When people think of Europe in winter, the only place they can think of is Switzerland and its beauty, be it the mountains of the Alps covered with snow, along with the villages that give you the feel of a fairy tale. But not only Switzerland, there are many places in Europe that are a …
The Best Winter Destinations in Europe Beyond Switzerland
When people think of Europe in winter, the only place they can think of is Switzerland and its beauty, be it the mountains of the Alps covered with snow, along with the villages that give you the feel of a fairy tale. But not only Switzerland, there are many places in Europe that are a perfect combination of charm, history, adventure, and with the unique seasonal exposure and experience. Many places in Europe can be an alternative to Switzerland, be it the Northern Lights, or roaming around the Christmas markets during the festival, or enjoying skiing in mountains that are less crowded by people.
With the help of this guide, you can get to know about the best winter destinations in Europe, which can overshadow Switzerland. This guide is perfect for those travellers who want to explore something new in there in their journey, and especially in the snowy season.
1. Innsbruck, Austria – The Winter Sports Capital of the Alps
Innsbruck is a heaven for those who love winter sports and are eager to try adventure activities. This place is located in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck is less crowded with people, which is the opposite of resorts in Switzerland. This place offers you a relaxing vibe, along with some winter sports activities, be it skiing, snowboarding, along hiking trails.
- Top attractions: The main attractions of this place are the world-famous Nordkette Cable Car, which provides you with a scenic view, Swarovski Crystal Worlds. There is an old town which is basically famous for its Golden Roof.
- Why visit in winter: Innsbruck is a city that has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and this place ensures that it provides the best skiing facilities available in Europe.
Tip: The thing you cannot miss here is the markets, which are located in the Old Town. Here you can find the famous mulled wine along with the delicious Austrian pastries, which set a festive vibe in the town.
2. Tromso, Norway – A Northern Lights Haven
When you want to chase the aurora borealis, then Tromso should be on your bucket list. This is located in northern Norway, which is the ultimate destination for winter. This place is surrounded by fjords and mountains, and during the time of winter, this place transforms into a majestic wonderland.
- Things to do: You can visit some of the famous attractions in the place, be it the Arctic Cathedral, Northern Light tours, dog sledding, and reindeer safaris.
- Why it’s special: The special highlight of this place is long polar nights, which is special as you can spot the Northern Lights, which is considered to be the highest in the world.
Tip: You can blend your trip with staying in a glass igloo or the Arctic dome, so that you can get the experience of an open-sky night.
3. Tallinn, Estonia – Fairytale Charm on Budget
The capital of Estonia is considered to be a place that directly came out of a storybook, especially during the winter, and this place is Tallinn. This place is very famous among travellers, especially because it is a spot for pictures, and the medieval Old Town, which looks very beautiful because of the lighting and the snow that covers it.
- Highlights: The main highlight of this place is one of the oldest markets in Europe, which is the Tallinn Christmas Market. The other highlight of this place includes Toompea Hill, which offers a great view of the city, and the cozy ambiance of the cafes, which serve you with Estonian special food.
- Why go: This place offers you a trip that will come under your budget, and will provide you with all the adventures on a low budget in comparison with other expensive destinations such as Zurich, Geneva, and others.
4. Prague, Czech Republic – A Romantic Winter Wonderland
This place is already famous for some of the attractions, like the cobblestone streets and the Gothic architecture of Prague, which makes it a tourist destination all year round. The cherry on the cake moment for this place is during the winter season, which gives this place a magical touch.
- Must-see spots: There are some famous attractions in his place which you should visit, such as Charles Bridge, the famous and beautiful Castle of Prague, or the astronomical clock of Old Town Square.
- Winter perks: Tourists prefer to visit this place during the winter season so that they can slowly explore the place, as there are fewer tourists present here compared to the summer months.
Tip: You should have a warm glass of Czech mulled wine, which is known as svarak, while roaming around the streets during the festivals.
5. Lapland, Finland – The Home of Santa Claus
Lapland is considered to be a typical destination for people looking for a winter escape. This place is located in the north of Finland. This place is known for the forests covered with snow, the ride of reindeer, and the famous and official Santa Claus Village.
- Top experiences: The most attractive attractions you can experience here are the snowmobile safaris, the stay in glass igloos, and the special one is the meeting with Santa himself.
- Why visit: The reason to visit this place is that you can get the experience of both winter adventure activities, along with the magic of Christmas.
Tip: You need to book the tickets to this place a bit early, as Lapland is a famous destination among families looking forward to a vacation during the winter.
6. Kraków, Poland – Affordable Culture and Festivities
The most underrated and ignored winter destination in Europe is Kraków. This place has been listed by UNESCO, especially the winter festive decoration of the Old Town. The city is filled with a lot of cultural treasures.
- Things to do: If you want to explore this place, then you can visit some of the attractions, such as the Wawel Castle, the Main Market Square, and the famous samples of pierogi, which can be found in a Polish tavern.
- Winter highlight: The highlight of this place is the famous Christmas Market, along with the beautiful handmade ornaments and the tasty local street food.
Tip: The nearby Tatra Mountains (Zakopane) are perfect for a skiing day trip.
7. Reykjavik, Iceland – Fire and Ice Adventures
This place provides you with a majestic experience when the combination is made with the urban charm, along with the winter landscapes of Iceland. When you come here then you will get the exposure that you will never forget in your life, be it the geothermal spas, frozen waterfall, visiting here in winters will give you the vibe as if you have entered a new world.
- Must-dos: The things you cannot miss here are some of the very beautiful attractions, such as Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle tours, and the most exciting whale-watching.
- Why it stands out: You can enjoy the best of the experiences here, and that too just in one trip. You can explore the majestic ice caves or the Northern Lights. If you are getting cold, then you can soak yourself in the hot springs and relax.
Tip: Here, the winter days are quite short, so you can plan to watch the attractions during the limited time in the daylight, and at night, you can just sit and relax in the hot pools.
8. Ljubljana, Slovenia – Cozy and Romantic Escape
Ljubljana is considered to be one of the smallest capitals of Europe, but when winter hits this place, you can experience a great transformation; you can feel the warmth in the place, along with the charm. The atmosphere created here is something which you will never forget in your life, be it the bridges with snow-dust or the lights during the festive seasons.
- What to see: You can witness the famous attractions of this place, be it the Ljubljana Castle, Dragon Bridge, along the Ljubljana River.
- Winter magic: While visiting this place in winter you will get to see magic happening in this place with the colourful and cheerful, and vibrant Christmas markets, and the joyful live music performances. This brings the city to life.
Tip: If you want to witness some of the most iconic and fairy-like attractions, then you can visit or take a short trip to the famous Lake Bled.
9. Granada, Spain – Sun and Snow in One Trip
People think that if they are visiting any winter destination, then the temperature there has to be negative, and it has to be icy cold, but this is not true. There is a place called Granada, which gives you a perfect blend of ski experience in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and exploring the Alhambra, which is a mild destination in Andalusia during the afternoon.
- Best of both worlds: You can get the best ski resorts, which are just 40 minutes away from the main town, and you can go there and enjoy skiing.
- Why visit: There are only a few places that can give you a perfect blend of both the winter atmosphere and the Mediterranean vibe at the same time and place.
10. Budapest, Hungary – Thermal Baths and Frosty Views
Budapest is a place you can visit in the festive season and on occasions, as during the winter, this place fills with the festive vibe, along with the famous thermal baths, and sparkling Danube views.
- Top attractions: The most famous attractions of this place include the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the majestic Buda Castle, and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion.
- Winter highlights: The highlights of this place during the winter are the ice skating adventure in the City Park, or the famous Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square.
For travellers, Switzerland has always been a favourite destination during winter. In reality, there are many more destinations that provide you with the same adventure and experience and charm, that too without paying a lot from your pocket. There are a lot of attractions and places which you can visit, be it the Lapland or the colourful Kraków, each and every location provides you with different adventures and magic during the winter.
