20 Greatest European Cities to Go to within the Winter, In accordance with Journey Consultants

Nuremberg, Germany

Boehnstedt recommends heading to Nuremberg for the “superb Christmas markets, musical festivals, and total festive spirit and environment within the appeal of Bavaria.” Will probably be chilly, so vacationers ought to bundle as much as discover the charming metropolis — a glass of mulled wine whereas shopping the famed Christkindlesmarkt, one among Germany’s oldest gala’s, helps, too.  

From December 1 to Christmas Eve, reap the benefits of one of many guided excursions of the market and particular vacation tasting excursions, or try one of many Christmas concert events at church buildings within the Previous City like St. Lorenz and St. Martha. Whilst you’re buying, maintain a watch out for particular treats and items you’ll be able to solely get right here — these will likely be marked with the market’s official brand. Specialty cookie cutters and punch blends from the Wurzelsepp tea store are Nuremberg exclusives.

Edinburgh, Scotland

“When you like moody skies and comfortable corners in espresso retailers, Edinburgh is the place to go to through the winter months,” says Zeigler. Regardless of the chilly climate and shorter days — the solar units earlier than 4 p.m. in December — there’s nonetheless lots to get pleasure from within the Scottish capital. “Maintain heat with a wee dram, cozied up subsequent to a roaring fireplace in any of Edinburgh’s iconic luxurious resorts,” says Zeigler. 

On high of vacation actions just like the annual Christmas market, a visit to Edinburgh is an opportunity to take part in Hogmanay an enormous competition with torchlight processions and fireworks that takes place earlier than New 12 months’s. Afterward, you may as well take part within the legendary Hogmanay hangover remedy: a chilly dip within the River Forth generally known as the Loony Dook. Costumes aren’t needed, however they will undoubtedly make it extra enjoyable!

Valletta, Malta

Snow-capped mountains and excursions requiring a number of layers aren’t for everybody. Fortunately, Europe has different choices — one among which is Valletta, Malta. “Malta boasts a gentle Mediterranean local weather, even in winter. You’ll be able to discover [Valletta’s] wealthy historical past, structure, and vibrant tradition with out the scorching summer time warmth,” says Totengco.

Within the winter, the island’s temperatures hover between 50 and 60 levels Fahrenheit, which suggests snow may be very unlikely however it’s not heat sufficient to swim both. Nonetheless, this tends to be the island’s greenest season and it is a good time to reap the benefits of the climbing trails. Plan a visit in December should you’d additionally wish to expertise Valletta’s Christmas markets or in February to see town throughout Carnival.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Winter is the perfect time to go to the “official hometown of Santa Claus.”

“Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is thought for its Santa Claus Village, the place one can meet Santa Claus himself. Right here, you may as well get pleasure from actions like reindeer safaris, canine sledding, and witnessing the Northern Lights out of your distinctive igloo lodging,” says Totengco.

One of many important winter actions is the SnowGlow Winter Exercise Park which opens in late November and retains the festivities going till early March. Along with tons of warming drinks and meals on sale, the park’s points of interest embody mesmerizing mild shows, sledding hills, inflatable “zorbs” that you could climb inside, and even a snowman-building station! There are even mini snowmobiles for youths ages 4 to 13.

Lucerne, Switzerland

As temperatures fall beneath freezing, the cities and cities within the Swiss Alps — like Lucerne — beckon to winter sports activities fanatics, in addition to those that need an additional massive serving to of alpine appeal. “Snow sports activities within the mountains could possible be very doable. Plan a day tour on one of many Swiss scenic trains throughout the winter wonderland,” says Boehnstedt. Lucerne can also be an important possibility for worldwide vacationers, because it’s only a fast 40-minute practice journey from Zurich. 

When you’re visiting Lucerne in December, you’ll be able to expertise conventional Christmas markets or time your journey to coincide with the Lilu Gentle Pageant in January. This annual occasion illuminates town with inventive mild installations and dynamic reveals all around the previous city.

Istanbul, Turkey

“Istanbul’s distinctive mix of historical past, tradition, and beautiful structure is enchanting year-round. In winter, you’ll be able to discover iconic landmarks just like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with fewer crowds,” says Tesa Totengco, founding father of Travels with Tesa. 

The climate tends to be gloomier within the winter, however it not often will get beneath freezing. When you do really feel a bit chilly, you may all the time get your steam on at a luxurious hammam in one among Istanbul’s finest resorts. In December, you’ll be able to even see Christmas decorations lighting up the Nişantaşi neighborhood and the 4 Seasons Lodge Istanbul is thought for its annual Christmas market and vacation dinners. A must have throughout winter in Istanbul is salep, a scorching milk drink made with cinnamon and orchid tubers, which give the beverage its signature thickness.

London, England

“As Christmas approaches, London transforms right into a winter wonderland, adorned with charming metropolis lights, superbly adorned retailers, and plenty of wonderful eating selections,” says Forte. Get pleasure from a day strolling via the brightly lit Kew Gardens, or tuck right into a Sunday roast at one of many close by pubs after a protracted stroll via Hampstead Heath. “The climate, whereas chilly, often is snow-free, so it makes it simpler to get about,” provides Boehnstedt.  

Do not miss one of many finest Christmas markets in Europe at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, the place you may get a scorching cocoa and adrenaline repair in a single night time with tons of stalls for buying and coasters for driving. For the perfect overview of London through the holidays, be part of a themed vacation lights tour or attempt to catch the Christmas choir efficiency at Kings Faculty London. Later within the season, you’ll have an opportunity to catch distinctive winter occasions like January’s Worldwide Mime Pageant and Burns Evening in February, when eating places all around the metropolis put out Scottish-inspired menus in honor of the well-known poet Robert Burns.

Tub, England

A winter’s day in Tub is finest spent shopping its numerous quaint bookstores, indulging in afternoon tea, soaking within the famed waters of the Thermae Tub Spa, and popping into one of many metropolis’s oldest pubs, Saracens Head or The Star Inn. For a extra festive contact, add ice skating at Royal Victoria Park and selecting up items on the Tub Christmas Market to your day’s actions. Many resorts supply particular experiences for the season, resembling The Chook Lodge, which units up festive igloos the place you’ll be able to e-book a festive meal with an important view of town. You may also get a little bit of vacation historical past in when visiting the Roman Baths with particular actions surrounding the traditional vacation of Saturnalia, from which many Christmas traditions take their roots. The baths additionally host a New 12 months’s Eve bash with a candlelit meal and dancing within the elegant ballroom.

Paris, France

It’s true what they are saying: There’s by no means a nasty time to go to Paris. As fall transitions into the colder months, the Metropolis of Gentle turns into additional cozy and much more romantic. “Paris’ well-known avenue cafés are nonetheless functioning in winter… with warmth lamps and heat furry blankets — excellent for folks watching and sipping a glass of wine (or a scorching chocolate),” says Zeigler. “And, in fact, the decrease lodge costs can’t be beat this time of 12 months.”

Christmas in Paris provides a large number of issues to do from the charming Christmas markets to the pleasant window and lightweight shows on the luxurious shops on the Champs-Élysées. If you need the perfect buying offers although, higher to stay round after Christmas for the Winter Gross sales (les soldes) when retailers throughout their cities slash costs all through January and February.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Given its standing as a UNESCO World Heritage Metropolis, it’s no shock that Dubrovnik is standard with vacationers, particularly in the summertime. Within the winter, although, you gained’t should combat for the perfect views of the long-lasting sights — the Metropolis Partitions, the Cable Automotive, and the Dubrovnik Cathedral. Your journey might also fall through the Dubrovnik Winter Pageant, that includes concert events, festive lights, and markets. The winter can also be the season the place you’ll be able to expertise one of many metropolis’s most essential non secular occasions, the Festivity of St. Blaise on February 3. Dubrovnik fills up with folks as worshippers arrive from throughout for this UNESCO-recognized occasion the place many Croatian people traditions are celebrated.

Málaga, Spain

“Positioned on the Costa del Sol, Málaga provides a pleasing local weather the place you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from out of doors actions, discover historic websites just like the Alcazaba […], and revel in scrumptious Spanish delicacies in a relaxed environment,” says Totengco. Temperatures usually vary from the mid-50s to low 70s, and there the solar supplies a much-needed dose of vitamin D.

Winter in Malaga can also be a good time to strive gazpacho’s heat counterpart gazpachuelo, a hearty soup made with fish and potatoes. When you go to in December, you will get to see town dressed up in twinkling vacation lights and the Christmas market stalls within the Paseo del Parque.

Reykjavík, Iceland

You’ll solely have a couple of hours of daylight in Reykjavík this time of 12 months, however winter can also be your finest probability to see the northern lights in Iceland. Think about taking a whale-watching tour out of Reykjavík Previous Harbor, or use town as your base camp earlier than heading off on an extended tour. There are even cruises on New 12 months’s Eve that provide you with an important vantage level of the fireworks over town. To shake the chilly, take a dip within the close by Sky Lagoon, the place the waters are usually round 100 to 104 levels Fahrenheit. 

In February, Reykjjavíkingers maintain their spirits up with the Winter Lights Pageant, a free competition that fills town with ornamental lights in the course of the darkish winter. The occasion additionally features a devoted Museum Evening, throughout which the entire metropolis’s taking part museums will open their doorways to the general public within the night.

Rome, Italy

Rome’s peak season involves a detailed in November, so vacationers have December via March to benefit from the capital metropolis’s quieter aspect. Earlier than or after a day of buying and sightseeing, Forte recommends grabbing pizza from Emma or getting a desk at Roscioli for lunch. We predict pasta and pizza sound like the right solution to heat up from a cold stroll.

In December, the vacation season fills town with Christmas markets just like the Festa della Befana in Plaza Navona and Giftland, an indoor market in Piazza Ragusa. Stick round for the Carnevale celebrations in late February to see Rome at one of the vital colourful instances of the 12 months. Parades full with horse-drawn carriages and costumed revelers take over the principle streets and plazas for per week of enjoyable earlier than Ash Wednesday.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s sunshine is a part of its attraction, even within the winter. Relying on the day, you might solely want a light-weight or medium-weight jacket as you stroll up and down the various hills, via the cobbled streets, and by the tiled buildings of the Alfama district. In comparison with summer time, this time of 12 months is considerably extra nice for on-foot exploration — however don’t neglect to hop on a yellow tram at the least a couple of times. 

December is a beautiful time to be in Lisbon for the Christmas markets, the biggest of which is Wonderland Lisboa, which additionally has points of interest like ice skating and a Ferris wheel. Within the first week of January, Lisbon celebrates Three King’s Day so should you’re there on this present day, you’ll be able to strive the Portuguese model of King’s Cake.

Barcelona, Spain

Winter is the off-season for vacationers, so that you would possibly even really feel like you’ve gotten extra elbow room at a few of Barcelona’s high points of interest. In accordance with Zeigler, in Barcelona, “one among Europe’s largest and busiest cruise port cities,”  winter means getting a break from the crowds created by cruises. “Strolling and exploring are extra nice; eating places are much less crowded,” she says. Out of doors swimming could also be a no-go, however vacationers can nonetheless bask within the rays alongside the oceanfront promenade.

After the Christmas festivities and Three Kings Day Parade of Barcelona’s vacation season, winter vacationers visiting from late January on can look ahead to attempting a uncommon winter deal with. Calçots are massive inexperienced onions solely eaten when in season and for the Catalan folks, in addition they sign the return of wintertime barbecues. Barcelona eating places will likely be promoting this distinctive expertise and you may study the right (and really messy) solution to take part.

Venice, Italy

“On a sunny winter day, Venice is pure magic! With town’s new floodgates virtually totally working now, hardly any excessive water (Aqua Alta) impacts Venice anymore,” says Zeigler. And, as with most European cities within the low season, it will likely be simpler to navigate your means via the compact metropolis with out the staggering variety of summer time vacationers.

“Winter is the right time to go to the massive websites, as you may get tickets and don’t should do the ridiculous queues,” says Forte. Test off all of the classics, together with the Piazza San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, and Forte’s private favourite, the Peggy Guggenheim Assortment.

Within the winter, gondoliers will present blankets to maintain you heat should you nonetheless need to take an iconic journey or take part in an much more wintry exercise on the ice skating rink in Campo San Polo. Winter can also be a good time for buying in Venice with Christmas markets in December and plenty of retailers promoting elaborate masks within the weeks main as much as town’s world-famous Carnival celebrations.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam may not be the primary European vacation spot you consider when planning winter journey, however it has its personal model of magic this time of 12 months.  “When it stays chilly sufficient, lengthy sufficient, the various canals of Amsterdam grow to be an enormous out of doors skating rink,” says Zeigler. This occasion is uncommon — and turning into more and more so — however there are different sides of Amsterdam to discover as properly. Carry a e-book or good friend to one of many metropolis’s many espresso retailers and pubs, full with “winter lights and comfortable nooks,” she provides. 

This time of 12 months you may as well strive the seasonal doughnut olibollen, which you should purchase scorching proper on the road. Amsterdam is a superb place to be for Christmas lights because of the Amsterdam Gentle Pageant, which ups the ante with high-tech artist-designed shows.

Good, France

You gained’t be frequenting Good’s seaside golf equipment this time of 12 months, however there’s nonetheless magnificence to be discovered within the waterfront metropolis; you simply should know the place to look. Get your steps in by strolling up Fort Hill, a feat rewarded with an unimaginable view, or spend a day meandering via the slender streets of Previous City. Schedule allowing, take a day journey to Monaco, or discover one of many many small cities within the French Riviera. 

In December, you will discover the Christmas market on Place Masséna — simply search for the massive Ferris wheel — and the palm timber that line the Promenade des Anglais will likely be all aglow. When you’re on the town for New 12 months’s, head to the seaside for fireworks over the bay.

Florence, Italy

These visiting Florence within the winter may not see any snow, however they’ll have the reward of decrease lodge costs, fewer fellow vacationers, and the choice to go truffle searching. “This time of 12 months is when truffles are in season,” says Forte, who shares that company of Lodge Savoy — named one of many finest resorts in Florence by T+L readers — can e-book a truffle tour through a classic automobile. “The expertise is very extraordinary as company can get pleasure from beautiful views of the Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo, and San Miniato alongside their drive earlier than heading into the Tuscan hills on their seek for truffles,” she explains. 

In the course of the holidays, you will discover Christmas festivities just like the market on Piazza Sant Croce. Head towards the Florence Eye Ferris wheel and additionally, you will discover one of many largest ice skating rinks in Tuscany on the Florence Ice Village.

Vienna, Austria

Get out your dancing footwear and black-tie apparel as a result of Vienna hosts lavish balls all winter lengthy. Following the vacation season’s Christmas markets just like the Viennese Dream in entrance of the Metropolis Corridor and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace, Vienna retains the events going with its well-known balls. Viennese balls are open to the general public, so vacationers simply have to search out one which aligns with their journey and purchase tickets — and don’t fear, there are fairly a couple of to select from. Unsure the place to start out? Bookmark town’s official Ball Calendar.

Winter temperatures in Vienna common usually fall between 28 and 45 levels Fahrenheit, however fortunately lots of the metropolis’s finest points of interest occur indoors. E book tickets upfront for a efficiency on the Spanish Using College or maybe catch an opera on the iconic Staatsoper.