The first time I traveled to Europe was during the winter months, several years ago.
By the end of my six weeks there, I'd pretty much decided that winter was just about the only time I'd want to visit the continent. There weren't nearly as many crowds as I'd feared, I adored the Christmas markets, and was able to keep to my tight student budget.
Fast-forward several years, and I've been lucky to both live and travel in Europe through all four seasons. Yet, winter remains at the top of my list as the best time of the year to step foot onto the continent.
Here are a few reasons why I prefer to travel through Europe during winter. Hopefully, you'll agree.
1. It's cheaper
As winter is not peak season, you can easily save money on traveling to the places that you have a deep burning desire to visit.
Flights and accommodation are cheaper during the colder months. I once flew from London to Oslo in December for around $30 roundtrip.
If you're at a loss of where precisely to travel to but want to get to Europe regardless, Skyscanner's Everywhere option is a good place to start.
2. There are fewer crowds to battle
Anyone who has traveled through Europe during the summer can attest to the surge in the crowds and people.
It's your first time in Paris, and you want to climb the Eiffel Tour? Well, enjoy your time queueing for the hours it will take to make it to the top.
Most people save their holiday for the summer for various reasons. They prefer the weather; it's the only time of the year when they can take leave, or they wish to travel with their family.
If you're a traveler with a job that allows you to venture off when you want, particularly without kids, then you're far better off jetting over to Europe in the winter months.
On the downside – some places close up shop during the colder seasons.
This happened to me when I traveled to the North-East of England to see the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, only to find it closed for December and January. It was over seven years ago, but I'm still spitting.
All I can say is avoid disappointment by checking ahead.
3. It helps counteract the winter blues
I got smacked in the face with Seasonal Affective Disorder when I first moved to the UK. It wasn't pleasant.
When winter next rolled round, I'd clued up a bit more. I avoided the winter blues by traveling extensively to places like Iceland and Oslo, which are all the prettier at that time of the year.
4. The entire continent becomes even more picturesque
While there is no denying that Europe looks as stunning in the summer, it's a part of the world that lends itself to the winter months.
Gothic architecture. Snow capped trees. Castles. CASTLES IN THE SNOW. It doesn't get more European than that.
As someone who is not a fan of oppressive heat, the wintertime weather is a big plus when traveling. Although it is appropriately chilly in some parts of the continent, others become quite manageable temperature wise.
I find countries like Spain, Portugal, and Greece sometimes a little too hot in the summer (as well as crowded – please refer to point number two). Winter weather is perfect for wandering around on foot.
It does depend on your personal preferences when traveling. If you're all about the beach, then summertime is for you.
On the flip side, if you prefer exploring cities, places like Athens have just about everything you could ask for, such as good food, great museums, and ancient historical sites. These are aspects that can be enjoyed all year around but lend themselves more to winter weather.
5. Christmas Markets
Perhaps the best perk of travel in winter is the Christmas Markets! No other continent does Christmas quite like Europe, and the December festivities can certainly attest to that fact.
Grab a sausage, order a steaming hot cup of glühwein and peruse the markets across Germany, the UK, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Norway – you name the European country, and it's guaranteed that there'll be some market on.
If it were anywhere else in the world, they'd just seem tacky. In Europe, they work.
Nothing else will get you in the mood for the holiday season than a European Christmas Market; I can assure you of that.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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I love traveling in Europe in the winter months for exactly these same reasons. I’ve been lucky to go to Paris, Italy, and Germany at different years all in the Winter and each trip was amazing.
It really is special in the winter. My friends in London are posting all sorts of photos of mulled wine and ice skating to their social media feeds and I’m admittedly feeling a bit FOMO over it all, as I sit in the sweltering Australian heat!
For me, the best European cities are Madrid and Paris, albeit I’m more leaning for the former since I live in this city. Madrid is a traveler’s paradise because it is filled with beautiful and stunning sites and attractions, such as monuments, parks and gardens, museums, gateways, and even Roman aqueducts. Equally beautiful pueblos are just nearby, waiting to be explored. Madrid is simply a spectacular European capital.
I love Madrid too. Spain is just a joy to travel through. Thanks for your comment!
I agree completely… Winters are best in Europe!! I just love visiting Paris during this season.
Nothing like rugging up and wandering the streets of a European city with a hot choc (or mulled wine!) in hand!