It’s never too late, as the saying goes. There is truth to it, too. Specifically, when it comes to booking a last-minute getaway before we ring in the New Year. Sure, summer’s the hottest time to pack your bags (too hot, if you ask some people), but winter’s the real sweet spot. What better way to banish the blues than eating your way around a fairytale Christmas market or soaking in a steamy alpine spa?
According to TripAdvisor, more than half of Brits are planning a winter holiday this year, with 46 percent intending to travel more this festive season than the last. Where are they headed? Well, the travel company has crunched its own data and named the top 10 trending European destinations this winter, based on year-on-year growth.
The number one spot is Rovaniemi in Finland, otherwise known as the world’s most Christmassy place. The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi is a big draw for travellers who want to make a pilgrimage to Santa’s official hometown. You can even meet the man himself at Santa Claus Village. But that’s not all Rovaniemi has to offer: there’s also husky tours, Lapland safaris and the chance to see the Northern Lights.
Hot on the heels of Rovaniemi is Dublin in Ireland. The second most trending European destination in the colder months, Ireland’s capital becomes a winter wonderland at this time of year, but with a cultural twist in the lead-up to Christmas. Though the cold may make temporary recluses of most people, in Dublin, the atmosphere is electric, with gigs, stand-up comedy and theatre happening all over the city. Of course, when the temperatures plummet, there’s nothing better than holing up in a pub for the evening in front of a roaring fire - and Dublin has them in spades.
Not everyone is looking to pack huge coats and woolly scarves, though. In third place is Málaga in Spain, which remains warm even in the depths of December. If you’re looking for some much-needed vitamin D, roll out your towel at one of the city’s 16 sunny beaches like La Malagueta or La Misericordia. Or make the most of Málaga’s cultural resurgence by wandering around the Museo Picasso or the only outpost of the Centre Pompidou outside of France.
To find out where else in Europe travellers are jetting off to this winter, check out the full top 10 list below.
The top 10 European winter destinations, according to TripAdvisor
- Rovaniemi, Finland
- Dublin, Ireland
- Malaga, Spain
- Krakow, Poland
- Budapest, Hungary
- Sliema, Malta
- Puerto de Mogan, Spain
- Gdansk, Poland
- Munich, Germany
- Wroclaw, Poland
ICYMI: The world’s greatest winter destinations – and how to plan the perfect trip.
Plus: Europe’s most underrated winter city breaks, from Italy to Spain.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.