Colder weather might have you dreaming of a beach escape, but winter is Europe’s hidden-gem season. Many European cities go all-out for the holidays, and the magic doesn’t disappear once the decorations come down.
From January through March, you’ll still find plenty of spots worth visiting — without the summer crowds. And, since it’s low season in many places, you can often find great deals on flights and hotels.
Whether you want to ski, chase the northern lights, hide away in cozy cafes or brave the outdoors, these destinations are packed with winter charm.
The Dolomites
Nestled in Italy’s extreme northeastern corner on the Austrian border, the Dolomites are popular for skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
You can take in beautiful Alpine architecture while dining on culinary specialties like fondue and apple strudel. The region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, which means you’re just as likely to spot German influences as you are Italian ones.
Avid skiers can buy a Dolomiti Superski pass to access 12 ski resorts with 745 miles of slopes and 450 lifts. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, is a good base (and will host the Winter Olympics Feb. 6-22, 2026), but there are also many ski-in, ski-out hotels and spa resorts in the mountains.
Where to stay: Forestis is a sleek, modern hotel that combines pine-and-glass towers with a historic chalet built by the Habsburgs in 1912. The massive spa has an indoor-outdoor pool and saunas, and it offers activities like forest hikes and wyda (an ancient Celtic form of yoga). An adults-only Mr & Mrs Smith property, Forestis is bookable starting at $799 or 74,500 World of Hyatt points per night this winter.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Nearby St. Moritz may be more famous for its grand hotels and see-and-be-seen vibe, but the Swiss town of Gstaad is a lesser-known winter wonderland also worth visiting.
You can reach this small town in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps via a scenic train journey from Zurich. When in Gstaad, visiting a cheese cellar and sampling fondue are musts. The town is also home to various upscale boutiques and galleries, including an outpost of the famed contemporary gallery Gagosian.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Where to stay: A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Gstaad Palace rises like a castle above the town. Inside, it features luxurious rooms, one of the only nightclubs in town, a fantastic spa and four restaurants, including one in a bunker where Swiss banks hid their gold during World War II. Rates start at $1,317 per night, and you can book on some credit card portals, including Chase Travel.
Related: Chase Points Boost: Get maximum value for your points on Chase Travel
Iceland
Where else can you see a snowcapped volcano but the Land of Fire and Ice? You’ll also be treated to frozen waterfalls, geysers bursting out of snow-covered ground and (hopefully) the northern lights. After a day of exploring ice caves or hiking glaciers, warm up in one of Iceland’s famous hot springs.
The days may be short in winter, but the fun doesn’t end when the sun sets. Longer nights mean more time to experience Reyjavik’s nightlife, the Dark Music Days festival in January or the Winter Lights Festival in February.
Where to stay: The Ion Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir is a modern boutique property set against the rugged backdrop of Selfoss in southern Iceland, with design elements incorporating locally salvaged driftwood and lava. Its location in the center of the Golden Circle makes it an ideal base for exploring some of Iceland’s top outdoor attractions. Rates start at $349 or 62,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Copenhagen
Is it any surprise that the home of hygge is a wonderful winter destination?
Danes have mastered the art of coziness, with warmth-giving decor like candles and throw blankets. Copenhagen is a cool, stylish city with an internationally renowned food scene if you’re looking to feast through the cold.
Both kids and adults will love the rides and games at Tivoli, the historic amusement park right in the city center that dresses up for the holidays. There are plenty of art and design museums to retreat to when it’s too cold to stay outside.
Where to stay: The Darling offers boutique apartments dripping with Danish style in Old Town’s shopping district. Rates start at around $600 or 60,750 Hyatt points per night.
Related: How to get to Denmark with credit card points and airline miles
Vienna
Did you know that the snow globe was invented in Vienna? Google “photos of Vienna in the snow,” and it’s easy to understand why.
Vienna fully embraces the holiday season and is famous for its varied Christmas markets. They pop up all over the city and sell handmade ornaments, gifts, local snacks, and mulled wine or punch. Some of the most atmospheric markets have palaces like Schonbrunn and Belvedere as their backdrops. You can also attend concerts in churches and concert halls around the city.
Where to stay: Housed in a former bank, the Park Hyatt Vienna offers not only luxurious accommodations but also excellent value for your points. You can book a stay for $681 or just 25,000 Hyatt points per night this winter — giving you an impressive value of 2.7 cents per point.
Champagne, France
What could be more romantic than sipping Champagne with your significant other in Champagne?
During winter, the storied wineries in France’s Champagne region take on an enchanting air. Plus, the hotels and restaurants offer special menus. When in Champagne, be sure to spend time exploring Reims, and visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims to see the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. The high-speed train will get you from Paris to Reims in about 45 minutes, but you might want to rent a car to get around the countryside.
Where to stay: Situated across the street from the cathedral, La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa boasts stunning views, a central location and reasonable prices. Rooms here start as low as $254 or 39,000 Marriott points per night.
Edinburgh
Winter is the perfect time of year to visit Edinburgh and hole up in a cozy pub with a hot toddy. Or, for something a little more energetic, you can get in on several lively winter celebrations.
In addition to Christmas festivities, Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay, an end-of-year holiday with Viking origins. It has become a massive New Year’s Eve party, typically lasting a few days, with a torchlight procession and live musical performances in Princes Street Gardens. There’s also a big celebration on Burns Night, Jan. 25, in honor of Scotland’s national bard.
Where to stay: Conveniently located on Princes Street, The Caledonian, Edinburgh (from $202 or 58,000 Hilton Honors points per night) and Hotel Indigo Edinburgh – Princes Street (from $137 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards points per night) are ideal for exploring both Old Town and New Town.
Swedish Lapland
If you really want to get into the winter spirit, consider making the unforgettable journey to Swedish Lapland, the Arctic part of the country.
From September through March, this is one of the world’s best places to see the northern lights. Fluffy snow blankets the area, and you can sample the Arctic lifestyle with activities like snowmobiling, dogsledding and reindeer racing.
Where to stay: One of the few points hotels in this part of the country is Arctic Bath, a wilderness escape on the edge of the Lule River (some of the modern cabins actually float on the water) that will immerse you in Lapland’s breathtaking scenery. Winter rates start at $922 or 150,000 points per night, making this a great property to maximize your Hilton free night certificate.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Going to Finland in winter feels like stepping into a snow globe. In Lapland, you can visit Santa at his official village (yes, the Santa Claus), take a reindeer sleigh ride or race through the forest on a dogsled. “Picture perfect” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch the northern lights painting the sky above. Don’t leave without experiencing a proper Finnish sauna followed by a refreshing (and shocking) roll in the snow.
Where to stay: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi lets you experience this winter wonderland from inside a luxurious glass igloo. Set in the heart of Santa Claus Village, these igloos will give you a front-row seat to the stunning northern lights, all from the warmth of your bed. Rates start at $1,018 per night, and it’s available on some credit card portals, including Capital One Travel.
Related: Best hotels to see the northern lights
Budapest
The capital of Hungary feels extra romantic in winter, whether you’re strolling past snow-dusted architectural wonders like Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Stephen’s Basilica or taking a candlelit dinner cruise along the Danube. When you’re ready to warm up, there are plenty of museums, historical sites and other indoor activities to choose from — not to mention the city’s famous thermal baths.
Don’t miss skating at City Park Ice Rink, one of Europe’s largest and oldest rinks, at the base of the picturesque Vajdahunyad Castle.
Where to stay: Another plus of visiting Budapest in winter? Thinner crowds and cheaper accommodations. For example, you can stay at the gorgeous Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, once a 19th-century luxury shopping arcade, starting at $251 or 17,000 Hyatt points per night.
Disko Bay, Greenland
The cold may bite, but Greenland’s winter magic runs deep. Head to Ilulissat, where you can hop on a boat and glide past jaw-dropping icebergs in Disko Bay. Or, if you’re feeling brave, try dogsledding with a local guide — the best way to see Greenland’s pristine wilderness.
Nearby Kangerlussuaq is where you’ll want to be for prime northern lights viewing. Afterward, warm up with some local musk ox stew.
Where to stay: You won’t find many points hotels in this part of the world, but the remoteness is part of the appeal. Consider the Best Western Plus Hotel Ilulissat, where nightly rates start as low as $133 or 24,000 Best Western Rewards points.
Related: United Airlines will return to Greenland in 2026
Norway
Winter in Norway is all about slowing down, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery and sipping glogg at a festive Christmas market. Start in Tromso, one of the country’s go-to spots for catching the northern lights. The area is also great for whale watching or taking a snowmobile ride.
If you’re into skiing, Hemsedal and Trysil offer great slopes without the crowds. For a more laid-back vacation, check out the Lofoten islands and cozy up in a cabin overlooking dramatic snow-covered fjords.
Where to stay: Choice Privileges offers a handful of hotels in Tromso, including Clarion Hotel The Edge, bookable from $337 or 35,000 Choice points per night.
Related: Choice Privileges announces positive changes to its loyalty program
Ireland
Ireland may not be all snow and ice in winter, but it’s loaded with atmosphere. Dublin goes all-out during the holidays with twinkling lights, Christmas markets and warm, inviting pubs where you can grab a pint of Guinness by the fire.
Over on the West Coast, the Cliffs of Moher are raw, windswept and stunning without the summer crowds. The weather is generally mild enough for a winter hike through Connemara’s rugged landscape, or you could tour a centuries-old castle like Blarney or Kilkenny.
Don’t leave without tucking into some hearty Irish stew in a cozy countryside pub — it’s the perfect winter warmer.
Where to stay: Staying at Ashford Castle (in Cong, County Mayo) in winter is like stepping into a fairy tale. The 800-year-old castle, draped in frost with its roaring fires and cozy corners, is the epitome of magical. Outside, the sprawling estate is perfect for a winter stroll, or you can try your hand at falconry or horseback riding. Rates start at $573 per night, and it’s available on Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Bottom line
Europe isn’t just a destination reserved for summer travel. If you’re looking for a wintry getaway during the holidays or in early 2026, there’s much to discover, whether you pine for mountainous hideaways or a snowy city break.
Related reading:
