Euronews names 10 best winter destinations in Europe — from Zermatt to Abisko

Ten destinations for the winter season

November 2, 2026 Euronews has published a selection of ten European destinations for winter travel, covering a variety of leisure scenarios — from skiing and Christmas markets to the northern lights and winter sun. The outlet notes that reasons to travel are not limited to the holiday season: thermal springs, museums and ski slopes remain relevant after the New Year holidays.

Mountains, snow and markets

For skiing, the outlet recommends the Swiss resort of Zermatt, which this year took first place in Trip.com's ranking of the 50 best ski resorts in Europe. The resort is described as a skiers' paradisewith slopes stretching up to 360 kilometres in a combined Swiss-Italian area; lifts reach the top of the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 metres, and skiing is possible year-round. It is suggested to get there via the Glacier Express route from St. Moritz — about eight hours and 291 kilometres of travel. For winter walks, the outlet names Seefeld in the Austrian Tyrol,

about 25 kilometres from Innsbruck

: 142 kilometres of prepared walking trails, the evening Path of 100,000 Lightsstretching 1.8 kilometres, and a multi-day plateau route of about 65 kilometres over five days. The Christmas atmosphere is embodied by Strasbourg, where the market has been held since 1570, and hundreds of decorated stalls fill the streets of the historic Grand Île island.

Sun, auroras and green trails

For winter sun, the outlet suggests heading to Spain's Andalusia with its 300 sunny days a year: in the off-season there are fewer tourists at the Alhambra in Granada, and 30 kilometres east of the city lies the Sierra Nevada national park with snowy peaks and winter sports. The northern lights are best sought in Abisko in Swedish Lapland: its location north of the Arctic Circle in the centre of the