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Whether you’re a culture vulture or simply dream of one day witnessing first-hand the timeless magic of a cobbled medieval town, Europe is probably at the top of your bucket list.
While a majority of travelers consciously avoid winter and take transatlantic trips in the summer when it is warmer, the colder months are in fact some of the best months to experience the Old Continent because they focus a large number of events and cities that would normally be packed suddenly become eerily quiet.
If you don’t mind the cold weather, or you think old towns with red roofs look even more picturesque when covered in snow, we bring you 4 of the most beautiful but less obvious European places to visit this winter :
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, the so-called ‘Europole’, is a French city on the border with Germany. You can even travel effortlessly between central Strasbourg and Kehl, a German border town across the River Whine, where the border runs, in just under half an hour.
Needless to say, due to its proximity to Germany and its status as a former German city lost after a succession of wars, Strasbourg has retained a Germanic characterevident in the many half-timbered houses along the narrow alleys of the old town and in the strong preference of the locals for beer over wine.
With its characteristic cathedral, with giant flying buttresses and a beautiful Gothic clock, and the rural canal district of Petite France, it is one of the most beautiful towns in France, and every season has its own charm, but we are tempted to say Strasbourg looks its best in winter.
It is when the world-famous Christkindelsmärik, or Christmas market, is held between the cathedral and Place Kléber. It is one of the largest in Europe and attracts millions of tourists every year, attracted by its French-German delicacies, the smell of rich Alsatian sausages and mulled wine.
Thousands of Christmas lights are also spread along the Old Town, creating an enchanting atmosphere not easy to find other times of the year.
Although Strasbourg does not host non-stop transatlantic flights, it does easy to reach from Pariswith fast TGV trains running between both cities, cutting the journey time to just under two hours – faster than the five-hour journey.
Freiburg, Germany
Not far from Salzburg, on the German side of the border and at the gateway to the mysterious Black Forest, lies Freiburg im Breisgau, usually shortened to Freiburg.
Home to a pastel-colored old townan imposing cathedral that survived two world wars, one of Germany’s oldest universities, and walkways that run through the entire historic district and, according to urban legend, will lead to you marrying a local should you ever accidentally step in. First of all, it’s a small German town full of intrigue.
Because it is not as popular as Nuremberg or Rothenburg ob der Tauer, two of Germany’s other best-preserved cities from the Middle Ages, Freiburg can feel less touristy and therefore more pleasant for walking, especially in winter when the summer and autumn crowds are over.
If you are lucky, you might be able to visit during a snowy day, when the red hue of the roofs is barely visible through the pristine white, and street vendors selling hot sausages and melted chocolate on the Little Venice Canal will help you to feel warm and cozy inside.
Like Strasbourg, Freiburg has also done so a historic Christmas market not to be missed, open daily from 10am to 8.30pm, from early winter to mid-January.
The closest major airport to Freiburg is Frankfurt International, an entry point for several Americans flying to Europe during the off-season.
Tallinn, Estonia
In the far eastern part of Europe, just before Russia, Estonia is a country that most Americans skip altogether when planning a winter trip to the continent, either due to safety misconceptions or purely due to a lack of knowledge about its safety. priceless cultural wealth.
The country may share a border with an unfriendly state, but it is a member of both the European Union and NATO, officially safer than many Western countries, as it is considered a Level 1 destination by US authorities, and with a medieval heritage that puts other European countries to shame.
Tallinn is the cultural heart of Estonia and a city that strangely enough seems to come alive in winter; when medieval fairs are held and the natives dress accordingly, the Christmas lights are on and snow is likely to fall along the winding cobbled roads.
Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval centers in Europe, and it’s a magical area to get lost in and explore in winter.
Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia is a country best known for its pristine Adriatic beaches, ocher-colored ancient citadels and Game of Thrones filming locations, but it can make for an incredibly idyllic winter getaway.
Zagreb, the vastly overlooked capital, has been crowned one of the best Christmas destinations several times in recognition of its huge Christmas market, one of the largest on the Balkan Peninsula, and its festive decorations.
Zagreb’s Old Town is divided between the upper and lower parts, and if you take the funicular to the Lotrscack Tower you will be met with a wide panorama of the majestic domes and stately buildings, and tall, modern skyscrapers that lie outside the medieval core.
Some of the best things to do in Zagreb in winter include getting up early to buy local products at the Dolac market, climbing the Lotrsack observation tower for stunning views of the old town and its red roofs, a visit St. Mark’s Church, easy to recognize because of the colorful tiles with the Croatian coat of arms, and have dinner on Tkalciceva Street, a bohemian corner full of quirky bars and restaurants.
Zagreb does a great starting point for exploring Central Croatia, also:
To escape the busy city life, you can always take the bus to Sljeme Mountain, a hiking spot that is often covered in snow. frozen Plitvice Lakesand Varazdin, a small traditional northern Croatian town near the border with Hungary.
Learn more here about incredible European winter destinations that aren’t overrun with tourists and won’t break the bank.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
