Top 5 most incredible Alpine destinations in Europe this winter

Spend days sipping a caramel hot chocolate overlooking majestic mountain peaks, strolling through an ancient snow-covered town and breathing in the fresh mountain air: there’s nothing like a icy escape to the European Alps.

However, if all you can think about is an overpriced ski resort in Chamonix, France, or the usual village visit around Switzerland’s Lauterbrunnen Valley, then you should know that the multi-country, mountainous region has a lot to offer. A lot more to offer.

You might even be surprised to learn that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars a night at a spa hotel in December to experience some highland magic.

Being here 5 incredible outings in the Alps in Europe that will surely warm your heart this winter:

Bled, Slovenia

We’re sure (most) of you didn’t expect to see Slovenia here, but in fact the small Central European country is crossed by the eastern end of the Alps.

It is also home to one of the most beautiful lake towns on the continent: Bled, a year-round leisure resort famous for its lonely medieval chapel, perched on an islet in the middle of a crystal-clear lake, cozy chalet-style lodgings and an imposing mountaintop castle.

That’s picturesque enough, but you have that everywhere in Bled beautiful view of the Julian Alps in the distance. On a clear day, from the castle you can clearly see the triple Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain, in the distance.

Although most people visit Bled in summer, drawn by the water activities and forest trails, winters are for cooling off, lakeside walks, cultural visits to medieval sites and some quality time in a four-star hotel and spa.

Besides, they’ll only hold you back $120 – $230 per nighta bargain in the Alps.

Bressanone/Brixen, Italy

It’s best known for its Mediterranean appeal and pastel-colored towns surrounded by azure seas, but if you travel north enough, all the way to Bressanone (or as German-speaking locals call it, Brixen), you’ll encounter a completely different world.

By the way, you read that correctly. Almost everyone speaks German in this picturesque mountain town near the Austrian border.

With the typical Tyrolean stucco facades, wooden balconies, steep roofs and sober cathedral you would be hard pressed to convince yourself this is still the land of pizza and pastaespecially when the Austrian-esque Christmas market starts to pop up and the snow starts to fall.

Besides being a postcard-looking medieval town in the heart of the Italian Alps, it’s worth noting that Bressanone is a short drive from a number of natural monuments: think Val di Funesa valley dotted with villages with the Dolomites in the background, or the glacial lake of Braies.

Évian-les-Bains, France

Still can’t get enough of picturesque lakeside towns in the heart of the Alps? Wait until you see the laid-back, idyllic Évian-les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva (or whatever the French call it, Lac Leman).

Popular for its Christmas village, or Fabuleux Village des FlottinsFrom December onwards, Évian transforms into a literal winter wonderland, with wooden sculptures and whimsical installations everywhere, food stalls serving traditional Alpine dishes and festive lights.ts.

The French Love it is in summer because of its lakeside location, but Évian’s greatest strength is its location spa culture in winter.

It has an abundance of mineral pools and saunas to keep you warm when the cold winds blow outside, but if you’re looking for luxurious facilities (we’re talking lagoon-style heated pools, hammams and top-notch wellness treatments) look no further than evian® SPAhoused in the elegant Hôtel Royal.

Innsbruck, Austria

For those interested in one city instead taking a break – with occasional skiing and winter walks – Innsbruck in Austria is our top pick.

A medium-sized city on a fast-flowing river in the Austrian Tyrol, it is literally at the foot of the Alpsand you can take a cable car (Nordkette) straight from the bustling city center all the way to Hafelekarspitze, the highest peak in the surrounding mountains.

Innsbruck is not called the ‘Capital of the Alps’ for nothing: with the SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruckto which you gain access 13 ski areas in one go, including Axamer Lizum, a large resort with great powder and Olympic slopes, and Kühtai, Austria’s highest ski village.

The Old Town itself is worth traveling across the pond: it is well-preserved medieval streetsornate churches and palaces with baroque and rococo interiors, and a waterfront full of colorful buildings that is already postcard worthy.

Fussen

You’ve probably seen photos of the real Cinderella Castle making the rounds on social media a million times, but did you know that at its base lies the ultimate German alpine resort, or that most tourists skip it?

Before you shoot straight up to take the classic Neuschwanstein Castle selfie, make sure you stop by sleepy Füssen, a charming town full of winding, cobbled streets and filled with medieval half-timbered houses.

There’s even a historic hilltop castle on the edge of the old town! Officially known as ‘High Castle’, or Hohes Schlossand in our book it seems so just as picturesque like the much better known Neuschwanstein.

We highly recommend you spend at least two full days exploring Füssen, and don’t miss the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mang, one of the oldest in Bavaria (the frescoes inside are nothing short of ethereal), and the crystal-clear Alpsee, a lake flanked by snow-capped mountains.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.