Let’s give London and Paris a break — these alternative winter city breaks in Europe by train will give your passport a warm welcome.
Medieval houses in Bruges, Belgium. Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
Bruges, Belgium
Main train station: Brugge
Bruges already gets points for its fairytale-like aesthetic — one that’s all the more enchanting with dark winter nights and white winter snow. Many of the best things to do in Bruges are free game no matter the season, including going up Belfry Tower and exploring the Groeninge Museum. And, if all else fails, making new friends over beers in Bar Ran will do the trick.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Main train station: København H
It’s easy to spend 3 days in Copenhagen, even if you’re arriving in Denmark’s capital during the winter months. Slide on a pair of ice skates and glide across the Brones Skøjtebane ice rink (though it is temporarily closed) near Nyhavn. Do as the locals do with vinterbadning, or winter bathing, with a cold plunge. However you decide to embrace Copenhagen’s cold season, you’re in for an invigorating experience.
Read also: Solo travel guide to Copenhagen, Denmark: where to eat, stay, and play
Salzburg, Austria covered in snow. Image Credit: Getty Images, Walter Geiersperger
Salzburg, Austria
Main train station: Salzburg Hbf
The hills are alive with the Sound of Music and the sound of winter in Salzburg. Austrian Christmas markets are a must, though a walk through Old Town (Altstadt) is lovely even when the festivities cease. Come in from the cold with visits to Mozart’s birthplace and Salzburg Cathedral; better yet, visit during the annual Mozart Week in January and hear the city’s classical music fill the space between the snowflakes.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Main train station: Ljubljana
You’re a savvy traveler — which means you know that even cities like Ljubljana, that are growing in popularity, are much less crowded in the winter. Take advantage of the cheaper rates in hotels to set up shop in the Slovenian capital. When you’re done visiting the Ljubljana Castle and strolling through Tivoli Park, consider day trips to Lake Bled and Postojna Cave.
Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, J-Picture
Nuremberg, Germany
Main train station: Nürnberg Hbf
No way could we advocate a winter city break to Europe without insisting that you visit a Christmas market. Nuremberg has some of the best Christmas markets in Germany. Its main market, Christkindlesmarkt, dates back to the 16th century and opens with a visit from the angelic Christkind. Grab a cup of mulled wine, search for gifts in the wooden stalls, and enjoy this beautiful city under the twinkling lights.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Main train station: Interlaken Ost
Do you need an excuse to visit the Swiss Alps during winter? Interlaken is a great base to get settled in no matter if you prefer downhill skiing or après-skiing. January is the sweet spot: a little bit of festivity still lingers from December, but the crowds don’t. January might have lower temperatures, but also lower wait times on the slopes compared to February.
Read also: Skiing in the Alps: best resorts and European ski season guide
Christmas Tram and castle in Budapest, Hungary. Image Credit: Getty Images, Laszlo Szirtesi
Budapest, Hungary
Main train station: Keleti
Oh, to be in Budapest during the winter. Soaking in the thermal baths. Sipping a 24-carat-gold New York cappuccino at the New York Café. Eating a warm chimney cake en route to a ruin pub. Budapest is beautiful in the winter; and with fewer travelers headed that far east, you’ll have an intimate date with the Danube.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Main train station: Rovaniemi Central Station
No, you’re not crazy for booking a flight to Finland for the winter…that is, unless you think chasing down the Northern Lights and unwinding in a Finnish sauna is an insane vacation itinerary. Plus, a certain someone is more than willing to welcome you into the Arctic Circle.
Jolly old St. Nick has a home in Finnish Lapland and it’s as magical as you’d imagine. Board the Santa Claus Express overnight train from Helsinki and wake up to the winter wonderland. Santa, his elves, and his reindeer invite children and the young at heart to explore “Santa’s official North Pole residence”.
Christmas light decorations on a canal in Amsterdam. Image Credit: Getty Images, Amith Nag Photography
Amsterdam
Main train station: Amsterdam Centraal
You don’t need a loved one on your arm to feel a sense of romance while strolling along Amsterdam’s canals. The city itself greets you like an old friend, and in the winter, it grabs you by the hand and pulls you out into the night for the Amsterdam Light Festival.
This annual effervescent event fills the city’s streets with lights. You can take self-paced walking tours or formal guided tours by bike or boat to see the twinkles. The Amsterdam Light Festival does take place during the holidays, but you need not celebrate to enjoy the scenery. It adds a dazzling ambiance to the architecture, whether you’re headed to a holiday party or simply to a coffee shop for a relaxing evening.
Read also: Guide to buying tickets in Amsterdam
Edinburgh, Scotland
Main train station: Edinburgh Waverley
Edinburgh is a magical city no matter the weather. Scotch whisky tasting tours will warm your cockles, though staying indoors is not recommended. Celebrate the end of the year in the Scottish capital at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival: a four-day outdoor experience that is worth the shivers.
Coinciding with Edinburgh’s Winter Festival, Hogmanay runs from December 29th through January 1st. Texas and Callum Beattie headline The Concert in the Gardens performances that take over the West Princes Street Gardens, with Hot Dub Time Machine also dropping beats on New Year’s Eve. The Street Party in the city center lights up the skies when the clock strikes 12, starting the New Year off with a bang.
View snowy landscapes and twinkling lights from the warmth of a train car. Download the Trainline app and start planning your winter city break today.
Christmas decorations on Victoria Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, StephenBridger
