One of my favorite times to visit Europe is during the winter. If you are looking for the best European cities to visit this winter that aren’t packed with tourists, read on!
The festivities and the potential snow are things that I look forward to every year. Not every city in Europe is filled with millions of locals and tourists. Some of the best cities to see in Europe are the smaller ones, where travelers can site see most of the city in a day or two. This really allows you to get the feel of a place and to enjoy everything that it has to offer. Not only can these cities be more affordable because of their smaller size, but by traveling in the winter in the off season you can get even more bang for your buck.
EUROPEAN CITIES TO VISIT THIS WINTER
Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
Ceske budejovice is an adorable little city in Czechia. It is only around an hour from the popular tourist spot of Cesky Krumlov, making it an easy place to visit as well. The square of Ceske Budejovice is where you will be spending a lot of your time if you are visiting during the holidays. It is a very affordable area, so it is a great place to buy souvenirs as well.
The Christmas market takes up the entire square and offers plenty to see. You can enjoy hot wine and local treats. You can even go ice skating in this little area! The buildings surrounding the square are gorgeous and historic. If you visit the day after Christmas, be aware that your options will be limited and the Christmas market will likely be partially taken down. Nevertheless, this is a great place to enjoy the winter season!
Read more about things to do in Ceske Budejovice.
Salzburg, Austria
Only a couple of hours away by bus, Salzburg is one of the most gorgeous European cities you can visit, especially during winter. This mountainous city has views that you won’t soon forget. For a truly epic view, be sure to go to the Hohensalzburg Fortress for uninterrupted views of the scenery. Try going close to sunset to see something truly beautiful.
Although it is not quite as large as Vienna, Salzburg still has so much to offer! I highly recommend getting a city pass, which will allow you entrance into many attractions as well as transportation.
Read more about things to do in Salzburg.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is a medieval looking town with a huge Russian influence. Many of the buildings will remind you of castles, and it is easy to get around the city due to the fact that it is on the smaller side. Tallinn is quite affordable, but you can save even more money by getting a city card. This includes entrance into so many attractions that you likely won’t be able to see them all!
If you are looking for a cute Christmas market, look no further. The Tallinn Christmas Market is open from November until January. Although the market isn’t huge, it still has plenty of things to experience and interesting local cuisine to try.
Read more about things to do in Tallinn.
Ghent, Belgium
Look no further if you want to find a true gem of Europe. This medieval city is in every since of the word adorable. We spent most of the time walking the cobblestone streets, eating street snacks, admiring the Christmas markets, and of course exploring the castle.
The Castle of the Counts is a breathtaking place to visit during your time in Ghent. It is located in the center of the city, so it is also a good indicator of where you are.It is pretty hard to get bored in this wonderfully interesting city. While you can see the main tourist attractions within a couple of days, this is a really fun place to explore for even longer!
Read more about things to do in Ghent.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The capital city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is another medieval marvel nestled in Eastern Europe. You cannot cross the street here without finding something historic. Perhaps one of the best known things is the Dragon Bridge, which makes for awesome photos.
From all over Ljubljana, you can look up and see the castle sitting atop the mountain overlooking the city. If you are looking for a fun adventure, try walking up to the castle as opposed to taking the tram. It is quite steep, but the views are totally worth it. If you go to the city center, you can watch as the Christmas lights are turned on daily. There is always quite a display!
Good choices!
Thanks! Some of my favorites!
Two of these are still on my list. Ceske B. and Tallinn. Thanks for the great photos to entice me to cross them off soon! 🙂
Awesome! They’re definitely super fun, you’ll love them!
Thanks for the suggestions, and for the very nice photos
Thanks for reading! Some of my favorite places for sure 🙂
I was in Tallinn back June 2005 for half a day. Wish it could have been longer as we only saw a fraction of what was there.We did a ferry trip from Helsinki where I was at a conference.
I actually went to Tallinn from Helsinki by ferry as well! If you get the chance to go back, it is definitely worth exploring! By getting a Tallinn City Card you can get into so many attractions for free. Definitely worth looking in to!
I would like to, but it’s probably going to be a while. I did something similar in Helsinki as they had a card that let me get in a number of places for free. I have a photo of me at the Castle in Tallinn. You can’t tell as the photo is showing more of the city than the castle.
I thought about joking with the border guard when we landed at Tallinn until I saw the guard. She looked like someone without a sense of humor and I didn’t want to explore the inside of the local jail.
I made the mistake of converting my Euros to Estonian money, then back. They offered better deals if you used Euros back then.
They all look beautiful!!
They’re all amazing in their own ways!
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