Europe in Winter: Where to Go in December, January, and February

Some of Europe’s wonders can only be experienced in winter—Christmas markets, the Northern Lights, alpine skiing, and breathing room in Venice all come to mind. Good luck finding that last thing in tourist-clogged July and August. But in December, January, and February, many of the continent’s overpopular destinations get a break from visiting throngs (except during major holidays and special events). What’s more, prices for airfare and hotel rooms take a dive, and the pace slows down considerably. There can be tradeoffs such as reduced business hours and chilly or soggy weather, but snow-blanketed medieval villages, cozy mountain lodges, locals who don’t dread your presence, and lots of mulled wine help bring new meaning to the term “cold comfort.” Here are our favorite winter getaways in Europe.

Germany

With all due respect to the North Pole, no place gets into Christmas like Germany. From late November to early January, seemingly every public square in the country sprouts a Christkindlmarkt to celebrate the season with carols, Nativity scenes, twinkling lights, gingerbread, handcrafted decorations for sale in open-air stalls, and, of course, all the Glühwein you can glug. Options range from Berlin’s 70-something markets to small-town festivals in Black Forest settings that recall the interiors of snow globes. Cologne’s music-heavy market takes place in front of the city’s famed cathedral, Nuremberg’s crowded spectacle kicks off with help from an angel, and Dresden’s version—the oldest in Germany—showcases a 4-ton fruitcake. Beyond the yuletide goings-on, Germany rewards wintertime visitors with legendary skiing in the Bavarian Alps and fairy-tale scenes of frosted castles.

Pictured: Christmas market in Frankfurt

Zermatt, Switzerland

A no-brainer for skiers and snowboarders, Zermatt sits at the base of the Matterhorn, which rivals the Toblerone candy bar for the title of Switzerland’s Most Iconic Pyramid. The elevated terrain surrounding Zermatt encompasses more than 360km (224 miles) of downhill ski trails that draw winter sports enthusiasts from around the world. (Fair warning: This time of year, visitor numbers and prices are as high as the altitude.) The resort town also has rinks for curling and ice skating, hills for sledding, courses for cross-country skiing, and, for viewing snowy landscapes without traversing them on foot, an elaborate network of aerial cable cars as well as the Glacier Express train to St. Moritz. Before you leave Zermatt, though, don’t miss out on the lively aprés-ski scene.

Seville, Spain

Europe has limited options for winter travelers trying to escape the season’s deep freeze. But although the weather in southern Spain’s sunny Andalusia region isn’t exactly pool-friendly in January, daytime temperatures remain pleasant this time of year (62°–64°F/17°–18°C)—a far cry from the area’s sweltering summers. In the Andalusian capital of Seville, conditions are good for walking tours that show off the city’s architecture, including the Gothic cathedral and the Moorish Alcázar palace (pictured). If you’re in town on the night of January 5, you can watch the big parade that marks Three Kings’ Day; traditionally, that’s the Christmas season’s gift-giving holiday here, not December 25. Winter evenings can get chilly, but tapas and flamenco dancing should warm you up. 

Source: frommers.com

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