From skiing and snowboarding to surfing and spas, the best places to visit in Europe in winter range from world-class ski resorts in Switzerland to the sunny Portuguese coastline.
With a long history dating back to the 13th century, Tallinn has managed to conserve its magnificent medieval Old Town masterfully. And while temperatures regularly drop to below freezing in the winter, the Estonian capital’s cobblestone streets, romantic ramparts, and dreamy towers are transformed into a snow-clad wonderland.
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Germany is always one of the best places to travel in Europe in winter, and if you love a good old-fashioned Christmas market, you’re going to love Dresden. Striezelmarkt the oldest Christmas market in Europe, although it’s come a long way since the medieval city first hosted a single-day celebration so many centuries ago.
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In winter, where better to be than the home of Santa Claus? The savvy Laplanders have long claimed that the icy arctic tundra of northern Finland is the domain of Father Christmas himself, and in the 1980s, they went so far as to construct a mammoth Santa Claus Village and amusement park to stake their claim on the winter legend.
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Gudauri is one of the most unsung ski resort towns in Europe, and if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track winter sports getaway, this is one of the best cities to visit in Europe in winter. Gudauri is located in Georgia‘s Caucasus mountain range. This was one of the most popular ski resorts in the entire USSR, but things changed drastically when the country gained independence in 1991.
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Val d’Aran is one of the best European winter destinations, but it’s little-known outside of Spain and France. Visit this little mountain valley in the Pyrenees, and you’ll not only find an exciting winter paradise, but a unique region that’s home to a fusion of French and Spanish language, culture, and cuisine.
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