Six storybook winter towns around the world
Trade the usual holiday for snowy alpine villages, Arctic Lapland, a medieval Baltic island, the French-Canadian charm of Old Québec and the snowy wine country of Niagara-on-the-Lake. From the Zugspitze in Bavaria to Santa’s hometown on the Arctic Circle, these six towns deliver snow, lights, cozy lodging and real winter magic.
Christmas markets in December, then snow, ski season and northern lights through March.
Your international winter towns at a glance
Pick the mood that fits your winter: a Bavarian Christmas market, a Tyrolean city under the Alps, Santa in Lapland, a medieval island town, Old Québec in the snow or ice wine in Niagara.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
A cozy Bavarian alpine town below Germany’s highest peak, with an authentic, uncrowded Christmas market.
Innsbruck, Austria
Colorful riverfront houses under the Nordkette, the Golden Roof and cable cars from the city center.
Rovaniemi, Finland
The official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle, with near-guaranteed December snow.
Visby, Gotland, Sweden
A medieval walled town on the Baltic island of Gotland that turns into a Christmas village in winter.
Québec City, Canada
A walled French-speaking city with the Château Frontenac, frozen Montmorency Falls and the best poutine.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
A snowy Victorian town on Lake Ontario with lantern-lit Queen Street, ice-wine country and Niagara Falls nearby.
Holiday highlights, winter fun and how to plan
Visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Partenkirchen Old Town Christmas market
- Glühwein and a Bavarian dinner in a Gasthaus
- Linderhof Palace nearby
⛷️ Winter activities
- Zugspitze summit at 2,962 m
- Frozen waterfalls in the Partnach Gorge
- A spa day at the AquaDome in Tyrol
🏡 Plan your stay
- Train from Munich, about 1 h 15 min
- 5 nights at Hotel Rheinischer Hof: €1,248
- Day trip to Innsbruck, about 1 hr
Visit Innsbruck, Austria
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Christmas markets in the Old Town
- The Golden Roof and Hofburg
- Schloss Ambras
⛷️ Winter activities
- Nordkette cable car to the Top of Innsbruck
- Bergisel Ski Jump
- Alpenzoo in the snow
🏡 Plan your stay
- 15 minutes from Innsbruck airport
- 4 nights at aDLERS Hotel: $1,280 with breakfast
- Hotel is 5 min walk from the train station
Visit Rovaniemi, Finland
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Meet Santa at the Santa Claus Office
- Cross the Arctic Circle line
- Northern lights hunts
⛷️ Winter activities
- Husky sled or reindeer safari
- Snowmobiling and an ice hotel visit
- A Finnish sauna
🏡 Plan your stay
- Fly from Helsinki in about 1 h 15 min
- 5 nights in Santa Claus Village: $996
- Pack thermals: about −15 °C in December
Visit Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Christmas in the medieval old town
- Gotland Museum next to the hotel
- Cozy cafés and taverns
⛷️ Winter activities
- Walk the Visby Town Wall
- Lummelunda Cave
- Island castles and forts
🏡 Plan your stay
- 10 minutes from Visby Airport
- 5 nights at Hotell Visby Börs: $689 with breakfast
- Many sights keep shorter winter hours
Visit Québec City, Canada
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Quartier Petit Champlain in the snow
- Dinner at the Château Frontenac
- Poutine at Le Chic Shack
⛷️ Winter activities
- Cable car over frozen Montmorency Falls
- Skiing at Le Relais or Lévis
- Ghost walks in Old Québec
🏡 Plan your stay
- 25 minutes from YQB airport
- 5 nights at Hôtel Le Priori: $1,009 with breakfast
- Or take the train via Montréal
Visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Lantern-lit Queen Street in the snow
- The Pillar and Post gardens lit for Christmas
- Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel
⛷️ Winter activities
- Ice-wine tastings at local wineries
- Fort George National Historic Site
- Niagara Falls, a 30-minute drive
🏡 Plan your stay
- 55 minutes from Buffalo airport
- 4 nights at the Colonel Butler Inn: $980
- Bring your passport for the border
Plan your international winter getaway
Tell us which town calls to you and we will build your flights, hotels and lucky travel dates into one stress-free winter trip.
Prices, hours and event dates change. Confirm with hotels, airlines and venues before you travel.