Best destinations to visit in January in Europe

Share

Europe settles into full winter by January, and the destinations that stand out this month tend to lean into the cold rather than avoid it.

Alpine regions hit their stride for skiing and snowboarding, with reliable snow cover through most of the month. Northern Europe offers some of the best chances all year to see the northern lights, thanks to the long dark nights. Southern Europe stays milder by comparison, and its cities see far fewer visitors than during peak summer, which makes sightseeing easier without the usual lines. Daylight hours are short across most of the continent, so plans built around fewer, well chosen stops tend to work best. A handful of cities also mark the new year with local festivals and traditions that run into the first weeks of January.

The destinations on our list for Europe reflect that same split between snowy adventure and quieter winter city breaks.