Tripadvisor Study: 10 European Destinations for an Exceptional Winter Holiday

A travel report published by Euronews highlighted European destinations and experiences expected to attract travelers during an exceptional winter holiday. The report was based on a study conducted by the Tripadvisor platform, which analyzed search queries made by travelers from the United Kingdom between August 1 and October 31, 2026, for trips scheduled between November 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027. Contrary to expectations of a surge in demand for warm-weather holidays, the results showed that cold destinations were the most sought-after, with the Alpine regions topping the list of popular destinations across the continent. Arushi Kumar, Deputy Director of Research and Insights at Tripadvisor, said, “It is striking to see a strong trend toward escaping to cold weather this winter, as travelers are swapping sun loungers for snow boots.” She added, “The fact that polar retreats, Alpine towns, and Christmas market cities are leading the rankings shows that travelers want to experience the winter atmosphere rather than escape it.”

French Strasbourg topped the list of popular European destinations on Tripadvisor, thanks to its brightly lit Christmas market adorned with wooden chalets, creating a unique festive atmosphere. This year, the market will run for four weeks, starting on November 27. In addition to the market, Tripadvisor recommends visiting the Strasbourg Cathedral, renowned for its stained-glass windows and impressive astronomical clock. For those interested in the Northern Lights, Tromsø, Norway, is an ideal destination; visitors can join a minibus tour or a boat trip, and add other activities to their itinerary, such as reindeer-drawn sledding and fjord fishing. Belgian Ghent rounds out the top three, offering a diverse range of cultural and historical experiences. The Gravensteen Castle stands out as one of the city’s must-see landmarks.

Below are the top 10 popular winter destinations in Europe, according to the Tripadvisor Travel Index:

1. Strasbourg, France

2. Tromsø, Norway

3. Ghent, Belgium

4. Saariselkä, Finland

5. Chamonix, France

6. Zakopane, Poland

7. Bruges, Belgium

8. Nuremberg, Germany

9. Salzburg, Austria

10. Riga, Latvia