Gothic Italian cathedrals glistening with frost, gilded Russian palaces topped with twinkling icicles and and fjord-side wooden houses in Norway – these are the European city sites taking winter wonderland to a whole new level. For more inspiration, see our pick of the best city breaks to take in winter.
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MATERA, ITALYDuring the colder months, this ancient city with its natural caves and sand-hued houses is cloaked in a quilt of snow.GETTY IMAGES- ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIAElaborate churches, ornate government buildings and gilded towers rise out of cloud-like swathes of snow.GETTY IMAGES
- VIENNA, AUSTRIAFresh snowfall provides the ultimate canvas for Vienna’s grand buildings and bright pops of colour.GETTY IMAGES
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- EDINBURGH, SCOTLANDWhile steep streets and sharp corners make for slightly hazardous walks, the views are worth it, with Gothic buildings towering above snow-covered alleys hiding cosy pubs, cute cafés and windswept square gardens.This is our edit of the top hotels in EdinburghThe best Edinburgh hotelsCITY BREAKSThe best Edinburgh hotelsGETTY IMAGES
- SALZBURG, AUSTRIALike something straight out of Disney’s Frozen, this winter wonderland is filled with hilltop castles, frosty turrets and icy domes.GETTY IMAGES
- TROMSØ, NORWAYThe strikingly modern Arctic Cathedral towers over this Norwegian city, where the Northern Lights are known to light up the skies.GETTY IMAGES
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- PARIS, FRANCEWinter in the French capital is about as romantic as it gets, with powdery alleyways, cosy cafés serving steaming chocolat chaud and views of the Eiffel Tower disappearing into the thick fog.Check out our ultimate travel guide to ParisThe ultimate Paris travel guideGUIDESThe ultimate Paris travel guideGETTY IMAGES
- INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIAFlying into Innsbruck, which has one of Europe’s most dramatic airports, at Christmastime is a spectacle in itself, with views of Austria’s white peaks and mountaintop ski resorts tumbling down into colourful villages.GETTY IMAGES
- ROME, ITALYWith its ancient stone buildings and crumbling edifices, Rome is even more timeless when covered in snow.These are the most beautiful places in Rome26 of the most beautiful places in RomeINSPIRATION26 of the most beautiful places in RomeGETTY IMAGES
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- PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLICThe Czech capital is known for its uniform red-roofed houses, and during the colder months the buildings look as though they have a thin dusting of icing sugar.These are the best things to do in PragueThe 10 best things to do in PragueCITY BREAKSThe 10 best things to do in PragueGETTY IMAGES
- TALLINN, ESTONIAThe Estonian capital becomes extra alluring during winter as ancient churches flicker with candlelight and pink- and yellow-coloured houses line streets thick with snow.GETTY IMAGES
- MUNICH, GERMANYA brave surfer faces icy water under snow-laden branches in this Bavarian city.GETTY IMAGES
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- BUDAPEST, HUNGARYWhile the streets are hidden under inches of snow, the spires of Budapest’s florid gothic Matthias Church shimmer with frost.GETTY IMAGES
- ZURICH, SWITZERLANDThese azure-tinged streetscapes bring a whole new meaning to Elvis’s Blue Christmas.GETTY IMAGES
- COPENHAGEN, DENMARKThe city’s brightly coloured architecture stands out even more in winter, contrasting with the silvery landscape.These are the coolest things to do in Copenhagen10 amazing things to do in CopenhagenCITY BREAKS10 amazing things to do in CopenhagenGETTY IMAGES
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- VENICE, ITALYVenice has a beautifully eerie feel in winter, as gondolas heavy with snow gently bob in icy canals and the city’s dramatic domes and churches are hidden in a thick mist.GETTY IMAGES
- FLORENCE, ITALYThe city’s terracotta-tiled domes and intricate bell towers glisten against the backdrop of the snow-capped Apennines.Here is our edit of the best things to do in FlorenceThe best of Florence, ItalyCITY BREAKSThe best of Florence, ItalyGETTY IMAGES
- REYKJAVÍK, ICELANDWith an average winter temperature of 0ºC, southern Iceland has icy landscapes everywhere you look – but Reykjavík is our favourite corner of the country, its low-rise architecture contrasting with the ancient crests of Esja, a mountain range that’s about 3.2 million years old.GETTY IMAGES
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- BERGEN, NORWAYSurrounded by pine-covered peaks on one side and endless mirror-like fjords on the other, this town is a magical splash of colour in a wintry blanket of white.GETTY IMAGES
- BRUGES, BELGIUMIt’s hard to find a lovelier place in the snow than this medieval Belgian town. Stroll along the inky canal in soft snowfall to discover hidden cobbled lanes, festive market squares and turreted buildings.Here are 27 brilliant things to do in Bruges27 brilliant things to do in BrugesCITY BREAKS27 brilliant things to do in BrugesGETTY IMAGES
- AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDSThick snow lines the cobbled streets, melting into the icy Amstel river as passers-by shuffle along, huddled together as closely as the city’s distinctive tightly packed houses.Read more about the most beautiful places in AmsterdamThe most beautiful places in AmsterdamDESTINATIONSThe most beautiful places in AmsterdamGETTY IMAGES
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- KRAKÓW, POLANDRed- and orange-brick buildings topped with green domes contrast prettily with the soft, white snow on nearby rooftops.GETTY IMAGES
- LONDON, ENGLANDThe capital is best explored at dusk for a true Dickensian experience – even the moodiest Scrooge would cheer up at the sight of the snowy streets lit up with the prettiest lights and festive Christmas markets.GETTY IMAGES
- WARSAW, POLANDColourful Wes Anderson-esque buildings peek out beneath snow-covered rooftops and frozen spires.GETTY IMAGES
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- KIEV, UKRAINEMultiple layers and thick waterproof boots are essential for a winter trip to Kiev, where the streets are laden with frost and there are often sub-zero temperatures.GETTY IMAGES
- BERLIN, GERMANYPerhaps Europe’s most festive hub at Christmas, Berlin becomes filled with market stalls serving steaming glühwein and currywurst – and they’re even prettier with a sprinkling of frost.GETTY IMAGES
- CAMBRIDGE, UKBritain’s famous university town becomes still when students return home for Christmas and leave behind a peaceful winter haven.Discover Cambridge’s most charming hotel, University ArmsUniversity Arms, Cambridge review: First InAWAY FROM THE CITYUniversity Arms, Cambridge review: First InGETTY IMAGES
- MILAN, ITALYWith its Gothic duomos, embellished palazzos and icy piazzas, this city in northern Italy looks even more dramatic when grey skies give way to hazy snowfall.GETTY IMAGES
- BANSKÁ BYSTRICA, SLOVAKIAIn a long, deep valley straddling the Hron River, and against a backdrop of the Kremnica Mountains, this Slovakian city is one of Europe’s most beautiful in winter.
MATERA, ITALYDuring the colder months, this ancient city with its natural caves and sand-hued houses is cloaked in a quilt of snow.GETTY IMAGES
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIAElaborate churches, ornate government buildings and gilded towers rise out of cloud-like swathes of snow.GETTY IMAGES
VIENNA, AUSTRIAFresh snowfall provides the ultimate canvas for 
EDINBURGH, SCOTLANDWhile steep streets and sharp corners make for slightly hazardous walks, the views are worth it, with Gothic buildings towering above snow-covered alleys hiding cosy pubs, cute cafés and windswept square gardens.This is our edit of the 
SALZBURG, AUSTRIALike something straight out of Disney’s Frozen, this winter wonderland is filled with hilltop castles, frosty turrets and icy domes.GETTY IMAGES
TROMSØ, NORWAYThe strikingly modern Arctic Cathedral towers over this Norwegian city, where the 
PARIS, FRANCEWinter in the French capital is about as romantic as it gets, with powdery alleyways, cosy cafés serving steaming chocolat chaud and views of the Eiffel Tower disappearing into the thick fog.Check out our 
INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIAFlying into 
ROME, ITALYWith its ancient stone buildings and crumbling edifices, 
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLICThe Czech capital is known for its uniform red-roofed houses, and during the colder months the buildings look as though they have a thin dusting of icing sugar.These are the 
TALLINN, ESTONIAThe Estonian capital becomes extra alluring during winter as ancient churches flicker with candlelight and pink- and yellow-coloured houses line streets thick with snow.GETTY IMAGES
MUNICH, GERMANYA brave surfer faces icy water under snow-laden branches in this Bavarian city.GETTY IMAGES
BUDAPEST, HUNGARYWhile the streets are hidden under inches of snow, the spires of 
ZURICH, SWITZERLANDThese azure-tinged streetscapes bring a whole new meaning to Elvis’s Blue Christmas.GETTY IMAGES
COPENHAGEN, DENMARKThe city’s brightly coloured architecture stands out even more in winter, contrasting with the silvery landscape.These are the 
VENICE, ITALY
FLORENCE, ITALYThe city’s terracotta-tiled domes and intricate bell towers glisten against the backdrop of the snow-capped Apennines.Here is our edit of 
REYKJAVÍK, ICELANDWith an average winter temperature of 0ºC, southern Iceland has icy landscapes everywhere you look – but 
BERGEN, NORWAYSurrounded by pine-covered peaks on one side and endless mirror-like fjords on the other, this town is a magical splash of colour in a wintry blanket of white.GETTY IMAGES
BRUGES, BELGIUMIt’s hard to find a lovelier place in the snow than this medieval Belgian town. Stroll along the inky canal in soft snowfall to discover hidden cobbled lanes, festive market squares and turreted buildings.Here are 
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDSThick snow lines the cobbled streets, melting into the icy Amstel river as passers-by shuffle along, huddled together as closely as the city’s distinctive tightly packed houses.Read more about the 
KRAKÓW, POLANDRed- and orange-brick buildings topped with green domes contrast prettily with the soft, white snow on nearby rooftops.GETTY IMAGES
LONDON, ENGLANDThe capital is best explored at dusk for a true Dickensian experience – even the moodiest Scrooge would cheer up at the sight of the snowy streets lit up with the prettiest lights and 
WARSAW, POLANDColourful 
KIEV, UKRAINEMultiple layers and thick waterproof boots are essential for a winter trip to 
BERLIN, GERMANYPerhaps Europe’s most festive hub at 
CAMBRIDGE, UKBritain’s famous university town becomes still when students return home for Christmas and leave behind a peaceful winter haven.Discover 
MILAN, ITALYWith its Gothic duomos, embellished palazzos and icy piazzas, this city in northern Italy looks even more dramatic when grey skies give way to hazy snowfall.GETTY IMAGES
BANSKÁ BYSTRICA, SLOVAKIAIn a long, deep valley straddling the Hron River, and against a backdrop of the Kremnica Mountains, this Slovakian city is one of Europe’s most beautiful in winter.Source: cntraveller.com