As more of us opt for ‘low season’ escapes, there’s a growing sense that winter can be one of the best times to explore Europe, and enjoy some unique experiences into the bargain.
Rob Perkins is a writer at Responsible Travel.
“It sometimes rains in summer, too.” That was my rationale, the first time I booked a trip to Europe in winter. Surely walking in northern Portugal in February was asking for trouble?
As it turned out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. We had the trails in Peneda-Geres National Park almost to ourselves. When we stopped at restaurants to eat, there was always a table immediately available and it was quiet enough that the owners would welcome us in personally. Sometimes they’d even sit down for a chat over a glass of wine.
Ever since, I’ve been a passionate advocate for winter holidays to Europe, and I’m far from alone. Research shows that the market for winter tourism in Europe is on course to almost double by 2035. And though winter brings unpredictable weather, as well as shorter days, if you get lucky and catch a week of sunny, crisp days, it can be glorious.
Another reason to recommend travelling in winter is that you can find good deals on flights and accommodation. True, some restaurants and activities do close over the winter months, but those that are still open can benefit significantly from the extra trade.
And in winter, visitor numbers drop off sharply, slashing the queues at even the most popular landmarks. But there are many more unusual and interesting things to do in Europe than just city sightseeing.
Winter festivals
Many thrilling winter festivals across Europe offer fascinating insights into traditional culture. Up Helly Aa is a community-run fire festival in Scotland’s Shetland Isles that marks the end of Yuletide. It culminates with a torchlit procession and the burning of a replica Viking barge.
In Bulgaria, Surva is a three-day masquerade festival held in late January, rooted in pagan tradition. You can join thousands of participants in masks and costumes as they gather to chase away evil spirits. And later in winter, lively Carnival celebrations warm up many parts of Europe, including Spain and France.
Thrilling wildlife encounters
You’ll need to wrap up warm, but winter is a wonderful time for wildlife watching in Europe. In Norway, you can see whales hunting migrating herring.
“Most days, we were surrounded by orcas and humpback whales against a backdrop of vast, dramatic, snow-covered mountains,” Terje Andre Pedersen from Arctic Ocean Lodge said of his experiences in Tromso.
“Then, when the early afternoon sunsets arrived, the Northern Lights created unforgettable evenings.”
Meanwhile, in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park and beyond, expert guides lead you from pine forests to mountains to coast. You might catch sight of red squirrels, pine martens, free-roaming reindeer, and perhaps even a seal or two, framed against the snowy scenery.
And snow, of course, makes it easier to track wolves in France, where the expert guides of tour operator Undiscovered Mountains lead you into remote alpine regions in search of these fascinating and elusive predators.
Wintery dips
If you’re new to winter swimming, taking the first plunge requires courage. But the rewards make it more than worth the chill. Destinations such as the magnificent lakes of Slovenia, where gentle dips are complemented by saunas, starlit walks through snowy pine forests and lashings of cheesecake, are even more beautiful under a winter sky.
“Cold-water swimming isn’t just about the swimming – it’s about discovering how alive you can feel in a place,” says Alice Todd, co-founder of SwimQuest.
“I think that’s why our winter trips are so powerful, they offer an experience that feels both adventurous and deeply grounding.”
Dramatic photography
Get the right light against the right landscape, and winter can be a stunning time of year for a photography holiday. Historic city scenes like the bridges of Venice and the spires of Prague can be wonderfully atmospheric when framed against moody skies. And also, of course, in winter, you won’t have dozens of people crowding every shot.
Natural landscapes, too, are captivatingly beautiful during winter. Think bearded vultures floating over the craggy peaks of the Spanish Pyrenees, encrusted with snow or steaming volcanic fissures and waterfalls in Iceland. With Finnish tour operator Wild Taiga, you can photograph wolverines from a hide and, at night, watch the Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic snows.
Wellness escapes
Winter is the time to focus on wellness. It helps stave off illness and boost energy levels during a season where dark evenings can leave us feeling low. There are plenty of recharging fitness breaks across European countries like France, Spain and Austria during winter, often combined with outdoor pursuits like walking or snowshoeing.
Other ways to work on your wellness include connecting with nature. The trees may have fewer leaves on their branches, but you can still enjoy the serenity of ‘forest bathing’ between November and March. And in the Swedish wilderness, companies like Wild Sweden help you connect with nature through meditation, wood-fired saunas and ice baths. What better way to welcome in the new year?
