20 of the best winter city break destinations

1. New York, USA

Best for ice skating and citywide savings

As the old cliché goes, New York really is a city that never sleeps. So no matter when you go, you can expect a packed calendar of cultural events, as well as iconic attractions galore (the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art).

A few things to keep your eye out for include the cut-price deals for Hotel Week, the month-long Winter Restaurant Week, when some of NYC’s finest foodie hotspots offer special prix-fixe menus, and Winter Jazzfest (mid-January), an incredible display of jazz music in the city often called the ‘Jazz Capital of the World’.

Ice skating rinks also pop up across the city throughout November and stay open until as late as April, so be ready to get your skates on!

2. Krakow, Poland

Best for cosy dining and festive cheer

You'll need to rug up for a winter break in Krakow but that's all part of the charm.

Frosty wanders through the city's picturesque streets will be rewarded with warm and hearty Polish fare in many restaurants – think slow-cooked meats and stews – or, if you visit around Christmastime, you can warm up on the go with mulled wine.

Every December, several ice rinks spring up around Krakow's Old Town, the largest being the popular Ice Park, located in the northwest end of Jordan Park.

You'll also be able to visit the city's main sights with relatively few tourists: the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Auschwitz memorial and museum and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory are all open as usual.

3. Munich, Germany

Best for Christmas markets and winter festivals

Bavaria's capital delivers winter charm in spades. The city's famous beer halls provide the perfect respite from the cold, with hearty German cuisine and warming glühwein to keep spirits high.

Visit in January or February to catch Fasching (carnival season) celebrations, when the city erupts in colourful parades and masked balls. For more culture, the Deutsches Museum and Alte Pinakothek art museum are world-class attractions ideal for a few hours indoors.

The nearby Alps also make Munich a great base for day trips to winter sports destinations.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Best for charming pubs and outdoor activities

When winter falls on Amsterdam, the locals take the most sensible route possible for dealing with the cold – they head to the pub.

In fact, staying cosy even has its own word – gezellig – which is best done in a traditional bruin café. All wooden interiors and traditional Dutch charm, these quaint little boozers are the perfect place to keep out of the cold and embrace winter like a true Amsterdammer.

Of course, you probably won’t want to spend your whole trip in the pub. Get some fresh air and explore the Amsterdam Light Festival (28 November 2024 - 19 January 2025), which transforms the city into a twinkling art exhibition as quirky light installations are set up all over the centre of town.

Alternatively, get your skates on at one of the city’s outdoor ice rinks. The Rembrandtplein is a top choice for locals and tourists alike. It’s open between 15 November 2024 and 5 January 2025.

5. Prague, Czech Republic

Best for fairytale backdrops and Masopust

Prague goes into full fairytale mode in winter. Its resplendent castle looks like something from a Grimm brothers’ story when it’s dusted in snow, while the cobbled streets of its historic Old Town exude romance and charm.

Visit in December to embrace the festive spirit at the Christmas markets of the Old Town and Wenceslas squares, or on one of the city's pop-up ice rinks.

One of the city's biggest winter cultural events is Masopust (the Czech version of Mardi Gras, which usually takes place in February a week before Ash Wednesday).

6. Reykjavik, Iceland

Best for natural wonders and unique events

Winter is prime northern lights time in Iceland, which is why so many make the short hop north to Reykjavik. Although these ethereal, elusive lights are best seen from the more remote parts of the island, away from all traces of light pollution, specialist tours can be arranged from the city – ideal if you’re short on time.

The Golden Triangle, which takes in Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and the Thingvellir National Park, is another popular excursion from the city. Meanwhile, the famous Blue Lagoon is just under an hour away and is easily reached by bus.

For cultural events in the city itself, the Winter Lights Festival (6-9 February 2025), the Dark Days Music Festival (24-26 January 2025) and the Reykjavík International Games (22 January - 8 February 2025) all take place over the winter months.

7. Budapest, Hungary

Best for thermal baths and glittering markets

Budapest gets mighty cold during the winter. Luckily, while the mercury’s dropping to minus numbers, the Hungarian capital’s famous baths are wonderfully toasty and warm.

Szechenyi Baths, the city’s famous outdoor baths, are open throughout the winter months, with both indoor and outdoor pools. It’s actually one of the largest pool complexes in Europe, with a total of 18 to choose from.

Visit on a winter city break from November to early January to enjoy Budapest’s festive Christmas markets, including the main Christmas fair in Vörösmarty Square and the famous Advent Feast at St Stephen’s Basilica. Seek out and try the warming, sugary chimney cake (kürtőskalács) and browse the glittering array of handmade Hungarian crafts.

8. Marrakech, Morocco

Best for avoiding Christmas and warm weather

If you’re looking to get a world away from the British winter, Marrakech is it. A beguiling culture shock, this bustling Moroccan city is an explosion of busy souks, luxurious riads and fascinating cultural monuments.

It’s also much less crowded during the winter, so you’ll find a much more local flavour to the city. The enormous Jemaa El-Fnaa market is an absolute must-see, but the Koutoubia Mosque and the Ben Youssef Medersa Quranic school should not be missed either.

As a Muslim country, there are no Christmas celebrations here, either – a bonus if the festive madness back home sends you into a Grinch-like frenzy!

9. Vienna, Austria

Best for classic opera and coffeehouse culture

Vienna’s coffeehouse culture reaches peak cosiness during the winter months, when locals seek refuge from the cold cafés like Café Central and Café Sacher and warm up over classic apricot-and-chocolate sachertorte.

Check out the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), which presents its most prestigious performances during the winter season, and don't miss the chance to glide across the ice at the Wiener Eistraum from late January through February.

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Best for Scandi shopping and innovative food

The Danish concept of hygge (that untranslatable feeling of cozy contentment) was practically made for winter city breaks.

Copenhagen embraces the season with characteristic Scandinavian flair, from the twinkling lights of Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second oldest amusement park, to the warm glow of candlelit restaurants in Nyhavn canal district.

For a cultural refuge from the weather, visit The Design Museum and National Gallery of Denmark or check out the city's famously trendy Meatpacking District for winter pop-ups and food markets.

Winter sees the city's innovative food scene turn to heartier fare, with traditional smørrebrød and warming bowls of creamy fish soup perfect for cold days.

11. Paris, France

Best for Christmas displays and crowd-free attractions

Christmas is a tasteful affair in Paris. The Champs-Elysées is decked out in festive splendour, department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps put on elaborate window displays to rival New York’s, and the Grand Palais turns into a huge indoor ice rink for an end-of-year skating session beneath the building’s stunning glass dome.

Winter is also a great time to visit if you want to escape the heaving masses that descend on the French capital the rest of the year. You’ll find lines to the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower and the Sacre-Coeur mercifully shorter.

12. Edinburgh, Scotland

Best for iconic celebrations and cheerful pubs

Edinburgh’s medieval old town takes on a mysterious air in winter as mist rolls in from the Firth of Forth, while the Georgian splendour of its new town has plenty of cosy retreats in the form of whisky bars such as Whiski Rooms and pubs like the Jolly Judge.

The city's famous Hogmanay celebrations are among the world's finest New Year festivities, featuring torch-lit processions, street parties and the memorable ‘Loony Dook’ – a New Year's Day dip in the freezing Forth.

For a cultural fix, the National Museum of Scotland and Scottish National Gallery are both free to enter and provide shelter on blustery days.

13. Stockholm, Sweden

Best for wintry scenes and free events

Stockholm feels truly unique in winter, when the Baltic freezes over to join its 14 islands and locals embrace the season in true Scandi style.

Don't miss the Vasa Museum, home to a preserved 17th-century warship, or ABBA The Museum for a dose of pure musical joy. The Stockholm subway system doubles as the world's longest art gallery, providing a warm way to explore the city's creative side.

Come February, the Stockholm Design Week brings international creativity to the city with free events, exhibitions and open showrooms.

14. Rome, Italy

Best for world-famous sights without the crowds

Fancy a city break to Rome this winter? You’ll be in for a real treat – crowds are long gone, queues are almost non-existent and the costs of flights and hotels drop considerably. If you can handle a bit of cold, it’s a fantastic time to see this enchanting city without the masses.

You’ve got the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Sistine Chapel to visit, all of which are open as usual. Meanwhile the Vatican, almost as famous for its long lines as the chap that lives there, is remarkably quiet and easy to get into.

Of course, as you’re in Rome, you might want to do as the Romans do. Get acquainted with locals in a bar, fill up on winter fare at a family-run trattoria – Roman artichokes, anyone? – or soak up some culture in the Teatro dell’Opera.

15. Istanbul, Turkey

Best for warming spas and UNESCO sights

Istanbul's famous hammams come into their own during the cooler months. The Hagia Sophia Hurrem Sultan Bathhouse, a 16th-century Turkish bath is one of the best, offering warm sanctuary and traditional treatments from €95.

Winter is also the best time to sample Turkish comfort food – think steaming bowls of mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) and freshly baked simit sesame bread.

The UNESCO-listed Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are particularly striking against winter skies, while the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market are far less crowded than in summer, allowing for more authentic browsing experiences.

16. Bergen, Norway

Best for colourful architecture and skiing on your doorstep

Norway's second city might be rain-soaked, but winter brings a special kind of magic to its UNESCO-listed wharf, Bryggen.

The colourful wooden buildings look particularly striking against moody winter skies, while the surrounding mountains deliver excellent skiing opportunities just minutes from the city centre.

The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra's winter season is a cultural highlight, while the Fish Market serves up warming fish soup and fresh seafood year-round.

Take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen for spectacular winter views over the city and fjords.

17. Lisbon, Portugal

Best for mild weather and unique museums

If you’re seeking milder winter temperatures, Portugal’s capital is the ideal city escape. While the rest of Europe shivers, Lisbon typically enjoys pleasant daytime temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

The city's famous hills are much more manageable to explore without summer's heat, while the historic trams are considerably less crowded.

Winter is the perfect time to explore the city's outstanding museums, including the National Tile Museum and the Gulbenkian art museum. Don't miss the chance to warm up in a traditional pastelaria with a pastel de nata and bica (Portuguese espresso).

18. Tallinn, Estonia

Best for authentic Christmas markets and a good chance of snow

Estonia's capital is a fairytale city that truly embraces winter. There’s the medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s particularly enchanting when snow settles on its spires and towers, and its Christmas market is one of Europe's most authentic, running well into January.

Estonian cuisine comes into its own during winter – try traditional black bread and warming soups in the atmospheric cellar restaurants.

The Estonian Open Air Museum offers insights into traditional life, while the Tallinn TV Tower provides spectacular views over the snow-covered city.

19. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Best for an elegant winter getaway

Expect baroque elegance and an alpine atmosphere on a city break to Ljubljana. In winter, the city's famous Triple Bridge and castle are particularly picturesque when dusted with snow, while the central market area hosts delightful winter food festivals.

Take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for winter views over the city, or warm up in one of the many coffee houses along the river.

The city's size makes it perfect for a winter weekend break, with most attractions within walking distance and plenty of cosy stops along the way.

20. Las Vegas, USA

Best for over-the-top casinos and epic day trips

Sin City’s temperature might drop during winter, but the tempo never dips. The city’s neon glow and infamous party spirit buzz year-round and all of the big casinos are still open for business.

Top picks include The Bellagio, with its typically over-the-top mega fountain show and Caesars Palace, a mainstay on the Strip since the 60s. There’s even a fully-functioning canal at the Venetian Casino, should you feel the urge to take a gondola ride in between games at the blackjack table.

Nearby, you’ve got the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, open all year and excellent day trip material. Meanwhile, the Mob Museum is a fascinating look into the world of organised crime once synonymous with Vegas.