The 8 Best Winter Getaways To Book Now
Winter splits travellers into two camps. Those who want to lean into the cold with snow and mountains and mulled wine, and those who’d rather board a flight and leave the whole thing behind for some guaranteed sun. This list has something for both, mixing obvious favourites with a few destinations that don’t get talked about enough.
Lapland, Finland
When it comes to winter getaways, few places beat Lapland. Husky sledging, reindeer safaris and glass igloos built for watching the sky come as standard, and the odds of an actual white Christmas are about as good as they get. Rovaniemi is the obvious base if you’re travelling with kids who want to meet Santa, but Levi and Ylläs are worth the extra effort for better skiing and far fewer crowds.
Val d’Isère, France
You’re a short flight and an even shorter transfer away from some of the best-linked skiing on the continent.
The altitude here means you’re almost guaranteed good snow, while the town has quietly become as good for eating and drinking as it is for actually skiing. It’s the ski destination that has it all and is truly hard to beat.
Marrakech, Morocco
For a slice of winter sun, Marrakech is well worth your consideration. Days are warm enough for lounging on a rooftop even in the winter, while evenings cool down just enough to make the city’s riads feel properly cosy rather than stuffy. If you fancy having it both ways, a day trip up into the Atlas Mountains will actually give you some real snow to look at.
Tromsø, Norway
It sits north of the Arctic Circle yet only takes a few hours to reach, which is part of the appeal.
This is aurora country, but unlike a lot of Northern Lights trips, you’re not stranded in the middle of nowhere hoping for clear skies, there’s a bustling city here with good coffee and a lively harbour to fall back on.
Iceland
Barely three hours from London and yet it feels like landing on another planet entirely, a trip to Iceland has so much to offer. The geothermal lagoons are the obvious draw, and sinking into warm mineral water while snow settles around is a magical experience, but the real reward comes from getting out and walking the lava fields and glacier trails between soaks.
Read our complete guide to Reykjavik here
Lisbon, Portugal
For a city break, Lisbon is one that I visited earlier this year, and haven’t stopped recommending since. Portugal’s capital sits far enough south that winter here typically sits around 15 degrees, meaning you can explore all it has to offer, and tackle its famous hills in far more comfort than during peak summer months.
Take the tram, eat copious pastéis de nata, and don’t forget to check out all the vintage shops while you’re at it.
Read our complete guide to Lisbon here
Zanzibar, Tanzania
This one’s further afield, but the scenery alone makes the extra travel time feel worth it. White sand, turquoise water, and a pace of life that forces you to slow down, with Stone Town nearby whenever you want some culture instead of just sun loungers.
Plenty of people tack it onto a mainland Tanzania safari, turning one trip into two very different holidays.
Vienna, Austria
Few cities do Christmas quite like this one, with markets stacked outside the Rathaus and mulled wine practically handed to you on arrival. Spend the mornings in coffee houses that haven’t changed their menus or their marble tables in a century, then use the afternoons to explore all the city’s grandeur and cultural billings, from the Hofburg to the opera house.
