Natalie Marchant

It’s officially winter. There’s no denying it. It was only Halloween a second ago and now we seem to be hurtling ever closer to Christmas. But don’t let it feel like Christmas is the only thing going for this time of year – there’s plenty of time for nesting in December. In our opinion, this is the perfect time for a holiday. After all, European breaks weren’t all they cracked up to be this summer, marked by heatwaves and overtourism. So we’d go as far as to argue that a ton of the most well-loved holiday hotspots are even better in winter, when summer destinations lose their throngs of tourists, and cosy breaks get even cosier. On our list of the best winter destinations in Europe, we’ve got everything from Italian foodie breaks to the official home of Santa Claus. Here are our favourite spots in Europe for winter to embrace the cold for 2024. RECOMMENDED:⛲️ The most underrated destinations in Europe⛷️ The most affordable ski holidays in Europe🏞 The most beautiful places in Europe⛄ The world’s best Christmas destinations🏔️ The best places to travel in December, January and February Ella Doyle is Time Out’s guides editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

‘Schifoan ist des leiwandste,’ as they say in Austria (that’s ‘skiing is the coolest’ to the uninitiated). Given that about 60 percent of the country is covered in mountains, it’s hardly surprising that skiing runs in our blood in Austria – a lifelong love affair for those of us who have been lucky enough to call this place home. I was first put on skis near Zell Am See at the age of four and decades later, I’m still making an annual pilgrimage to the Austrian Alps. In that time, I’ve been skiing as a child, as a teenager when I briefly dabbled with snowboarding, as an overconfident 20-plus year-old and as a more cautious middle-ager. Nowadays I also join my school friends and watch their kids having as much fun as we did.  Skiing is undeniably a privilege but the beautiful scenery, the fresh air and the sheer unbridled fun of it makes it worth every euro cent – be it on one of the panoramic glacial resorts or from one of the traditional small villages Austria is famed for. ‘Gemütlichkeit’ is a term often associated with Austria and, while there’s no direct English translation, the sense of cosiness it conveys is still what I feel whenever I come ‘home’. For there is nothing better than warming up with a Glühwein and tucking into a hearty plate of Kaiserschmarrn for those with a sweet tooth – or a Tiroler Gröstl for those who prefer savoury, like me – in a rustic mountain hut at the end of a hard day’s skiing.  ⛷️ Discover the most affordable ski holidays in Europe Everything

  Vienna’s culture scene is second to none. After all, it played a huge role in developing practically every art form that has flourished in Europe, remember? So it’s no surprise that the museums and galleries here are pretty much love letters to some of the world’s best artists, sculptors, painters, writers and more. From Sigmund Freud to Beethoven, here are the best museums in Vienna.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Vienna💃🏻 The best nightlife spots in Vienna🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Vienna🏠 Vienna's best Airbnbs This article was written by Natalie Marchant, who spent a number of years in Vienna. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

  For beautiful cathedrals, fairytale palaces and a whole lot of great food, Vienna is the spot. There’s an abundance of authentic Austrian food here, but you won’t have to look hard to find a hell of a lot more on offer too.  On our list we’ve got everything from Michelin stars and fine dining to potato pizza to steaming bowls of ramen, and we’ve added what you can expect from the prices too. Whether you’re after café culture, snack food or a special occasion dinner, here are the best restaurants in Vienna right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Vienna☕ The best cafés in Vienna🏘️ The best Vienna Airbnbs🏨 The best hotels in Vienna⛪ The best attractions in Vienna This guide was recently updated by Vienna-based writer Susanne Garber. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Vienna is one of those cities which simply does it all. Known worldwide for its Kaffeehaus culture (you’ll find the best cafés in Europe here, in our humble opinion), the vibe might be chill AF, but trust us, the Austrians know how to have fun.    Here you’ll find unforgettable museums, attractions and historical buildings, and food markets and world-leading restaurants to sample local delights afterwards. As the afternoon progresses into evening, check out one of Vienna’s fabulous rooftop bars or breweries to start off your night right. Whatever you’re here for, Vienna’s got it. Here are its best things to do right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ The best restaurants in Vienna 💃🏻 The best nightlife spots in Vienna🏛️ The best attractions in Vienna🏠 The best Airbnbs in Vienna Natalie Marchant is a writer from Vienna. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Legend has it that in 1683, a Viennese local grabbed the final bag of coffee beans left over by the Ottomans and started serving it up in Vienna. Since then, Vienna has become Europe’s coffee capital. And you’ll see it from the moment you touch down here. This city is full of beautiful cafés (some of them even have UNESCO status), and they show that the traditional Kaffeehaus is not just a place to sip and snack. These are social, community institutions at the very heart of Vienna’s culture. Here is our pick of the best.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Vienna🍴 The best restaurants in Vienna💃🏻 The best nightlife spots in Vienna🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Vienna🏠 Vienna's best Airbnbs This article was last updated by Susanne Garber, a writer based in Vienna. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.