CNN has listed the 10 best cities for winter holidays. We present the full list along with short explanations of why you should visit these cities in winter. Do you agree? What else are your favourite cities for a winter holiday?
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ShareWashington, but not Sweden
DN notes that Sweden is not included in the CNN's listand are a little surprised by Washington's place on the list. We have visited some of these cities, but not in the middle of winter. I've only been to Reykjavik in the spring and summer, but it's a city that I think can be cosy in the winter! If nothing else, it is a small and very cosy city.
The 10 best cities for winter holidays
- Prague, Czech Republic - Looks like a fairytale town
- Salzburg, Austria - Castles and markets
- Tromsö, Norway - Here you can see the northern lights
- Amsterdam, Holland - Good museums without crowding
- Nagano, Japan - Skiing and hot springs
- Reykjavik, Iceland - Hot springs and winter festival
- Berlin, Germany - Christmas markets with crafts
- Ottawa, Canada - The world's largest winter festival
- Washington D.C, USA - Lighting and light shows
- Edinburgh, Scotland - Castles, gardens and ice rinks
More suggestions for winter cities
We've holidayed in two other towns that were nicely covered in snow, which we could add to the list: Budapest and Kiev. Both these cities were beautiful in white and perfect for strolling around, shopping, looking at beautiful churches and hanging out in cosy restaurants. Have you visited a big city in the middle of winter and what did you think?
You might also like:
Weekend cities in Europe - 10 major cities to visit
Christmas markets in Europe - 12 cosy markets at Christmas time
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BP says:
Although the snow picture is beautiful, I refrain. Edinburgh in winter, without existing insulation, no thanks;-)
Tel Aviv should have been included:-)
27 November 2013 - 11:04
Ditte says:
Salzburg is lovely at any time of the year. Like a fairytale city. We have visited Budapest, Prague and London in winter and it was nice. Can't believe Washington was on the list either, but could imagine NY. Nice with all the Christmas lights and everything else. But long ago a December I was there, about 30 years ago. Fun with your tips!
27 November 2013 - 11:53
Bosse och Gerd says:
Vienna in Austria is definitely missing from this list.
We highly recommend a visit there during the Christmas market as well as in late winter, when spring arrives!
Moreover, we believe that these so-called lists have long since outlived their usefulness - who would think of travelling to Tromsø, Edinburgh or Washington during the winter?
Fortunately, perhaps, the flavour is like the cake, i.e. shared!
27 November 2013 - 12:54
Annika says:
Washington is a very nice city in the winter, but we could use a little more snow, so to speak!!!!
AND if we get snow there will be chaos. HAHA! Catch 22, like.
Washington at Christmas is so beautiful, especially in Georgetown and around the White House and The capitol. AND in Old Town.
Lovely.
The USA is not just NYC in winter. And not otherwise either, the country has a bit more than NYC to offer.
But the winter weather in DC is downright moody. It can be anywhere from 20 degrees to -20. It can sometimes be 20 degrees different on the same day.
Today we have 2 plus degrees in Washington and pouring rain. Not fun.
27 November 2013 - 16:51
admin says:
BP, isolation has never been the English's strong suit...
Ditte, Salzburg sounds like a great winter city!
Bosse and Gerd, I can imagine Vienna is nice in the winter! I really know what lists provide, the taste is so different, but sometimes some ideas I think ...
Annika, it must be hard to pack clothes when going to a city with such variable weather, I think!
😉
27 November 2013 - 19:38
Ama de casa says:
In the late 90s, we went to a travel agency to buy a weekend trip to Åre (yes, this was before the internet explosion). It turned out to be very expensive, and it was cheaper to go to New York. So then we did it
🙂
Great to see NY in the snow, but boy did I suffer with the hobos...?
🙁
28 November 2013 - 19:38
admin says:
Ama de casa, haha what a fun way to end up in NY! Sounds like an experience, but seeing homeless people in the middle of winter is not fun!
28 November 2013 - 22:56