Throughout most of the year, Zermatt is a quiet village. But when winter arrived, it was more vibrant than ever. It attracts skiers of all levels who take advantage of the 200-plus kilometers of pistes. In the Swiss Alps, Zermatt is well known as a mountaineering and ski resort. It is situated at an elevation of 1,620 meters in the upper end of Mattertal, at the base of Switzerland's highest peaks, making it a haven for expert skiers with off-piste chances and top stations.

Non-skiers will find plenty of things to do in Zermatt as well. For those who want to try snowshoeing and winter hiking, Zermatt offers plenty of sunshine during the colder months, perfect for a walk in the wilderness. There's also tobogganing and sledding, as well as guided hikes for those who want to discover off-the-beaten-path areas. A great easy trail to try is the 2.2-kilometer walk from Blauherd to Fluhalp, where you can catch sight of chamois grazing on the slopes and the Matterhorn in the distance.

• Location: Valais, Switzerland
• Where to Stay: Hotel Firefly; Hotel Mont Cervin Palace; CERVO Zermatt; Bella Vista Hotel
• Things to Do: Snowshoeing, Winter Hiking
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

The Bregenz Forest is the Zermatt of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. With many kilometers of trails available, chances are good you'll get to enjoy this winter wonderland much on your own. Clean air and clear skies mean this is the perfect destination for star gazing and night walks. In fact, the area is known for its snowshoeing trips through the forest on full moon nights, as well as its Damüls "cuddle path." This is a romantic five-kilometer path better enjoyed under the stars.

Start at the Zum Glöckle public house, past fairy-tale wooden huts, and towards the Alpe Unterdamüls hut. Though the hut is closed in winter, the nearby country inn and restaurant is a great place for a cup of hot chocolate as you reach your destination. It's an easy walk on powdery snow illuminated by the infinite starry sky. The towns of Au and Bezau are in the Bregenz Forest and offer easy access to ski trails, sledding, sleigh rides, as well as winter hiking. There are also plenty of things to do indoors when you need a break from the cold, including museums, galleries, and artisan buildings showcasing local handicrafts.

• Location: Vorarlberg, Austria
• Where to Stay: Berghotel Biberkopf; Hotel die Wälderin-Wellness, Sport & Natur; Hotel Garni Krumbach; Hotel Gretina
• Things to Do: Skiing, Snowshoeing, Night Walks, Winter Hiking, Sledding
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5

Val Thorens is a ski town located in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie, French Alps at an altitude of 2,300 meters. With 140 kilometers of pistes, Val Thorens is the highest and most famous ski resort in Europe. It is also one of the largest linked ski areas in the world with over 600 km of piste. The resort is surrounded by dramatic peaks and a blanket of snow as far as the eye can see – great for sports enthusiasts but also truly spectacular to see. The resort is usually open from mid-November until early May. The highest ski-able peaks are Pointe du Bouchet (3230 m) and Cime de Caron (3200 m).

For those who want beauty without the adrenaline, Val Thorens has plenty to offer off the slopes as well. From snowshoeing and winter hiking to more unusual activities such as mountain biking on snow or sliding down the mountain on France's longest toboggan run. You can try an ice driving course or fly down the mountain on the highest zipline in Europe at hair-raising speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour. Or test your true courage with an ice diving experience.

• Location: Savoie, France
• Where to Stay: Residence Pierre & Vacances Le Machu-Pichu; Le Schuss de Val Thorens; Clubhotel Le Gypaete De Val Thorens
• Things to Do: Mountain Biking, Sliding, Winter Hiking, Snowshoeing
• TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5

Iceland is at its best in winter, when the alien-looking landscape is covered in blue ice as far as the eye can see. The land of the eternal glaciers, Iceland offers the kind of adventures you can't find anywhere else in Europe. And Reykjavik is one of the best winter vacations in Europe. Every February, Reykjavik holds the Winter Lights Festival, which showcases light installations and plenty of outdoor activities to celebrate the last month of winter and the upcoming lighter days.

If you're looking to warm up, Iceland is also famous for its many geothermal pools, where you can soak in steaming hot water under the icy midnight sky. Reykjavik is also the perfect starting point for adventures around the country. From here, you can catch a train or a short flight to other corners of Iceland, where you can do everything from glacier hiking in Vatnajökull National Park to witnessing the 10,000-year-old Great Geyser in action.

• Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
• Where to Stay: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura; Exeter Hotel; Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik; Hotel Odinsve
• Things to Do: Geothermal Pool, Day Trip, Glacier Hiking
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Abisko is often considered the best place to see the northern lights on a budget. This is because the village has a special microclimate that makes catching the dancing lights in the sky a lot more likely than in other Scandinavian destinations. This means shorter stays are needed, which is easier on the budget.

Abisko is also the perfect destination for die-hard winter fans who want to experience cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and winter hiking under the never-ending polar night. The 425-kilometer-long Kungsleden hiking trail, which follows the Scandinavian mountain range, starts at the Abisko Turiststation and follows through the national park. The Nordkalottruta uses trails of the park as part of its longer passage. The world's first ice hotel is also located nearby – you can either spend a night here in "cozy" -5 degree Celsius temperatures or just take a guided tour to learn about its construction and history.

• Location: Lapland, Sweden
• Where to Stay: STF Abisko Turiststation; Abisko Guesthouse and Activities; Abisko Hostel; Abisko Mountain Lodge
• Things to Do: Skiing, Sledding, Snowmobiling, Winter Hiking, Seeing The Aurora
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Among the best winter vacations in Europe must be mentioned to Hallstätt. Hallstätt sits right on the shores of Hallstätter See, full of 12th-century fairy-tale churches and quaint Alpine houses and surrounded by the snowcapped Dachstein Mountains. Hallstatt – which means “place of salt” – is home to the world's first salt mine. Hallstätt is tiny, with a population of under 1,000 permanent residents who live in Alpine timber houses built up on the steep hill slopes.

Its core region is the Hallstatt – Dachstein/Salzkammergut cultural landscape, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Because of its great landscape, the village is a tourist destination that is always overcrowded. Equally stunning all year long, Hallstätt really shines when it's covered in snow and ice. If you're feeling up to the task, the best view of winter Hallstätt is from the Hallstatt Skywalk high above the town. A replica was planned and then built in China in 2011 in Huizhou, Guangdong province, Hallstatt's twin town.

• Location: Oberösterreich, Austria
• Where to Stay: Heritage Hotel Hallstatt; Seehotel Gruener Baum; Gasthof Simony; Bergfried Gasthof
• Things to Do: Winter Hiking
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5

For December travelers, no other destination makes more sense than Rovaniemi, considered the official home of Santa Claus. A fairy-tale place just four kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village feels like a mix of an amusement park and an Arctic wonderland. Northern aurora tours are popular in the Rovaniemi area. Over 200 aurora borealis displays can be seen here every year – one of the highest numbers in Scandinavia.

Even if you don't catch a display of northern lights, Rovaniemi goes through a magical period of Polar Twilight (rather than Polar Night), where the sun will still rise for a couple of hours per day. During these months, bluish, glittering snowdrifts cover everything, providing a magical quality to nature and buildings alike. The Ounasvaara outdoor area around the town is perfect for snowshoeing among snow-covered forests, while Ounaskoski beach is a famous spot for winter swimming under the midnight sun. When you need some indoor time, Rovaniemi offers plenty of icy breaks, including a snow restaurant, an ice hotel, ice slides, and castles - plus a warmer break in the form of the Arktikum Science Museum.

• Location: Lapland, Finland
• Where to Stay: Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle; Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle; Arctic City Hotel; Scandic Pohjanhovi
• Things to Do: Sledding, Winter Hiking, Seeing The Aurora, Skiing
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Christmas markets are a European staple, and few countries do Christmas markets better than Germany. And Nuremberg must be mentioned while discussing the best winter vacations in Europe. After all, it's hard to beat the blinking of holiday lights in a medieval town, especially under a soft dusting of December snow. Nuremberg is a big city in Germany. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which has been around since around the 1500s, is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Germany.

Here, over one hundred stalls sell everything from the famous local "Rauschgoldengel" (gold-foil angel decorations) to the traditional lebkuchen gingerbread against a backdrop of historical buildings. With shopping done, visitors can catch a holiday concert at the Lorenzkirche church, home to one of the largest organs in the world. Or take a stroll up cobbled streets to the grounds of Nuremberg Castle, then visit the city's toy museum to learn about the centuries-old tradition of wooden toy making.

• Location: Bayern, Germany
• Where to Stay: Seminaris Hotel Nurnberg; Sheraton Carlton Hotel Nuernberg; Ramada by Wyndham Nuernberg Parkhotel
• Things to Do: Nuremberg Market, Nuremberg Castle, Toy Museum
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Winter rolls over Prague in early December and lasts well into February, with a dusting of snow regularly covering the Old Town's church spires and red rooftops. Second only to Germany for its great Christmas markets, the city is lively and busy during the second half of December, as tourists from all over Europe come over for some holiday merriment. February is Masopust or carnival season in Prague – another great time to visit during the cold months to see a fanciful parade of giant puppets and whimsical costumes.

The city that Franz Kafka loved just feels more magical in winter, as ice-skating rinks open all around the city, and medieval churches put on classical music concerts for the delight of visitors. If you need a break from the cold Prague evenings, Prague is home to many other attractions, including over 100 museums and galleries, an indoor aqua park, and one of the oldest libraries in the world (the 12th-century Strahov Library), great shopping, and much more.

• Location: Prague, Czech Republic
• Where to Stay: Alcron Hotel Prague; Golden Well Hotel; Bishop's House; Unitas Hotel
• Things to Do: Shopping, Ice-skating
  
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Arrive in Bergen in January, and you get a few magical things all packed into one. Colorful wooden buildings covered in snow, breathtaking views of the fjords covered in icy mist, and a chance to catch the northern lights dancing over the city. Bergen's idyllic harbor is a pleasure to explore off-season, as snow covers the fairy-tale-looking landscapes around. Sit at a café near the water to sip some hot chocolate and try kanelboller, Norway's version of a warm cinnamon roll. Then take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for a spectacular view over the entire city.

Fjord cruises run throughout the entire winter, and there's truly no better way to experience the quiet magic of the fjords than from the water. Plus, the Bergen mountains around offer plenty of opportunities to try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding. The five-hour hike between Mt. Ulriken to Mount Fløyen is a popular winter walk just on the edge of town. During November and December, the world's largest "gingerbread town" is built within the city of Bergen. And on winter days, when the weather doesn't cooperate, you can get a peak of the country's strong connection to the sea at the Bergen Maritime Museum.

• Location: Hordaland County, Norway
• Where to Stay: Hotel Norge by Scandic; Scandic Torget Bergen; Scandic Ornen; Opus XVI
• Things to Do: Skiing, Snowshoeing, Sledding
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Venice (city of canals) might surprise you as a winter destination, but there's a reason it often makes the top winter lists. And Venice is among the best winter vacations in Europe that you should try. Once the colder months arrive, the tourists leave. This means you mostly get the sleepy streets, Piazza San Marco, and the bridges on the canal to yourself. Just remember to visit before the second half of January, as that's when Carnevale kicks off and things get busy and expensive again.

While Venice might not sound like a snow destination, it can certainly snow in the city, and the canals often freeze in winter, the sun glistening on the ice in a rainbow of lights. When the canals aren't frozen, you can still catch a gondola ride – just bundle up under a thick blanket as you ride on the misty waters. During December, Venice's largest square is turned into a gigantic ice-skating rink.

• Location: Venezia, Italy
• Where to Stay: The Gritti Palace; Al Ponte Antico Hotel; Hotel Londra Palace
• Things to Do: Ice-skating
• TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5

Paris might win over the hearts of people, but a French city close to the German border has a winter that can charm much more than the country's capital. Strasbourg borrows from its neighbor to offer traditional Christmas markets, gigantic Christmas trees, and a dusting of snow as you walk through the stalls with a cup of hot chocolate. Plus, Strasbourg is an enchanting medieval town famous for its half-timbered houses and picturesque canals that are stunning in any season.

The Franco-German influences can be seen everywhere in Strasbourg, including in its cuisine. No visit to the city is complete without sitting at a café near the water to taste an apple and cinnamon tartes flambées – which literally translates to "pie baked in the flames." And don't let the winter weather scare you from taking a walk around the cobblestone streets of La Petite France, the oldest section of the city and the most photogenic, where millers and fishermen once sold their fare in the medieval houses that still stand. The Strasbourg Cathedral, the 17th-century Barrage Vauban, and the Baroque Palais des Rohan are great places to visit in winter. They're particularly stunning in December when decorated in Christmas lights, but they're also a great indoor escape all winter long.

• Location: Grand Est, France
• Where to Stay: Hotel Les Haras; Hotel Cathedrale; City Residence Strasbourg Centre; Arok Hotel
• Things to Do: Barrage Vauban, Baroque Palais des Rohan, Strasbourg Cathedral
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Compared to the rest of Northern Europe, Denmark has milder winters with snow that usually doesn't make an appearance until January. This makes it a great destination for city lovers who want to experience the magic of winter with walks by the canal in Nyhavn or the ultra-famous Kronprinsensgade street, Copenhagen's best destination for cafés and boutique shops. As one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, the 19th-century Tivoli Gardens is worth a visit any time of the year. But the massive area is especially dazzling in winter when thousands of tiny twinkling lights bounce off the ice and snow all around you.

Tivoli actually has a special Christmas season (which runs from mid-November through early January), when Santa Claus makes regular appearances, holiday-themed shows are always on, and the restaurants inside the park serve traditional European Christmas dishes. During January and February, the park remains open, and the massive ice-skating rink becomes the main attraction. Aside from Tivoli Garden's own Christmas market, you'll also find large Christmas markets at King's Square and Nyhavn, and even one inside the city zoo. Need a break from the cold? After soaking up café culture, stop by one of the city's many museums, many of which put on special winter shows and exhibits.

• Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Where to Stay: Wakeup Copenhagen Carsten Niebuhrs Gade; Hotel Nebo; Hotel D'Angleterre; Nimb Hotel
• Things to Do: Christmas Market (Tivoli Garden, King's Square and Nyhavn)
• TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5

Compared to capitals in western Europe, Budapest is more affordable and much less crowded in winter, making it the perfect place to visit at Christmas for those on a budget. In December, the city is home to two main Christmas markets: Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen's Basilica. The market at the square is the largest, with over 100 stalls selling everything from a selection of craftwork to handmade chocolates and the famous Mézeskalács gingerbread. There's live music here, too, with a program that includes Christmas music, jazz and blues, and traditional dancing. The market in front of the church is smaller but offers a skating rink and puts on a delightful light show, with lasers projecting on the basilica façade.

Budapest is famous for its thermal baths and hot springs – and there's no better time to enjoy them than on the freezing winter days. The Széchenyi Baths are the largest and busiest, while the Gellért and Rudas baths are the most visually striking if you're after stunning architecture. If you're up for braving the outdoors instead, the City Park Ice Rink is one of the oldest skating rinks in Europe, with the Vajdahunyad Castle in the background. Or you can try a cruise down the Danube River for stunning views over UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Location: Budapest, Hungary
• Where to Stay: Boutique Residence Budapest; Monastery Boutique Hotel Budapest; Hotel Memories OldTown
• Things to Do: Christmas Market; Baths And Hot Springs; Ice-skating
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5

Located just two hours North of Venice and perhaps better known for being home to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina d'Ampezzo is the getaway to the Italian Dolomites and one of the best ski resorts in Italy. Sitting just steps away from Lake Sorapis and the Tre Cime National Park, the town is also a high-end destination for winter lovers. The Winter Olympics will return to Cortina in 2026 – so now is the perfect time to visit, before the crowds take over again.

For adventure lovers, the town offers easy access to three skiing areas: Faloria Cristallo Mietres, Tofana, and Lagazuoi 5 Torri. Plus, there are great hiking trails you can use for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter, and an Olympic ice stadium to try ice-skating and curling. There's even an international mushing dog sledding school, where visitors can take a short "driving" class, spend time with the dogs, and then enjoy their very own 30-minute ride on a husky-powered sled. The Cortina d'Ampezzo town itself transforms into a winter wonderland in December, with a lively Christmas market, famous for its hot chestnuts and charming wooden huts selling handmade crafts. But the sense of wonder extends all throughout town during December, with many 18th-century buildings and cozy cafés covered in lights and holiday decorations.

• Location: Belluno, Veneto, Italy
• Where to Stay: Hotel Serena; Hotel Aquila; Hotel Corona; Hotel Columbia & Spa
• Things to Do: Skiing; Winter Hiking; Ice-skating; Sledding