10 Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter 2026–2027

Euronews Travel has picked ten European destinations for winter 2026–2027, from the slopes of Zermatt to the thermal baths of Budapest. Learn more about what each place offers in winter, the weather, the dates of markets and events and the best time to go

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Euronews Travel has published a selection of ten European winter destinations for 2026–2027, each matched to a different kind of traveller: skiers, walkers, Christmas market lovers, sun seekers and those hoping to see the northern lights. The Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported the list on 5 November 2026.

The list opens with a Swiss ski resort, but the Euronews article does not present the order as a strict ranking. Below is what each destination offers in winter, what the weather is like and when to go.

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Which are the best winter destinations in Europe for 2026–2027?

The Euronews Travel selection, as reported by UNIAN:

• Zermatt — skiing and mountain views;
• Seefeld — winter walks and snowy landscapes;
• Strasbourg — Christmas atmosphere;
• Andalusia — winter sun;
• Abisko — northern lights;
• Madeira — waterfalls and lush forests;
• Bruges — chocolate and canals;
• Athens — ancient temples without crowds;
• Budapest — thermal waters;
• Vienna — music.

Zermatt: where to ski all year

Zermatt, in the German-speaking part of Valais in Switzerland, topped Trip.com's ranking of Europe's 50 best ski resorts this year, according to Euronews. The linked Swiss-Italian ski area offers up to 360 km of pistes, and lifts climb to the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 m, where skiing is possible year-round.

The Glacier Express from St. Moritz reaches Zermatt in about 8 hours over 291 km and is promoted as the "slowest express train in the world".

Seefeld: winter walks in the Tyrolean Alps

Seefeld lies in Tyrol, Austria, about 25 km northwest of Innsbruck. The resort has 142 km of groomed winter hiking trails.

• The 100,000 Lights Path is a 1.8 km evening walk past light installations and the illuminated Seekirchl chapel.
• A multi-day winter hike covers about 65 km over five days and links five villages; walkers return to the same accommodation each night by public transport.

Strasbourg: the Capital of Christmas

Strasbourg in France has a UNESCO-listed historic centre and has held a Christmas market since 1570, with hundreds of stalls on the Grande Île. According to the official city website, the market runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026, with eight markets in the historic centre.

The large Christmas tree stands on Place Kléber. Local treats include bredeles, Alsatian Christmas biscuits, and vin chaud.

About the best Christmas markets in Europe in 2026 — read more at the link.

Andalusia: winter sun in the south of Spain

Andalusia in Spain has a Mediterranean coast and about 300 sunny days a year, Euronews notes. In winter the Alhambra in Granada sees fewer tourists, and Seville, where temperatures can reach 40°C in midsummer, is far more comfortable for sightseeing.

Abisko: when to see the northern lights

Abisko National Park in Sweden has some of the best aurora conditions in the world, according to the Swedish Lapland tourist board: it lies within the aurora oval and usually in a rain shadow, so clear nights are more frequent. The village is about 95–100 km from Kiruna.

• The tourist board names September to late March as the aurora season, with a snowy backdrop in December and January.
• Other sources give windows from late August to early April, October to March, or mid-November to mid-March for the best odds.
• One tour operator says February often brings the best balance of darkness, clear skies and bearable temperatures, and that tours sell out from late December to early March.

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Madeira: levada walks in a mild winter

Visit Madeira, the official tourist board of the Portugal island, says winter temperatures rarely drop below 15°C, which makes levada walks and viewpoints ideal. Other sources give daily highs of about 20–21°C in Funchal and a sea temperature of about 18°C.

Winter is the rainier season, especially in the north, and the mountains can be cold and windy. Rain, wind or fog can close trails temporarily; exposed cliff levadas such as Caldeirão Verde, 25 Fontes and Vereda do Larano may shut after heavy rain. Funchal hosts New Year's Eve fireworks.

Bruges: Winter Glow and Christmas markets

In Belgium, the Bruges Winter Glow runs from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 for the Christmas markets, while several sources say the wider festival continues until 14 February 2027.

• Two markets: on the Markt (Grote Markt) and on Simon Stevinplein; entry is free.
• A 3 km light trail with 10 installations.
• An ice rink and a winter bar.
• Saint Nicholas Day on 6 December.

Athens: ancient sites without crowds

December in Athens, Greece, usually brings 7–15°C, and icy days are rare, according to athenstourism.org. The Acropolis costs €30, with free entry on 6 and 20 December; winter hours are 08:00–17:00, last entry at 16:30.

The Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum close on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. The same site recommends roughly 7–23 December, when festive lights are up and sites keep normal hours; a Christmas tree stands on Syntagma Square and lights decorate Ermou street.

Budapest: which thermal baths are open in winter

The Gellért Baths in Hungary's capital closed for renovation on 1 October 2025 and are expected to reopen around 2028; the Király Baths are also closed. The Széchenyi, Rudas, Lukács, Veli Bej and Paskál baths remain open.

The outdoor pools of the Széchenyi Baths work year-round, with thermal water kept at 36–38°C. One guide lists hours of 7:00–20:00 Monday to Thursday, 7:00–22:00 on Friday and 8:00–20:00 at weekends, but other sources differ, so check before visiting.

Vienna: Christmas markets and the ball season

• Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt: 13 November – 26 December 2026, daily 10:00–22:00, closing at 18:30 on 24 December.
• Ice rink at the market: 13 November 2026 – 6 January 2027, closed on 31 December.
• Wiener Eistraum: 22 January – 7 March 2027.
• Schönbrunn Christmas market: 6 November 2026 – 6 January 2027.
• Philharmonic Ball: 21 January 2027; Opera Ball: 4 February 2027, black or white tie required.

About 450 balls are held in Vienna each season, according to one city guide.

Which winter destination suits whom?

• Skiers: Zermatt.
• Walkers: Seefeld, and Madeira for milder levada hikes.
• Christmas markets: Strasbourg, Bruges and Vienna.
• Winter sun: Andalusia and Madeira.
• Northern lights: Abisko.
• History and culture: Athens; music and balls: Vienna.
• Relaxation in hot water: Budapest.

About TripAdvisor's ranking of winter destinations in Europe for 2026–2027 — read more at the link.

What should travellers plan for now?

• Book Abisko aurora tours early for late December to early March.
• Check the weather before Madeira hikes, as trails may close.
• Plan Athens sightseeing around the 25–26 December and 1 January closures.
• In Budapest, choose an open bath: the Gellért and Király baths are closed.
• Check market dates: Vienna's Rathausplatz market ends on 26 December, Strasbourg's on 24 December.

A winter trip depends on dates, weather and opening hours. Get a Visit World Travel guide for your destination and plan every day of the holiday in advance.

We remind you! In our previous article, we wrote about the cheapest Christmas markets in Europe in 2026 and their prices.

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