You can’t argue with Europe when it comes to winter travel, and you certainly can’t compete when it comes to Christmas celebrations all over the continent. That’s why we’ve carefully put together a list of our top European winter destinations, so that you know exactly where to travel for the perfect winter getaway.
Why You Should Consider European Winter Destinations
There’s something very special about Europe in winter. The darker evenings give way to twinkling festive lights, and the Christmas markets bring childhood nostalgia and the holiday spirit along with it.
Christmas time appeals to everyone in different ways; you might get the ultimate satisfaction from gift buying and giving, maybe quality time with family is your thing, or it could be simply winding down, taking it slow and indulging in lots of food and drink. All of which Europe does very well.
The cooler temperatures may make you want to retreat inside, but there is so much to experience by wrapping up warm and getting out into the cities to enjoy the festive winter activities and scenes.
You may be tempted to avoid traveling during winter and save your trip for the summer months, but there are a lot of benefits to enjoying a winter getaway. Not least the lower prices, fewer people and shorter lines thanks to it not being peak season.
Some European cities feel like they were made for this time of year, which is why we continue to run tours through the off season in Europe. We offer a variety of tours focused on European winter destinations, so if you choose to join us on one of these this winter, we promise you that cozy festive feeling which will make you feel like Santa Claus is real again.
Vienna
Vienna feels like a winter wonderland at this time of year, bursting at the seams with beautiful Christmas markets and warm, cozy cafés. There’s nothing like the smell of roasting chestnuts, which fills the air while taking a walk through the cobbled streets on those cold winter evenings.
Why Visit Vienna in the Winter?
The best part of Vienna in the winter is its Christmas markets. They are captivating, and some of the most renowned in Europe, which is why we visit them as soon as we get to Vienna on our Budapest and Vienna Christmas Tour.
The main event is at Rathausplatz, where over 150 stalls fill the square in front of City Hall with handmade gifts, decorations, and festive food. You’ll find a huge ice rink and a towering Christmas tree lighting up the plaza. This Christmas market is so big, it feels like a whole town.
You can enjoy roasted chestnuts, Bratwurst, and mugs of Glühwein while live music and choirs perform in the background, making it feel like the heart of the city’s holiday celebrations.
Rathausplatz market opens in mid November 14 and runs through the festive season to the end of December. It is easy to get to on foot if you’re staying in the city center but if you’re staying further out, it’s still easily accessible with the subway or tram.
Over at Schönbrunn Palace, the market is a little quieter but just as festive, set against the impressive backdrop of imperial architecture. This Christmas market is open even longer, from early November through to early January. It’s further away from the center, around an hour on foot, but again easily accessible by tram, the underground, or by bus.
Budapest
Budapest in the winter months is as relaxed as it is beautiful. The streets feel more spacious without the summer crowds, and the warm thermal baths seem even more inviting. You can’t beat the city’s lights reflecting off the Danube giving everything a soft, golden glow.
What is There To Do in Budapest in the Winter?
One of the best things about Budapest is how walkable it is compared to other big cities. You can visit most of the city and major sites on foot, and it’s even easier in winter with less crowds.
When the sun sets early in Budapest, the city feels even more atmospheric with the Parliament building lighting up across the river, and nothing beats a cruise along the Danube.
Hungarian wine is not well known but it will delight wine lovers. On our Budapest and Vienna Christmas Tour, we’ll take you for a special dinner in a private cellar with an introduction to delicious Hungarian wines.
Budapest is great at seasonal markets all year round, but of course the Christmas markets here are superb.
What’s the Best Winter Activity in Budapest?
The many thermal spas and baths are one of our favorite things to do during the winter in Budapest. You can’t beat feeling warm and relaxed after being outside in the cold.
The Széchenyi baths are one of the most famous and popular in Budapest, known for its grandeur. Széchenyi is one of the largest medicinal thermal complexes in Europe, and it has a more social, energetic atmosphere, especially in the evenings when both locals and visitors gather to relax. The outdoor baths are open year round, and it is just a short trip from the city center by taxi or public transport.
Gellért Baths are another top choice, set inside a stunning Art Nouveau building with beautiful tiled interiors and indoor pools that feel quieter and more serene. It’s the perfect choice if you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and less people.
Surprisingly, despite not being as popular as Széchenyi, these baths are more central and easier to access on foot. There is an outdoor pool, however this is only open during the summer months.
Each bath has its own personality, so it’s worth visiting more than one to really enjoy what makes Budapest’s spa culture so special.
Paris
The City of Love doesn’t fail to live up to it’s name, even during the colder months. The shorter days only complement this romantic city, making it the ultimate winter getaway. Even if romance isn’t your thing, you can’t argue with the majesty of the Eiffel Tower lit up overhead. Paris is even more striking in winter, lighting up the sky just after sunset and casting its golden glow across the river. An evening walk along the Seine, wrapped up warm, feels very special this time of year.
What Makes Paris the Perfect Winter City?
Paris takes the festive season seriously, and it’s the place to be for Christmas shopping. The Christmas markets and department stores are full to the brim of unique gifts and artisanal products. Even if you’re not looking to shop, the displays alone are enchanting enough.
We’d also recommend trying the festive mulled wines and sweets for yourself as you walk around Paris’ winding streets. Paris has always been a city you can appreciate without necessarily going inside museums or churches, but the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay are quieter during winter if you do want to visit.
Other Places to Explore in and Near Paris
Montmartre is another great neighborhood to visit in the winter. The quiet streets, local cafés, and view over the city are even more peaceful than usual. We recommend taking a gentle walk down the hill, starting at the Sacré-Cœur church and make your way through the side streets toward Place du Tertre, where you’ll still find many artists despite the chill.
Down in the city center, the Left Bank is especially atmospheric in winter. Take a walk past Shakespeare and Company, cross over to Île de la Cité, and circle around the Notre Dame. From there, follow the Seine west back towards the Eiffel Tower.
If you really want to experience what Europe does best at Christmas time, plan a day trip to Strasbourg, also known as ‘The Christmas Capital’, for their famous Christmas Market. It’s unbelievably impressive, one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe, dating back to 1570, and it stretches across several squares in the heart of the old town.
You’ll find hundreds of wooden stalls selling hand-crafted gifts, Alsatian specialties, and festive decorations. The entire city center is lit up with thousands of lights, and the towering Christmas tree in Place Kléber adds to the magic. There’s also a real sense of tradition here, with choirs singing in the streets and local artisans showcasing their work. We make a special trip here on our Paris and Strasbourg Christmas tour, followed by a ride down the canal and a picnic lunch to make the day extra special.
London
For such a huge city, London in the winter is surprisingly intimate. The city’s usual hustle quiets down, and the early sunset brings out glowing lights that transform streets, rooftops, and squares into festive winter wonderlands. It’s a perfect time to explore on foot and soak up the seasonal atmosphere in one of the top European winter destinations.
One highlight is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, a sprawling festival full of ice skating, carnival rides, circus shows, Bavarian beer halls, and lively Christmas markets. It’s best to book ahead as it’s very popular.
What Are the Best Tourist Attractions to Visit in London?
There are lots of major sites to enjoy, and with the added benefit of fewer visitors in the city you won’t have to deal with long lines and intense crowds. It wouldn’t be a trip to London without visiting the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the river Thames. This is one of our most enjoyed parts of our London Christmas Tour, where we follow it up with a sightseeing cruise down the river to Westminster Pier and a walking tour to the National Gallery.
If you’re a history lover, there is certainly no shortage of it in London. As well as many other sites, the British Museum is home to huge collections, showcasing a huge 2 million years of history. And if you love theater, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a selection of world class performances everyday.
What is London Like for Christmas Shopping?
Winter is a brilliant time to visit London if you love festive decorations and Christmas shopping. The Oxford Street lights go up in early November and are some of the most iconic in the world. There’s a new theme every year, and the switch-on event marks the official start of the holiday season.
The surrounding streets of Regent Street and Carnaby Street also have spectacular light displays and decorations that stretch as far as the eye can see. Not far away, Harrods turns into a full-scale winter spectacle, with sparkling windows, giant baubles, and themed gifts that make it well worth a visit, even if you’re only browsing.
You’ll also find Christmas markets dotted across the city including Southbank’s riverside stalls and festive scenes at Leicester Square. There are plenty of places to grab a mulled wine and pick up something special to take home.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen knows how to do winter properly. The weather can be crisp and cold, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch some falling snow that makes the rooftops and streets feel like something out of a fairy tale. Even in the chill, the city feels warm thanks to its candlelit cafés, cozy corners, and festive lights, making it one of the best European winter destinations.
What Are the Best Winter Activities in Copenhagen?
Tivoli Gardens transforms into a Christmas town with twinkling lights, themed rides, and food stalls serving Danish specialties. Surrounded by trees and built around lakes and gardens, the natural beauty of Tivoli Gardens is absolutely stunning, even if you aren’t lucky enough to have great weather or snow.
It’s one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and during Christmas time, it becomes something very special. With the Christmas markets and scent of sugar and spice in the air alongside all of the twinkling lights, it feels like stepping into another world.
Speaking of lights, if you’re visiting in February, the Copenhagen Light Festival offers a completely different experience. Light installations by artists all over the city light up the long nights with color and creativity.
The Christmas markets are easy to find and full of atmosphere. The market at Højbro Plads, right in the heart of the old town, brings a classic Danish feel with wooden stalls, handmade crafts, and festive decorations. At Kongens Nytorv, the historic setting adds to the experience with views of the Royal Danish Theatre and Hotel D’Angleterre all lit up for the season.
There is so much to see and do, in and around Copenhagen at this time of year. It’s full of great day trip options and we wouldn’t want you to miss any of it. We had absolute joy curating our tour of Copenhagen, making sure we captured all of the best bits. You can check it out here.
Are You Ready for a European Winter Getaway?
If you couldn’t tell, we are absolutely passionate about the incredible holiday spirit and beauty that these European cities hold. They encapsulate everything good about Christmas in an unbeatable way, with their impressive Christmas markets, lights, decorations and overall atmosphere.
Traveling during the winter gives you a calmer experience with fewer tourists and easier access to popular sites, so it can be the best time to visit even if you only have time for a short trip.
Our Christmas Tours are designed to help you enjoy the best parts of a winter getaway and really get in the Christmas spirit without the stress. We take care of the planning so you can enjoy the moment.
Take a look at our full list of winter tours including our best European winter destinations and start planning your perfect seasonal escape now.
