Winter has arrived, and with it the sort of weather that makes you want to stay in bed with a heated blanket until the daffodils start to make their return. However, if you’re willing to venture outside, you might find that a little winter break is all it takes to make you excited about the icy season.
Although escaping the Christmas chaos and giving yourself something to look forward to are great reasons for planning a trip, there’s another, less talked about perk – seeing all of Europe’s most iconic cities without quite so many tourists to get in your way.
has just published a dazzling list of Europe’s best winter city breaks. Our top choice? Athens.
The Greek capital may be known as a summer destination, but with temperatures reaching unmanageable highs of 40C in the summer, we’re here to tell you it’s even more enjoyable around this time of year.
writer John Ovans loved Athens in the winter so much that he decided to bed in for the whole season last year. According to Ovans, ‘the city never goes into full hibernation mode’, so there’s plenty to do September-March. Ovans reckons that Athens could be [coming] for Lisbon’s crown’ as the premier European city for digital nomads thanks to ‘cheap living, a warm lifestyle, and a gritty-glamorous vibe’.
Still not enough to entice you? Despite any concerns you may have, the weather remains pretty pleasant, as Ovans explains: ‘on a good winter day you might get up to the high teens, or even low‑20s on rare extra sunny occasions’.
Convinced? Have a read of Ovans’ expert guide on what to do in Athens this time of year before you plan your holiday.
The second most underrated winter vacation destination on our list is Venice. This city is famously crowded, but if you plan your trip for January or February, ‘things are more chilled, leaving you plenty of breathing space to take in the majesty’ of its canals and architecture.
Madrid came third. It’s ideal for ‘festive traditions with distinct local flare’. Basically, if you want a festive holiday without having to fight off fellow punters for a hot chocolate in the town centre, this is the place to go.
Here are ’s picks for the most underrated winter city breaks in Europe.
If what you’re really after is a tan, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered – have a look at our list of Europe’s best destinations for winter sun, or if you’re up for a long-haul flight, we’ve also got a guide to the best places for sunshine from October to March across the planet.
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