Colder temperatures might have you hankering for a beach vacation, but winter is the secret season in Europe. Many European cities get all decked out for the holidays. However, in January and February, after the Christmas decorations get packed up, there are still plenty of great places to visit in Europe.
In cities that tend to draw summer crowds, the period from November through March is considered low season, which means you can often find cheaper airfare and better room rates at hotels. Of course, there are also plenty of European destinations that really embrace the season, whether you want to go skiing or spot the northern lights in the Arctic Circle.
Whether your idea of a great Europe vacation includes visiting museums and warming up with hot drinks in a cafe or pub or getting active outside in the great outdoors, these seven destinations boast wintry appeal in spades.
The Dolomites
Nestled in Italy’s extreme northeastern corner on the Austrian border, the Dolomites are popular for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.
Up there, the architecture looks more Alpine than Mediterranean, culinary specialties include fondue and apple strudel, and you’re just as likely to hear German as Italian. That’s because this region was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire until 1918.
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Avid skiers can buy a Dolomiti Superski Pass to access 12 ski resorts with 745 miles of slopes and 450 lifts. Cortina d’Ampezzo 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: You’ve likely seen Forestis Dolomites on Instagram or the pages of travel magazines. The sleek, modern hotel combines pine-and-glass towers with a historic chalet built by the Hapsburgs in 1912. The massive spa has an indoor/outdoor pool and saunas, and offers activities like forest hikes and wyda, an ancient Celtic form of yoga. Rates start at $735 per night.
Gstaad, Switzerland
St. Moritz may be more famous for its grand hotels and see-and-be-seen vibe, but the Swiss town of Gstaad transforms into a winter wonderland every year.
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You can reach the small town up in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps by a scenic railway from Zurich. When in Gstaad, visiting a cheese cellar and sampling fondue is a must. The town is also home to upscale boutiques and galleries, including an outpost of Gagosian.
Where to stay: A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Gstaad Palace rises like a castle above the town with luxurious rooms, one of the only nightclubs in town, a fantastic spa and four restaurants, including one where you can eat fondue in a bunker where Swiss banks hid their gold during World War II. Rates start at $934 per night.
Copenhagen, Denmark
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. The city’s famed restaurants celebrate the season with new Nordic specialties made with ingredients that were foraged or hunted in the nearby forests.
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, which dresses up for the holidays, and 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 $293 per night.
Vienna, Austria
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.
Even if it doesn’t happen to be snowing, this beautiful city gets decked out for the holidays and fully embraces the season. Christmas markets — both large and small — pop up all over the city, with stands selling handmade ornaments, gifts, local snacks and mulled wine or punch.
Some of the most atmospheric ones have palaces like Schönbrunnand Belvedere as their backdrops. You can also hear concerts in churches and concert halls around the city.
Where to stay: Hotel Sacher Vienna is the city’s iconic grande dame and home to the original sachertorte, 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 $482 and $688, respectively.
Champagne, France
What could be more romantic than sipping Champagne with your significant other in Champagne?
During the winter, the storied wineries in France’s Champagne region take on an enchanting air, plus hotels and restaurants offer special menus. When in Champagne, be sure to spend time exploring Reims and visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de 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 & Châteaux hotel on a 17-acre estate with a two-Michelin-star restaurant and an exceptional wine list. Rates from $362 per night.
Edinburgh, Scotland
With tweed and tartan de rigeur, Scots know how to embrace the winter in style. It’s the perfect time of year to hole up in cozy pubs, sipping a hot toddy, after climbing Calton Hill for the views.
For the first time this year, the Polar Express Train Ride inspired by the 2004 film will arrive at Waverley Station. And aside from Christmas festivities, Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay, which has its origins with the Vikings and has come to be 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 and has hosted celebrities and royalty, including Paul McCartney and the Queen Mother. Rates 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, dog sledding or reindeer racing.
Where to stay: The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is open all year-round, 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 the spring. Rates from $196 per night.
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