Winter travel is having a moment! In 2025, more travellers are craving winter hiking, ice climbing, and aurora viewing, adventures you cannot have any other time of year. Wellness tourism is projected to hit $1.3 trillion this year, and a lot of that growth is happening in the colder months.
If your ideal vacation involves snow, frosted cobblestone streets, and cozy accommodations, here’s where to find the best winter destinations this season.
Why Christmas Markets Keep Drawing Crowds
Christmas markets originated in medieval Germany, and the tradition has spread across Europe for good reason. These cultural experiences allow tourists and locals to enjoy the local food, handmade crafts, and regional traditions.
But with the tourism surge, some markets have become so popular that they feel more like a crowded theme park. More and more travellers are looking for places where the holiday feels genuine: with the taste of gingerbread and the atmosphere of old traditions.
Top European Christmas Markets for 2025
Gdańsk, Poland
Gdańsk won the Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2025 competition with 92,283 votes; the highest result in the history of the competition and the first distinction for Poland. The market runs from late November through December, filling the historic centre with handicrafts, local food, and mulled wine.
The streets and historic centre of the city turn into a real winter wonderland, with Christmas music and products from local craftsmen. It’s festive without feeling like you’re being herded through a tourist trap.
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg has claimed the crown as Time Out’s top pick for the best Christmas market to visit in Europe this year. The Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most famous, dating back to the mid-16th century.
Here you can enjoy true bratwurst, lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread cookies), and over 180 wooden stalls in the main square. It’s busy, but it’s worth visiting at least once!
Vienna, Austria
Vienna in winter is all grandeur and coffeehouse culture! The Austrian capital’s Baroque palaces and grand boulevards get even more regal. The city hosts multiple Christmas markets, each with its own flavour. The Rathausplatz market in front of City Hall is the largest, but smaller ones like the market at Spittelberg offer a more intimate experience.
Strasbourg, France
The Strasbourg Christmas Market 2025 runs from 26 November to 24 December, offering an unforgettable blend of tradition and Christmas cheer. The city calls itself the “Capital of Christmas,” and gets all the personality for it with its half-timbered houses, vin chaud, and bredele (Alsatian Christmas cookies).
Cologne, Germany
Cologne has a sparkling array of Christmas markets, including the popular market around the Cathedral, the Market of Hearts, and other markets presided over by local Heinzelmännchen as well as angels, fairy-tale figures, and mariners. The ice skating rink at Heumarkt is one of the largest in Europe.
How to Make Winter Travel Work for Your Budget
This is where Navé becomes useful. Navé is ORGANO’s members-only travel platform, offering exclusive discounts on hotel stays, auto rentals, and excursions. The Getaway Membership provides access to pricing that’s often lower than public booking sites, while the Forever Weeks packages open up condos, villas, and vacation properties at reduced rates.
Members also earn Navé Points on purchases at shopog.com, which can be redeemed for travel and accommodation. It’s a practical way to stretch a travel budget without sacrificing quality.
Travel in 2025 is about quality, comfort, and presence. Pick a place that lets you slow down, stay long enough to settle, and feel that you’re in the place! The cold is part of the appeal.