Winter holidays in Europe can be very different. In the north, in Santa’s residence in Lapland, in the gloomy mountains of Romania or in Greece, where the oranges bloom and the sun shines. We will tell you about the most interesting cities in Europe where you should go this winter.
1. Rovaniemi in the province of Lapland, Finland
Rovaniemi is the best city to get into the New Year spirit, as it is the official capital of Santa Claus. In the caves of Mount Korvatunturi there are Santa’s workshops, a post office and an amusement park for children called Santa Park. Rovaniemi is also a famous winter sports resort called Ounasvaara, where people go skiing, sledding, snowboarding and even reindeer sledding. In the suburbs of Rovaniemi there is the Ranua Zoo with polar bears, reindeer, lynxes, wild boars and wolverines.
2. Athens, Greece
Winter Athens – great weather (+19 in December and +15 in January), low prices, Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus and the Athenian agora without hours-long queues and heat. Winter is the best time to study the ancient heritage of a country and its culture. In the vicinity of Athens, we recommend visiting the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion and Corinth.
Tours from locals in Athens
3. Copenhagen, Denmark
In winter, life in the city is in full swing – tourists have been coming to the Tivoli amusement park in the city center, the third most popular in Europe, since 1843. Tourist boats sail along the snow-covered canals, Christmas themed tours are held at the castles of Rosenborg, Frederiksborg and Kronborg, and shops delight with winter sales.
4. Budapest, Hungary
Winter Budapest means huge Christmas markets, organ concerts in St. Stephen’s Basilica, a large skating rink next to Vajdahunyad Castle and dozens of thermal baths, famous throughout the world. And in winter, the “Winter Budapest” promotion is held, within which hotels, baths and tourist sites offer discounts.
Tours from locals in Budapest
5. Venice, Italy
Venice is beautiful all year round, but it is in winter, in February, that the famous carnival is held in the city and the city is filled with thousands of people in costumes and masks, costume balls and masquerades are held in ancient palazzos, musicians play on their faces and magicians and acrobats give performances.
6. Brasov and Sighisoara in Transylvania, Romania
Brasov is a charming medieval city with Gothic churches, a medieval town hall, and art and history museums. 12 kilometers from the city is the best ski resort in Romania, Poiana Brasov, 15 kilometers away is the fortress of the Teutonic Knights of Rasnov, and 30 kilometers away is Bran Castle, better known as the castle of Count Dracula.
Sighisoara is one of Romania’s most picturesque medieval towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 12th-century citadel, a Gothic-style monastery, a museum of medieval weapons and the house of Vlad the Impaler.
7. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is known for its masterpieces of Gothic architecture, museums, including a chocolate museum, and beautiful canals, thanks to which it is called the “Venice of the North.” And from November 19 to January 8, the city hosts the International Festival of Snow and Ice Sculptures. Belgium is the only country in Western Europe where such a festival takes place. Due to the warm weather and rains in winter, it is held in a huge insulated ball where hundreds of sculptures are displayed.
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