Winter can be bleak. With several months of dark days and cold nights, the season of sub-zero temperatures is also the best time of year to get out of town. The good news is that there are a range of cheap flights online offering services all over Europe so you can trade the grey days at home for the twinkling city lights and cosy cafes that make for the perfect (and inexpensive) winter getaway. Here are some of the very best European destinations for the budget conscious winter traveller.
Prague
The fairy tale spires that dot this ancient city are picturesque at the best of times, but when they’re covered in snow they’re absolutely magical. With tons to explore including a majestic castle, Prague is the perfect place to escape on the cheap. There are loads of coffee shops, restaurants and bars serving world-famous Czech beer that are stylish, comfortable and well within a modest budget.
Salzburg
This Austrian town features a host of architectural marvels ranging from Romanesque to Baroque to Gothic. The Domes, spires and medieval streets are beautiful year-round but especially breath-taking with a dusting of snow. Visitors can wander through town to see sites like Mozart’s birthplace or even take a Sound of Music Tour. The Hills are indeed alive in this beautiful part of the world and they’re calling your name.
Malmö
Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city. With loads of shops, bars, restaurants and Sweden’s tallest skyscraper, the city is sure to have something for everyone. Malmö is the perfect place to explore the country’s chic and charming culture, from design to architecture to pristine wilderness; everything is accessible from this beautiful city, including nearby Copenhagen, accessible via the Öresund bridge.
Krakow
What was once Poland’s former royal capital is now a capital of Polish culture. Perfect for a winter break, old town Krakow is a World Heritage Site and home to Wawel Castel, the former royal residence. Amenities in Krakow are very reasonably priced and food is downright cheap. With historical sites like the Jewish quarter and Auschwitz-Birkenau just out of town, Krakow is home to some of Europe’s most fascinating and staggering sites.
While winter might seem like the perfect time to retreat to a sun-drenched beach somewhere, it can be a wonderful time to travel within Europe. Whether you explore museums and castles or spend all day sipping a warm drink in a cool cafe, Europe has some of the very best cold-weather destinations for your 2017 holiday.