Winter is an overlooked time in Europe. July and August are peak travel months for visitors.
Travel during the winter in Europe can be extremely rewarding. Major tourist destinations are less crowded.
Ski resorts are open, and yes, they are busy, as are the Christmas markets.
However, cities like Paris, Rome and Florence, which have some of the best museums anywhere, are relatively quiet.
Travel at Christmas time in Europe?
To see the European Christmas traditions, especially the markets of Germany and Austria, it is necessary to go during Advent.
The month before Christmas is great in most cities, small or large, which are filled with a Christmas atmosphere.
However, Christmas and New Year’s can be overcrowded. This is of course, the time Europeans travel a lot as well.
My recommendation is to travel the first couple of weeks of December for the best experience, and for Christmas markets.
2 Week Europe Winter Itinerary
Winter in Europe is a great time to travel. This itinerary is specifically for the half of winter before Christmas when traditional markets add to the festive atmosphere.
As always, my itineraries are suggestions and starting points for planning. Take this as an idea and adapt to your needs.
- Arrive in Paris (2N) – Settle in and take a walk to try to escape jetlag. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées, beautifully lit up for the season, and enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Christmas markets around the city.
- Visit the Louvre – A must-see on any visit to Paris. During the winter, it is significantly less crowded than during the summer months. Head to the Latin Quarter for the afternoon and visit the newly reopened Notre Dame.
- Spend the morning visiting another museum or climbing the Eiffel Tower and take an afternoon train to Strasbourg (3N)
- Visit the famous Christkindelsmärik and explore the medieval center of Strasbourg, including the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral.
- Day trip to Colmar. The picturesque town of Colmar, famous for its fairy-tale canals and colorful half-timbered houses, is just 30 minutes from Strasbourg by train.
- It’s a 3-hour train ride to Munich (2N), spend the afternoon at the Christmas markets at Marienplatz and in the old town.
- In the morning, take a trip a little out of town to Dachau. The first of the Nazi Concentration camps should not be missed. Think of it as a social responsibility to visit and learn about the horrors. In the afternoon you can reflect on the freedom that allows the numerous Christmas markets.
- Two hours to the south is Innsbruck (2N), nestled in the heart of the Alps. Once host to the Winter Olympics it is now the gateway to amazing skiing. Visit the Christmas markets here in the Afternoon and wander round the pretty old town.
- Even if you don’t ski you can take a cable car up to the Nordkette for stunning views. Your afternoon can be spent in the old town or take a quick trip to nearby Hall in Tirol – one of the most beautiful old towns in Europe.
- Take an early train to Vienna (3N). It is about 5 hours to the Christmas Market Capital. There are multiple markets worth visiting here, not least the Karlsplatz Market with excellent local artisan crafts.
- Explore the Rathausplatz Christmas market and the nearby Hofburg. This is the classic Architecture Vienna is known for. Save the afternoon for Schönbrunn Palace, the old palace of the Emperors, which has amazing gardens. In the winter they are transformed to a Christmas Market.
- Take a day to relax in Vienna. There are plenty of art museums to keep warm and plenty of Christmas markets to if you want to indulge.
- Turn North towards Prague (2N). I suggest taking a private transfer or a “tour transfer” that allows you to visit Lednice Castle (or another castle) on the way. Otherwise, travel by train.
- Don’t stress too much about what to do in Prague. Stroll through the Old Town Square Christmas market, visit Prague Castle, and stock up on different Christmas presents to what you might get in a normal year.
- Depart Prague for home.
How to adapt the winter itinerary
This trip can be done by rail or rental car. Around Christmas though, I suggest booking trains well in advance to guarantee seating.
If you aren’t as interested in the Christmas markets, rest assured that this itinerary is equally good after Christmas.
The cities are a bit quieter, and you will have a more relaxing time on public transport. Car rental runs into more difficult driving conditions in January, with snow being more common.
If you don’t have as much time, consider skipping Prague and leaving it for another trip. Or leave Paris and Strasbourg out and concentrate on the German/Austrian Portion.
As with everything in Europe, there is massive variation. The winter experience and traditions also vary from East to West and from North to South.
Europe Itinerary for skiing
I deliberately left skiing off this itinerary as a lot of my readers and clients don’t make it a priority.
Of course, for those of you who do enjoy a day on the pistes, there is ample opportunity to add a few days to this trip in a ski resort.
An extra day in Innsbruck will allow you to try one of the local hills. A few extra days make it worthwhile heading to one of the larger resorts nearby. Soelden, St. Anton or Hintertux are all good ski areas before Christmas when snow isn’t as sure.
Otherwise head from Strasbourg to Munich via Switzerland. For Ski aficionados, the detour is worth it.
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