If you’re extra prone to be hibernating than planning a city break in the center of winter, suppose once more – as a result of there are some locations that are at their best in the coldest months, particularly if you wish to swap gray clouds and slush for the best snowy city breaks in Europe.
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Whether you’ve obtained your sights set on someplace with a incredible Christmas market or a winter city break that’s straight from a fairytale, there are many locations to tempt you – simply carry your scarf, gloves and fur-lined boots too.
For my daughter, who sees snow comparatively hardly ever in London (although a minimum of we get ice skating, Christmas markets and festive illuminations), even a sprinkling of the white stuff is sufficient to make her really feel like she’s stepped into Narnia – and even when the climate doesn’t all the time play ball, right here’s my choose of the best winter city breaks in Europe to cheer up the coldest months.
Tallinn, Estonia
We visited the Estonian capital in May when the solar was shining and the Old Town of Tallinn was one of many prettiest previous cities I’ve ever wandered round.
In winter it may be bitterly chilly, however with snow all however assured in the course of the winter, the picturesque structure may very well be the fairytale setting for the Snow Queen.
Because the roads in the centre are pedestrianised, it’s made for wandering slowly round, marvelling on the medieval buildings, sliding alongside the stays of the previous partitions.
And for those who go to in direction of the beginning of winter, there’s a Christmas market which often runs from mid November to early January.
For extra inspiration, take a look at this incredible put up about Tallinn in the snow from the weblog On The Luce in addition to my high issues to do in Tallinn with youngsters
Ljubljana, Slovenia
One of Europe’s most missed city breaks, Ljubljana is considered one of my very own private favourites – one other city with a pedestrianised previous city, some extremely ornamental bridges and dragons popping up far and wide, it’s nice to wander round.
From October the cafes which line the river financial institution escape the overhead heaters and blankets to go together with the mulled wine (crimson and white!) so you may benefit from the views of the boats with out freezing.
The important sq. has markets all year long, together with some nice meals to be purchased however at Christmas you’ll discover markets going down at a number of places across the city.
There’s often snow sooner or later throughout winter too, though if you wish to ensure, you’ll want to move to the Julian Alps a few hours away.
For extra concepts of issues to do in the city, take a look at my information to Ljubljana
Prague, Czech Republic
Unlike some cities with one eye-catchingly pretty previous quarter, Prague has a number of, to not point out the fantastic Charles Bridge connecting them – narrowly beating off Brno for my Czech choose consequently.
Wandering from the bustle of the Old Town sq. the place the 600-year-old astronomical clock nonetheless attracts the crowds to the fortress quarter, the place the fortress itself looms from the highest of the hill subsequent to St Vitus cathedral is as spectacular beneath the blue skies of winter because the cloudless ones of summer season (though in all probability not a lot much less crowded).
Don’t miss strolling across the historic Jewish quarter too, dwelling to the oldest energetic synagogue in Europe, in addition to a string of different lovely synagogues making up the Jewish museum.
If you go to in December, the Christmas market involves the Old Town sq. as nicely for an added festive contact – this 12 months, it’s set to run from November 30 till January 6, 2025.
Throw in conventional meals that’s good for protecting out the chilly, and maybe a day journey to Cesky Krumlov and it’s an ideal winter escape.
Sibiu, Romania
Somewhere that’s nonetheless by myself private city break checklist, Sibiu is considered one of Romania’s prettiest cities and someplace which appears made for a winter city break.
With cobbled streets winding beneath medieval towers, Christmas sees considered one of Romania’s most vibrant markets come to Sibiu, with gentle galore and a robust Viennese affect – as a consequence of happen from November 15 to December 26, 2024.
Because the city is about between three teams of mountains in Transylvania, white Christmases are widespread too, so it’s very best for a snowy city break.
If you’re considering of Dracula looking, Vlad the Impaler’s son, Prince Mihnea the Bad is buried in the Cathedral of St Mary’s, plus you may take a day journey to Brasov.
There’s lots extra past the legendary determine to find as you discover Sibiu and its historic streets too.
It’s straightforward to mix with Timisoara and Brasov too, or for those who’re joyful to journey a bit additional, to the Romanian capital – for those who’re questioning is Bucharest value visiting, this put up will allow you to resolve
Krakow, Poland
Another image postcard fairly city, Krakov’s medieval coronary heart is often dusted with snow from December to March so it’s an incredible possibility for those who’re searching for snowy city breaks (though that is one city that’s tempting year-round, so preserve it in thoughts as one of many best autumn locations in Europe too).
The Christmas market takes place in the large important sq. which was laid out in the twelfth century.
Whenever you go to, head to the Cloth Hall for some memento purchasing together with sheepskin lined gloves: the Renaissance constructing is among the world’s earlier purchasing malls.
Keep heat with a stroll to the fortress, previous college and across the historic Jewish quarter as nicely – you too can be part of a strolling tour of Krakow to see the highlights.
Budapest, Hungary
Winter could be surprisingly chilly in the Hungarian capital – however with the whole lot from thermal baths to a number of totally different Christmas markets, there’s one thing to cheer up even the chilliest day.
Get your bearings with a strolling tour of Budapest to find the dual cities – Buda and Pest – which make up the capital.
Don’t miss a conventional chimney cake as you wander round – you’ll want the power to find all of Budapest’s Christmas markets (there’s even a particular Christmas market strolling tour to be sure you don’t miss any)
The best-known market is on Vörösmarty Square, however for loads of conventional festive meals, head to Erzsébet Square.
Check out the leisure on the truthful in entrance of St Stephen’s Basilica too (together with an ice rink that’s free for youths) together with the sunshine present or uncover Hungarian tradition at Városháza Park.
Then heat up on the thermal baths: there are a number of in the city however the Szechenyi Baths are open at Christmas itself, with two open air thermal swimming pools and 15 indoor ones. Or you possibly can skate in the shadow of the fortress as an alternative.
Copenhagen, Denmark
If your coronary heart’s set on snow, there’s lower than you would possibly count on in this a part of Scandinavia – however the individuals who invented hygge know the right way to do winter correctly.
The Tivoli Gardens reopens for the Christmas season with the pumpkins and ghoulish touches of Halloween changed by glowing lights, picket homes embellished with pine branches and round 60 stalls making up the Christmas market.
Check out my full information to Denmark with youngsters right here
The gardens are embellished with over 70,000 Christmas baubles and greater than 1,000 Christmas bushes lined in lights too, in addition to a projection present on the live performance corridor facade.
Plus Santa Claus and his reindeer will even be there for those who can’t make all of it the way in which to Lapland – get skip the road tickets to Tivoli Gardens right here
For extra festive spirit, there’s additionally a Christmas market at Kongens Nytorv.
For extra tips about issues to do in Copenhagen with youngsters, take a look at my high picks or for those who’re searching for a substitute for Copenhagen, Ribe is Denmark’s oldest city, with splendidly preserved buildings courting again round 500 years – and sometimes snow too…
Ghent, Belgium
It was a tricky alternative between together with Bruges or Ghent – not least as a result of, if I’m sincere, neither of those will get an enormous quantity of snow (though it will get chilly sufficient for the canals to freeze if you need a frosty festive expertise).
But they’re notably fantastic at Christmas – and whereas Bruges has the chocolate, it additionally will get extra of the crowds.
Medieval Ghent, which is so nicely preserved that it’s doubled for the fifteenth century in varied TV exhibits, all however transforms as Christmas approaches.
Discover extra issues to do in Ghent with youngsters from our go to to the city
With greater than 150 picket market stalls unfold out in the previous city centre, you’re feeling you’ve walked again in time and right into a Christmas story.
For extra snowy journey inspiration, take a look at my posts on visiting Lapland with youngsters – together with suggestions, a packing information and what to do in Finnish Lapland with youngsters
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST SNOWY CITY BREAKS IN EUROPE
Dragon picture copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy Depositphotos
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