5 Winter Wonderlands To Visit In Europe

Charming villages and picturesques snowy landscapes make these European destinations a hit in the winter season.

Cortina is magical in winter Courtesy of Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

The pretty enclave of Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Italian Dolomites, is known as a high-end ski town drawing visitors from all over Europe, as well as further afield. While it’s a favorite winter wonderland destination for affluent travelers, it’s a lot more relaxed than say, Courchevel. Stay at the classic Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina, where you can après-ski at 1224 Terrazza against a backdrop of the stunning, snow-covered Dolomites.

Baden-Baden getty

Baden-Baden, Germany

While all the seasons bring their own charms to the UNESCO spa town of Baden-Baden, winter is a special delight, with postcard-worthy snowy views over the enchanting Lichtentaler Allee park and the surrounding Black Forest. Stay at the nearly 150-year-old Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa for relaxing medi-spa treatments and plenty of outdoor pursuits, such as winter hikes through the over 10,000 hectares of parkland.

Color dark photography of Val d'isere ski resort illuminated village by snowy night in European Alps in winter, with some deep snow and ski lift equipements lost in fog. This image was taken in winter season in Val d'Isere, a french famous ski resort village in Tarentaise mountains, in Savoie, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region in European Alps. getty

Val d’Isère, France

With challenging slopes, natural beauty and high-end hospitality offerings, France’s Val d’Isère is one of Europe’s most sought-after winter escapes. The Alpine-chic, piste-side Airelles Val d’Isere is the place to stay, with just 41 rooms, plus a Guerlain Spa and brand-new restaurant, Loulou.

As the sun rises more and more of the city of St. Moritz in the Engadine alps in Switzerland is bathed in sunlight. The photograph was taken on a freezing cold winter morning from the ice covered lake of St. Moritz. getty

St Moritz, Switzerland

St Moritz needs no introduction. Always bringing glamour, glitz and excitement, the ski season kicked off in December with the Audi FIS Ski World Cup, but there’s plenty more to come this winter, including the Snow Polo World Cup; the St Moritz Gourmet Festival; and the White Turf horse race. A favorite of well-heeled VIPs, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz has over 160-years of history, not to mention the winter-only, must-visit gourmet restaurant, The K, by world-renowned chef Mauro Colagreco.

Budapest, Hungary - Aerial view of the beautiful snowy Parliament of Hungary and skyline of Pest at winter time getty

Budapest, Hungary

There’s never a bad time to visit Budapest, but in winter, the city transforms into a veritable wonderland of snow-covered city views, cozy eateries, and steamy thermal baths. This winter makes for an especially great time to visit, as the city has recently introduced several new hotels, including the extensively renovated Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest, the glamourous former home of a German princess.