Winter holidays in Europe

Discover a different side of Europe in winter

Forget about hibernating – we're going on an epic winter adventure. Whether you’re looking to escape the cold and soak up some rays or retreat to a snowy wonderland, there’s something special about Europe in winter. See snow-topped mosques in Istanbul, enjoy mild alfresco evenings on Lisbon’s colourful streets, float along Venice’s mist-shrouded canals or warm up with gooey cheese fondue in Switzerland. The best part? The streets are quiet, queues are (almost) non-existent and you’ll be able to explore in solitude. A Europe trip could be the perfect winter pick-me-up.

Our Europe winter trips

Highlights of winter in Europe

Christmas market in Vienna, Austria
Wander through a Christmas Market (or two)

Whether you’re travelling through the fairytale-like streets of Prague or exploring the beautiful architecture of Budapest, chances are you’ll come across a Christmas market. Christmas markets are for both the young and the young at heart. Pick up a colourful ornament to adorn your Christmas tree, sip on nutmeg-y mulled wine or sing along to festive carols.

A collection of sweet treats in a bakery in Florence, Italy
Feast on winter specialties

From sweet Spanish polvoron to comforting Italian soups, feast on traditional dishes that will warm you up and make your mouth water. Whether you'd prefer to sip on fruity Rakija in Croatia or soak up your stew with soda bread in Ireland, sitting down to enjoy a hearty meal is the perfect end to a day of adventuring.

A group of people enjoying the view at the top of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey
Soak up the winter sun

Just because it's winter doesn’t mean it’ll be cold. Walk through the grand boulevards, palaces and churches of Lisbon while enjoying a temperature of 20°C, or take in the architecture and historical sites of Istanbul’s Old City under the winter sun. The weather might not be hot, but it’s still pleasant enough to spend your time outside exploring.

The Hofburg Palace in Vienna at sunset
Tour the palaces of Europe in solitude

Guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience, explore the imperial buildings of Vienna’s Hofburg Palace and wander through the art-filled rooms of Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow. The best part? You don’t have to compete with the crowds that come with travelling in the summer.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 679 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Turkey Highlights

Emma · Traveled August 2024
Incredible trip that captures the beauty of Turkey in a small amount of time! We visited so many beautiful places and got to be apart of authentic cultural experiences. Kaan was an excellent tour guide and made the trip even better!
Review submitted 14 Aug 2024

Turkey Highlights

Sheila · Traveled August 2024
Kaan, our tour guide & the amazing people in the group made this trip an amazingly memorable & fun experience.
Review submitted 14 Aug 2024

Turkey Highlights

James · Traveled August 2024
My tour in Türkiye was nothing short of fantastic. The detail in Intrepid’s itinerary was great, specifying activities and options for each day. The best part was having Kaan as my tour guide sharing his abundance of knowledge and amazing recommendations. Thank you!
Review submitted 15 Aug 2024

Turkey Highlights

Iaveta · Traveled August 2024
Review submitted 13 Aug 2024

Turkey Highlights

Zachary · Traveled August 2024
Amazing trip - great guides - great group
Review submitted 13 Aug 2024

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