Top 5 Most Incredible Alpine Destinations In Europe This Winter

Sipping a caramel hot chocolate with views of majestic peaks for days, strolling an ancient cobbled town dusted in snow, and breathing in the fresh mountain air: there’s nothing quite like a frosty escape to the European Alps.

However, if all you can think of is an overpriced ski resort in Chamonix, France, or the usual village-hopping around the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland, you should know the multi-country, mountainous territory has a lot more to offer.

In fact, you might even be surprised that you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars a night on a spa hotel to experience some highland magic this upcoming December.

Here are 5 incredible alpine getaways in Europe that are sure to warm your heart this winter:

Bled, Slovenia

We’re sure (most) of you didn’t expect to see Slovenia featured here, but in fact, the tiny Central European nation is traversed by the Eastern end of the Alps.

It also hosts one of the most beautiful lake towns anywhere on the continent: Bled, a year-round leisure spot famous for its solitary medieval chapel, nestled on an islet in the center of a crystal-clear lake, cozy chalet-style stays, and an imposing mountaintop castle.

That’s scenic enough as it is, but all around Bled, you get stunning views of the Julian Alps in the distance. On a clear day, from up the castle, you can clearly see the distinctively triple-peaked Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s tallest peak, in the distance.

Although most people visit Bled in summer, drawn to its water-based activities and forest trails, winters are for chill, lakeside strolls, cultural visits to medieval landmarks, and some quality time in a 4-star spa hotel.

By the way, those will only set you back by $120–$230 per night, a bargain in the Alps.

Bressanone/Brixen, Italy

Italy’s best known for its Mediterranean appeal and pastel-hue towns hugged by azure seas, but if you travel north enough, all the way to Bressanone (or how German-speaking locals call it, Brixen) you’ll stumble upon a completely-different world.

You read that right, by the way. Nearly everyone speaks German in this quaint mountain town near the Austrian border.

With the typically Tyrolean stucco facades, timber balconies, steep roofs, and austere cathedral, you’d have a hard time convincing yourself this is still the land of pizza and pasta, especially when the Austrian-esque Christmas market starts springing up, and snow starts falling.

Other than being a postcard-ready medieval town in the heart of the Italian Alps, it’s worth noting that Bressanone is within short driving distance of a number of nature landmarks: think Val di Funes, a village-dotted valley with the Dolomites for backdrop, or the glacial Lake Braies.

Évian-les-Bains, France

Still can’t get enough of picturesque lake towns in the heart of the Alps? Wait until you see the laid-back, idyllic Évian-les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva (or how the French call it, Lac Léman).

Popular for its Christmas Village, or Fabuleux Village des Flottins, Évian transforms into a literal winter wonderland starting in December, with wooden sculptures and whimsical installations all around, food stalls serving traditional Alpine grub, and festive lights.

The French love it in summer for its lakeside location, but Évian’s greatest strength is its wintertime spa culture.

It has a plethora of mineral baths and saunas to keep you warm when the cold winds are blowing outside, though if it’s high-end facilities you seek—we’re talking lagoon-like heated pools, hammans and top-notch wellness treatments—look no further than evian ® SPA, housed in the elegant Hôtel Royal.

Innsbruck, Austria

For those keen on a city break instead—with the occasional skiing and winter walks—Innsbruck in Austria is our top pick.

A mid-size city lining a fast-flowing river in the Austrian Tyrol, it is literally at the foot of the Alps, and you can take a cable car (Nordkette) straight from the bustling city center all the way to Hafelekarspitze, the highest peak in the surrounding mountains.

Innsbruck is also called ‘Capital of the Alps’ for a reason: with the SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck, you get access to 13 ski areas in one go, including Axamer Lizum, a large resort boasting great powder and Olympic runs, and Kühtai, Austria’s highest ski village.

The Old Town itself is worth traveling across the pond for: it has well-preserved medieval lanes, ornate churches and palaces with Baroque and Rococo interiors, and a postcard-ready waterfront lined with colorful buildings.

Füssen

You’ve probably seen pictures of Cinderella’s real-life castle doing the rounds a million times on social media, but did you know that, at its base, lies the quintessential German alpine getaway, or that most tourists skip it?

Before you shoot straight uphill to get the classic Neuschwanstein Castle selfie, make sure you stop by the sleepy Füssen, a charming town criss-crossed with winding, cobbled lanes and filled with half-timbered medieval houses.

There’s even a historic hilltop castle on the edge of the Old Town! Officially known as ‘High Castle’, or Hohes Schloss, and in our book, it looks just as picturesque as the much more famous Neuschwanstein.

We highly recommend you dedicate at least a full 2 days to exploring Füssen, and don’t miss the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mang, one of the oldest in Bavaria (the frescoes inside are nothing short of ethereal), and the crystalline Alpsee, a lake flanked by snow-covered mountains.