney movie. Now doesn’t that sound ideal?
9. London, England
Is there a more famous winter city than London, England? This is must-see European city in the winter. Everytime you put on a movie or read a novel by Charles Dickens there always seems to be a winter in London depicted in some form. The whole city comes to life in pure holiday spirit. From the Christmas markets to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland as well as the Christmas tree displayed at Trafalgar Square, there is no shortage of activities to do during the winter in London. You can even go on a tour of haunted pubs around the city. Talk about getting into the holiday spirit!
10. Gstaad, Switzerland
Aside from all the great skiing that Gstaad has to offer, you can also partake in it’s unique festivals. One such festival is the hot air balloon roundup that happens in January. Imagine taking a ride in these colorful vessels over the snow- covered mountains of Switzerland. Talk about magical!
11. Valleta, Malta
Malta is a breathtaking sight at any time of year, but during the winter its beauty is exalted to new heights. This is why it is one of the best cities to visit during winter. With theater performances, cafes and restaurants, and not to mention the breathtaking view, this is a destination that should be on your travel bucket list. For those Game of Thrones fans, Malta’s cities have served as filming locations for the show, so if you’ve had your fill of Valleta (though highly unlikely) consider taking a Game of Thrones tour of the country!
12. Budapest, Hungary
During the winter, Budapest turns into a romantic city. Get all dressed up and enjoy an opera with your significant other during the wintertime. After the two of you could stroll around the city and admire the incredible architecture including the spires on Budapest’s many churches and buildings. It could not get any more idealistic than that! Happy traveling!
