Snowy fairy tale and breathtaking views: where to go in Europe in winter

The European ferry operator DFDS has analyzed many European cities to find those that offer the best conditions for winter recreation, but remain out of the limelight of mass tourism.

The results of the study showed that Europe hides many snowy pearls that are ideal for those who want to enjoy winter landscapes and a unique atmosphere, Express writes. Since most popular places are crowded with vacationers, researchers analyzed 164 cities to find less crowded but picturesque snowy locations.

In addition, they took into account cities with frequent winter snowfalls to help tourists choose a place for a magical winter trip.

The leader of this ranking is Norway's Aalesund, which attracts attention with its beauty and unique atmosphere. Aalesund is famous for its snowy winters, husky sledding, and the opportunity to see the northern lights. Despite its charm, few tourists know about this city, making it an ideal destination for those looking to avoid the big crowds. Travelers who choose Aalesund will be able to enjoy incredible Arctic views while staying away from popular tourist destinations.

Other hidden gems in Scandinavia include Kristiansand in Norway. This location is usually known for its beaches, but in winter it attracts 37 snow days, which allows you to see the sea coast in an unusual white dress.

Other locations that received the top positions in the ranking include Jurmala in Latvia, Kosice in Slovakia, and Freiburg in Germany. These cities have a spectacular winter landscape, and the frequency of Google searches for them remains low, indicating that they are relatively underserved by tourists.

The five best destinations in Europe for a winter vacation:

1. Ålesund, Norway
2. Kristiansand, Norway
3. Jurmala, Latvia
4. Kosice, Slovakia
5. Freiburg, Germany.

As for the Christmas holidays, Kiruna, Sweden, is the leader among the places with the highest probability of snow on December 25. Here, travelers can expect a fabulous winter atmosphere, complemented by a 70 percent chance of snow on Christmas Day. In addition, the town attracts with its famous ice hotel and picturesque Arctic landscapes.

Norway's Lillehammer, known for its traditional winter atmosphere and excellent winter sports infrastructure, came in second for the likelihood of a white Christmas. Turku in Finland, another location that is growing in popularity thanks to its magical snowy holidays, came in third with a 57% chance of snow.

Cities such as Tallinn in Estonia and Innsbruck in Austria also made the list of the best places for a white Christmas. Tallinn is noted for its medieval buildings in snowy attire, while Innsbruck attracts tourists with mountainous landscapes ideal for winter vacations.

Five of the best destinations in Europe for Christmas vacation:

1. Kiruna, Sweden
2. Lillehammer, Norway
3. Turku, Finland
4. Tallinn, Estonia
5. Innsbruck, Austria

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