Is It Worth Visiting Europe In Winter? Full Guide

Europe in winter is equally amazing as it is in the summer, if you make the right destination choices. In fact, it can be even more magical for several reasons.

I’ve been guiding my travel groups all over Europe for the past 10 years and have gotten a pretty good overview of which places are worth visiting in the wintertime and which are better to skip.

So, in this article, I’ll give you many reasons why Europe is worth visiting in winter, where to go, and what to do.

Ready? Let’s jump into it.

Is It Worth Visiting Europe In Winter? Answered!

Yes, Europe is 100% worth visiting in the winter if you choose the right destinations. First, I recommend you consider the purpose of your visit (adventure, relaxation, a mix of culture/history and nature), your expectations (do you want to experience a winter wonderland with snow, or are you looking for warm weather), and the length of your holiday.

And then, you’re good to go. So, here are the reasons why Europe is great to visit in the wintertime.

Reasons To Visit Europe In Winter

Here are the main reasons why Europe is worth visiting in the wintertime:

💎 Experience The Winter Wonderland

Some places in Europe are like straight out of a fairy tale. If your purpose of visiting is to experience snow, cute little towns surrounded by mountains, or just spend some time in nature doing amazing activities, Europe has you covered.

If that’s what you’re looking for, I highly recommend visiting Zermatt, Chamonix, Lake Bled, Rovaniemi, the Dolomites, or the Austrian Alps.

💎 Fewer Crowds

Depending on where you go, Europe generally has fewer tourists than in the summer. Especially in January and February, places can be only half-crowded, which is perfect for exploring some cities.

Don’t expect the weather to be great in the cities, but if you’re lucky, you’ll love walking in the sunshine through half-empty streets, mainly filled by locals.

It’s also a great time to connect more with locals as a traveler. Everything feels more relaxed.

If you’re looking for a relaxed gateway, warm weather, and fewer crowds, I suggest visiting Crete, Matla, Cyprus, or southern Spain.

👉 READ ALSO: 27 Great Places To Visit In Europe In November

💎 Enjoy European Christmas Markets

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know how much I love the European Christmas markets. So, that’s a big reason on its own. They add such a special charm and put you into the Christmas mood immediately.

You can rent a car and make a road trip through the most beautiful markets across multiple countries, or get a Eurail Pass and hit them by train. Alternatively, you can do a cruise, too.

You can combine visiting the Christmas markets with other stunning locations. Generally, I recommend choosing cities and places that also interest you and have great sightseeing. The Christmas markets alone tend to have a similar vibe in each city.

I’ve written multiple articles about the Christmas markets in Europe and created several itineraries so you can visit the most charming markets in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and across Europe.

💎 Go Skiing

Another major reason why Europe is worth visiting in the wintertime is the snow and its amazing ski resorts.

You know how much I love skiing. I moved to the Dolomites and have been skiing through all 12 regions here; it’s fantastic. I also lived in Switzerland for 3 years and was up on the slopes skiing every single weekend.

With that said, I’ve researched some of the best ski resorts in Europe, so if you want to fly in to enjoy skiing/snowboarding, here are my favorite ski resorts I recommend to you:

📍 Dolomites (mainly Selva di Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Sellaronda, Kronplatz) – Italy
📍 Zermatt – Switzerland
📍 Verbier 4 Valles – Switzerland
📍 Jungfrau region – Switzerland
📍 Les 3 Vallees – France
📍 Ischgl-Samnaun – Austria/Switzerland
📍 Kitzbühel – Austria

💎 Save On Accommodation

Hotels in Europe can be almost half the price during the summer, especially in January and March.

I’m not talking about December around the Christmas time – that’s when the prices are high. But if you’re on a budget and plan your trip in January or March, you can get pretty great deals.

The rule of thumb is that January and March are overall the most affordable everywhere. February is affordable in the cities, but not so much in the ski resorts (because that’s when winter school holidays are).

➡ Check out discounted accommodation on Booking.com here.

💎 It’s More Affordable To Fly In

Flights can be pretty discounted, too. It’s more or less the same for accommodation and flights. In January, February, and March, flight rates are much lower than in the summer or around Christmas.

➡ Check out great flight deals with Skyscanner here.

Cons Of Visiting Europe In Winter

Honestly, there aren’t many disadvantages of visiting Europe at this time of the year. Because it all depends on the destination you choose, if you are looking for warm weather and want to enjoy sunbathing and beach time, you would be mistaken to head to Central Europe or spend time in the Alps.

Making wrong travel choices is the only reason why Europe in winter might disappoint you. So, you gotta know the places.

But other than that, the weather is a bit more unpredictable. It might be gloomy and freezing in cities like Prague, Budapest, Tallinn, or Helsinki. And it might also rain a lot. But every winter is different, so if you want to avoid weather issues, check the forecast before.

If you’re looking for destinations where the sun is pretty much guaranteed, go to the Dolomites for some winter wonderland or the Canary Islands for a warm European winter escape. Honestly, there aren’t many disadvantages of visiting Europe at this time of the year.

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23 Best Places To Visit In Europe In Winter

If you plan to visit Europe in winter and need some more inspiration, check out my other article about the best European places to visit in winter. It has a lot of my favorite spots, amazing activities and experiences you can enjoy in each one, and important information.

Click on the image below and see which places to see:

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions about European winter, so check my answers below:

Which Country Is Best To Visit In December In Europe?

Switzerland is the best country to visit in December. It’s because it offers a great mix of history, culture, beautiful cities with Christmas markets, and stunning mountains nearby, where you can enjoy excursions, snow, skiing, and other adventure activities.

Is It Cheap To Travel To Europe In Winter?

Yes, winter is generally a very affordable time to visit Europe, especially in January, February, and March. You can get accommodation for almost half the price that you get in the summer. And flights are also cheaper.

Which European Country Is Best In Winter?

Switzerland is the best European country to visit in winter. It offers a great mix of beautiful cities and mountain excursions not to be missed during the winter.

Is It Worth It To Go To Europe In December?

Yes, it’s 100% worth visiting Europe in December, especially for its magical Christmas markets. Head to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Estonia, and Scandinavia to experience the most beautiful markets and a proper Christmas atmosphere.

What Is The Most Christmassy Country In Europe?

Switzerland is the most Christmassy country in Europe. They have wonderful Christmas markets, and the decorations are amazing. Zurich has a singing Christmas tree, and Montreux will surprise you with a flying Santa over Lake Geneva. Besides, the snowy mountain towns surrounded by the Alps add to the special vibe.

What Is The Best City To Spend 3 Days In Europe?

Vienna is a great city to spend 3 days in Europe. It really depends on what you want to do and see. Still, Vienna offers a range of cultural and historical attractions. You can make wonderful day trips, even visiting Bratislava in Slovakia (a new country just within 1 hour), or the Alps, Hallstatt, and Gmunden are great.

Is $100 A Day Enough In Europe?

Yes, in most cases, $100 a day in Europe is enough. Not so much in Switzerland, because the accommodation is a lot more pricey, but if you know where and how, you can easily survive on $100 a day even in Switzerland.

WRAP-UP: Is It Worth Visiting Europe In Winter

This is why Europe is so worth visiting in the wintertime. There is really no reason not to like it, except if the weather is too cold and gloomy. But overall, if you plan a bit and choose the right destination, you won’t regret this trip.

If you have any questions or need help planning your trip to Europe, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll be happy to design your travel itinerary. Or you can book a 1-on-1 chat with me and I’ll help you plan in real time and share my detailed tips.

Happy Travels!