If, like me, you love embracing winter – spending the day exploring snowy landscapes and ending the day cosied up by a fireplace – or if you love getting emerged in the Christmas spirit, then Europe is the perfect location for your winter getaway in 2025.
With the European winter season lasting from December 21st, 2024, to March 20th, 2025, and an abundance of idyllic cities to choose from, it is the perfect time to discover a beautiful new city. Here are my top six recommendations for an unforgettable European winter getaway in 2025!
Gstaad – Switzerland
Gstaad is like a mini winter wonderland within the Swiss Alps! You can reach Gstaad via a 2-3 hour train journey from the major cities of Geneva, Basel, or Zurich, and is the perfect ski getaway for all winter sport lovers. However, there is a lot more to the town than just skiing.
During the winter months, temperatures in Gstaad range from 5°C and -3°C, with snow covering the surrounding mountains. The heaviest snow fall typically happens in January, enhancing the gorgeous atmosphere of the towns charming chalets and restaurants. A chilly walk around Gstaad is all you need to get into the Christmas spirit.
There are plenty of incredible winter hiking trails to go on, including the Wispile-Gsteig-Winterwanderweg track. You take the cable car to the Wispile mountain station and begin your journey through the surrounding white-capped mountains. This trail is 9 km long and will take you around 3 hours to complete, but you won’t be in a rush as you’re mesmerised by the views all around.
My personal favourite hike is the Gstaad-Bissen-Turbach hiking trail, taking you up to the Cheese Grotto fondue pots. Six giant fondue pots sit on the mountainside, and are big enough for you and seven others to sit inside and enjoy a local cheese fondue. I bet you never thought you’d be able to sit in a human-sized fondue pot, but it is definitely the best way to enjoy local cheeses right in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Incredible!
One of the most classic – and also thrilling – activities to partake in during your time in Gstaad is tobogganing. You’ll find a range of toboggan runs through the mountains, lasting from ten minutes to two hours and promising fun whether you’re travelling solo or as a group. This is a great way to enjoy the snowy landscape, with impressive views of the valley below. Between 11th January and 15th February 2025, following a fondue party, you can race down the runs at night and see the valley lit up in the night sky, I think it’s a unique and most-do activity.
A horse-drawn sleigh ride is the most dreamy way of travelling through the snow. The 45 minute ride takes you through the peaceful snowy landscape in a completely new way. It is the most romantic and intimate experience – perfect if you are travelling with a partner or best friend – and one you will never forget! Make sure to book in advance, as reservations are necessary to secure your ride.
Glasgow – Scotland
If you want to be in the confounds of a historical, busy city whilst still feeling the winter sprit then look no further than Glasgow, Scotland. You are likely aware of Edinburgh’s Christmas markets – I visited them myself last year – however, I would love to recommend Glasgow as a fantastic, and cheaper alternative.
Explore over 14 individual markets throughout December to stay busy whilst exploring the city. Glasgow WinterFest, the biggest market, runs until the 6th January at St. Enoch Square and George Square and has everything from food stalls to fairground rides, so it is one you can’t miss. Another one of my favourites is the Riverside Museum Christmas Market, offering over 40 craft, clothing and, jewellery stalls. If you’re visiting on the 5th or 6th of December, the Cottiers Night Market is a perfect way to spend your evening, with unique food stalls, a DJ and (of course) a bar to really get you into the festive spirit!
This year, The Gardeners is hosting a free-to-visit Winter Wonderland, on Ashton Lane, complete with live music, festive food, and Santa’s grotto, so it is perfect if you’re travelling with younger kids – or just want to feel like one again! On that note, make sure to take kids along to Elf School at Princes Square for a whole day of fun, whilst you admire the giant Christmas tree on display.
One of the best free activities to do this winter in Glasgow is walking around the city and checking out all the incredible historical buildings. The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens is a free museum set in a beautiful Victorian building, and the old Templeton’s Carpet Factory is also a beautiful Victorian-style building with incredible, decorative architecture. The Glasgow Cathedral, or the Cathedral of St. Kentigern (pictured below) allows free daytime entry for you to admire the stained glass windows and really feel the historical beauty of this city.
Scotland celebrates Hogmanay from the 31st December to 2nd January each year, marking both the New Year and Scottish culture. To some, it is regarded as a celebration as important as Christmas. You will find Hogmanay party’s all over the city on New Years Eve, or The Grand Hogmanay Ball at Voco Grand Central if you want something more unexpected, and most bars stay open into the early hours of the morning. The Street Party at Ashton Lane will have music, food, and a great view of fireworks going off above.
Following this, from January 16th to February 2nd, Glasgow is hosting the annual Celtic connections music festival. Over 2,000 folk, indie, traditional, and pop musicians will perform at different venues across Glasgow, a great way to end your winter getaway to Glasgow!
Akureyri – ICELAND
If you’ve ever visited Iceland, you know that it’s a world of incredible natural beauty, making it very hard to choose just one town to visit. And I highly recommend – if you have the time – hiring a car to drive around as much of Iceland as possible, as there are so many natural wonders to see. However, if you only have a few days away, Akureyri is the perfect location for your stay.
People call Akureyri the “Capital of the North” and it’s a popular destination for skiers. So, if that’s up your street you’re in for a treat! However, there is plenty to do for the non-skiers among us – or on your off days – which is why Akureyri is one of my top winter getaway locations.
Tourists travel to Iceland to see the Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights), and between the months of September and April, when the longest nights occur, is the best time to see them – although remember that there is no guarantee! You can catch stunning views of the Northern Lights for free from the harbour or the botanic gardens. Check the Aurora forecast beforehand to see a highlight of your trip. Book a tour with a local company who will take you to the best vantage points, and increase your likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. These tours range from around £95-£350 depending on the company, but if it is something you’re eager to see, it’s likely worth the money.
You can traverse a multitude of snowshoe hikes from Akureyri during the winter season, when the landscape is covered in white snow. I recommend the Winter Hidden Mountain Lake hike for a full day immersed in the beautiful snowscape, following lava peaks surrounding the frozen lake. Feel free to jump into the freezing-cold waters if you’re feeling brave! The quiet atmosphere and incredible views will leave you breathless.
There’s not much I love more than relaxing in a hot thermal pool while being surrounded by the biting winter cold. The Forest Lagoon, just a five minute drive from Akureyri, offers the dream experience. The two thermal pools, which opened in 2022, offer soothing temperatures of 37°C and 40°C, complemented by a sauna – perfect for unwinding after a long day in the mountains. You can also take a dip in the cold pool, maintained at only 11°C. Take advantage of the hot-and-cold contrast therapy, known to improve blood circulation and relax muscles, helping you leave feeling refreshed.
Iceland offers one of the few places in the world where you can go husky sledging. Embrace the Icelandic landscape while being pulled along solely by these bold animals. Go Husky is a family-run business with 21 huskies, offering unforgettable husky sledging adventures through the woodland during winter.
Between December and March Icelandic lakes freeze over, offering the perfect opportunity to try out ice-fishing! If this is your kind of thing, check out one of the ice-fishing tours from Akureyri, to Lakes Kringluvatn or Langavatn.
Copenhagen – Denmark
The beautiful capital city of Denmark will forever remain one of my favourite European cities, and I think part of the reason for this is visiting it for the first time in winter. I got to witness the historic city elevated even more by a blanket of snow!
The first must-visit place during this time of year should be Christmas at the Tivoli Gardens, which runs from the 15th November, 2024 to the 5th January, 2025. Tivoli Gardens is home to a world-famous theme park with rides, game stalls, gardens, and live performances all year round. During winter they deck the whole place out with festive lights and decorations, have traditional Danish food stalls, and a variety of daily Christmas themed events. This is also an amazing location to visit on New Years Eve to watch the annual fireworks show and ring in the new year! Adult admission ranges from 180-200 DKK (around £19-£22) depending on the day, or 349-399 DKK (around £38-45) with rides included, which I think is a pretty good price for a full day out with rides and lots of festivities!
Another top tourist spot is the Copenhagen Zoo, which presents Christmas at The Zoo from 16th November, 2024 to 2nd January, 2025, a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. The zoo is scattered with 900 Christmas trees, a Christmas market, and a LOT of Christmas lights. There are also reindeer walking the streets, and you can enjoy ice skating next to the penguins and polar bears.
Many people in Denmark enjoy winter bathing, and although the thought of that may initially scare you, it can have positive effects on your body, including improved immune function and blood circulation. If you still aren’t convinced then you should do it just to embrace the local tradition. You’ve got to try everything thing once, right? You can find many designated harbour swimming zones in the city, including La Banchina, which is a restaurant with a private swimming area in the harbour, and great for basking in the winter sun. During the colder months a wood-fire sauna opens on-site to warm you up after a cold winter dip, and you can even go along to the “Soup and Sauna Club” hosted there every Sunday from October to April.
If you are more inclined to get into a hot tub during the cold weather, then Hottub Copenhagen offers a waterfront hot tub experience where you are served drinks directly to the tub, with no need to get out to go to the bar. This is a great option if you are travelling in a larger group, of up to 9 per tub. Keep in mind that you’ll still pay the same price if there is only two of you booking the private hot tub.
Other winter events in Copenhagen include the Fashion Week festival until the 27th January, 2025, the Winter Jazz Festival from 30th January to 28th February, 2025, and the Copenhagen light festival from 31st January to 23rd February, 2025, so you will undoubtedly have a magical winter holiday in Copenhagen!
Bordeaux – France
For a slightly warmer winter getaway without all the snow, Bordeaux, the wine capital of France, offers a serene winter getaway.
The annual Bordeaux Christmas Markets take place in Place des Quinconces between 29th November and 29th December. Over one hundred stalls line the market, offering gifts and local foods, including flammekueche (a bacon and onion flatbread), roasted chestnuts and bretzels (giant pretzels). You can also experience live music, carol singing, street performers and this year – for the first time – ice skating.
Nearly six thousand wineries cover the Bordeaux region, and many remain open during the winter season. One of these wineries, Château Cadet Bon, is located in the medieval town of Saint Emilion, Bordeaux and accessible by car or public transport. All year-round they offer wine tours and tastings where you can indulge in local products and the gorgeous views of the surrounding region.
Visiting the wine region of France wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s Wine Museum. Explore the art of winemaking through engaging, hands-on activities, and finish off your experience with a glass of complementary wine at the bar – all included in the €37 ticket price – while enjoying stunning views over Bordeaux. For a longer, more intimate experience, opt for one of the daily wine tasting experiences, all priced under €40.
Bordeaux has some of the most beautiful historic buildings in France, and you’ll have a hard time visiting them all. The over 300-year-old Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux stands out as a must-see. Be sure to visit the Grand Théâtre for a concert or performance during your stay. From 5th to 31st December, 2024, catch a performance of The “Nutcracker” dance show or enjoy a classic ballet or opera performance in this incredible venue.
The Palace de la Bourse (pictured below) is the most iconic square in Bordeaux. Built in the 18th century, its classic architecture and tiled square cause a stunning water mirror effect (Miroir d’Eau), which becomes even more incredible at night when the square is lit up against the dark sky.
Luxembourg City – Luxembourg
As the seventh smallest country in Europe – and definitely one of the most enchanting – Luxembourg offers the perfect winter escape from home this year.
Between November and April, temperatures in the city remain between -1°C and 6°C, with snowfall most common through January and February. While heavy snowfall is rare, a light layer will often coat the trees and roads, creating a picturesque scene that typically lasts for a day or two.
The Winter Lights Festival runs until the 2nd January 2025 will bring the streets of the city to life with festive lights and light sculptures! You’ll enjoy a variety of live music, dance performances and Christmas films spread over four locations, so it’s a great place to take the whole family. It will boast a 10 metre Luxembourgish Christmas tree, a winter forest train ride, and amazing outdoor ice rink. You can also enjoy a giant Ferris wheel and carousel ride, as well as traditional festive food, including Boxemännercher (small brioche men) and Glühwein (mulled wine).
With so much to offer during the Christmas season, your getaway will be magical. However, I recommend travelling to Luxembourg between 2nd February and 4th March, in the new year. This is Fuesent, Luxembourg’s carnival season, filled with flamboyant parades, traditional masked balls, and vibrant celebrations—what more could you ask for?
During your trip, take time to explore the city’s history on foot by walking through the Grund district. This is one of the oldest parts of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk alongside the Alzette River, stroll along original cobblestone streets, and admire the medieval architecture. The district is also home to numerous bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy food, drinks, and the thriving nightlife.
Luxembourg also offers renowned hiking trails throughout the country, which are a great way to explore the snowy surroundings. The Auto-pédestre trail Berdorf is a 30 minutes train ride from Luxembourg City and is easily accessible thanks to the country’s free public transport. This 6.6km hike will guide you past caves and frozen waterfalls, and can be completed in under two hours. For those wanting a longer, multi-day hike, the famous Mullerthal Trail spans 112km and is composed of three circuits, taking between 4-6 days to hike. You will pass through forest landscapes, rock formations, and streams to admire along the way. You can also choose to hike just one of the circuits for a single-day hike lasting around 8-10 hours.
From the snowy peaks of Akureyri and Gstaad, to the historic charm of Glasgow, Luxembourg City, Bordeaux, and Copenhagen, each destination offers a unique winter experience. Whether you’re after adventure, relaxation, or culture, these cities provide the perfect locations for a winter getaway in Europe in 2025.
