Dotted with historic cities, wealthy tradition and spectacular nature, Europe is full of thrilling locations for brief breaks and longer adventures when the mercury dips. From absorbing the solar in Spanish coastal cities to chasing the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland, we’ve handpicked seven of the perfect winter locations in Europe.
For Christmas magic: Strasbourg, France
As the primary city space in France to achieve UNESCO recognition, Strasbourg is all the time charming. In winter, nevertheless, it comes into its personal because the ‘Capital of Christmas’. A festive market has been held right here since 1570, and tons of of gaily adorned stalls are scattered via the streets and squares of Grande Île, town’s historic island centre, in December.
Twinkling lights additionally glitter over the Rhine River and alongside the banks of slim canals threading previous 400-year-old half-timbered buildings. Head to Place Kléber to see Strasbourg’s large Christmas tree or observe your nostril in the direction of native specialities like bredeles (star-shaped spiced biscuits) and vin chaud (scorching wine mulled with fruit).
Begin exploring at visitstrasbourg.fr
For the perfect winter solar break: Andalucía, Spain
Andalucía’s Mediterranean shoreline and 300 days of sunshine per yr make it a really perfect alternative for winter solar holidays. Within the cooler season, you will share prime sights like Grenada’s Alhambra, the enduring Thirteenth-century walled Moorish palace, with fewer vacationers.
Winter can be a way more agreeable time for sightseeing in cities like Seville, the place midsummer temperatures can attain a fiery 40°C. Discover landmarks such because the Palacio de las Dueñas, with its eye-catching colonnades and arches, or sip sangria at out of doors cafes beneath the winter solar.
Over Christmas, the area’s predominantly Catholic cities are decked with festive lights. And whilst you’re unlikely to see snow on the Costa del Sol, the Sierra Nevada Nationwide Park some 30km east of Granada presents white-capped peaks and winter sports activities.
Discover out extra at andalucia.org
For the Northern Lights: Abisko, Sweden
Deep within the coronary heart of Swedish Lapland, Abisko is without doubt one of the greatest locations on this planet to soak up the Northern Lights. Its inland, lakeside location north of the Arctic Circle is correct in the course of the ‘auroral zone’, boosting your possibilities of witnessing the spectacular phenomenon.
To see the sky glow in ethereal greens, blues, pinks and purples, take a tour into gentle pollution-free Abisko Nationwide Park throughout wintertime, or take a 20-minute chairlift trip as much as the mountaintop Aurora Sky Station remark centre.
Abisko has loads extra to supply guests as effectively. Go husky-dog sledding via verdant forests, trip a snowmobile over frozen lakes or study conventional Sami reindeer herders.
Start your journey at kirunalapland.se
For historic monuments and off-peak charges: Athens, Greece
The massive draw of visiting Athens in winter is that there are far fewer crowds in contrast with the busy summer time season. You may stroll comparatively peacefully via world-famous landmarks just like the Acropolis, a walled advanced containing grand Historical Greek constructions just like the Parthenon and Hadrian’s Library.
Though common winter temperatures in Athens are 13°C, the climate is changeable and rain is unquestionably a risk. Armed with an umbrella, wander previous vibrant road artwork within the fashionable metropolis centre and commit any particularly moist days to the fascinating museums. Prime picks embody the Nationwide Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum.
Plan your journey at greektourism.com
For thermal baths: Budapest, Hungary
Add twinkling lights and a dusting of snow to Budapest’s romantic structure and it turns into much more magical. Hungary’s capital can be well-known for its Christmas markets that spring up in the course of the festive season. Head to Vörösmarty Sq. for a few of Budapest’s greatest conventional native meals, like lángos (a deep-fried flatbread) and kürtőskalács (a candy pastry coated in sugar).
The town’s thermal springs come into their very own in chilly climate, so don’t miss the spas, sauna rooms and 18 swimming pools on the neo-Baroque Széchenyi Baths. When you’re feeling completely relaxed, lace up a pair of skates for laps of the Városligeti Műjégpálya out of doors ice rink, one of many oldest of its variety in Europe.
Study extra at budapestinfo.hu
For music lovers: Vienna, Austria
No different metropolis is sort of as synonymous with classical sounds as Vienna. Music historical past thrums via town’s Baroque streets and grand structure. To immerse your self within the tradition, go to the locations the place Mozart composed the vast majority of his work (the Mozarthaus), the place Beethoven tried to treatment his deafness (the Beethoven Museum) and the place Schubert was born (the Geburtshaus).
Winter can be ball season, so spending a night whirling to Viennese waltzes is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most unmissable experiences. The coldest months are a busy interval in Vienna’s live performance calendar: look out for performances on the State Opera Home and different venues.
Uncover Vienna at wien.info
For chocolate and canals: Bruges, Belgium
The tiny medieval buying and selling port of Bruges is criss-crossed with slim canals spanned by arched footbridges and lined with tall, skinny buildings. Lovely all year long, Bruges ramps up the romance every winter with fairly Christmas markets, horse-drawn carriages and scorching chocolate at each teahouse.
Belgian chocolate is known for a cause, and Bruges is without doubt one of the greatest locations to strive it. It’s no exaggeration to say that you simply’ll discover a few of Europe’s tastiest choices right here. Fill up on handmade treats at favourites like The Previous Chocolate Home, Olivier’s Chocolate Store or Candies and Happiness. Add in a splash of historical past with a visit to the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a Romanesque chapel stated to accommodate the blood of Christ himself.
Plan your go to at visitbruges.be
Covid-19 recommendation
All through winter 2020, European locations will proceed to be affected by COVID-19. You may test up-to-date journey restrictions on the European Union’s devoted webpage. If you happen to do journey, maintain your self and others protected by carrying a masks. It’s additionally price having a look on the World Well being Organisation’s coronavirus journey recommendation for some basic pointers on staying protected.
