Vienna was voted the best city in Europe in this year's Readers' Choice Awards—a title that holds true no matter the season. The notion of postcard-perfect villages steeped in old-world charm has inspired centuries of travelers to fan out across Europe, seeking its secluded hamlets. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading to the fringes of Europe in Iceland, seeing the stunning northern lights in Norway or exploring the sleepy (and totally gorgeous) little villages in Spain.There’s a whole heap to explore, ramble around and enjoy. The trick is to know where to visit. The sun doesn't rise for several weeks in December and January but that darkness makes it one of the world's best places to view the majestic aurora borealis. If you are looking for the best places to visit in Europe during the off-season these 13 suggestions are a winner. No two places experience it quite the same way and a visit in winter often feels like you’re seeing a destination for the first time again. We rank the 10 Best Winter Vacations in Europe. In 1809, Lord Byron penned a letter to his friend Francis Hodgson, writing, “I must just observe that the village of Cintra in Estremadura is the most beautiful in the world.” This fairytale Portugal town sitting at the edge of Europe has charmed countless visitors for centuries. It may be one of the smaller continents, but what Europe lacks in size, it makes up for in style. Our pick of top European cities to visit during the winter while studying abroad and traveling in Europe. Winter in Dresden is all about Stollen and properly cold weather. The city looked beautiful, like from a fairy tale! Almost as far north as you can get in Europe on a train, Abisko in Lapland is for lovers of serious winter. See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites. Whether it's fewer crowds, less rain or more adventures, come and discover Europe without price hikes and swarms of people. A stop in Venice during its colder months is a definite European highlight, as it’s one of the best European cities to visit during the winter. Sometimes there was so much snow that the streets were blocked, but that just added to the overall atmosphere of the city. In 1809, Lord Byron penned a letter to his friend Francis Hodgson, writing, “I must just observe that the village of Cintra in Estremadura is the most beautiful in the world.” This fairytale Portugal town sitting at the edge of Europe has charmed countless visitors for centuries. Every year you rank Zermatt among the best ski resorts in Europe. Europe is gorgeous - in winter and summer, all year long. A place with fresh air, fresh water and many beautiful landscapes. Look no further! In the spirit of the season, we've gone through thousands of recommendations from travelers on minube to find out Europe's most magical mountain towns that international travelers can't miss this winter. From Cyprus to Antalya, from city breaks to beaches – these are the hottest European winter sun spots. If you’re in desperate need of a winter escape, or the travel bug just can’t wait for summer, then book yourself a ticket to one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe. The followings are 10 most beautiful villages in Europe. 9 winter sun destinations in Europe where you can escape the chill and there's enough sunshine to see you through to March. This is my list of the best European cities to visit in winter . Take a look at 11 of the prettiest villages to visit in Europe. Regardless of your motivations, we hope you find a European hike below that will inspire you to come back to Europe over and over in search of ever more challenging endeavours. You have also ranked it among the most beautiful ski resorts in Europe, best destinations to visit by train and among the most luxurious ski resorts. Whether you like being in a city or in the country, there are plenty of things to do, quaint and beautiful places to go.Click here to plan what to do and where to go in Germany during winter. Traveling in Germany in winter is nothing less than magical with its Christmas markets, mountains, and lots of snow. BTW, Venice is notorious for being tough to find good food in. Lviv is a place where you easily have one of the best winter vacations in Europe. From the fjords of Norway to the snowy peaks of Trentino, here are Europe's 10 Coziest Mountain Villages. The cake can be bought all over Germany, but it is best tried in its hometown. Looking for the Best Hikes in Europe? Best of Europe in December, January, and February. Luckily, Europe is home to some of the most picturesque villages in the world. The clear blue sky, the snow crunching under the feet and shining in the sun was pure magic. how about taking a vacation to a countryside village? The city’s canals, unique architecture, and old-fashioned atmosphere become magical in winter, and the lack of crowds don’t hurt, either. We are Europeans and we've visited the big cities and hidden gems at different times of year. Europe is the leading ski-holiday destination in the world and the 15 winners are the best in their respective countries. Long-distance hiking is believed to have originated in Europe - Germany, to be precise - over a century ago.