Top Places Worldwide for a Winter Vacation

If you’re looking at this picture and thinking it looks familiar, that’s because Schloss Neuschwanstein in Germany was the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty’s castle in the Disney universe. But we have King Ludwig II to thank for bringing this stunning, majestic castle to fruition – and although it looks impressive year-round, it looks even more magical during the winter when it’s covered in snow and surrounded by trees and mountains. 

Banff, Canada may have sparked your obsession with magical winter vacations in the first place. Photos of this place make their way onto screensavers and posters across the globe, and it’s hard to imagine somewhere like this being real. But Banff is real, and it’s somewhere that’s very easily accessible for those searching for some winter magic. And if you can tear yourself away from the color of Lake Louise, you’ll be happy to know that there’s so much to see and do in Banff over the winter.

Traditionally, Macedonia is a summer vacation destination. This country is famed for its many beaches and impressive coastline, and the temperatures can soar during the summer months. But if you choose to visit Ohrid in winter, you won’t be disappointed. Located on the edge of a stunning lake, this town will allow you to see the historic, cultural side of Macedonia. And you can spend your days wandering around Byzantine churches.

The city of Tallinn becomes a city of two halves during the winter months. On the one hand, you get to see medieval architecture covered in snow and ice and travel through history as you walk down the cobbled streets and take in the twinkling lights. On the other hand, you can check out (and maybe even take a husky ride over) the magical Tallinn Lake – which will inevitably be frozen over during your winter visit. 

Iceland may already be on your winter bucket list. After all, winter is the prime time to check out the Northern Lights and embrace what the Land of Ice and Fire really has to offer. But this is your sign to add Gullfoss to your list when visiting this winter wonderland. This waterfall descends into a canyon in southwest Iceland and is truly a sight to behind – especially during the winter months. Although it rarely freezes, the surrounding areas do.

You might associate Romania with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but this country is so much more than scary castles and vampires. Around two hours outside of Transylvania, you’ll find the charming town of Brasov. Dating back to the 13th century, this town is steeped in history and culture, and the locals try to keep their old-fashioned ways alive through their architecture, their food, and their Christmas markets. After all, they’re famous for their Christmas markets.

You probably don’t need us to tell you that Lake Tahoe is already a popular tourist destination. Visitors flock here every year to see the lake in all its glory, hike through the nearby forests and mountains, and hire a boat for the day. And while it’s primarily regarded as a summer destination, what many people don’t realize is that it truly shines in the winter when the whole area is covered with snow. 

Utah is already known as a popular destination for winter wonderland seekers. This snowy winter state gets covered in a blanket of snow as soon as the weather turns, but many people choose the wrong towns and cities to explore during this time. One place you must have on your bucket list is the town of Midway, which is famed for its snowsports and natural hot springs – the perfect combination.

When you think of winter destinations, China probably isn’t one of the first destinations that springs to mind. After all, many people associate China with bustling cities and a rich history and culture. But it turns out that certain areas of this country thrive in the winter – including Harbin City. Every year, the people of Harbin City work hard to bring the Ice and Snow Festival to life, and it’s a sight to see. 

Often called the ‘Swedish Lapland,’ Abisko in Sweden is becoming more and more popular as the years go by – and it’s not hard to understand why. This beautiful Swedish village thrives during the winter months, and the people who live here put all of their attention into making it as magical as possible. With a very strong chance that you’ll see the Northern Lights and impressive ski slopes, you could spend weeks exploring it all. 

If your dreams of a winter wonderland vacation are filled with days on the slopes, then a trip to Uludag should definitely be on your wishlist. Although it’s far away from the cities and famous beaches of Turkey, it offers a winter wonderland experience that will keep you busy for weeks. Of course, it’s most famous for its skiing possibilities – but that’s not all this place has to offer. 

Lake Bled is already a hugely popular tourist destination in the summer. Tourists love to see the church situated on an island in the middle of the lake, and they love to explore the surrounding towns and villages. But if you find yourself in Slovenia over the winter months, don’t just assume that Lake Bled is a summer destination. It also thrives during the winter, especially when you look at the snow-capped mountains around you.

Everybody needs to stand before a glacier at some point in their lives. It will really make you re-assess life and what this world is all about, and one of the best places to do this is at the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina. Every winter, travellers flock in their thousands to see this giant glacier in the flesh and hear it creaking as the slow-moving ice and snow flow. 

Some winter destinations look too impressive to be real, but we’re here to tell you that Kirkjufell in Iceland is totally real – and you even have the chance to see it for yourself. But while you might assume that Kirkjufell is a town or village, it’s actually a mountain which is often called “Church Mountain” due to its unique shape. This mountain is then surrounded by open, snowy landscapes.

If we’re being totally honest, the Jigokundani Monkey Park in Japan is more of a winter wonderland for the monkeys themselves – but it’s still something that tourists love to see. During the winter months, this park deals with a constant downpour of heavy snow for around three months, and during this time, the monkeys live their best lives. They frolic in the snow, and then they warm themselves up in the hot spring baths. 

Located in northwest Belgium, you’ll find a charming little city called Ghent – and it’s just as beautiful as you’d think. The whole city looks like it’s straight out of a storybook, and the buildings look like gingerbread houses. And when the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, Ghent becomes a winter wonderland that’s also home to some of the best Christmas markets in Belgium – aside from the iconic Bruges Christmas market, of course. 

Svalbard in Norway is an island close to the North Pole, and it’s one of the most unique destinations on Earth. It is also home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world’s largest backup facility for seeds. It’s also one of the few destinations on Earth to experience the seasons in a way like no other. During the summer, they have constant daylight. During the winter, however, they experience Polar Night, which means that they have constant darkness. 

During the spring and summer months, Engelberg in Switzerland is a playground for hikers and explorers who want to see the green mountains around them. But in the winter months, this landscape transforms into a snowy dream. Near the village is some of the best skiing spots in Europe, and the town itself is charming, quaint, and extremely welcoming. So, you need to add it to your list of places to visit. 

You probably don’t need us to tell you that the state of Montana is incredibly mountainous. And if you head to the town of Whitefish, you’ll see these mountains in all of their glory. Located just a stone’s throw away from Glacier National Park, this town is a winter wonderland and highly regarded as one of the best skiing destinations across the globe. The town is also super friendly and welcoming. 

When you think of Switzerland, you probably already think of the snow-capped Swiss Alps. And while there are so many amazing towns and locations to add to your bucket list in Switzerland, Langwies has to be at the top. This alpine area can only be accessed via train, and the journey alone will take you through snowy forests and through stunning mountain passes. When you get there, the views are stunning. 

Although many people choose to travel to London to see the twinkling lights and Christmas markets over winter, there’s a much better option on the outskirts of the city. Richmond Park was created by Henry VII, who filled the open space with deer, trees, and open fields. Thankfully, it’s been left as a welcome retreat from the city and is now a popular destination for tourists over the winter months. 

Many people dream of exploring the Bavarian towns and villages of Germany, and this country is full of them. Arguably one of the best, however, is Rothenburg ob de Tauber. This ancient city is steeped in history and looks straight out of a fairytale book. In fact, you could spend hours simply wandering the cobbled streets and the rickety old building – but that would give you less time to explore the ‘Reiterlesmarkt.’

For many people, Antarctica is the winter dream. It’s generally known as the end of the earth, as it’s the world’s southernmost continent. However, it’s important to note that you can’t just fly to Antarctica and enjoy the snowy and icy delights that it has to offer. The only legal way to explore this place is to have a permit and explore as a group – and this can be pretty costly. 

If you prefer to stay in the city for your winter wonderland adventure, might we suggest Krakow, Poland? This medieval city is what winter dreams are made of, and you could spend hours simply wandering the ancient cobbled streets without any plans or map. And while the city is often covered in a blanket of snow during the colder periods, it somehow looks even more beautiful than it does during the summer. 

You might already be familiar with the alpine resort of St. Moritz, as this is where the rich and famous spend their winters. Famous for its skiing, you might spot a few famous faces if you choose to visit this destination for your winter destination. But while many tourist traps become modernised and generic as the years go by, you’ll be happy to know that St. Moritz has managed to hold onto its old-school charm and beauty.

If you love Christmas, you should definitely add Rovaniemi to your bucket list. After all, it’s known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, and the whole village has been set up as an ode to the big man himself. There are real-life elves that work there, you can meet Santa, and you can fill your boots with all kinds of Christmas-related activities. In fact, it’s an iconic Finnish destination. 

Many people often travel to Europe to experience winter wonderland, but there are so many amazing winter destinations in the U.S., too. Don’t believe us? Well, we have no doubts that you’ll absolutely love Burlington in Vermont. As if the snow-capped mountains weren’t enough to win you over, this place is also home to people who love winter just as much as you. And you could spend hours wandering the Christmas markets of Burlington. 

Greenland might not be the most obvious choice for a winter break, but this place deserves more credit. After all, Greenland is full of natural wonders that prove it’s unlike anywhere else on Earth, and it’s at its most beautiful when it’s covered with snow. During the winter months, the colorful cabins along the coastline truly make their mark, and it gives you an even bigger chance to enjoy the outdoor delights. 

Although the French Alps are famous for their beauty and majesty, the Italian Alps are just as breathtaking. And if you want a stunning winter destination for your next vacation, Alta Badia could be the place for you. This ski resort comprises six villages and is the ideal winter break. Alongside incredible hotels and lodges, the mountains are perfect for skiing and the scenery will blow you away. Don’t worry if you’re new to skiing, either, as Alta Badia has been designed with novices in mind. 

When you think of Alaska, you might immediately think of an uninhabitable wilderness. And while there are certain areas of this state to avoid in the dead of winter, the colder months are also the perfect time to check out the Northern Lights. In fact, by September and October every year, the town of Fairbanks normally witnesses its first snowfall – and that’s when the lights come out in full force. 

The Scottish Highlands should be on your bucket list anyway. But if you want a truly magical winter experience, heading up into the Highlands during the colder months of the year will be a memory like no other. Of course, the further up you go, the more treacherous it will be, but there are still so many experiences to enjoy during the dead of winter. You could even go on the hunt for the Loch Ness Monster if you fancy your chances. 

Denmark was the home of the father of fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen – and it’s clear to see where he got his inspiration. Copenhagen is one of the most picturesque destinations in the world and it’s particularly stunning in the winter when it’s covered in snow and frost. You can take in the colorful buildings and the impressive architecture, or you could spend hours wandering around the many Christmas markets in this city. Copenhagen really is your winter oyster.

Japan is one of those places that you can visit all year round. The country is just as beautiful and cultural no matter when you travel there, but there’s something about Japan in the winter that is truly breathtaking. Although snow isn’t guaranteed everywhere, many areas of Kyoto are covered in snow during the winter months. This shouldn’t stop you from exploring its rich culture and impressive attractions, though. In fact, it makes them even better. 

Everyone knows that Canada is covered in snow in the winter, right? But when you have a whole country to explore, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where you want to go. In our opinion, Quebec City should be at the top of your bucket list. With his French architecture and aesthetic, it will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to Europe, and seeing snow atop the beautiful buildings and along the cobbled streets will heal your soul.

Those familiar with the state of Minnesota will know that the winters get very cold – but don’t let that put you off. The people in this state know exactly how to make the most of what they have, and they enjoy the winters more than their summers. And when you’ve finished checking out the famous lighthouse, you have a wealth of activities to try out, from nordic skiing to dogsledding and even ice climbing if you’re brave.