Discovering Europe Best Up-And-Coming Winter Holiday Spots

Winter is bringing a whole host of scenic travel destinations with it for holidaymakers seeking snowy escapes and festive city breaks. France's Strasbourg is top of holidaymakers' hotlists, according to the latest Tripadvisor Travel Index, while Tromsø in Norway is creeping up the popularity scale. The travel report revealed the most up-and-coming holiday spots for this season, based on search data for breaks between November 1 this year and February 28, 2027.

Choosing the right destination during the colder months depends on whether you prefer historic urban centers with ancient festive markets or remote Arctic landscapes. Travel industry experts have tracked a shift in traveler preferences toward less crowded European hubs and immersive northern experiences. Here is a detailed look at the top five up-and-coming winter holiday destinations recommended for the upcoming season.

Strasbourg, France: Historic Markets and Comfort Food

So much for Paris because the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg is just as glorious. It was named among the top experiences in France in the 2026 Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice awards. The city's Christmas market is one of the oldest in Europe, having been founded in 1570, and is home to more than 300 traditional wooden stalls.

Strasbourg's Franco-German cuisine is just what you would fancy during the colder months, offering hearty and comforting dishes. Visitors can expect local menus featuring casseroles and lots of potatoes to ward off the chill. For travelers planning a trip here, five nights' room-only at the 4-star Okko Hotels Strasbourg Centre is from £559 per person including flights from Luton on December 27. Holidaymakers can save £100 now with code BLKFRIDAY through easyjet.com/en/holidays.

Tromso, Norway: The Gateway to the Arctic

This northern region, known as the Gateway to the Arctic, was crowned the second most popular spot for this winter. While its location means that during winter, the sun never rises above the horizon, that does not mean you need to hunker down inside. Among popular activities to try are dog or reindeer sledding, whale watching, snowmobiling, ski touring, and fishing in the icy fjords.

It is also one of the best spots in the world to catch the Northern Lights in all their colourful glory. For those wanting to experience this polar region, five nights' room-only at the 4-star Moxy Tromsø is from £909 per person including flights from Gatwick on January 17, available via loveholidays.com.

Ghent, Belgium: Medieval Architecture Without the Crowds

The nearby hotspots of Bruges and Brussels typically steal the limelight when it comes to winter getaways. That is exactly why Ghent should be top of your list for a quieter European city break. The fact it is less crowded means you can explore its Gothic and medieval architecture at leisure, although it is best to do so at night when the intricate alleyways and twisted spires are illuminated by spotlights, giving the spires an even more dramatic appearance against the night sky.

Ghent's winter festival, which operates throughout December and into early January, is magical, featuring a mini ice rink, a ferris wheel, and rows of stalls that lead from the canal to the central square. Seven nights' room-only at the 3-star Hotel Gravensteen is from £489 per person including flights from Heathrow on November 26, bookable through loveholidays.com.

Saariselka, Finland: Deep Snow and Glass Igloos

If Tromsø's coastal location does not tickle your fancy, then Saariselka, where earthy pine woodlands are buried in deep powdery snow, just might. Make sure to stay in a glass igloo, after all, this is the place where they were popularised. From your bed inside these unique structures, you have high chances of spotting the aurora borealis painted across the night sky.

Visitors should make sure to test out the longest toboggan track in Europe, which stretches 1.8km from the summit of Kaunispaa mountain. Afterward, travelers can warm up those chilled bones in a traditional Finnish sauna. Three nights' bed and breakfast at the 3-star Holiday Club Saariselka is from £914 per person including flights from Gatwick on November 29, via tui.co.uk.

Chamonix, France: Traditional Alpine Charm

A cosy and typically French resort town, Chamonix has maintained its traditional charm, despite having sparked the big ski boom. Unlike the purpose-built ski resorts found elsewhere in the Alps, this town is vast and sprawling, with lots of wooden chalets dotted around. While it is a destination that is known for its skiing, there is still plenty else to do in winter for non-skiers.

Le Pas Dans Le Vide is an awesome glass skywalk, suspended at a high altitude at the summit of Aiguille du Midi, giving visitors the thrilling sensation of floating above the spectacular Bossons Glacier. There are also ice caves and ice sculptures, and travelers can dig into some of the best cheesy raclette in the country. Seven nights' self-catering at the 3-star Residence Pierre & Vacances La Riviere is from £551 per person, including flights from Gatwick on January 2, plus 20kg luggage per person, available through crystalski.co.uk.