Do you feel a little bit blue in January? We both did for many years. With the holiday season over, the impossible new year’s resolutions, the long winter nights and cold temperatures here in Europe, we often ended up being gloomy in January.

So one day, we decided to end these “winter blues” by cheering up the dreary months with weekend getaways. Since we can’t afford to take many days off in January to fly to warmer destinations, we have to travel within Europe. We went to explore Metz, Maastricht, Rome, Annecy, Amsterdam, and many other cities in Germany and Belgium, and we keep visiting dozens of fairytale castles in Luxembourg during the cold winter months.

To keep growing our “anti-January-blues destination bucket list”, we asked our fellow travel bloggers to share their favorite European destination in January. Now, there’s no excuse to snuggle under the covers watching Netflix all day long in January! Because these European destinations are waiting to be explored:

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

By Michael from MSCGerber 

I grew up in Switzerland and lived there almost my entire life. We have dozens of beautiful destinations to visit in winter. And still, Zermatt with the famous Matterhorn mountain (Toblerone Mountain) manages to stand out somehow.

In January 2018 I finally visited Zermatt, which has a lot to offer in winter. Zermatt is home to one of the best ski areas of the country, if not the world – and attracts huge numbers of tourists every year. But why? If you arrive in Zermatt for the first time you will know the answer! The Matterhorn is simply magic with its majestic peak – which is said to be the most photographed mountain of the world. No matter if you decide to visit the Gornergrat, the Glacier Paradise or stay in the town – it is present everywhere you go and offers incredible views.

Overall, Zermatt has so much to offer in winter – especially if you like to travel in a more luxurious way. You can choose from various typical winter activities, helicopter rides or stay in one of the fancy hotels. During wintertime you can even stay in the “Igludorf” (Igloo town”).

VENICE, ITALY

By Faye and David from Delve into Europe 

Winter is a great time to visit Venice, and January is probably the best time of all. This is the one time of the year when Venice is free of crowds. It’s too cold for many visitors, and the cruise day-trippers are but a distant memory. You can actually enjoy Venice, and not have to wait an hour at a time in a queue.

As a result of having this space, you get to appreciate the beauty of Venice. You can wander the backstreets and canals in the evening and nobody else is around. Sometimes mists form on the canals. Then the silhouette of a gondola will drift through the water, and out of sight again. It’s why Venice gets swamped with tourists, but very few of them actually get to see it like this.

It’s also a wonderful time of year to photograph Venice. The sun rises and sets in the right places for some amazing photo opportunities, including San Giorgio Maggiore at dawn and the Grand Canal at sunset from Rialto bridge.

There’s also the sweetener of January being the cheapest time of year to visit Venice. Hotel occupancy rates drop, and prices plummet. You can get 5-star hotels at 2-star prices. Many places around San Marco are exorbitantly priced for much of the year. But in January a €500 room goes for barely €100.

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

By Patrick from Adventographer

While looking for the perfect winter holiday, most of us start by considering somewhere warm, tropical even. Likely, your mind won’t go straight to the frozen landscapes of Iceland. However, not giving the land of fire and ice a chance is a big mistake!

The hip and happening capital city of Reykjavík comes alive in the winter. Stargazers and hearty tourists get to enjoy the sites without the lines and waits they’d experience in the summer. And the new year cheer flows freely amongst the locals and tourists alike.

From seeking out the northern lights near Reykjavík to soaking in Iceland’s hot springs, January in Iceland makes for an amazing European escape you won’t soon forget!”

SYLT, GERMANY

By Renata from Bye Myself

Thinking about Germany, mountains come to mind, right? Water? Maybe rivers flanked by romantic castles. Yes, that too ! But only a few people have in mind that Germany has a coastline – 2389 km – more than Ecuador or Portugal. There are long beaches and many islands of all sizes – from the largest one, Rügen, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to Hallig Gröde, an isle with 9 inhabitants located in the federal country of Schleswig-Holstein.

And this is also where Germany’s most prominent island called Sylt can to be found. Not only German celebrities have loved to visit this North Frisian island for many years now, even Brigitte Bardot was there back in the 70s. Yet, she didn’t like the rough climate. Brigitte Bardot is obviously not a connaisseur since it’s exactly the force of nature, the tides, the harsh wind that makes Sylt so glorious; especially during winter time.

Already getting to Sylt is spectacular: A train crosses the 11 km long Hindenburgdamm, a narrow dam built in 1927, connecting Sylt with the mainland. As the tide is high and the water reaches almost to the rails, it feels like riding on water. The train makes a stop in Westerland, Sylt’s capital and a dull small town. But five minutes walk from the station, you’ll hit the beach that’s stretching over 40 km. Yes, that’s 25 miles – from the southernmost point to List, Germany’s northernmost town.

While in summer the beach is crowded with the in-crowd and some wannabes, winter made reservation for us, the nature-lovers who choose comfort over vanity. Put on your warmest jacket, turn the collar up, pull your thick woolen shawl tight, two pairs of socks in your waterproof boots should do. Dab some cream on your cheeks and nose and let’s brave the elements. It’s good exercise walking through the sand against the spanking breeze. The waves are crashing against the shore, the big, fat seagulls are screaming, the air is cold, moist, and salty. Despite my windbreaker’s stiff fabric, I stretch my arms in the air. Open my chest towards the ice blue sky and let the oxygen flow.

After approximately one hour, I reach Kampen, the poshest place on this posh island where small, beautifully thatched cottages are housing Chanel, Prada & Co. Here, Sylt is only 2 km wide. The next Frisian tea parlor has my name on it. As I’m entering, the heat from the small chimney is just too much after the glacial breeze from the North Sea and makes my head spin. I feel a bit dizzy and my cheeks are glowing – maybe also from the shot of rum that turns my tea into a Frisian “Grog”.

It’s getting late, and I want to reach List before it gets dark. Up here in the north, the sun sets around 4 in the afternoon at wintertime. Back on the beach, there is a gloaming of many colors over the surge of waves – dramatically beautiful. As I’m standing there, awing at the scenery, I suddenly notice a man next to me. He looks familiar, like Joseph Mallord William Turner. Turner points at the sky painted in almost surreal colors, then he despondently hangs his head. Looking at the tips of his gumboots, he murmurs in a sad voice: “This is so much better than me”. I hesitate for a second and then wrap my arm around his shoulders: “God has been practicing a lot longer”.

Some practical info: Sylt is located 300 km from Hamburg and 14 km from Rømø in Denmark. A train leaves Hamburg-Altona every hour and takes you to Westerland in a bit over 3 hours. For a day trip, a Schleswig-Holstein ticket takes you there and back on the same day for 29 €uro. And up to four more people can travel on that ticket for only 3 €uro each! Getting there by car, you need to cross the Hindenburgdamm by a car-carrying train from Niebüll. They also have a small airport and Eurowings is connecting the island with surprisingly many European destinations.

HELSINKI, FINLAND

By Megan Starr

January can be an inviting or uninviting time of year depending on what you like to do when traveling. But I am fully convinced that Helsinki, Finland is an ideal winter destination for everyone if dressed appropriately. The city is often buried in snow this time of year. And the surrounding Baltic waters are iced over, leaving an image only familiar to those who come from northern locations.  The snow quiets the city and while the days are short when it comes to light, there is a serenity that the city exudes that makes it march to the beat of a different drum.

Finns love coffee and are the world’s biggest consumers of the stuff. And the Helsinki cafe scene is definitive proof of this. There are many museums on the streets of Helsinki that you can almost always escape the frigid air at a moment’s notice.  But, the best part about Helsinki is the accessibility to nearby nature.

Nuuksio National Park is located right down the road on the way to Espoo and it is the most idyllic place during January. You can go snowshoeing, ice fishing, or even dog-sledding. It is one of the most beautiful places in Finland and it is only a mere day-trip from Helsinki and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a new world.

KOTOR, MONTENEGRO

By Mark from Wyld Family Travel

While the rest of Europe was knee deep in snow and bone chilling winds, we were enjoying the winter sunshine of Kotor in Montenegro. No snow coats, no beanies, no gloves. Just pants and a jumper. Kotor is great for a few days or even a day trip from Dubrovnik. We spent 5 days in Kotor in mid-January and enjoyed every minute of it.

Kotor at this time of year was bare from tourist. No cruise ships pulling in every day, no bus loads of tourists arriving. At times we felt like we were the only people exploring the old town. The only ones in the Cathedral, and on the town walls. We made the early morning climb to the very impressive Kotor Castle with only a handfull of other people. There, we sat at the top by ourselves and took in one of the best views in all of Europe.

We also visited Our Lady of the Rocks in the middle of Kotor Bay by ourselves, not a person in sight. We were able to take in this amazing location without the hustle and bustle of crowds, without the noise of tourist, just us and Kotor bay as one. Go to Kotor in the winter : it’s an amazing experience.

LAPLAND, SWEDEN

By Allison from Eternal Arrival

If you’re looking for a fantastic wintry destination to spend in Europe in January, look north – way north! Swedish Lapland is a fantastic Nordic destination to enjoy any time of year. But it’s especially beautiful in the middle of winter. One thing to note when planning a January trip to Swedish Lapland is that the exact dates of your trip matter quite a bit. The very first days of January are still the “polar night” where there is no daylight at all until January 5th. And then days start to get longer rapidly. By the end of January, you are up to about 5.5 hours of sunlight, with the sun rising around 9am and setting around 2:30pm. So I’d suggest planning a trip for the middle or end of January if you don’t want to experience polar night.

The highlight of visiting Swedish Lapland in January is having so many deep, dark nights to see the Northern lights which dance overhead almost every clear night in January. But there is also plenty to do during the daylight hours, even in January, such as snowshoeing, hiking through national parks to find frozen waterfalls, ice climbing, or even dog-sledding with a team of friendly huskies.

To warm up, take a traditional Swedish sauna or hang out by the fireplace in between going out to try to spot the Northern lights at night. As a bonus, Swedish Lapland is cheaper and slightly less touristic then its neighbors, Northern Norway and Finnish Lapland. o you’ll enjoy better prices and less crowds.

MIDDELBURG, THE NETHERLANDS

By Manon from Visiting The Dutch Countryside

One of the best European destinations you should visit in January is Middelburg, a beautiful medieval city in the province of Zeeland in The Netherlands. Not many foreigners visit this picturesque city. That’s already a great reason why you should visit Middelburg. There are plenty of things to do and one of the things you should do in January is visiting the Winterstad. This is an event that starts in December and ends mid-January. There is an ice rink, there are some stalls, beautifully decorated streets and houses and plenty of more things to do. Get your skates on and skate on the ice rink on the Markt square until the 14th of January.

January is low season in The Netherlands, which is a perfect time to visit for everyone on a budget and people who enjoy a quiet city. If this isn’t a great reason to visit Middelburg in January, then I don’t know what is. Magical lights, ice-skating and a medieval city without tourists. Middelburg in January is a true dream.

BERGEN, NORWAY

by Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute

A lot of people like to get out of the cold in January, but I like to embrace it. Admittedly I’m not a fan of cold weather without any benefits of having fun in the snow. So I head north… to Bergen, Norway. We planned to sled and drink hot drinks, while enjoying the amazing views of the snow.

Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage City. And once you go to the old town and see the wooden buildings, many with carvings, that harken back to a time when the city was a major trading port, you’ll know why. The city is charming, hosts plenty of delicious restaurants, and has the coziest of hotels.

While there, I would highly recommend taking the fjord tour. We were surprised the boats run in the winter months. But thank goodness they do, because it was all so magical and beautiful. The highlight of our fjord tour was motoring along and listening to the ice break.

Along with going up to Mount Floyen to shop and sled down, there are also plenty of museums to visit and get in out of the cold as well. We especially enjoyed the fisheries museum as well as the Hanseatic Museum. Embrace the snow, and head to Bergen this January.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

By Betsy and Pete from Passing Thru

While the European Christmas markets may get all the seasonal hype in winter, there’s a definite case to be made to visit Prague in January, after the crowds have moved on. Some of the most popular or fun things to do in Prague take on added atmosphere in mid-winter, when the city is muffled with snowfall and shrouded in mist.

When we visited Prague in January, we spent a day just walking around, from Old Town across the Charles Bridge to the Castle district. Our favorite part of the city, a street called Novy Svet, is transfixed in time, dating from the medieval period. Shopkeepers and restauranteurs have time to be friendly with fewer visitors in January. You’ll get a sense of authenticity and a glimpse into the Czech lifestyle, which is all but obliterated during high tourist periods.

Make sure you incorporate unscripted time into your visit for wandering side streets, ducking into small cafes to warm up with a hot toddy, getting the perfect moody shot of the Vltava, feasting on hearty Czech fare in lively company. Prague will capture your heart in winter far more than she will when your attention is compromised in other seasons.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY

By Claudia from My Adventures Across The World

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a lovely village in the north of Italy, in the Dolomites. It can be easily reached from the airports of Verona and even Treviso. It is one of the best places to visit in Europe during January. And chances are that while the place will be covered in snow, the days will be bright and sunny, making it incredibly pleasant to walk around and appreciate the breathtaking views of the valley.

Lovely year round, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the ideal place to spend a winter weekend for anyone who enjoys winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. Within easy reach of the village there are several ski stations, each of them with different views of the valley below and with slopes of various levels of difficulty. There are even public buses that go around the various cable car stations.

The village is packed with excellent hotels, fantastic restaurants and luxury shops. There are a couple of small but interesting museums. Those who don’t carry around their skis or snowboards can rent them for reasonable prices in one of the many shops in the village. It is overall a very nice place to visit in the winter, especially in January when there is plenty of snow on the slopes.

THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND

By Luke from The Coastal Campaign

Ireland is never a country that you would visit expecting to get good weather. Regardless of the time of year, tourists are encouraged to pack warm clothes and a raincoat. It’s the beautiful scenery and the warm welcome from the locals that attract people to the rugged shores of Ireland.

The main attraction to the west coast of Ireland is the Wild Atlantic Way. It stretches all the way from Inishowen in the North, to Kinsale in the South. At 2600 kms long, it is considered to be one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. It also encompasses many of Ireland’s best attractions including the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Slieve League and the Ring of Kerry. Other Irish favourites such as the Giant’s Causeway can be found on the North Coast.

The reason January is one of the best times to visit is because this is when the Atlantic Ocean roars to life. The coastal drive becomes even more spectacular when you can witness the raw power of the sea. Watching giant waves smash against the cliffs here gives you a great insight into how this rugged coastline has been formed over millions of years.

Ireland is renowned worldwide as one of the best places for big wave surfing, and January is the perfect time to come and witness this. Surfers from all over the world flock to Ireland to see if they can tame the beast. Take a trip round Mullaghmore Head and see for yourself as jet skis pull surfers into 50 foot waves. It’s hard to describe the energy you feel while watching the giant waves roll in, but it is something pretty special. Exploring Ireland’s rugged coast is so much more exciting when mother nature is putting on a show for you.

BERLIN, GERMANY

By Inma from A World to Travel

Let’s get this started saying that Berlin in winter isn’t for everyone. Surely, many of us appreciate the occasional snow blanket over some of Berlin gems such as the Holocaust Memorial by Peter Eisenman, which completely morphs the grey over grey scene into a highlighted version quite nice IMO; as well as enjoying a warm coffee every few hours or not having to deal with tourists in the most commonly visited spots in the city.

However, if you don’t particularly enjoy cold weather, early nightfalls and icy – read sometimes dangerous – streets, avoid at all costs going to Berlin in January because you will face those things too.

Now, if you are like me, do not be afraid and make Berlin in January a priority. There are many outdoor places you can visit and things to do when the weather is okayish – such as downing a Glühwein at Winterwelt – and many other indoor cozy spots – from cute coffee shops to museums, indoor pool and sauna complexes such as Liquidrom, churches and cathedrals and of course the unique nightclubs this city is well-known for – that will make you appreciate life even more.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

By Julianna from The Discoveries Of

Copenhagen is one of my favourite places to visit in Europe at any time of year. But I think January probably took me most by surprise. As someone who is based in London, I’m not normally drawn to places that are colder and even darker in the winter months. But for Copenhagen, I’ll always make an exception.

Winter in Copenhagen is a cosy affair. Sure it’s cold outside, and it gets dark really early. But locals just use it as an excuse to hang more lights, burn more candles and enjoy the hygge sensation that has taken the world by storm. Bars are packed, full of friends having leisurely evening catch ups.

Unfortunately the Tivoli Gardens amusement park is closed. But the upside is that you’re pretty much guaranteed to have so many tourist attractions pretty much all to yourself. Royal palaces, Renaissance castles, sculpture museums – Copenhagen is packed with things to do and they’re so much quieter in the winter months. Just make sure you wrap up warm!

LVIV, UKRAINE

By Kami form My Wanderlust

Lviv, Ukraine is a perfect travel destination all year long but the city is especially magical in the wintertime when it is covered in snow. Streets of Lviv look like straight from a fairy tale. And when you wander around you might feel like the time has stopped. The place is just too beautiful to describe.

One of the best months to visit Lviv is January. Since big part of Ukraine is Orthodox and celebrate Christmas on 6th of January, you can still feel the holiday spirit floating around. The main square – Rynok – turns into the ice skating ring and makes a perfect scenery for outdoor activities.

Lviv is really big on the coffee scene. The city is known for having the highest ratio of cafes per capita in the world. And most of them are unique places, very enjoyable to spend some time at. Once you get cold (and January can be chilly in Ukraine) you can use it as a perfect excuse to visit as many cafes as possible. No matter what you decide to do in Lviv on your weekend break, you’re in for a treat as the city is outstanding.

BARCELONA, SPAIN

By Vicky from Vicky Viaja 

While most people come to visit Barcelona during the summer months, it can be absolutely worth it to visit the Catalan capital in January, outside of the high-season as well. Especially for budget travelers, it’s a great option as the accommodation is much cheaper than during the high season. Another benefit is that the city is not as crowded as during the summer which reduces your time of standing in line in front of the Barcelona attractions and the number of people walking through your pictures.

Barcelona is sunny all year long and the winters are mild. While other European destinations might be grey and super cold at this time of the year, you will most probably find some sun in Barcelona.

If you want to visit Barcelona in January make sure to get there at the 6th of January, which is the 3 Kings Day. You can see a huge parade leading through the whole city with music and great costumes. But the best thing about the 3 Kings Day is the churros with hot chocolate. You can buy them everywhere as they are a typical breakfast on that day. Another typical treat is a special cake in which a little king statue and a bean are hidden. Who has the piece with the king can wear a crown for the rest of the day while the one who finds the bean in his piece has to pay the bill.

SOFIA, BULGARIA

By Stephanie from Sofia Adventures 

Sofia really shines in winter, because the architecture sparkles under a layer of white snow. My favorite buildings in the city to see during this time of year are the Ivan Vazov National Theater, the Russian Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the Sventa Nedelya church. The round domes and bright colors you can see all over the city look even better offset against the winter weather.

Despite being Orthodox, the Bulgarians celebrate Christmas on December 25th. However, the month opens with the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Wondermaker celebrating Christmas on January 7th.

Other highlights include a trip out to the suburb of Pernik, where you can attend the Surva Festival of Masquerade games. Held at the end of January each year, the festival highlights old folk traditions with locals dressing up in large wooden masks and rag costumes to dance evil spirits away.

If you’re a winter sports enthusiast, Bulgaria is one of the best countries to ski in the Balkans.Many travelers will combine a visit to Sofia with a trip to Bankso or Borovets, which are traditional ski resort towns. However, you needn’t go that far since you can actually ski in the city up on Mount Vitosha.

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