Colder climate might need you dreaming of a seaside escape, however winter is Europe’s hidden-gem season. Many European cities go all-out for the vacations, and the magic does not disappear as soon as the decorations come down.
From January via March, you may nonetheless discover loads of spots value visiting — with out the summer season crowds. And, because it’s off-season in lots of locations, you may typically discover nice offers on flights and resorts.
Whether or not you need to ski, chase the northern lights, cover 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 common for snowboarding in winter and mountaineering in summer season.
You may absorb lovely 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 implies you’re simply as prone to spot German influences as you might be Italian ones.
Avid skiers should purchase a Dolomiti Superski cross 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 resorts and spa resorts within the mountains.
The place to remain: Forestis is a smooth, fashionable 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 gives actions like forest hikes and wyda (an historic 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 night time this winter.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Close by St. Moritz could also be extra well-known for its grand resorts and see-and-be-seen vibe, however the Swiss city of Gstaad is a lesser-known winter wonderland additionally value visiting.
You may attain this small city within the Bernese Oberland area of the Swiss Alps through a scenic prepare journey from Zurich. When in Gstaad, visiting a cheese cellar and sampling fondue are musts. The city can also be residence to varied upscale boutiques and galleries, together with an outpost of the famed up to date gallery Gagosian.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be a 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 Resorts of the World, Gstaad Palace rises like a citadel above the city. Inside, it options luxurious rooms, one of many solely nightclubs on the town, a incredible spa and 4 eating places, together with one in a bunker the place Swiss banks hid their gold throughout World Battle II. Charges begin at $1,317 per night time, and you may e-book on some bank card portals, together with Chase Journey.
Associated: Chase Factors Enhance: Get most worth on your factors on Chase Journey
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 mountaineering glaciers, heat up in certainly one of Iceland’s well-known scorching springs.
The times could also be brief in winter, however the enjoyable does 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 Journey Lodge, Nesjavellir is a contemporary boutique property set in opposition to the rugged backdrop of Selfoss in southern Iceland, with design components incorporating domestically salvaged driftwood and lava. Its location within the middle of the Golden Circle makes it a super base for exploring a few of Iceland’s prime out of doors sights. Charges begin at $349 or 62,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.
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 in case you’re seeking to feast via 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 attire 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 gives boutique residences dripping with Danish fashion in Outdated City’s purchasing district. Charges begin at round $600 or 60,750 Hyatt factors per night time.
Associated: How one can get to Denmark with bank card factors and airline miles
Vienna
Do you know that the snow globe was invented in Vienna? Google “images of Vienna within the snow,” and it is easy to grasp why.
Vienna absolutely embraces the vacation season and is known for its different Christmas markets. They pop up all around the metropolis and promote handmade ornaments, presents, native snacks, and mulled wine or punch. A number of the most atmospheric markets have palaces like Schonbrunn and Belvedere as their backdrops. It’s also possible to attend live shows in church buildings and live performance halls across the metropolis.
The place to remain: Housed in a former financial institution, the Park Hyatt Vienna gives not solely luxurious lodging but additionally glorious worth on your factors. You may e-book a keep for $681 or simply 25,000 Hyatt factors per night time this winter — providing you with a powerful worth of two.7 cents per level.
Champagne, France
What could possibly be extra romantic than sipping Champagne along with your important different in Champagne?
Throughout winter, the storied wineries in France’s Champagne area tackle a fascinating air. Plus, the resorts and eating places provide particular menus. When in Champagne, make sure 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 prepare will get you from Paris to Reims in about 45 minutes, however you would possibly need to lease a automotive to get across the countryside.
The place to remain: Located throughout the road from the cathedral, La Caserne Chanzy Lodge & Spa boasts beautiful views, a central location and cheap costs. Rooms right here begin as little as $254 or 39,000 Marriott factors per night time.
Edinburgh
Winter is the proper time of yr to go to Edinburgh and gap up in a comfortable pub with a scorching toddy. Or, for one thing just a little extra energetic, you will get in on a number of full of life winter celebrations.
Along with Christmas festivities, Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay, an end-of-year vacation with Viking origins. It has turn into a large New 12 months’s Eve celebration, usually lasting a couple of days, with a torchlight procession and reside musical performances in Princes Road Gardens. There’s additionally an enormous celebration on Burns Evening, Jan. 25, in honor of Scotland’s nationwide bard.
The place to remain: Conveniently situated on Princes Road, The Caledonian, Edinburgh (from $202 or 58,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time) and Lodge Indigo Edinburgh – Princes Road (from $137 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards factors per night time) are perfect for exploring each Outdated City and New City.
Swedish Lapland
For those who actually need to get into the winter spirit, contemplate making the unforgettable journey to Swedish Lapland, the Arctic a part of the nation.
From September via March, this is likely one of the world’s finest locations to see the northern lights. Fluffy snow blankets the world, 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 resorts on this a part of the nation is Arctic Tub, a wilderness escape on the sting of the Lule River (a number of the fashionable cabins really float on the water) that may immerse you in Lapland’s breathtaking surroundings. Winter charges begin at $922 or 150,000 factors per night time, making this an awesome property to maximise your Hilton free night time certificates.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Going to Finland in winter looks like stepping right into a snow globe. In Lapland, you may go to Santa at his official village (sure, the Santa Claus), take a reindeer sleigh trip or race via the forest on a dogsled. “Image excellent” does not even start to cowl it.
For those who’re fortunate, you would possibly even catch the northern lights portray the sky above. Do not depart 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 allows you to expertise this winter wonderland from inside an opulent glass igloo. Set within the coronary heart of Santa Claus Village, these igloos gives you a front-row seat to the beautiful northern lights, all from the heat of your mattress. Charges begin at $1,018 per night time, and it is accessible on some bank card portals, together with Capital One Journey.
Associated: Finest resorts 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. Whenever 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, certainly one of Europe’s largest and oldest rinks, on the base of the picturesque Vajdahunyad Citadel.
The place to remain: One other plus of visiting Budapest in winter? Thinner crowds and cheaper lodging. For instance, you may keep on the attractive Parisi Udvar Lodge Budapest, as soon as a Nineteenth-century luxurious purchasing arcade, beginning at $251 or 17,000 Hyatt factors per night time.
Disko Bay, Greenland
The chilly might chunk, however Greenland’s winter magic runs deep. Head to Ilulissat, the place you may hop on a ship and glide previous jaw-dropping icebergs in Disko Bay. Or, in case you’re feeling courageous, strive dogsledding with an area information — the easiest way to see Greenland’s pristine wilderness.
Close by Kangerlussuaq is the place you’ll need 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 resorts on this a part of the world, however the remoteness is a part of the attraction. Think about the Finest Western Plus Lodge Ilulissat, the place nightly charges begin as little as $133 or 24,000 Finest Western Rewards factors.
Associated: United Airways 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.
For those who’re into snowboarding, Hemsedal and Trysil provide 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: Alternative Privileges gives a handful of resorts in Tromso, together with Clarion Lodge The Edge, bookable from $337 or 35,000 Alternative factors per night time.
Associated: Alternative Privileges pronounces constructive modifications to its loyalty program
Eire
Eire might not be all snow and ice in winter, however it’s loaded with ambiance. Dublin goes all-out through the holidays with twinkling lights, Christmas markets and heat, inviting pubs the place you may 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 season crowds. The climate is mostly delicate sufficient for a winter hike via Connemara’s rugged panorama, or you possibly can tour a centuries-old citadel like Blarney or Kilkenny.
Do not depart with out tucking into some hearty Irish stew in a comfortable countryside pub — it is the proper winter hotter.
The place to remain: Staying at Ashford Citadel (in Cong, County Mayo) in winter is like stepping right into a fairy story. The 800-year-old citadel, draped in frost with its roaring fires and comfortable corners, is the epitome of magical. Exterior, the sprawling property is ideal for a winter stroll, or you may strive your hand at falconry or horseback using. Charges begin at $573 per night time, and it is accessible on Amex Advantageous Resorts + Resorts.
Associated: Historic appeal within the coronary heart of Dublin: What it’s like staying at The Shelbourne, Autograph Assortment
Backside line
Europe is not only a vacation spot reserved for summer season journey. For those who’re on the lookout for a wintry getaway through 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:
