Europe truly has something for everyone, and winter time is no exception. I have broken down our top European winter destinations into four categories: Best Winter Nature Escapes, Best Winter City Breaks, Best Christmas Vibes, and Best Skiing Destinations. Whatever you fancy for a trip this holiday season, we hope you can find some inspiration here.  Without further ado, our 11 Top Winter Destinations in Europe! 

Best Winter Nature Escapes in Europe

1. Slovenia 

Slovenia, by far one of our favorite winter destinations in Europe. We were positively blown away by our visit to Slovenia. From the unforgettable scenery of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, to the funky and colorful streets of Ljubljana, Slovenia is a one stop shop. The best part? The country still feels somewhat undiscovered by tourists, especially during the winter months. Hurry in booking your trip. We have to imagine word will spread sooner rather than later. We’ve put together a complete guide to Lake Bled, Slovenia that’s definitely worth a read before you visit. 

2. Finland

Famously home to Santa Claus himself, you’ll be hard pressed to find a winter destinations list not suggesting a visit to Finland for the holidays. While we’re dying to experience the winter scenery and a reindeer ride through the forrest, at the top of our bucket list is catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Combine this with overnight stays in your own personal igloo? K, enough said.

Best Winter City Breaks in Europe

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

Maybe not the first destination that comes to mind, but 100% worth noting in best winter destinations in Europe. There is a Danish concept of ‘hygge‘, which represents a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. One, the fact that the Danes have a specific word for this explains how important it is. Two, arguably no city does hygge better than Copenhagen. It’s the perfect place for a weekend winter getaway. Read our post on Things to See & Do in Copenhagen when you go, as well as Where to Eat & Drink. 

4. Italy

Perhaps another curve ball! Stay with me though. We visited Northern Italy during January last year, and it was a dream. Is Venice on your bucket list? We highly suggest going during the colder months. This time of year is off-peak, meaning less crowds and more picturesque canal views to yourself. Check out my post on 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Venice in Winter. I have a feeling you’ll be easily convinced. After Venice, carry on to Verona where hill-top views, castles, and unbelievable food will all blow your mind. I’ve put together a post on What to See & Do in Verona when you go. Have time to spare? Nearby Lago di Garda is a famous Italian summer destination, but the winter months also offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, eating, or just relaxing by the lake.

5. Belgium

The whimsical architecture featured across the cities of Belgium has me convinced they were designed for winter strolls. Add in warm Belgian chocolate, fluffy waffles, and a few creamy Belgian ales? We’re sold. Brussels is incredibly easy to reach via train from cities such as London and Amsterdam. Perfect for a weekend getaway. Ever seen the movie ‘In Bruges’? Not only is it a phenomenal film, but it showcases the charm and beauty of Bruges. A bit harder to reach, but for sure worth the effort!

Best Christmas Markets in Europe

6. Germany

Germany arguably does Christmas markets better than any country in the world. In our opinion, the top destination include Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, both equally famous for their Christmas markets. Check out our post detailing a full guide to 24 Hours in Nuremberg and Discovering Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The great news? Both are fairly easy to see in the same trip. If you have three or more days to dedicate to your holiday, we highly suggest a road trip through southern Germany, taking a route called the Romantic Road. It’s easy to navigate with pit stops to wander in medieval towns, explore ancient castles, enjoy alpine scenery, and of course, get lost in the Christmas markets. Be sure to read our post on the Romantic Road in Germany for the ultimate guide and itinerary.

7. Austria

Austria is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Vienna boasts an incredible Christmas market, full of charm and holiday cheer with the backdrop of the ornate city center. Vienna is also very accessible, so reasonably-priced flights and trains should be easy to find. Hallstatt, while not as easy to get to, is straight out of a postcard. Imagine a serene lake, reflecting colorful cottages and towering snow capped mountains. Yeah, we can’t wait to visit either.

8. England

As self-proclaimed Londoners, we would be remissed to not include the country we call home on this list. Yes, we may be a bit biased, but the English bloody love the holidays and show it in many ways. London is the most obvious of destinations. Head to Oxford Street to marvel at the lights and shop the high street, then tuck into the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for a tipple and some nibbles. Looking for a classic English cottage to hide away for the weekend? We’re dying to escape to the Cotswolds to do just that.

Best Skiing Destinations in Europe

9. Slovakia

Perhaps not top of your list or even on your list at all, but we would argue it should be! Home to the Tatra Mountains, Slovakia is the place to visit for great skiing without the hefty price tag. Fun fact, Dave’s dad is from Slovakia and his family still lives there. This always gives us an excuse to visit, and we wish we did more often. Jasna is the main skiing region. Before planning a trip, check out a great post here by the Guardian.

10. France

Next to Austria and Switzerland, France offers some of the best skiing in Europe. We’re hoping to visit Chamonix this season, home to one of the oldest resorts in the region. Read Culture Trip’s guide for inspiration on other regions and destinations that are worth a visit.

11. Switzerland

Notoriously expensive, but worth every penny. Skiing on the Swiss Alps? That’s a bucket list item to cross off. Read this guide by the Telegraph for insight into the best ski regions in Switzerland, depending on what you’re looking for out of the trip.

Conclusion

One of my favorite parts about Europe is how vastly different each country is, yet how easy it is to move between them. I hope you get an opportunity to make it to one of our top winter destinations in Europe, or maybe even a couple. Be sure to let me know when you do!

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Lake Bled is a real life postcard. A medieval, hilltop castle overlooks an unlikely island in the middle of an emerald green lake, all surrounded by the impressive background of the Julian Alps. We couldn’t make this stuff up. 

Yet, our trip this December proved that Lake Bled is even more spectacular than we imagined. There is such a variety of things to do, and we were regularly surprised by the lack of over-tourism. 

A visit to Slovenia would truly not be complete without a stop in Lake Bled. Read on for our complete guide on things to see, eat, and do in the area!

How to Get to Lake Bled?

Lake Bled is less than an hour drive from Ljubljana. We rented a car from Ljubljana Airport, but you can also get to Lake Bled very easily by bus. The Central Bus Station in Ljubljana offers frequent routes, and the bus journey takes ~1 hour and 20 minutes. The cost for a return ticket is €13, and you can check departure times on their website.

Where to Stay in Lake Bled?

We stayed at the Pletna B&B, which we found on Airbnb and chose because all five rooms boast a a balcony and spectacular views of the lake.

The decor inside is a bit dated, but in a charming way. It is also located right next to a grocery store and our favorite restaurant in Bled!

Highly suggest taking advantage of the option to order breakfast to the room. For €8/person, they’ll bring you a full on feast!

Where to Eat in Lake Bled?

1. Restaurant Sova – We liked Sova so much we ended up going twice during our stay in Bled! The dish presentations are oddly ornate, but the food and wine were both delicious and reasonably priced. Highly recommend the chef’s truffle soup and the seafood risotto. End the meal with the dessert board to include homemade truffle ice cream. Trust us..
2. Confectionary Zima – Make sure to try the local cakes. Cremeschnitte, a puffy cream cake, is the most commonly suggested delicacy. We actually preferred Gibanica, which is made with layers of strudel, poppy, cottage cheese, nuts and apples, and topped off with powdered sugar. Yup. Best enjoyed with a coffee or a glass of wine. 
3. Supermarkets – One of our favorite (and wallet conscious) things to do was pick up meats, cheeses, and breads from the local grocer to bring along with us for daytime activities and hiking. Right next to the lake, and a short walk from Pletna B&B, was Mercator Mlino Bled. They have all the goodies.
4. You can also go to Bled Castle Restaurant for high altitude views over the lake, but it looked a bit overpriced for our liking.

Things to Do in Lake Bled

1. Row a Boat to Bled Island

Rent a two-person row boat and paddle around Bled Island. You’ll admire the church and the island from all vantage points, making for some great photo ops. The place we stayed, Pletna B&B, had its own dock for boat rentals right outside the rooms.

Most visitors opt for the group boat tour, which is essentially just a bigger boat that carries you to and from Bled Island. While the views of Bled Island from the surrounding areas are breathtaking, we found the island itself a bit underwhelming.

2. Hike to Mala Ojstrica

This is the quintessential view of Lake Bled. The focal point is Bled Island in the center of the lake, with Bled Castle perched behind it and the Julian Alps framing the background.

From the edge of the lake, the hike takes 20 minutes or so and is 611 meters high. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with incredible scenery and even a little bench to soak it all in. Top tip: bring a warm coffee and a snack to enjoy at the top.

We woke up to snowfall one morning, so we quickly decided to make our way for Mala Ojstrica. At the lookout point, we were so surprised to have the whole area to ourselves! The snow muffled any ambient noises coming from the town below, so we enjoyed the spectacular view in complete serenity. After some coffee, and a ton of photos, it was time to head off for Mala Osojnica.

3. Hike to Mala Osojnica

From Mala Ojstrica, you can follow the signposts pointing to Mala Osojnica. The path is unmarked, but you basically carry on for 20 minutes until you reach Osojnica where you will find a bench and chain link fence. This viewpoint is slightly higher (670m) and probably just as impressive as Ojstrica. But, it’s a bit further away from the lake and has an obstructed view with the fence, making it harder to capture in photographs.

4. Visit Bled Castle

One thing we noticed in Slovenia, is that they love to build castles on the top of a hill. Bled Castle is no exception, and it definitely adds to the fairytale vibes of Lake Bled. 

Similar to Bled Island, we preferred admiring Bled Castle from afar. The castle itself feels like it has been over-commercialized. 

5. Walk the Lake

There is a walking path the entire way around the lake. While the views from Mala Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica are breathtaking, the views from the paths around the lake are unparalleled. 

Things to Do Near Lake Bled

6. Check out Vintgar Gorge

Just a 15min drive from Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is located on the edge of Triglav National Park. A narrow, wooden path and emerald green water will guide you along the 1.6km walk. We used our rental car, but you can also make it to Vintgar Gorge by bike!

Upon arrival, we were disappointed to find out that the walkway was closed for the winter. However, we made the most of it by hiking our way above the Vintgar Gorge walking trail, and ending at Šum Waterfall (or Slap Šum). 

Amazing views of the mountains and the bluest water you have ever seen. Yes, the water is actually that color..

7. Take a trip to Lake Bohinj

By now, you should have an idea of what makes Lake Bled so unique and coveted. Still, I would argue that Lake Bohinj was even better. The entire town feels more natural, more isolated, more…Slovenian. 

Lake Bohinj, at 318 hectares, is twice the size of Lake Bled. The town of Bohinj is also nestled within Triglav National Park, which means there are amazing options for hiking nearby.

8. Explore Triglav National Park

We’ve already mentioned Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bohinj, both of which are part of Triglav National Park, but there is so much more to Slovenia’s sole national park. It is home to Mt. Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia at over 2,800 meters. The mountain is a symbol for Slovenia, even featuring on the crest of their national football team. Useless fact: Triglav means “three heads” in Slovenian.

Alternately, you could spend the day exploring various hiking trails, skiing at Vogel Ski Resort, or admiring the Savica Waterfall.

9. Gaze at Predjama Castle

We didn’t end up making it to Predjama Castle, but we wish we did. It is a medeival castle built in the mouth of a cave, surrounded by cliffs and secret tunnels. Fittingly, it holds the Guinness World Record for “largest cave castle”. 

By car, it takes about 75min to get to Predjama Castle from Lake Bled.

10. Explore the wine region of Vipava Valley

Another one we didn’t make it to, Vipava Valley is certainly one for the foodies and wine drinkers. It is a hub for Slovenian wine, hospitality, and sustainability. If you want to learn more, we found this blog post quite useful and enjoyable.

By car, Vipava Valley is only 30-min from Predjama Castle (#9), so we recommend pairing these two if you end up making the trip.

Looking back, I feel silly admitting that it’s the photos of Lake Bled that convinced us to go to Slovenia. And that is because there is just so much more to this beautiful country! We look back so fondly on our trip, and I hope this guide comes in handy when you start planning yours!

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