6 Places to Visit For a Winter Wonderland Experience

There is nothing more magical than exploring a new city in the winter. As blankets of white snow softly fall over the landmarks and light up the city at night you will fall in love with the beauty of the architecture and landscapes! Between famous Christmas markets, magnificent skating rinks, and snowy cobblestone streets, discover our tops picks for cities to visit to get the perfect winter wonderland experience … just make sure you bundle up, grab a warm cup of tea or coffee, and bring your camera!

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is one of the most breathtaking cities to visit in Europe — and it is an extraordinary destination to explore in the winter! With an abundance of outdoor Christmas markets and ice-skating rinks, you will get the winter wonderland experience you have been searching for. Let’s not forget about the city’s astounding total of 9 medicinal baths and 123 hot springs which travelers from all around the world visit to bathe in the healing properties of the mineral waters. With its incredible saunas and outdoor pools, the Szechenyi Baths are an all-around favorite and one of the top attractions in Budapest! Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Danube which divides Buda and Pest as you visit famous attractions such as the Buda Castle, which resembles sights straight out of a fairy tale!

Vienna, Austria

With an abundance of magnificent palaces, cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and charming cafes, Vienna is the perfect place to visit in the winter! The Austrian capital is home to a wide range of Christmas markets, breweries, and restaurants serving international cuisine amid the breathtaking plazas that will make you fall in love with the city and its charm. Immerse yourself in the high-energy atmosphere as you wander through the Old Town streets and watch Vienna come to life as the lights and blankets of white snow light up the city at night. Go skating in front of City Hall, which transforms into an outdoor ice rink every winter and becomes the perfect place to test your skating skills. An evening at Vienna Ice World will give you an incredible winter wonderland experience! It is a great place to head on a romantic date or fall in love with the city of Vienna as you may skate through the illuminated paths in one of the largest open-air artificial ice rinks in the world!

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is not only the perfect city for lovers of architecture — it is a dream destination for anyone who wants to feel like they have transported themselves into a fairy-tale! With a lively culture, fascinating architecture, and Old Town squares, walking through the snow-filled city streets will be like stepping into one of Walt Disney’s stories. With its incredible Gothic architecture and striking towers, it is believed that Walt gained inspiration from the Church of Our Lady Before Týn in Prague when he designed the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Watch the city come to life as the cobblestone streets, cathedrals, and palaces become covered in blankets of snow and climb up the Old Town Hall Tower to uncover some of the most breathtaking views of Prague!

St. Petersburg, Russia

Between extraordinary landscapes, colorful architecture, and a rich and fascinating culture, there are plenty of reasons to visit Russia — and a trip to St. Petersburg is a must! This breathtaking city is the perfect place to celebrate New Year’s (Russians take this holiday very seriously) and partake in plenty of winter festivities. While skating, ice fishing, vodka tasting, skiing, and bathhouse bathing are a few of the traditional activities, simply meandering around the city streets as you admire the breathtaking palaces covered in snow will be a magical winter wonderland experience! Book your tickets to dress up and see an opera or ballet, share some hot tea with traditional cookies, and learn about the rich history of St. Petersburg with plenty of museums to choose from!

Tallinn, Estonia

With its breathtaking cityscapes, Tallinn is undoubtedly one of the top hidden gems in Europe! Not only is this the perfect place to learn about Estonian history and immerse yourself in the local culture of the country, but it is an incredible city to visit in the winter! The Old Town buildings, gorgeous cathedrals, and illuminated Christmas markets come to life every year as white blankets of snowfall over the city and give Tallinn a fairy-tale atmosphere. With a trip to Tallinn, you will discover a fascinating mix of modernity and history as you wander around the magical city streets and pay a visit to the Old Town, go outdoor ice skating, visit the open-air museums, and enjoy the breathtaking views from the Patkuli Viewing Platform!

Munich, Germany

If you are searching for a winter wonderland experience, head on a journey through Bavaria and visit Munich! Not only is this incredible city the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about German traditions, but in the winter the city comes to life with the exhilarating music festivals, concerts, and festive winter activities you can partake in from sledding to ice skating and snowboarding! Go skiing in the German Alps, visit one of many extraordinary museums and art galleries, wander around the snow-covered parks, and bask in the beauty of the local castles. Let’s not forget about the magical Christmas Markets of Munich which are famous around the world, where you will be mesmerized by the bright night lights and the inner-city atmosphere of illuminated buildings for a magical Christmas experience!