Top 10 Travel Destinations for Winter Holidays in Europe

With this post, we want to inspire you if you are still looking for a destination for a short trip or a more extended trip in Europe this winter. Are you looking for sun and warmth, or would you prefer the magical winter landscape?

Whether these beautiful places you choose, your winter holiday here will be unforgettable.

1. Lapland, Finland

Here you can experience a genuine winter wonderland. How about an overnight stay in an igloo or a hotel room made entirely of glass surrounded by fir trees and lots of snow? From there, you can admire the magical Northern Lights. Incidentally, the chances are excellent in winter. Perfect for an unforgettable winter holiday.

By the way, the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is known as the home of Santa Claus. Everything here is beautifully decorated and cozy.

2. Iceland

Iceland is an absolute highlight all year round. Its incomparable nature with volcanoes, hot springs, numerous hiking trails, ice caves, and enchanting photo backdrops make Iceland one of the most beautiful winter destinations in Europe. But not all tourists know that. The primary travel time for Iceland is in summer because then it is, of course, not quite as cold. Another reason why a trip to Iceland in the winter months is worthwhile.

3. Seville, Spain

From the cold destinations in winter, we now come to a haven for all sun worshipers. Seville has a pleasant average temperature of 17 degrees, even in winter. But not only do the sun and the mild climate in Seville make the capital of Andalusia one of the top destinations for your winter holiday, but the impressive architecture and the Spanish flair invite you on a city trip.

4. Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is known for its beautiful hiking trails, impressive flora and fauna, and especially for the mild temperatures when it gets chilly here. The island is the perfect destination for a winter walking holiday. Even in summer, it doesn’t necessarily get super hot here. Especially in winter, a visit is worthwhile to climb the Pico Ruivo mountain or hike along the breathtaking cliffs.

5. Budapest, Hungary

There is so much to experience in Budapest, but the city on the Danube shrouds itself in a particular light, especially in winter. You can warm up in the famous thermal baths and be pampered with a massage if it’s icy outside. Or you feast from restaurant to restaurant. You can find the best restaurants and attractions in Budapest here. Incidentally, there are an incredible number of vegan restaurants in Budapest.

6. Athens, Greece

Athens is super crowded, especially in summer, and at the well-known sights, such as the Acropolis, you often stand for ages to take a good photo. In winter, however, the whole story looks different again. The streets are emptier; you can get a table everywhere in the restaurants and bars, with a pleasant 15 degrees and sunny.

Athens is one of the top winter holiday destinations if you are looking for a mix of relaxation and city breaks.

7. Ljubljana, Slovenia

After taking a road trip through Slovenia and Croatia with our new camping trailer this summer, we are blown away by this green country that is grossly underrated. It does get freezing in Ljubljana in winter (similar to where we are in Germany), but a city trip is still worthwhile. There is a lot to experience here. The main attractions in Ljubljana are the Castle, the Central Market with many stalls offering tons of delicious food, the Dragon Bridge, the National Gallery, and much more. Ljubljana is surrounded by numerous national parks that are perfect for a hiking trip. Here you can easily book the admission tickets online in advance.

PS: If you should travel to Slovenia in summer, don’t miss the small town of Bled with Lake Bled of the same name.

8. Millstatt Lake, Austria

This summer, we camped directly on Lake Millstatt and were blown away by the scenery around the lake. Tourists told us that it should be almost even nicer there in winter. That’s why we don’t want to withhold this insider tip from you. Very close by, you can go skiing, tobogganing, hiking, and feasting like crazy. Typical Austrian cuisine awaits you in Carinthia. It is also worth visiting the surrounding picturesque villages. If it still snows, the winter holiday is perfect!

9. Naples, Italy

Fifteen degrees in the shade, plenty of pizza, pasta and gelato, and the sea. What more could you ask for when it’s most likely uncomfortable here? Naples is a good place for a long weekend to get out and soak up some sun. A day trip to the sunken city of Pompeii is also recommended. And, of course, hiking fans will also get their money’s worth in the Vesuvius National Park. It is also only 1.5 hours to the picturesque Amalfi Coast. Here you can find tickets for sightseeing in Naples and tours to Pompeii.

10. Brussels Belgium

Brussels is known as the EU capital and the capital of beer. Here one craft beer bar follows the other. There is also a large selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants. The old town is charming in winter. The buildings are illuminated, and Brussels is the perfect photo location when it snows. Places of interest in Brussels are Brussels Beer Project (Craft Beer), Atomium, Manneken Pis, Grote Markt, and much more.