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Everyone dreams of Paris in December or sipping mulled wine in Prague’s old town, but winter in Europe doesn’t have to follow the usual script. The continent is full of underrated gems that offer the same charm, atmosphere, and wintry magic without the queues and sky-high prices.
This list is for travellers who want to experience Europe in winter with a twist. From romantic riverside cities to snowy medieval towns, these alternative destinations deliver big on beauty, culture, and Christmas cheer. Whether you’re building your Europe trip itinerary or just looking to escape somewhere quieter, here’s where to go instead.
1. Instead of Paris: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Paris in December is iconic, but if you’re after that same romantic winter aesthetic with fewer crowds and better prices, Ljubljana is a brilliant alternative. This small Slovenian capital has cobbled lanes, pastel buildings, riverside cafés, and a fairytale castle that lights up at night. Add snowflakes and Christmas lights, and you’ve got one of the best places in Europe in winter for a peaceful city break.
The whole town comes alive during Advent, also known as Festive December, with stalls lining the Ljubljanica River and local musicians playing under the lights. The vibe is friendly and unpretentious, and everything is within walking distance. It’s an easy place to slow down, bundle up in your warm winter outfits, and just wander.
While there’s no Eiffel Tower, the bridges and river views are just as romantic. You can also take a day trip to Lake Bled or the Julian Alps if you’re craving snow-dusted mountains and winter scenery. Ljubljana really nails that under-the-radar charm that makes winter travel in Europe feel like a discovery.
2. Instead of Vienna: Graz, Austria
Vienna is all grand palaces, operas, and glittering Christmas markets, but if you’re after that same mix of elegance and cosiness in a smaller, quieter setting, Graz is the perfect swap. It’s Austria’s second city, but it feels more like a well-kept secret: rich in history, wrapped in Baroque beauty, and incredibly atmospheric in winter.
The historic old town is UNESCO-listed and full of beautiful corners to explore. The Schlossberg hill offers sweeping snowy views over red-tiled rooftops, and the Advent markets, spread out over several central squares, feel more intimate and local than Vienna’s bigger crowds. You’ll still get your mulled wine, gingerbread, and glowing Christmas trees, just with a little more breathing room.
Graz is also known for its excellent food scene and laid-back café culture, perfect if you’re planning a Europe winter trip that combines old-world charm with a more relaxed pace. It’s one of the best places in Europe in winter if you love Vienna’s vibe but want something a little softer around the edges.
3. Instead of Prague: Sibiu, Romania
Prague is beautiful in winter, no doubt, but also crowded, pricey, and a bit overdone. Sibiu in Romania gives you the same pastel townhouses, Gothic towers, and festive market scene, but with far fewer tourists. The old town is perfectly preserved, with eyes painted on the rooftops and winding streets that look straight out of a Brothers Grimm story.
The Christmas market in Piața Mare is one of the best in Eastern Europe. Think traditional crafts, local treats, and live performances backed by snow-covered mountain views. You’ll find great food, kind prices, and a slower pace that makes it easy to enjoy every moment.
If you’re planning a Europe trip itinerary in winter and want that storybook atmosphere without the Instagram queues, Sibiu is the place. It’s also close to the Transfăgărășan Highway and the Carpathians if you’re craving a dose of natural beauty.
4. Instead of Strasbourg: Colmar, France
Strasbourg is famous for having one of the oldest and biggest Christmas markets in Europe, but it’s also famously crowded. If you want that same festive feeling in a smaller, prettier, and much more relaxed setting, Colmar is the move. This Alsatian gem looks like something out of a fairy tale, with timber-framed houses, cobbled lanes, and canals winding through the old town.
In winter, Colmar transforms into five themed mini-villages, each with its own Christmas market. There are twinkling lights, hand-carved ornaments, and warm spiced wine at every corner, but without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds you’ll find in Strasbourg. It’s one of the most enchanting European holiday destinations if you’re after atmosphere and charm without the chaos.
The best part? It still has that blend of French and German culture, just like Strasbourg, but in a town that’s easy to explore on foot. For travellers looking for where to go in Europe in winter that feels intimate and magical, Colmar is hard to beat.
5. Instead of Rome: Valletta, Malta
Rome in winter is less crowded than in summer, but still busy. If you’re after warm weather and grand old buildings without the chaos, Valletta is a brilliant alternative. This sun-soaked capital is packed with baroque architecture, historic sites, and seafront views, and it’s compact enough to explore on foot in a couple of days.
Temperatures hover around 15°C in January, perfect for walking the fortified walls, ducking into ancient cathedrals, and sipping coffee with a view of the Grand Harbour. The city still feels festive after New Year’s, with lights, decorations, and traditional Maltese celebrations in full swing.
It’s one of the best places in Europe in winter if you’re chasing daylight and culture. Valletta offers a rare blend of winter sun and history, making it ideal for anyone planning a more relaxed European winter holiday.
6. Instead of Venice: Annecy, France
Venice in February can feel a bit overrun with Carnival crowds, even if the misty canals are magical. Annecy offers a quieter, more natural alternative with its own dreamy canals, cobbled lanes, and pastel façades. The town is nestled between snow-dusted mountains and a shimmering lake, giving you both alpine beauty and historic charm.
It’s incredibly romantic in winter. The streets are calm, cafés are cosy, and the old town’s tiny bridges and flower-decked balconies look even more storybook-like when there’s a dusting of snow. Take a walk around Lake Annecy’s edge, rent a rowboat if the weather’s mild, or cosy up with raclette and wine in a candlelit bistro.
For couples looking for a Valentine’s escape with serious winter aesthetic but none of the Venice chaos, Annecy is one of the best European cities to visit in winter. It’s a hidden gem for a romantic Europe winter holiday.
7. Instead of Bruges: Ghent, Belgium
Bruges is beautiful, but it can feel like a museum in winter, gorgeous but packed with day-trippers. Ghent offers similar medieval canals, gabled buildings, and cosy cafés, but with more local energy and fewer tourist crowds. It’s a university city with a creative pulse and a festive glow that feels more real than rehearsed.
In December, Ghent lights up for the Winter Festivities, with a sprawling Christmas market, light displays, ice skating, and mulled wine stands tucked around Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. You can explore the old town, visit the Gravensteen Castle, and still find space to breathe, even on a Saturday.
If you love the vibe of Bruges but want something less polished and more personal, Ghent is one of the best places in Europe in winter for atmosphere, history, and festive charm without the selfie-stick chaos.
8. Instead of Amsterdam: Haarlem, Netherlands
Amsterdam in winter can be magical, but also packed. Haarlem is just down the tracks and offers all the charm of canal life, historic buildings, and stroopwafels, minus the tourist overload. The old town glows with fairy lights in December, and there’s even an ice rink in the central square.
You still get Dutch architecture, bike culture, and cosy brown cafés, but with more breathing room. The Christmas market around the Grote Markt is low-key but lovely, and you can browse boutique shops and art galleries without elbowing your way through crowds.
If you’re looking for where to go in Europe in winter that feels both authentic and festive, Haarlem is a hidden gem. It’s a great addition to your Europe trip itinerary if you want that Amsterdam vibe without the chaos.
9. Instead of Budapest: Pécs, Hungary
Budapest is known for its thermal baths, river views, and atmospheric winter scenes, but Pécs offers a quieter alternative with the same steamy appeal. This southern Hungarian town has Roman ruins, Ottoman architecture, and a thriving arts scene. It’s a mix of East-meets-West with fewer tour groups and more time to breathe.
The Christmas market in Széchenyi Square is intimate and colourful, and the nearby Zsolnay Cultural Quarter adds a creative edge. There’s also a wellness centre with thermal pools to rival the famous Budapest baths, without the queues or selfie sticks.
Pécs is ideal if you’re planning a European winter holiday and want something different without losing that mix of culture, relaxation, and winter magic. It’s a great stop for backpacking Europe or building a unique winter itinerary.
10. Instead of Florence: Lecce, Italy
Florence in winter is beautiful, but if you’re craving that same artistic charm with milder weather and fewer tourists, head south to Lecce. Known as the “Florence of the South,” this gem in Puglia is packed with Baroque architecture, cobbled lanes, and elegant piazzas that glow under the winter sun. The golden stone buildings are especially beautiful in the low light of January.
While you won’t find snow, Lecce still feels festive in winter. The locals celebrate the Epiphany and Sant’Oronzo with lights, markets, and religious parades. It’s a great spot for slow travel: wander the historic centre, sip a caffè leccese, and enjoy the relaxed pace of life in southern Italy.
For those seeking European holiday destinations that blend culture, warmth, and quiet streets, Lecce is a perfect alternative to busier northern cities.
11. Instead of Salzburg: Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
Salzburg is a classic winter destination, but Český Krumlov delivers the same fairytale feel with fewer people and a gentler pace. This tiny town in southern Bohemia is full of winding streets, a castle perched above the Vltava River, and pastel houses that look like they’ve come straight from a painting. In winter, it’s even more magical under a layer of snow.
The town feels intimate and serene in January. You can explore the castle grounds, visit cosy cafés tucked into historic buildings, or take a frosty riverside walk with barely another tourist in sight. The winter aesthetic here is strong, think lantern-lit evenings and chimney smoke curling through the rooftops.
If you love the idea of winter in Europe with fairytale charm but want something quieter than Salzburg, Český Krumlov is a dreamy pick that belongs on your Europe trip itinerary.
12. Instead of London: Manchester, England
London at Christmas time is iconic, but it’s also intense – especially in winter. If you’re after that city buzz without the high prices and tourist crush, Manchester is a solid alternative. It’s a major UK city with a legendary music scene, top-tier museums, and one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. You still get twinkly lights, shopping, and culture, but with way more breathing room.
The festive market sprawls across several city squares and has a more local feel than London’s big commercial events. There’s also plenty of shelter from the cold: warm pubs, indie galleries, vintage shops, and seriously good restaurants. The Northern Quarter especially feels like East London’s cooler, scruffier cousin.
For anyone planning a European winter holiday and looking for something big-city without the usual suspects, Manchester is a great pick. It’s affordable, full of character, and ideal if you want that winter in Europe vibe with a modern edge.
13. Instead of Verona: Lucca, Italy
Verona might be the city of Juliet’s balcony, but Lucca is where romance happens in real life. Tucked into the Tuscan hills, this walled Renaissance city is full of cobbled streets, ivy-draped façades, and elegant piazzas, without the selfie crowds or staged love stories. In February, it’s quiet, crisp, and perfect for couples wanting something slower and more soulful.
The old city walls are the real highlight here: a 4km tree-lined path perfect for slow walks or bike rides, even in winter. Inside the walls, the streets are candlelit in the evenings and lined with cosy trattorias serving local wine and hearty Lucchese dishes. You’ll find art, history, and architecture everywhere, but with a softness that feels intimate, not showy.
Lucca is a wonderful winter destination in Europe for couples who want romance without the clichés. It’s ideal for Valentine’s Day or a mid-February escape when all you want is good food, beautiful light, and time to just be together.
14. Instead of Tallinn: Vilnius, Lithuania
Tallinn is gorgeous in winter, with its fairytale spires and cosy Christmas markets, but it can also feel a little overrun, especially during festive season or cruise stopovers. Vilnius offers much of the same Baltic beauty, but with more space to breathe and a slightly more eclectic feel. Its old town is one of the largest in Europe and looks stunning under a layer of snow, especially in January when the city is quiet and serene.
Beyond its charming streets, Vilnius has a creative streak that sets it apart. The quirky district of Užupis, which declared itself an independent republic, adds a fun and bohemian edge to a winter visit. You’ll also find beautifully decorated churches, art galleries, and cafés where you can warm up with mulled wine or hot chocolate. And with prices lower than in Tallinn, it’s a great pick for backpacking Europe in winter without sacrificing the vibe.
Vilnius is one of the best European cities to visit in winter if you’re after atmosphere, authenticity, and a break from the usual tourist trail. It’s a snow-dusted gem that feels both romantic and real, perfect for a Europe winter itinerary with a twist.
Looking for more winter travel inspo? Check out these top posts…
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