It’s possible you’ll be shocked to listen to this, however, for my part, January presents the right alternative to discover European locations excellent for winter journey. So let’s see the perfect locations to go to in Europe in January – for various preferences and budgets.
With fewer crowds, decrease costs, and gorgeous snow-covered surroundings, Europe dazzles in the course of the first month of the yr.
Whether or not you favor mountains lined in snow, exploring historic medieval cities blanketed in white, warming up in thermal baths, or having fun with winter carnivals and festivals, Europe affords limitless selections for an unforgettable winter escape.
From the snow-capped Swiss Alps and Norwegian fjords to cheerful Christmas markets nonetheless lingering in German and Jap European cities, these breathtaking locales prime the listing of the perfect European locations for January.
Climate in Europe in January
January is the second winter month and plenty of nations in Europe have splendid winter landscapes, providing vacationers a variety of experiences influenced by regional climates.
Northern nations like Sweden and Norway embrace a pristine winter wonderland with crisp chilly temperatures and snow-covered landscapes, inviting fans to get pleasure from winter sports activities and witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
In Central Europe, nations reminiscent of Germany and the Czech Republic showcase a mixture of winter magnificence, that includes charming medieval cities adorned with snow and lingering Christmas markets.
Transferring in direction of Western Europe, together with France and the UK, milder winters prevail with occasional chilly temperatures however much less frequent snowfall (although in Paris we froze even in March.) Cities like Paris and London preserve their enchanting attract, offering a snug surroundings for sightseeing and exploring historic landmarks.
Jap European nations, reminiscent of Poland, Hungary, and Romania, showcase a winter panorama characterised by chilly temperatures and occasional snowfall. The cities of Warsaw, Budapest, and Bucharest are lovely throughout this time – however different areas are wonderful too – as an illustration the Carpathians in Romania (Transylvania and Prahova Valley, Vatra Dornei, and extra.)
Southern European locations, reminiscent of Spain and Italy, get pleasure from Mediterranean moderation in January, providing a nice escape from the colder temperatures of the north.
Coastal cities like Barcelona and Athens present a cultural retreat with milder climate, permitting vacationers to immerse themselves within the area’s wealthy heritage with out the harshness of winter chill.
Based mostly in your preferences, Europe is a good vacation spot for January holidays!
It’s time to see the perfect European trip locations in January.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Nestled on the base of the long-lasting Matterhorn peak, Zermatt transforms right into a snow globe winter wonderland in January.
Its car-free coverage enhances the old-world allure, with horse-drawn carriages and sleds whisking guests by means of snowy lanes.
Past its storybook attract, Zermatt affords entry to Switzerland’s most interesting snowboarding and snowboarding making it an ideal trip vacation spot in Europe for snow sports activities lovers. There are additionally lesser-known snowboarding resorts in Switzerland, and if you wish to go to different cities, Lucerne and Zurich are wonderful selections!
Bergen & the Norwegian Fjords
Bergen is my husband’s favorite metropolis in Norway. He loves the homes, the panorama, and the view!
Throughout January, I like to recommend you to the Fløibanen funicular to the highest of Mount Fløyen to gaze down upon Bergen’s full of life waterfront dotted with fishermen’s cottages and market halls. (You are able to do this all yr lengthy, however the panorama lined in white is spectacular!)
Subsequent, hop a prepare by means of Norway’s fjord nation, stopping to relish prolonged ferry rides throughout icy inlets hemming cliffs. Go to Balestrand to attempt kicksledding, or proceed to Flåm to experience the famend mountain railway ascending to Myrdal on the sting of the Hardangervidda plateau.
An necessary be aware: the Bergen line is the best mainline railway line in Northern Europe, so you’ll get pleasure from mesmerizing winter landscapes!
For a hotter winter journey, soak in open-air geothermal swimming pools overlooking fjords or pattern craft ales inside cozy Norwegian pubs and microbreweries.
With fjords taking over fairy story magic capped in snow and glowing underneath blue-hour skies, Norway shines as an unspoiled winter gem throughout January.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is the subsequent finest European journey vacation spot in January. The historic Outdated City Sq. transforms right into a winter wonderland, adorned with glowing lights and festive markets.
Immerse your self within the wealthy historical past of Prague Fortress, admire the St. Vitus Cathedral, and remember to heat up with a cup of svařák (mulled wine) on the Christmas markets. Don’t forget about one in all the must-visit sights in Europe – Tyn Church – and also you must also wander by means of Outdated City Sq. and Charles Bridge.
If you wish to take it a step additional, you’ll be able to take a sizzling air balloon experience for a wide ranging aerial view of the town. And in case you are within the space for a number of days, take into account a go to to Brno, a close-by metropolis with attention-grabbing sights to see.
Reykjavik, Iceland
In January, Reykjavik transforms right into a winter wonderland surrounded by otherworldly landscapes.
Greater than that, in the event you resolve to go to Iceland in January, you might very nicely have the ability to marvel on the Northern Lights dancing throughout the sky.
If you happen to like adventures, you’ll be able to take into account embarking on an exhilarating journey to the Golden Circle, together with Thingvellir Nationwide Park and Gullfoss waterfall.
For an unconventional expertise, soak within the therapeutic waters of the Blue Lagoon surrounded by snow-capped mountains – sure, Iceland is residence to many wonderful sights, each indoor and outside.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona affords a milder winter expertise with a plethora of cultural actions and delectable delicacies – as you might know already, the Spanish meals is wonderful.
Wander by means of the historic Gothic Quarter and marvel on the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí. It is advisable go no less than to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Indulge within the native culinary scene at La Boqueria market and benefit from the metropolis’s vibrant ambiance.
You may even attend a standard flamenco present for an genuine Spanish cultural expertise – so sure, Barcelona is a good January European vacation spot.
Vienna, Austria
Austria is a well-liked European vacation spot in January – even lots of our associates go right here to ski.
The capital – Vienna -, one in all my favorite cities on the earth, welcomes you with imperial allure. Classical music and gorgeous structure take middle stage. Attend a live performance on the Vienna State Opera and discover the opulent Schönbrunn Palace. And that is simply the begining, as relying in your preferences, there are many museums in Vienna to see.
Don’t miss the Rathausplatz ice rink for a pleasant skating expertise. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage experience by means of the historic streets of Vienna as that is undoubtedly among the finest locations to go to in January in Europe, particularly in case you are lookg for nice offers.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s allure is aware of no season, and January affords a quieter, extra intimate expertise. So, if you wish to keep away from crowds in Dubrovnik, January generally is a nice time to go to.
Stroll alongside the traditional metropolis partitions and soak in panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea. Discover the Outdated City, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and savor native seafood delicacies.
Sea kayaking across the metropolis partitions for a novel perspective of Dubrovnik.
Transylvania, Romania
Sure, I’m together with an space from my nation as nicely. When visiting Romania, transcend Bran Fortress (identified in addition to Dracula’s fortress as a result of Bram Stoker’s novel) and discover the mysterious Romanian area of Transylvania hides fairy story cities misplaced in occasions nicely as large, fantastic cities.
Go to Sighisoara, Brasov, and Sibiuas all of them really feel frozen in a medieval time warp, with frost-dusted hilltop citadels, Gothic clock towers, and colourful Saxon homes lining cobblestone streets.
In between revelries, heat your soul at previous wood-beamed eating places dishing heaping parts of Transylvanian consolation meals like savory meat stews, polenta, stuffed cabbage rolls, and papanasi – a well-known dessert right here – in addition to our pies.
Don’t go away with out making an attempt the area’s signature spirit – țuică, a high-octane plum brandy assured to present even vampires a buzz. Sure, Transylvania is without doubt one of the finest locations to go in January in Europe.
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Like stepping right into a medieval winter wonderland, Český Krumlov enchants as a novel Bohemian time capsule dusted in snow. Its dazzling fortress presides over a warren of Baroque structure lining the twisty Vltava River vale. And sure, it’s the second metropolis within the nation included on this article with the perfect January locations in Europe.
Having escaped wartime destruction, this meticulously preserved city transports you again centuries with epic fortress towers, frescoed Renaissance halls, hovering arches main throughout the river, and an old-town plaza brimming with outlets and taverns.
Past fairytale metropolis strolls, winter adventures round Krumlov embrace downhill and cross-country snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and soaking in thermal mineral swimming pools.
Or escape into the whimsical inside of Egon Schiele Artwork Centrum spotlighting multimedia installations paying homage to the controversial Twentieth-century expressionist artist born in Krumlov.
All through January, you’ll be able to heat up over open fires inside medieval taverns pouring sizzling mulled wine and serving hearty Czech consolation meals favorites good for the icy climate.
Annecy, France
Redefining winter fantastic, the snow-dusted lakeside city of Annecy enchants with its candy-colored Alpine chalets, rippling canals threaded by means of a pedestrianized previous city, and the icy blue Lake Annecy. It’s no shock that I’ve included this on this listing of European January vacationer locations!
Hit the slopes at La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, and different close by ski stations for inexpensive raise passes and premium pistes. Or glide throughout Lake Annecy’s frozen floor on ice skates or free your inside little one sledding down hills remodeled into winter playlands.
Again on the town, thaw out Annecy-style at a cave à fondues (cheese fondue restaurant) like Les Caveaux des Arches oozing Savoyard allure. January serves up the Alpine ambiance in overdrive minus peak summer time customer ranges.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
You is perhaps accustomed to Lake Bled as a summer time vacation spot, nevertheless it may also be one of many prime locations to go to in Europe in January. You may get pleasure from a splendid winter panorama whereas strolling the 6 km path encircling the lake (early, earlier than the crowds is even higher.)
If you happen to like to find the native meals, be certain to bask in Bled’s well-known kremna rezina, a decadent layer cake cream cake, finest loved with sizzling cocoa at a comfortable lakeshore cafe.
As it’s winter and many individuals prefer to ski, it’s good to know that you’ve got quite a lot of choices close by. January affords smaller crowds and decrease charges, making it the perfect month to expertise Slovenia’s crown jewel frozen in wintery splendor.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is one in all my favorite European locations whatever the season. Sure, The Sound of the Music is one in all my favorite motion pictures too.
Music lovers already know that Salzburg places on its most dazzling winter finery simply in time for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s January twenty seventh birthday. Because the maestro’s birthplace and muse, Austria’s star attraction celebrates its legendary native son all month with classical live shows, opera performances, and singspiels throughout its many Baroque halls and ornate theaters. aficionados may even catch a uncommon efficiency of Mozart’s operas by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on the Salzburg Mozarteum.
Past the intellectual celebrations, January delights guests with cheering open-air live shows and operas, plus old school Christmas markets nonetheless merrymaking by means of early January.
Salzburg’s UNESCO-listed previous city district shines much more magical dusted in glimmering snow. Its palaces, cathedrals, cloistered courtyards, and statue-lined squares look lifted from a snow globe when draped in an icy white winter coat.
I’d take the funicular fortress-top for sweeping views throughout Salzburg’s sea of frosty pink rooftops to the sharp alpine peaks ringing Austria’s storybook Alpine metropolis.
Once you want some heat, cozy up hearth at one in all Salzburg’s stately previous cafes to bask in Vienna’s opulent coffee-and-confectionary tradition over Sachertorte, strudels, linzers, and different decadent treats.
Close by winter enjoyable consists of snowboarding, skating, sledding, or pampering at sizzling springs spa cities nestled on the ft of the Salzburg Alps like stately Baden bei Wien. Mozart’s start month provides additional magic to a winter getaway undoubtedly in your Salzburg bucket listing.
And as this was the second trip vacation spot in Europe for January from Austria, I gained’t create a separate part, however I’ll point out right here one other wonderful metropolis to go to in January in Austria: Hallstatt!
Different locations you’ll be able to go to in January in Europe
January is the right month to go to Europe if you wish to go snowboarding. Anticipate crowds – as different folks have the identical thought – however, in the event you like snowboarding, you gained’t remorse selecting Europe.
The right way to resolve the place to journey in January in Europe? Select a rustic you wish to go to after which see if they’ve snowboarding resorts. See what cities/sights could be discovered close by – and test for airplane tickets and lodging choices.
One other factor you are able to do to journey in January in Europe is to go after the colleges begin – so After January tenth. You gained’t discover Christmas markets, however the cities gained’t be too crowded with vacationers. You may profit from discovering decrease airfare and decrease lodging costs – and saving some cash is all the time an important thought!
Plus, you get to expertise the cities throughout winter, to admire splendid landscapes – particularly in case you are selecting mountain resorts – so all of the extra causes to go to Europe in January!
Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
