This is a collaborative post: Winter is a magical time and for many of us, it is spent with family. The perfect way to add some extra Christmas cheer into the holiday season is by whisking your family away for a holiday abroad. It’s the perfect time to make memories that last a lifetime while experiencing new cultures, countries and activities you’ve never done before.
Are you looking to head off on a festive adventure? Or looking to escape the dropping temperatures with your family? Whatever your reason for travelling, getting away with your kids over winter is an enjoyable experience for all.
Here are a few of the best pick winter destinations that are great for all the family.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is bursting with Yuletide cheer and winter charm this time of year. Home to some of Europe’s best Christmas markets, this city sparkles with fairy lights and offers visitors the opportunity to drink steaming cups of mulled wine while surrounded by Hapsburg architecture. Children can explore the many stalls full of traditional toys and freshly baked pretzels.
The Austrian capital offers families the opportunity to watch free outdoor simulcasts of the opera, attend classical holiday concerts and visit the Schönbrunn Palace and St. Charles Church coated in snow.
For days when it is particularly brisk, those under 19 get free entry into all museums, including the Technical and Natural History museums. Even more important is to try out Sachertorte – the world’s first chocolate cake created in Vienna during the 1800s.
Strasbourg, France
This city is like something straight out of a fairytale and is proclaimed as France’s ‘Capital of Christmas’. The lit-up canals and lanes of Old Town make it look like a winter wonderland and boasts more than 300 traditional market stalls.
You’ll find iconic historic landmarks such as the Gothic Cathédrale de Notre Dame and the town’s most famous square, Place Gutenberg. For great photo opportunities, visit the historic quarter of La Petite France and the Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas market in the district that attracts over two million visitors every year.
Don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the town’s impressive 30-meter-high Christmas tree at Place Kleber Square. The town is full of Alsatian culture (a unique mix of German and French influences) so be sure to try out the cuisine at the local restaurants, bars and cafes.
Madeira, Portugal
If you’re looking to escape the snow and dropping temperatures completely, Madeira is the perfect destination. Known for its warm, subtropical climate, you can expect a temperature of around 20 ºC while you lounge on sandy beaches or explore this area of Portugal.
Why not hire a boat and take a trip out to see dolphins, pilot whales and other marine life that can be seen off Madeira? Kayaking, catamarans, swimming, mountain biking, speedboats and sunset tours are all available to enjoy too.
You’ll still feel your fair share of Yuletide joy during the festive season as the locals go all out to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The island’s capital, Funchal, twinkles with glimmering lights and festive stalls before giving way to spectacular firework displays, live music and good stalls at the end of December.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe and it’s a wonderful place at any time of year. The city is a magnificent setting of Christmas cheer. On one side, you’ll find the 14th-century spires of Our Lady Before Tyne and the 15th-century astronomical clock on the other.
Swap your mulled wine for a mug of grog – the traditional Christmas drink of rum, water, lemon and sugar. The children can enjoy Trdelník, the local cinnamon sweet treats, before taking advantage of the many opportunities for family ice skating. If you’ve got little ones, be sure to take them over to Old Town Square so they can see the sheep, goats and donkeys waiting there.
If you’re looking to get out of the cold for a bit, you can intersperse your sightseeing with some drinks and nibbles at the local cafes and restaurants.
Benidorm, Spain
Another sunny paradise, Benidorm offers an average of over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. You can easily reach this Spanish haven by plane before getting a transfer from Alicante Airport to Benidorm with your family. With its golden beaches and vibrant resorts, it’s the perfect place to spend the winter.
It would be wrong to not take advantage of the Mediterranean Sea, so be sure to have a go at the sailing, cable skiing, wakeboarding and snorkelling that is available. And with fewer crowds and lower temperatures, winter is also the perfect time to explore the city. Smart Charter Mallorca, a leading speed boat and yacht rental company in Spain, the winter is an ideal time to spend exploring the coast of Spain due to the smaller number of holidaymakers.
Around Christmas time, the city will light up with extensive Christmas Lights across its city centre, Through Alicante’s Christmas Market and fair your family will be surrounded by the true Spanish Christmas spirit and your children will be spoiled with traditional Spanish sweets.
Bonus: Brasov, Romania
The city of Brasov nestled in the heart of Romania is a winter haven for families seeking a mix of cultural charm and outdoor adventure. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, it offers a fairy-tale-like setting with its medieval architecture and cobblestone streets, perfect for a family winter getaway.
If you’re wondering what to do in Brasov during winter, start by exploring the Council Square in the Old Town area. Adorned with festive decorations and lights, small houses with artisanal products and a huge Christmas tree in the middle, it becomes a winter wonderland ideal for family strolls. Children will love exploring the Christmas market, where traditional toys and treats can be found.
For a unique experience, take a cable car up to Mount Tampa for breathtaking views of the snow-covered city and surrounding mountains. Or hit the slopes in Poiana Brasov, just 20 min away from the city.
A short drive from Brasov lies Bran Castle aka Dracula Castle. This impressive medieval castle has many legends to share, and none are connected to vampires. Or perhaps you want to go visit Sighisoara Citadel, the last inhabited citadel in Europe that will take you time traveling.
Brasov’s blend of cultural richness, historical charm, and access to winter sports and tourist attractions makes it an ideal destination for families looking to experience the magic of winter in Romania.