10 Reasons To Visit Europe In The Winter

 

1. Cheaper Prices
Everything is cheaper in the winter, from transportation to lodging. Locations that are highly dependent on tourism offer large discounts during the cooler winter months. You can get much more bang for your buck in Europe during the winter.

Visiting Denmark (one of Europe's priciest destinations) during the winter enables travelers to save money.

 

2. Less Tourists
For some unknown reason, tourists dream of visiting Europe in the summer. The summer months of June-August are absolute madness in Europe, especially in the popular tourist areas. While I’m definitely one of these summer-loving people, and even prior to living in Europe, I always opted to travel during the less busy and cheaper months (you can do much more for your money). I prefer to not get herded around like cattle or lost in a crowd of tourists.

During my winter visit to Moscow, I was lucky to wander around the Kremlin and get fantastic photos with minimal or no tourists in them! To date, my favorite photo I've ever taken was in Moscow (it's one of the mains on my Destinations page).

 

3. Winter Markets
Winter markets are the reason I love winter in Europe. This is the first winter in years I won't be around Europe, and I'm missing it terribly! Before I lived in Europe, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Christmas season. In fact, I was more of a Scrooge. There is just something in the atmosphere during the winter season in Europe – whether you celebrate Christmas or not. Certain European cities, like (my personal favorites) Krakow, Vienna, Prague, Munich, and Hamburg, get all decked out for the holiday times. The liveliness and colors of the markets bring a smile on anyone’s face.

Prague's Christmas markets are my favorite in the world.

 

4. Hot Wine and Winter Bites
Not only are the winter markets colorful and exciting, along with them comes incredible winter drinks and cuisine. Aromas from roasted chestnuts, warm pastries, roasted meats and more ooze from the kitchens of outdoor vendors. Delicious hot wine, hot cider and spiked coffees are guaranteed to warm you up.

Vienna's Christmas markets are huge and feature some of the best Glühwein (hot wine) that Europe has to offer.

 

5. Skiing (and Other Winter Sports)
Europe is well known for its world-class ski resorts. Snowboarding isn’t as popular in Europe as it is in the United States, but there are plenty of options available for boarders as well. If skiing and snowboarding isn’t your thing – the resorts also offer some notable spas. What’s better than a spa treatment overlooking the Alps?

 

6. The Photographs
Dodging tourists to get a better photo downright sucks. With fewer tourists around, it’s easier to take better photos. Also, grey skies in the winter provide less harsh shadows in photos. If you’re lucky enough to get fresh snow during your winter trip to Europe, there isn’t anything more magical or photographic.

Krakow's first snow of the season. The fluffy snow provided for a perfect photograph.

 

7. The Weather
While it may be too chilly to bask in the sun on the Adriatic coast, you won’t suffer from dehydration or heat stroke as might occur during the intensely hot summer months. The winter months bring the most moderate weather in southern Europe. In Northern Europe and Scandinavia, the winter brings many delights as well (such as the Northern Lights).

 

8. The Northern Lights
One of the delights that come with winter is the famous Northern Lights. You’ll have to be in Scandinavia, Scotland or Iceland for a shot at a view, but the darker days means more opportunities for a sighting.

 

9. Ice Hotels and Other Winter Attractions
During the winter, some locations in Scandinavia offer attractions that are built completely from ice. Everything from the bed, the bathroom and the dinnerware is carved out of ice. Every year these attractions get more and more elaborate. During the colder winter months, many museums, art galleries, and palaces have special holiday displays and exhibitions. Theatres and concert venues also tend to put on more performances during this time of year, giving visitors many different options to see a performance abroad.

In Amsterdam, the area in front of the Rijksmuseum is transformed into an ice rink.

 

10. Did I Mention the Sweets?
Sweets, sweets, sweets! Only once a year do you get these special holiday sweets, and it’s worth the wait. Puff pastries, special chocolates and more line the winter markets. The tasty winter treats seem endless.