Fall may be just beginning, but it’s never too early to plan a winter escape.
Despite the frigid weather in many places, that won’t stop travelers from galavanting around Europe in search of postcard-esque winter wonderlands and bustling Christmas markets.
Forbes just revealed the best place to be this winter based on Google search trend analysis from ferry operator DFDS – and the results may surprise you!
Typically, travelers stick to what they know in the winter months, with the likes of France and Spain calling our names with their cultural icons and stunning coastlines.
But, the trendiest European country boasts a pair of magical cities of their own, both worthy of being your main destination.
Austria is often overlooked, but when winter comes around, it transforms into a quintessential ‘white Christmas’.
Don’t Skip Over Austria: Easy To Reach And Stunningly Beautiful
I’ve written over 700 articles. Few places trigger my wanderlust when researching destinations, but Austria is in an exclusive club.
By far one of my top winter favorites, I would go back year after year if I could, so believe the hype!
Austria connects to some mighty neighbors, making it easy to reach depending on where you’re looking to go.
One of the most underrated aspects of Austria is its phenomenal train rides, which are hardly ever discussed.
Of course, we all know Europe loves to get around by rail, but grabbing a window seat during an Austrian winter levels up your experience with such railways as the Mariazell Railway and the Semmering Railway, the latter being a historic route passing UNESCO-protected sites.
All around, Austria is simply a gorgeous winter getaway end to end.
While the top cities may be spiking with intrigue, don’t skip the delightful small towns like the Frozen-inspired town of Hallstatt or the hidden mountain gem of Kaisertal, easily reachable by train from Munich.
Tip: if visiting Halstatt, you’re not alone! There have been rumors of implementing tourist limits for years as hordes of tourists have far outnumbered the town’s population of just 800 people.
Vienna: An Unforgettable Christmas Market Destination
Vienna is where I visited and never wanted to leave! While the city can be a bit pricey, visiting the multitude of Christmas markets is an absolute must!
While it may be a stretch to visit all of them, if there’s one you’ve heard of before, it’s likely on Rathausplatz Square, backdropped by some of Vienna’s most impressive Gothic architecture.
Vienna embraces all the festivities of the holiday season, where you can’t ignore the bright lights, seasonal goodies, and all-around Christmas cheer.
This particular market can be explored for hours as there are over 100 wooden stalls selling local goods and traditional eats and drinks like varieties of sausages and mulled wine.
The whole city is one of the most beautiful I’ve come across in Europe, but only enhances once winter rolls around.
The markets will surely be the highlight of your trip, as they were mine, but don’t skip out on Vienna’s world-class museums and renowned coffeehouses.
Tip: As a cheaper alternative, make your base in Bratislava, Slovakia just an hour away by bus – home to an astounding castle, quirky art, and bustling Christmas markets of their own.
Salzburg: Europe’s Trendiest Winter Destination
Vienna may be the urban Hallmark card come Christmas time, but Salzburg is a real-life storybook nestled in the snowy Alps.
Traveler intrigue has spiked upwards of 130% for Salzburg, making it 2024’s trendiest winter escape.
Of course, as the birthplace of Mozart, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to partake in the plentiful musical acts scheduled throughout the year.
In other words, Salzburg isn’t solely a ‘winter wonderland’ destination. But, once winter arrives, you’d be hard-pressed to find any tourist who didn’t peruse the lively Christmas markets and quaint, picturesque streets.
While hordes of tourists flock to Salzburg for a taste of holiday cheer, there’s one unmissable attraction to escape the crowds.
Beautiful Hohensalzburg Fortress is set just outside the city center, boasting tranquil gardens and fountains for a blissful day away with better photo-ops.
Not to mention, if Salzburg does have one leg up on Vienna, it’s this: Salzburg provides easy access to ample ski resorts in the area to level up your winter getaway.
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