Europe is one of the most geographically diverse continents in the world. From sunny beaches in the Mediterranean to snow-capped mountains in the alps, travelers can experience a wide range of climates, terrain, and natural wonders when visiting Europe.
As a result, Europe is one of the best destinations to visit at any time of the year. While Europe is a fantastic choice for escaping seasonal depression and finding the sun year-round, it's equally good for those sick of hot weather.
Europe in the winter offers bountiful snow, outdoor activities, cultural events, and natural phenomena that no traveler will forget. Here are the five coldest European countries for the perfect winter vacation.
1. Germany
Due to its size and unique geographical location, Germany has a lot to offer. Bordering nine countries (the most of any European country), Germany is unequivocally the best home base for travelers looking to venture to other European countries. Germany also borders the Alps, which puts it at a perfect altitude for winter-time fun.
The best place to find cold weather in Germany is the state of Bavaria. Here, the capital city of Bavaria reaches highs of just 74° Fahrenheit in July, while the temperature drops below freezing in the winter.
Despite the frigid weather, travelers flock to Bavaria in the winter to enjoy world-class skiing, medieval castles, and quaint mountain villages draped with snow.
The Holiday Season in Bavaria
Bavaria’s busiest season is the fall when over six million people each year haul to Munich to experience the beer and festivities of Oktoberfest. Just a couple of months later, travelers can enjoy an equally enriching Bavarian tradition, German Christmas Villages.
During the holiday season, towns throughout Bavaria ignite with festive lights, traditional food vendors, and such activities as ice skating and Ferris wheels.
2. The Czech Republic
The Czech city of Prague is not just one of Europe’s most popular cities but also one of its most preserved. During the atrocities of World War II, Prague was saved from destruction due to Adolf Hitler’s affinity for the city.
Prague remains uninfluenced from the modern world, displaying original architecture from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. While summer is Prague's most popular season, cold-weather seekers will find frigid yet tolerable winter weather.
In December and January, Prague’s coldest months, temperatures usually stay between 30°F and 40°F. However, one of Prague's best perks in the winter is drastically lower prices and lesser crowds.
3. Norway
Europe’s Scandinavian region is a perfect destination for cold-weather lovers. With the northern regions reaching as far as the arctic circle, Scandinavia can be frigid year-round.
Norway’s capital of Oslo rarely surpasses 70° Fahrenheit in the summer, making for perfect not-too-hot, not-too-cold weather. This is an ideal time to explore the Fjord region, where adventurers can find dramatic cliffs overlooking emerald water.
Up north in Tromso, summer weather does not surpass 60° Fahrenheit, and winters drop to 20° Fahrenheit. There are plenty of ways to take advantage of the cold weather, such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.
The Northern Lights
Remarked as one of the seven wonders of the natural world, Aurora Borealis, colloquially known as the Northern Lights, is one of the most spectacular sites one can see. These dancing waves of lights can be seen from several countries in Europe and beyond, including:
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
- Iceland
- Greenland
- Canada
- Alaska (The United States)
Norway, though, is the undisputed best location to see the Northern Lights. Tromso, Norway’s largest Northern city, is in the heart of the Aurora zone.
Known as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” Tromso also offers whale watching, fjord tours, and the most bars per capita of any city in Norway.
4. Iceland
Another country adjacent to the Arctic Circle, Iceland is an excellent destination for seekers of cold weather and stunning natural beauty. Popular activities include traversing glaciers, whale watching, and spotting natural features like waterfalls, canyons, and geysers.
Iceland usually stays below 55° Fahrenheit in the summer, while winters can dip under 30° Fahrenheit. Despite the year-round cold weather, though, travelers will have no issue staying warm.
Among Iceland’s most popular attractions are its hot springs. Riddled throughout the country, these natural spas powered by geothermal energy offer a soothingly warm escape from the otherwise cold weather.
5. Switzerland
Europe’s Alps region is one of the most ubiquitous mountain ranges in the world, and Switzerland is home to one of its most renowned sections. The Swiss Alps are dramatically beautiful year-round.
During the summer, snow-capped peaks overlook bright-green foothills and pristine alpine lakes. In the winter, snow drapes the entire region in a powdery blanket.
Similar to Germany, Switzerland rarely experiences hot weather. In the summer, the capital city of Bern rarely surpasses 74° Fahrenheit, while winters stay below 40° Fahrenheit. Travelers looking for a brisk summer vacation should stick to the alpine region. In the mountainous town of Davos, the summer months stay around 50° Fahrenheit.
Skiing in the Swiss Alps
Europe is home to some of the world’s most celebrated ski resorts, but none can quite match Switzerland’s. Zermatt is often touted as the best, boasting a peak altitude of nearly 13,000 feet, over 200 miles of skiable terrain, and unbeatable views of the Matterhorn.
Zermatt is an excellent location for non-skiers, as well. The mountain town of Zermatt is quaint and luxurious, offering some of the country's best apres-ski eateries and spas.
What Are the Hottest Countries in Europe?
Cold weather travelers will have no shortage of options when traveling to Europe; however, there are some countries that they should avoid. No matter the time of the year, several countries boast warm weather almost year-round. The Mediterranean region is most known for this and includes:
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- France
- Greece
- Italy
- Malta
- Slovenia
- Spain
These countries offer near year-round sun, making them excellent choices for beach vacationers but poor destinations for those looking to avoid such warm weather. Spain is perhaps the worst country for those seeking cold weather, as temperatures in its southern Costa del Sol region can surpass 80° Fahrenheit in the winter.
Do I Need a Visa To Travel to Europe?
As it stands, non-EU citizens from 60 countries, including the United States, can travel to the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. As early as 2025, new policies approved by the European Union will change this.
Upon implementing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), non-EU travelers from 59 of the 60 countries above must register online before traveling to the Schengen Area.
How Is ETIAS Different Than a Schengen Visa?
ETIAS is a visa waiver, not a visa. Travelers who apply for ETIAS are effectively applying to be exempt from the Schengen Visa.
This means that under ETIAS, travelers will continue to be able to travel throughout the Schengen Area visa-free for the same period as before. There just will be an extra step to obtaining this privilege.
Why Is ETIAS Necessary?
The European Union deemed it necessary to create more rigid security restrictions for international travelers. Thus, ETIAS was born.
These security concerns came as a result of four main reasons:
- Each year, around 200 million people cross EU borders, which continues to rise.
- As a result of several international crises, the number of refugees and people seeking asylum has risen sharply.
- Terrorist attacks have become disturbingly frequent, threatening the lives of citizens who call Europe home.
- Technological advancements have made electronic pre-travel authorization a realistic and practical way of maintaining border security.
ETIAS, which requires non-EU citizens to register online before entering Europe, will create an online database accessible to customs agents throughout the European Union. With this database, these agents will know who they’ll be encountering on any given day, thus enriching and expediting the identity verification process.
Is the European Union the Same As the Schengen Area?
While there is some overlap in their member countries and objectives, the European Union and Schengen Area are two separate entities. The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 European member states that share a single internal market through a standardized system of laws.
On the other hand, the Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries with open borders and a standard visa policy for international travel. The Schengen Area focuses on travel restrictions, while the European Union has far greater political and economic implications.
Which EU Countries Are Not a Part of the Schengen Area?
While most EU countries are a part of the Schengen Area, some standouts exist. Countries that are part of the EU but not the Schengen Area include:
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- The Republic of Ireland
- Romania
While Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania are not currently part of the Schengen Area, they are in the process of joining. They could be full members by the time ETIAS is implemented.
Anyone planning to travel to one of those countries should learn how ETIAS applies to them. Ireland chose to implement a visa system since it shares no borders with the rest of the EU, although all new additions to the EU must now join the Schengen Area. This means that Ireland will soon be on its own.
Which Non-EU Countries Are Part of the Schengen Area?
Several countries outside the EU have an agreement with the Schengen Area. These countries are part of the European Free Trade Agreement and include:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
Each of these countries has agreed to share open borders with the rest of the Schengen Area, effectively making them full members of the Schengen Area/
Do Other Countries Have a Similar System?
Australia introduced a similar system in 1996, with the primary objective of speeding up lines. The United States has the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system, which more closely resembles the security-minded objectives of ETIAS. ESTA, though, is valid for only two years, while ETIAS is valid for up to three years.
What To Do Next
Travelers who want to escape hot weather and find a frigid paradise will love all Europe offers. Thanks to its inclusion of the Alps and Nordic regions, Europe has cold weather year-round. From alpine skiing to bathing beneath the Northern Lights, there is no shortage of cold weather activities in both the winter and summer.
All travelers planning their next trip to Europe should look into ETIAS and how it applies to them. ETIAS will soon require that non-EU travelers register before entering Europe, changing how many people travel. While ETIAS will require an extra step in the travel process, it aims to make EU borders safer and more efficient for travelers and citizens.
Sources:
The Best Christmas Markets in Germany (that Yule Need on Your Bucket List!) | happytowander.com.
The Nazi Occupation Of Prague: Then And Now | Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty