Recently updated on March 3rd, 2025 at 02:29 pm
Sigh-inducing cityscapes lightly dusted with snow. Shimmering Christmas lights illuminating traditional markets. Imposing historical monuments standing proud, bathed in colour. In winter, Europe’s cities transform into striking, fairy tale locations that seemingly belong on the pages of a dusty tome. If you thought Europe was a dream in summer, these 15 incredible photographs will make you want to visit Europe in winter.
Berlin
The morning sun glistens on a powdery white snowfall that dapples the ground in front of Berlin’s historic Brandenburg Gate.
Krakow
What a square and what a tree! Krakow’s grand main market is dominated by a giant, sparkling Christmas tree that towers over visitors and market stalls.
London
The snow-kissed Jubilee Garden’s on London’s Southbank look like something out of a romantic movie. A ride on the dizzying London Eye as the flakes tumble down completes the Christmas mood.
Madrid
Each winter, vivid, colourful lights illuminate Madrid’s imposing City Hall on Cibeles Square, bathing its Gothic ramparts in brilliant hues.
Reykjavik
The best Christmas lights in the world? Probably. The Aurora Borealis dances across the sky above a twinkling Reykjavik in Iceland – a country where it almost always feels like winter.
Rome
Where’s the sun?! Rome’s Colosseum is virtually unrecognisable under a generous sprinkling of snow, like icing sugar on a wedding cake.
Prague
Impressive Gothic rooftops burst through the snowfall creating a fairy tale city.
Bergen
How cosy do these cabins look along Bergen waterfront in Norway? Log fire, blanket and a cup of tea: bliss.
Paris
Now you can see how it earned its nickname, the City of Love – what could be more romantic than the view of the Eiffel Tower emerging from the snow-blanketed rooftops of Paris?
Budapest
Frequently voted the most beautiful building in Europe, the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest looks grander than ever as it sits on the banks of the frozen River Danube.
Stockholm
Stockholm’s iconic, colourful merchant homes glow resplendently, lit by Christmas market cabins.
Vienna
Regal, opulent and even more show-stopping bathed in golden floodlight. Vienna’s Neo-Gothic Rathaus simply stuns in winter.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s snow-carpeted spires and Regency buildings are straight from the pages of a Dickensian novel.
Amsterdam
Beautifully reflected in the canals, Amsterdam’s pretty lights look especially Christmassy in winter.
Frankfurt
Now that’s what we call a Christmas market! Held in the picturesque Römerberg, Frankfurt’s is one of Germany’s largest and certainly most beautiful.
We travel to all these destinations. If you’re inspired to visit Europe in winter, take a look here. Where’s your favourite European city in winter? We’d love to know!
Image Credits: Berlin © iStock/bolero. Krakow © iStock/Tomeyk. London © iStock/_ultraforma_ . Madrid © iStock/jOSEiGNACIOsOTO. Reykjavik © iStock/sumos. Rome © iStock/MattiATH. Bergen © iStock/VYCHEGZHANINA. Stockholm © iStock/scanrail. Vienna © iStock/Xavier arnau. Edinburgh © iStock/georgeclerk. Frankfurt © iStock/sborisov.