Where to Go in Europe in Winter

Skye in winter is cold, wet, and dark, with daylight lasting only a few hours. The dramatic Cuillin mountains are often hidden by heavy clouds and thick mist. The main benefit of visiting now is the total lack of crowds. You can drive the narrow roads without meeting tour buses, and you will have the walking trails to yourself. Many local guesthouses, cafes, and museums close down for the season from November to March. You must plan your meals and accommodation well in advance.

The Amalfi Coast is famous for its steep cliffs and sea views. In winter, the summer crowds are gone, and you can easily find parking in towns that are normally gridlocked. However, the weather is often rainy and windy. The ferry services that connect the towns along the coast do not run as frequently, or they stop entirely due to rough seas. Most seaside hotels, beach clubs, and tourist shops close in October and do not reopen until April. The towns feel quiet, almost like ghost towns, which some people find lonely.

This museum sits along the Nervion River in northern Spain. The titanium building designed by Frank Gehry is a major architectural draw, even in the grey winter light. Visiting in winter is ideal because you spend your time indoors looking at the art. The galleries are much quieter than in summer, allowing you to view the collection without being bumped by tour groups. Bilbao gets a lot of rain in the winter months. You will need an umbrella to walk between the museum and the old town, but the indoor temperature is perfectly controlled.

Lake Bled sits in the Julian Alps of northwestern Slovenia. In winter, the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, and the lake sometimes freezes over, creating a very quiet scene. The summer crowds are gone, meaning you can walk the path around the lake in peace. It is an easy trip from the capital city, Ljubljana, which is only 55 kilometers away. The main drawback is that the lake path can become very icy and slippery. Traditional wooden pletna boats still run to the island, but they operate less often in freezing weather.

This massive bridge spans the Tarn valley in southern France. Standing 343 meters high, it is a major engineering feat designed by Michel Virlogeux and Norman Foster. In winter, the valley below is often filled with thick fog. This can make the bridge look like it is floating in the clouds, which is great for photos from the viewing areas. However, high winds often sweep across the high deck during winter storms. High winds can lead to speed restrictions or temporary closures for high sided vehicles.

The iron tower on the Champ de Mars is the symbol of Paris. Winter brings shorter lines at the ticket booths and fewer people crowding the viewing platforms. The top level of the tower gets incredibly cold and windy in December and January. You will need heavy winter clothing to stand outside and look at the city grid below. Rain and mist are common in Parisian winters. This weather can severely limit how far you can see from the upper decks, sometimes blocking the view of major city landmarks.

Madeira is an island group located in the Atlantic Ocean, far southwest of mainland Portugal. Because of its southern position, it offers much warmer winter weather than continental Europe. Winter is a popular time for hikers who want to walk the historic irrigation channels, known as levadas. Temperatures are comfortable for walking, usually staying around 16 degrees Celsius. While it is warmer than the mainland, winter is still the wettest season here. Heavy rain can cause mudslides on the mountain trails, so you must check trail conditions before setting out.

This deep, glacier formed lake in northern Italy is shaped like a capital Y. In winter, the snow capped Alps provide a dramatic backdrop to the dark water. The summer crowds of ferry passengers and luxury tourists disappear completely. You can walk through towns like Bellagio or Varenna without pushing through crowds. The reality is that Lake Como is very quiet in winter, almost sleepy. Many of the famous historic villas close their gardens to visitors, and ferry schedules are heavily reduced.

Lisbon sits on the northern bank of the Tagus River near the Atlantic coast. It is one of the warmest capital cities in Europe during the winter months. You can explore the steep streets of the old districts with much less sweat than in the intense summer heat. The historic yellow trams are also less crowded, making it easier to get a seat. Rain is still a regular occurrence in winter, and the steep cobblestone streets become very slippery when wet. You will need shoes with excellent grip to walk safely.

The ancient citadel of Athens stands on a flat rock high above the modern city. In winter, the intense heat that bakes the stone ruins in summer is replaced by cool air. You can walk up the marble steps to the Parthenon without the crushing crowds of cruise ship passengers. Admission prices are also often reduced during the winter off season. Winter weather in Athens can be unpredictable, bringing cold winds, rain, or even rare snow flurries. The ancient marble walkways become exceptionally slippery when wet, requiring careful steps.