There’s no place quite as charming as Europe in winter. As some travelers start planning for their days in the winter sun at tropical beaches and faraway islands from the second temperatures start to fall at home, it’s hard to resist daydreaming about snow-dusted cobblestones and Christmas markets filled with holiday spirit.
Save for the holiday surge, most major European cities are refreshingly crowd-free, and therefore more affordable, during the winter months—while offering both outdoor adventures and cozy experiences well worth traveling for. How good does a warm mug of Belgian hot chocolate in a riverside café sound?
Whether you’re researching a vacation for this year, or are already looking ahead to 2025, these cities that conjure the magic of Europe in winter will have you booking your next trip in no time. Read on for 29 European cities—and a few villages, if we’re getting technical—that make the most out of winter.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
