Colder climate may need you dreaming of a beach escape, however winter is Europe’s hidden-gem season. Many European cities go all-out for the vacations, and the magic would not disappear as soon as the decorations come down.
From January by way of March, you may nonetheless discover loads of spots value visiting — with out the summer time crowds. And, because it’s off-season in lots of locations, you’ll be able to typically discover nice offers on flights and accommodations.
Whether or not you wish to ski, chase the northern lights, conceal away in cozy cafes or courageous the outside, these locations are filled with winter appeal.
The Dolomites
Nestled in Italy’s excessive northeastern nook on the Austrian border, the Dolomites are fashionable for snowboarding in winter and mountain climbing in summer time.
You possibly can soak up stunning Alpine structure whereas eating on culinary specialties like fondue and apple strudel. The area was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire till 1918, which suggests you’re simply as more likely to spot German influences as you’re Italian ones.
Avid skiers should purchase a Dolomiti Superski go to entry 12 ski resorts with 745 miles of slopes and 450 lifts. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is an effective base (and can host the Winter Olympics Feb. 6-22, 2026), however there are additionally many ski-in, ski-out accommodations and spa resorts within the mountains.
The place to remain: Forestis is a glossy, trendy resort that mixes pine-and-glass towers with a historic chalet constructed by the Habsburgs in 1912. The large spa has an indoor-outdoor pool and saunas, and it provides actions like forest hikes and wyda (an historical Celtic type of yoga). An adults-only Mr & Mrs Smith property, Forestis is bookable beginning at $799 or 74,500 World of Hyatt factors per evening this winter.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Close by St. Moritz could also be extra well-known for its grand accommodations and see-and-be-seen vibe, however the Swiss city of Gstaad is a lesser-known winter wonderland additionally value visiting.
You possibly can attain this small city within the Bernese Oberland area of the Swiss Alps through a scenic practice journey from Zurich. When in Gstaad, visiting a cheese cellar and sampling fondue are musts. The city can also be residence to numerous upscale boutiques and galleries, together with an outpost of the famed modern gallery Gagosian.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
The place to remain: A member of The Main Motels of the World, Gstaad Palace rises like a fort above the city. Inside, it options luxurious rooms, one of many solely nightclubs on the town, a implausible spa and 4 eating places, together with one in a bunker the place Swiss banks hid their gold throughout World Warfare II. Charges begin at $1,317 per evening, and you may ebook on some bank card portals, together with Chase Travel.
Associated: Chase Points Boost: Get maximum value for your points on Chase Travel
Iceland
The place else are you able to see a snowcapped volcano however the Land of Fireplace and Ice? You may even be handled to frozen waterfalls, geysers bursting out of snow-covered floor and (hopefully) the northern lights. After a day of exploring ice caves or mountain climbing glaciers, heat up in one in all Iceland’s well-known sizzling springs.
The times could also be brief in winter, however the enjoyable would not finish when the solar units. Longer nights imply extra time to expertise Reyjavik’s nightlife, the Darkish Music Days pageant in January or the Winter Lights Pageant in February.
The place to remain: The Ion Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir is a contemporary boutique property set towards the rugged backdrop of Selfoss in southern Iceland, with design parts incorporating domestically salvaged driftwood and lava. Its location within the middle of the Golden Circle makes it a perfect base for exploring a few of Iceland’s prime outside points of interest. Charges begin at $349 or 62,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
Copenhagen
Is it any shock that the house of hygge is an excellent winter vacation spot?
Danes have mastered the artwork of coziness, with warmth-giving decor like candles and throw blankets. Copenhagen is a cool, trendy metropolis with an internationally famend meals scene should you’re seeking to feast by way of the chilly.
Each youngsters and adults will love the rides and video games at Tivoli, the historic amusement park proper within the metropolis middle that clothes up for the vacations. There are many artwork and design museums to retreat to when it is too chilly to remain outdoors.
The place to remain: The Darling provides boutique residences dripping with Danish fashion in Previous City’s purchasing district. Charges begin at round $600 or 60,750 Hyatt factors per evening.
Associated: How to get to Denmark with credit card points and airline miles
Vienna
Do you know that the snow globe was invented in Vienna? Google “pictures of Vienna within the snow,” and it is simple to know why.
Vienna totally embraces the vacation season and is known for its various Christmas markets. They pop up everywhere in the metropolis and promote handmade ornaments, presents, native snacks, and mulled wine or punch. Among the most atmospheric markets have palaces like Schonbrunn and Belvedere as their backdrops. You can even attend concert events in church buildings and live performance halls across the metropolis.
The place to remain: Housed in a former financial institution, the Park Hyatt Vienna provides not solely luxurious lodging but in addition glorious worth on your factors. You possibly can ebook a keep for $681 or simply 25,000 Hyatt factors per evening this winter — supplying you with a powerful worth of two.7 cents per level.
Champagne, France
What may very well be extra romantic than sipping Champagne together with your important different in Champagne?
Throughout winter, the storied wineries in France’s Champagne area tackle a fascinating air. Plus, the accommodations and eating places supply particular menus. When in Champagne, remember to spend time exploring Reims, and go to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims to see the stained-glass home windows by Marc Chagall. The high-speed practice will get you from Paris to Reims in about 45 minutes, however you may wish to hire a automotive to get across the countryside.
The place to remain: Located throughout the road from the cathedral, La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa boasts beautiful views, a central location and cheap costs. Rooms right here begin as little as $254 or 39,000 Marriott factors per evening.
Edinburgh
Winter is the right time of 12 months to go to Edinburgh and gap up in a comfortable pub with a sizzling toddy. Or, for one thing just a little extra energetic, you may get in on a number of energetic winter celebrations.
Along with Christmas festivities, Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay, an end-of-year vacation with Viking origins. It has turn out to be a large New 12 months’s Eve occasion, usually lasting a number of days, with a torchlight procession and dwell musical performances in Princes Avenue Gardens. There’s additionally a giant celebration on Burns Evening, Jan. 25, in honor of Scotland’s nationwide bard.
The place to remain: Conveniently situated on Princes Avenue, The Caledonian, Edinburgh (from $202 or 58,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening) and Hotel Indigo Edinburgh – Princes Street (from $137 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards factors per evening) are perfect for exploring each Previous City and New City.
Swedish Lapland
If you happen to actually wish to get into the winter spirit, take into account making the unforgettable journey to Swedish Lapland, the Arctic a part of the nation.
From September by way of March, this is among the world’s finest locations to see the northern lights. Fluffy snow blankets the realm, and you may pattern the Arctic way of life with actions like snowmobiling, dogsledding and reindeer racing.
The place to remain: One of many few factors accommodations on this a part of the nation is Arctic Bath, a wilderness escape on the sting of the Lule River (a few of the trendy cabins truly float on the water) that may immerse you in Lapland’s breathtaking surroundings. Winter charges begin at $922 or 150,000 factors per evening, making this an amazing property to maximise your Hilton free night certificate.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Going to Finland in winter seems like stepping right into a snow globe. In Lapland, you’ll be able to visit Santa at his official village (sure, the Santa Claus), take a reindeer sleigh trip or race by way of the forest on a dogsled. “Image excellent” would not even start to cowl it.
If you happen to’re fortunate, you may even catch the northern lights portray the sky above. Do not go away with out experiencing a correct Finnish sauna adopted by a refreshing (and surprising) roll within the snow.
The place to remain: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi enables you to expertise this winter wonderland from inside an expensive glass igloo. Set within the coronary heart of Santa Claus Village, these igloos offers you a front-row seat to the beautiful northern lights, all from the heat of your mattress. Charges begin at $1,018 per evening, and it is accessible on some bank card portals, together with Capital One Travel.
Associated: Best hotels to see the northern lights
Budapest
The capital of Hungary feels additional romantic in winter, whether or not you are strolling previous snow-dusted architectural wonders like Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Stephen’s Basilica or taking a candlelit dinner cruise alongside the Danube. Once you’re able to heat up, there are many museums, historic websites and different indoor actions to select from — to not point out town’s well-known thermal baths.
Do not miss skating at Metropolis Park Ice Rink, one in all Europe’s largest and oldest rinks, on the base of the picturesque Vajdahunyad Fortress.
The place to remain: One other plus of visiting Budapest in winter? Thinner crowds and cheaper lodging. For instance, you’ll be able to keep on the attractive Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, as soon as a Nineteenth-century luxurious purchasing arcade, beginning at $251 or 17,000 Hyatt factors per evening.
Disko Bay, Greenland
The chilly might chunk, however Greenland’s winter magic runs deep. Head to Ilulissat, the place you’ll be able to hop on a ship and glide previous jaw-dropping icebergs in Disko Bay. Or, should you’re feeling courageous, attempt dogsledding with an area information — one of the best ways to see Greenland’s pristine wilderness.
Close by Kangerlussuaq is the place you’ll wish to be for prime northern lights viewing. Afterward, heat up with some native musk ox stew.
The place to remain: You will not discover many factors accommodations on this a part of the world, however the remoteness is a part of the enchantment. Contemplate the Best Western Plus Hotel Ilulissat, the place nightly charges begin as little as $133 or 24,000 Best Western Rewards factors.
Associated: United Airlines will return to Greenland in 2026
Norway
Winter in Norway is all about slowing down, taking within the jaw-dropping surroundings and sipping glogg at a festive Christmas market. Begin in Tromso, one of many nation’s go-to spots for catching the northern lights. The realm can also be nice for whale watching or taking a snowmobile trip.
If you happen to’re into snowboarding, Hemsedal and Trysil supply nice slopes with out the crowds. For a extra laid-back trip, try the Lofoten islands and comfortable up in a cabin overlooking dramatic snow-covered fjords.
The place to remain: Choice Privileges provides a handful of accommodations in Tromso, together with Clarion Hotel The Edge, bookable from $337 or 35,000 Selection factors per evening.
Associated: Choice Privileges announces positive changes to its loyalty program
Eire
Ireland will not be all snow and ice in winter, nevertheless it’s loaded with environment. Dublin goes all-out in the course of the holidays with twinkling lights, Christmas markets and heat, inviting pubs the place you’ll be able to seize a pint of Guinness by the hearth.
Over on the West Coast, the Cliffs of Moher are uncooked, windswept and beautiful with out the summer time crowds. The climate is usually delicate sufficient for a winter hike by way of Connemara’s rugged panorama, or you can tour a centuries-old fort like Blarney or Kilkenny.
Do not go away with out tucking into some hearty Irish stew in a comfortable countryside pub — it is the right winter hotter.
The place to remain: Staying at Ashford Castle (in Cong, County Mayo) in winter is like stepping right into a fairy story. The 800-year-old fort, draped in frost with its roaring fires and comfortable corners, is the epitome of magical. Outdoors, the sprawling property is ideal for a winter stroll, or you’ll be able to attempt your hand at falconry or horseback driving. Charges begin at $573 per evening, and it is accessible on Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Associated: Historic charm in the heart of Dublin: What it’s like staying at The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
Backside line
Europe is not only a vacation spot reserved for summer time journey. If you happen to’re searching for a wintry getaway in the course of the holidays or in early 2026, there’s a lot to find, whether or not you pine for mountainous hideaways or a snowy metropolis break.
Associated studying: