Travel publishing company Lonely Planet has named the 13 best places in Europe to visit this winter for tourists planning holiday breaks.
Experts at the guide publisher recommended travelling during the low winter season of January and February. They noted that visiting in early winter allows tourists to explore major European locations without heavy crowd numbers.
Although cold weather affects most of the continent, Lonely Planet authors said winter in Europe offers travellers numerous options for a vacation. These range from viewing the Northern Lights across snowy Lapland landscapes to resting on sunny beaches in Fuerteventura.
Travel experts advise tourists to prepare for winter trips several months in advance, particularly when booking travel during peak holiday periods. Lonely Planet, founded as a travel guide publisher, produces destination advice for international travellers.
Top European Winter Destinations
The selection includes Cappadocia in Turkey for snowy views and underground exploration, alongside Fuerteventura in Spain's Canary Islands for winter beach holidays. Outdoor enthusiasts can visit Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, in Wales for winter sports, or head to Madeira in Portugal for outdoor activities in warm weather. In northern Spain, Bilbao was highlighted for its art and fresh food markets.
Fuerteventura lies off the northwestern coast of Africa, while Eryri contains the highest peak in Wales. Bilbao serves as a key cultural center in Spain's Basque Region, and Madeira operates as a subtropical Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Cultural Breaks and Off-Season Getaways
For culture and relaxation, experts selected the French Riviera in France for a glamorous off-season trip, and the Bavarian Alps in Germany for snow-covered castles. Santorini in Greece and Cinque Terre in Italy were named for quiet island and coastal trips without tourist crowds. Wine lovers were directed to Alentejo in Portugal, while food enthusiasts were pointed to Lyon in France.
The French Riviera covers the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France, while the Bavarian Alps run along Germany's southern border. Santorini forms part of the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea, and Cinque Terre comprises five historic villages along the Italian Riviera.
Budapest in Hungary was chosen for its hot springs and thermal bath complexes. Lapland in Finland rounded out the list as a prime destination for watching the aurora borealis.
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is famous for bathhouses fed by natural thermal springs. Lapland spans the Arctic Circle region of northern Finland, offering dark winter skies suitable for seeing the Northern Lights.
Autumn Travel Advice
The announcement follows autumn travel guidance published by news outlet UNIAN Tourism, which outlined seven seaside trip ideas for September and October. Experts identified early autumn as a prime period for beach trips due to moderate temperatures, smaller crowds, and reduced prices. Separately, travel platform Travel Off Path identified seven autumn destinations to avoid because of overcrowding, natural disasters, or temporary landmark closures.
