As cold as winter can be, it is absolutely gorgeous. Seeing the snow sparkle in the moonlight, watching the Northern Lights in the black sky, getting all cozied up inside by the fireplaces as there's a blizzard happening outside. A plus size to travelling to the usual touristy places in the winter time, they aren't nearly as busy.
Here's a list of the top destinations in Europe to visit in the winter time.
Norway
- Experience Snowy Landscapes in Alta and Tromso, Norway
- Chase the Northern Lights
- Snorkel with orcas in Andenes
- Stay overnight in an Ice Hotel
- Go whale watching
- Do a fjord tour by van
- Snowmobile and see polar bears in Svalbard
Iceland
- Might be chilly, but snorkel between two tectonic plates
- Tour the city of Reykjavik
- Soak in the Blue Lagoon
- Chase the Northern Lights
- Take an ice caves tour in Sólheimajökull, Mýrdalsjökull or Vatnajökull
- Hike across Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull
Austria
- Go tobogganing!
- Explore St. Johann on a horse-drawn carriage
- Hang out with huskies in Angerberg at the Hole Salve ski resort
- Go snowshoeing in Kirchberg
- Go trekking with llamas
- Schnapps tasting in Tirol
- Christmas markets in Vienna
Finland
- Enjoy the quiet wilderness in Turku Archipelago
- Explore Rauma, only town of Finland that saved its original architecture
- Visit the reindeer farm
- Stay a couple nights at the Northern Lights Ranch
- Take a husky dog sledding adventure
- Enjoy an arctic hammock relaxation tour in the forest
- Go skiing/snowboarding
- Walk through a man-made ice and snow gallery
- Visit the home of Santa Claus
Sweden
- Explore the city of Stockholm
- Stay at the unique Icehotel in Kiruna
- Build your own igloo and stay overnight
- Get warmed up in an egg-shaped sauna for an ultimate relaxation experience
- Go ice climbing in the Abisko mountains
- Drive a snowmobile around
- Attend an ice sculpting class
- Enjoy watching the auroras under a campfire in the wild