Photographs that will make you want to visit Europe in Winter

Sigh-inducing cityscapes lightly dusted with snow. Shimmering Christmas lights illuminating traditional markets. Imposing historical monuments standing proud, bathed in colour. In winter, Europe’s cities transform into striking, fairy tale locations that seemingly belong on the pages of a dusty tome. If you thought Europe was the dream in summer, these incredible photographs will leave you with some serious winter wanderlust.

Berlin The morning sun glistens on a powdery white snowfall that dapples the ground in front of Berlin’s historic Brandenburg Gate.

Krakow What a square and what a tree! Krakow’s grand main market is dominated by a giant, sparkling Christmas tree that towers over visitors and market stalls.

London The snow-kissed Jubilee Garden’s on London’s Southbank look like something out of a romantic movie. A ride on the dizzying London Eye as the flakes tumble down completes the Christmas mood.

Madrid Each winter, vivid, colourful lights illuminate Madrid’s imposing City Hall on Cibeles Square, bathing its Gothic ramparts in brilliant hues.

Reykjavik The best Christmas lights in the world? Probably. The Aurora Borealis dances across the sky above a twinkling Reykjavik in Iceland – a country where it almost always feels like winter.

Rome Where’s the sun?! Rome’s Coliseum is virtually unrecognisable under a generous sprinkling of snow, like icing sugar on a wedding cake.

Prague Bright red and orange rooftops burst through the snowfall to match the hazy winter sunset in Prague.

Bergen How cosy do these cabins look along Bergen waterfront in Norway? Log fire, blanket and a cup of tea; bliss.

Paris Now you can see how it earned its nickname, the City of Lights! At night, Paris’ Champs-Eleysees glitters with all the colours of a rainbow.

Budapest Those clouds of mist are steam emanating from Szechenyi Bath’s piping-hot geothermal waters. They stay open even in sub-zero temperatures. Would you take a dip?

Stockholm Stockholm’s iconic, colourful merchant homes glow resplendently, lit by Christmas market cabins.

Vienna Regal, opulent and even more show stopping bathed in golden floodlight. Vienna’s Neo-Gothic Rathaus simply stuns in winter.

Edinburgh Edinburgh’s snow-carpeted spires and Regency buildings are straight from the pages of a Dickensian novel.

Amsterdam Beautifully reflected in the canals, Amsterdam’s pretty lights look especially Christmassy in winter.

Frankfurt Now that’s what we call a Christmas market! Held in the picturesque Römerberg, Frankfurt’s is one of Germany’s largest and certainly most beautiful.

We travel to all these destinations. If you’re inspired to visit Europe in winter, discovering a Travel Counsellors trip is just a phone call away 01773 318470.