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Budapest, Hungary
Walking through Budapest’s historical streets in winter is as enchanting as it gets. Admire the contrast between the grandeur of Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings, or take to the city’s iconic landmarks, such as the Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, to get a panoramic view of the Danube River. Budapest’s thermal baths are of course a quintessential experience, providing a relaxing and rejuvenating escape. These historic baths, such as the Széchenyi and Gellért Baths, offer warm, mineral-rich waters perfect for soaking in the chill of winter.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Winter in Ljubljana is rich with cultural experiences and seasonal events that capture the spirit of local traditions. Concerts and theatrical productions showcase the country’s vibrant arts scene while museums and exhibitions offer insights into Slovenian history. Hearty Slovenian dishes offer respite from the cold, whether you’re partaking of traditional specialties like potica, a traditional bread, or štruklji, a local dumpling.
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield’s many wonderful shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions make it a picture-perfect getaway that won’t break the bank. A slew of new hotels—like Belden House, opening in March with interiors by Champalimaud Design, and the new Abner Hotel, which includes 20 thoughtfully-appointed rooms in the town’s historic courthouse—provide a great base for planning the next leg of your Connecticut adventure. With four fantastic ski areas, cross country trails, and scenic lakes to take in, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more wondrous winter escape.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is known for its vibrant art scene and historical attractions, but it’s also hugely popular with nature lovers. Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the area offers serene landscapes perfect for hiking or relaxation. Taos Ski Valley is renowned for its challenging slopes and stunning mountain views, while the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers visitors insights into local Indigenous American heritage. After a long day of exploration the brand new Hotel Willa, in the city’s historic district, is the perfect place to rest your head.
Paris
Feeling the post-Olympics itch to explore the City of Lights? Winter is the perfect time to check out Paris and all it has to offer. Iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral are even more mesmerizing when lit up against the winter sky. Winter in Paris also means fewer crowds, allowing for a more intimate exploration of its museums, such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, and leisurely strolls through its charming neighborhoods.
Seattle, Washington
Winter in Seattle beautifully melds vibrant urban life with natural beauty. Nearby, the Cascades and Olympic Mountains offer excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities, while the city itself presents beautiful views of the Puget Sound. The colder months also offer a more relaxed pace to explore the city’s popular attractions without the typical crowds. Landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market can be enjoyed with shorter lines, allowing for a more personal experience.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The charm of winter in Jackson Hole extends beyond skiing, though the variety of slopes provides athletic opportunities for beginners and aspiring pros alike. The region is a gateway to pristine wilderness areas like Grand Teton National Park and nearby Yellowstone National Park, and winter is an optimal time to witness wildlife in their natural habitat, take guided snowshoe tours, or enjoy snowmobiling through the ample powder.
Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. is less crowded in winter than during the peak tourist seasons, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with iconic monuments and landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol without the usual hustle and bustle. The Jefferson, the city’s most-awarded hotel, sits just four blocks from the White House and within a short walk of museums, monuments and embassies, providing a cozy cool vantage point for exploring the best the city has to offer.
Bath, England
Bath’s Georgian architecture looks best capped off with light dustings of snow. Add to that the allure of its historic streets, beautifully illuminated during the winter months, and you’ll be hard-pressed to stay inside when you could be leisurely strolling through town. Make your way to the crowning jewel of the city, the Roman Baths, for a glimpse into ancient history, then head to the Jane Austen Centre to celebrate one of Bath’s most famous residents—and to maybe find your own Mr. Darcy?
Portland, Oregon
Portland is known for its rich arts scene, with numerous galleries, museums, and theaters offering a warm refuge from the cold. The weather often includes mild rain rather than snow, allowing for comfortable exploration of the city’s indoor attractions, such as the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Afterwards, dip your toe into the city’s eclectic culinary scene, with an array of cozy cafes and renowned restaurants where visitors can indulge in clam chowder and craft beer—perfect for the chilly season.
Krakow, Poland
Krakow, in southern Poland, is known for its well-preserved old town, ringed by a park and the aesthetically crumbling remnants of medieval walls. But fast-forward to the present day and it’s become a home base for some of the country’s most exciting new restaurants, its best thrifting, and its most notable design firms, including Paradowski Studio, featured in our November 2023 issue.
Rovaniemi, Finland
The capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi is where intrepid travelers flock to begin their journey to see the northern lights—and, if they’re kids at heart, maybe spend some quality time staking out Santa Claus. Luckily for them, Finnair happens to be one of the only airlines in the world with year-round flights to this subarctic region. Bundle up—and let us know if you spot any red-nosed reindeer.
Montreal
An easy jaunt from the U.S. (and New York City, in particular), Montreal is a cozy-cool destination that also happens to be the hometown of ELLE DECOR’s executive editor, Ingrid Abramovitch. Get a prime view onto the city’s 21-story wall mural dedicated to the city’s most famous export, Leonard Cohen, or chart your own course through its French-inflected dining scene.
Antarctica
If you like your snow served with a side of “the ends of the Earth,” might we suggest you visit Antarctica? The continent isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’ve had your fill of society and its attendant niceties, a slew of adventure cruises (or private chartered yachts) will get you there. If you’d prefer to microdose toughing it, try Whichaway Camp, a nest of “polar pods” that still manages to offer fine dining and even a sauna overlooking a glacier for when you’re done hiking the tundra.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Perhaps most notable for its ample screen time in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is a coastal hot spot with plenty to offer when winter comes. Its Old City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, so fans of ancient walls and Baroque palaces alike are in for a grand old time.
Tallinn, Estonia
Another unsung northern European destination for lovers of medieval architecture and charming city squares, Tallinn rubs shoulders with the Nordic countries but has an astounding history all its own. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its parks and museums—many of which are free—are world-class.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto has become one of the world’s hottest travel destinations in recent years, thanks in large part to its well-preserved historical sites and beautiful temples. But, as our editors can attest, it’s also a thriving cultural hub where visitors can experience breathtaking natural wonders (we’re looking at you, bamboo forest), eat delicious food, and enjoy some of the best boutique shopping around.
Stockholm
If you love the cold, you’ll really love Stockholm. Luckily, the city’s cultural capital is the inverse of its heat index, with an intriguing roster of museums on offer (one of which, the Vasa museum, houses an entire 17th-century ship), alongside incredible restaurants and bars, cozy hotels, and one of the world’s most storied shopping destinations for interior design lovers.
Ghent, Belgium
An impressive spate of castles and cathedrals awaits visitors to historic Ghent, a port town in northwest Belgium. The little sister to Antwerp and Brussels, Ghent is famous for its distinct Flemish architecture and charming facades. The city comes alive during the holidays with an annual Christmas market and the country’s largest mobile roller-skating rink.
Riga, Latvia
The largest city in the Baltics, a region that encompasses Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Riga boasts an historic Art Nouveau city center and an old town that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is easily walkable and the historic part and newer areas are connected by public transport, making the Latvian capital a perfect day-trip destination.
Sean Santiago is ELLE Decor’s Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality and travel, culture, and luxury shopping. Since starting his career at an interior design firm in 2011, he has gone on to cover the industry for Vogue, Architectural Digest, Sight Unseen, PIN-UP and Domino. He is the author of The Lonny Home (Weldon Owens, 2018), has produced scripted social content for brands including West Elm and Streeteasy, and is sometimes recognized on the street for his Instagram Reels series, #DanceToDecor
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