Traveling in deep winter might not sound appealing at first, but it’s one of the best ways to explore EurTope with lower prices, smaller crowds, and a completely different charm. Whether you’re into cozy cafés, snowy town squares, or affordable culture, these 10 destinations will give you plenty of warmth for your wallet.
🇷🇴 1. Bucharest, Romania
Why go: Cold but full of life, Bucharest is ideal for art lovers, café hoppers, and architectural explorers. Winter turns the city into a moody, poetic capital with fewer tourists. Explore communist architecture, lively markets, and use the city as a launchpad to Transylvania or the Carpathians.
- Airbnb: €35–€50/night
- Meals: €8–€12/day
🇵🇱 2. Kraków, Poland
Why go: Arguably Poland’s most beautiful city, Kraków in winter is like a fairy tale. Think snow-covered rooftops, hearty food, and soul-stirring history. It’s a great base for day trips to the salt mines or Auschwitz.
- Airbnb: €40–€55/night
- Meals: €10–€15/day
🇷🇸 3. Belgrade, Serbia
Why go: Belgrade is raw, honest, and fascinating in winter. Think gritty charm, underground bars, and snowy fortress views. It’s great for those seeking something more offbeat and less polished.
- Airbnb: €30–€45/night
- Meals: €7–€12/day
🇵🇭 4. Pécs, Hungary
Why go: Skip Budapest and explore Hungary’s artistic and historic southern city. With Roman ruins, Turkish baths, and charming squares, Pécs is cozy and cultural without crowds.
- Airbnb: €30–€40/night
- Meals: €6–€10/day
🇱🇻 5. Riga, Latvia
Why go: Gloomy in the best way, Riga shines in winter with its Art Nouveau buildings, quiet streets, and traditional markets. A Baltic winter never looked this good.
- Airbnb: €35–€55/night
- Meals: €8–€14/day
🇧🇬 6. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Why go: As one of Europe’s oldest cities, Plovdiv is enchanting in winter. The Old Town is quieter, museums are empty, and the charm is real.
- Airbnb: €25–€40/night
- Meals: €6–€10/day
🇧🇪 7. Ghent, Belgium
Why go: Less touristy than Bruges, Ghent is beautifully medieval with canals, gothic towers, and hearty Belgian food. January deals are excellent here.
- Airbnb: €50–€65/night
- Meals: €12–€18/day
🇺🇦 8. Lviv, Ukraine (check travel advisories)
Why go: If safe to travel, Lviv offers a Central European vibe with warm cafés, cobblestones, and low prices. It’s like Vienna’s little cousin, but with a lot more soul per euro.
- Airbnb: €20–€35/night
- Meals: €5–€10/day
🇲🇰 9. Skopje, North Macedonia
Why go: Quirky, eclectic, and snow-dusted in winter, Skopje is full of character. Explore Ottoman bazaars, giant statues, and nearby mountains.
- Airbnb: €25–€35/night
- Meals: €5–€9/day
🇪🇸 10. Valencia, Spain
Why go: Craving winter sun? Valencia delivers. Stroll the beach, eat paella under blue skies, and visit museums without queues. Cheap flights and warm light included.
- Airbnb: €45–€60/night
- Meals: €12–€18/day
Photo credits to: Ljubomir Žarković, Miguel Marques, Tomasz Tomal, Anna Spoljar, Martti Salmi, Anton Atanasov, Christian Lue, Eugenia Pankiv, Pavol Svantner, Claudio Schwarz from Unsplash.
