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Winter is Europe's best-kept secret for American travelers. Outside the Christmas and New Year's rush, flights across the Atlantic are often cheaper than in summer, hotels have rooms to spare and the big sights are far less crowded. Whether you want snowy streets and warm cafes, mild sunshine or real snow, there is a European winter trip for you.
Why visit Europe in winter?
- Cheaper flights and hotels. After the holidays, demand drops and prices for flights from the US and for hotels in many cities fall. Our guide to the cheapest time to fly to Europe explains the pattern.
- Fewer crowds. Museums, churches and famous viewpoints that have long lines in summer are much calmer.
- Seasonal experiences. Christmas markets, ski slopes, thermal baths, winter festivals and the northern lights only happen in the colder months.
The tradeoffs are short days, colder weather and, in some places, rain. Plan indoor backups and pack layers.
Cozy cities for a classic European winter
Vienna, Austria
Vienna feels made for winter. Its grand coffeehouses, where you can sit for hours over coffee and cake, are at their best when it is cold outside. From late November through December, Christmas markets fill the squares in front of the City Hall, Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere. In January and February, the city's famous ball season brings hundreds of formal balls, some of them open to visitors who buy tickets. Add world-class museums, the Spanish Riding School and an evening at the State Opera, and you can easily fill several days indoors and out.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague's Gothic towers and red roofs look like a fairy tale under a dusting of snow. The Christmas market on Old Town Square, with its huge tree in front of the Týn Church, is one of the most atmospheric in Europe. After the holidays, the city is quieter, and you can walk the Charles Bridge and explore Prague Castle without the summer crowds. Warm up with hearty Czech food and beer in a traditional pub. Prague is often one of the better-value capitals in Central Europe.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has a winter trick few cities can match: thermal baths. Soaking in the steaming outdoor pools of the Széchenyi Baths while the air around you is freezing is an unforgettable experience. The city also has a lively Christmas market at Vörösmarty Square and an outdoor ice rink in City Park, in front of Vajdahunyad Castle. Combine Vienna, Budapest and Prague in one trip: they are connected by train, and our multi-city flight search lets you fly into one and home from another.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam in winter is gray and chilly, but it is also cozy and much less crowded. The Amsterdam Light Festival fills the canals with light art in December and January, best seen on an evening canal cruise. Spend the days in the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum and the evenings in candlelit brown cafes. See our guide to things to do in Amsterdam.
Edinburgh, Scotland
If you want to ring in the New Year somewhere special, Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations are among the most famous in the world, with a torchlight procession, street parties and fireworks over the castle. Book well in advance, as the city fills up.
Mild winter escapes
Rome, Italy
Rome's winters are mild compared with most of the US Northeast and Midwest, with many sunny days between the rain. Winter is the best time to see the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and the Pantheon without the long summer lines and heat. Christmas in Rome is special too, with nativity scenes in churches across the city and a market in Piazza Navona. Read more in our guide to the best time to visit Rome, and compare flights from New York to Rome.
Seville and Andalusia, Spain
Southern Spain has some of the mildest winters in mainland Europe. In Seville, the orange trees that line the streets are heavy with fruit, and the sunny days are perfect for walking around the cathedral, the Alcázar palace and the Plaza de España. Granada's Alhambra, often with snow on the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it, is unforgettable, and you can ski there in the morning and be on the coast by afternoon. Fly into Madrid and take the high-speed train south: compare flights from Miami to Madrid or Chicago to Madrid.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon stays mild through the winter, though rain is common. Its hills, viewpoints and tiled facades are just as beautiful in winter light, and the city's cafes and pastry shops make great rainy-day stops. Day trips to Sintra are calmer than in summer. See our guide to things to do in Lisbon and compare flights from New York to Lisbon.
Athens, Greece
Athens in winter is cool rather than cold, and seeing the Acropolis without the summer heat and crowds is a real treat. Many Greek islands quiet down for the season, so winter is best for a city trip focused on Athens' ancient sites, museums and food scene. Compare flights from New York to Athens.
The Canary Islands, Spain
If you want real winter sun, head to the Canary Islands, off the coast of northwest Africa. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote have spring-like weather all year, with beaches, volcanic landscapes and hiking. Most travelers from the US connect through mainland Spain or another European hub. It makes an easy add-on to a city trip to Madrid or Barcelona.
Snow, skiing and the northern lights
The Alps
The Alps are Europe's winter playground. The ski season usually runs from about December to April, depending on the resort and the snow. Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy all have famous resorts, from Innsbruck and St. Anton to Zermatt, Chamonix and the Dolomites. Even if you do not ski, Alpine villages are magical in winter, with cable cars, sledding, spas and fondue. Visit outside school holidays, especially the Christmas and February breaks, for better prices. A rental car helps in the mountains, but check rules for winter tires and snow chains before you go. You can compare local rental companies with Localrent.
Finnish Lapland
In northern Finland, winter means snow, reindeer, husky sledding and a chance to see the northern lights. The aurora season runs roughly from late summer to early spring, and the long, dark nights of winter give you the most hours to look for it. Rovaniemi, on the Arctic Circle, is home to the popular Santa Claus Village. Book tours and activities ahead, as December is especially busy. You can find northern lights and husky tours online.
Iceland
Iceland is another great northern lights destination, and winter brings frozen waterfalls, ice caves and soaking in geothermal pools under the night sky. Daylight is short in December and January, so plan your sightseeing around a few hours of light. Driving can be difficult in winter storms, so many visitors prefer guided tours from Reykjavik. Always check the weather and road conditions before setting out.
Tips for a winter trip to Europe
Pick your dates carefully
The weeks around Christmas and New Year's are the most expensive time to fly, and ski resorts and Lapland are busiest then too. For the best prices, go in January, February or early March. If you want Christmas markets, aim for the first half of December, before the holiday rush. See our list of the best Christmas markets in Europe and the cheapest places to fly in January.
Pack for the weather
Bring a warm coat, layers, a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes with good grip. Cobblestone streets can be slippery when wet or icy. In the north, thermal underwear makes a big difference.
Plan around short days
Daylight hours are much shorter than in summer, especially in the north. Start sightseeing early, save museums for late afternoon and check opening hours, which can be shorter in winter.
Leave room for weather delays
Winter storms can delay flights and close mountain roads. Build in a little extra time between connections, and consider travel insurance for a winter trip.
Check entry rules before you go
Entry rules for visitors to Europe can change, including new entry and exit systems for travelers from outside the EU. Check the current requirements for US citizens before you travel.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the warmest place in Europe in winter?
- The Canary Islands, off the coast of northwest Africa, have spring-like weather all year. On the mainland, southern Spain, southern Portugal and southern Italy and Greece have the mildest winters.
- Is it cheaper to visit Europe in winter?
- Usually yes, apart from Christmas and New Year's. January to early March is often one of the cheapest times to fly from the US, and many city hotels are cheaper too. Ski resorts are the exception, as winter is their high season.
- Where can I see the northern lights in Europe?
- Finnish Lapland, northern Norway, northern Sweden and Iceland are the most popular places. The long, dark nights from late fall to early spring give the best chances.
- What is the best European city for a winter trip?
- Vienna, Prague and Budapest are classic choices for cozy cafes, Christmas markets and thermal baths. For milder weather, try Rome, Seville or Lisbon.