There’s a chill in the air and it’s time to get somewhere cozy. Here are some of the quaintest, coziest and picturesque towns that you can visit this winter.
01. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is an incredibly well preserved medieval old town that every winter transforms into something that resembles a fairytale.
02. Mt Buller, Australia
Mt Buller is one of the few places in Australia that actually see frequent snowfall. This beautifully snow-capped mountain region is popular with bikers, skiers, snowboarders, and hikers.
03. El Chaltén, Argentina
Photo by Grant and Gen
Surrounded by mountain paths, El Chaltén is popular with trekkers during the summer. During winter, the town is pretty much deserted – with only the most experienced walkers taking on the cold.
04. Queenstown, New Zealand
Photo by Sarah and Todd Sisson
Queenstown is built around the beautiful Lake Wakatipu, which has spectacular views of surrounding mountains including Walter Peak and The Remarkable.
05. Naarden, Netherlands
Photo by Moniek mulder
Naarden is a town built within a star fort, complete with fortified walls and a moat. During winter, the defense’s that once protected the town freeze over.
06. Bled, Slovenia
Sheltered by picturesque mountains, Bled was founded in 1004 and considered so beautiful by the Holy Roman Emperor that it was gifted to the Bishop of Brixen. The castle at Bled sits in the center of the enchanting Lake Bled which borders the town. The town of 5,000 is now notable for having some of the most beautiful health spas in the area.
07. Grise Fjord, Canada
Photo by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (by Franco Buscemi)
If you’ve ever wanted to escape humanity, this is the place. Grise Fjord is the northernmost community in Canada, during winter they experience 104 consecutive days of darkness and the nearest village is more than 200 miles away. You probably won’t be getting a broadband connection here.
08. Štramberk, Czech Republic
Photo by Jancehlarik.
Štramberk lies on the slope of a forested hill dominated by a magnificent medieval tower that still looks over the town. The beautiful timbered houses keep the lucky residents toasty during the colder months.
09. Shirakawa-go, Japan
Photo by Miyamoto
Shirakawa-go is a small, traditional village known for its incredibly steep roofs that were made to withstand some of the heaviest snowfall in the world.
10. Damüls, Austria
Photo by ewitsoe
Damüls receives 30 feet of snowfall every year, making it the snowiest place in Europe. Unsurprisingly, this small town of 300 is a popular winter getaway for sport junkies.
11. Serfaus, Austria
Photo by Michael Adamek
Evidence suggests that this beautiful area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, when it was used as a pasture. Now, the area is used for pleasure, with the the town acting as a stopping point on the road to to the Ski-Area “Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis”.
12. Marlow, England
Photo by Lumenoid
Marlow is a sleepy parish on the River Thames. While the town is only 30 miles from hectic London, it feels like an entirely different world – especially during winter.
13. Vyborg, Russia
Photo by EGRA
Vyborg lies on the border between Russia and Finland and is surrounded by the Saimaa Canal, which freezes over in winter. From the castle tower, the entire town is visible in its snow-capped beauty.
14. Bamberg, Germany
The magnificent town center of Bamberg is considered a world heritage site, with the settlement dating back to 902 AD. This incredibly well preserved medieval town and its cobble streets become a treat to stroll around during winter.
15. Hallstatt, Austria
Sheltered by picturesque mountains, Bled was founded in 1004 and considered so beautiful by the Holy Roman Emperor that it was gifted to the Bishop of Brixen. The castle at Bled sits in the center of the enchanting Lake Bled which borders the town. The town of 5,000 is now notable for having some of the most beautiful health spas in the area.
16. Siglufjörður, Iceland
Photo Source Reddit
Siglufjörður is a small fishing town along a narrow fjord surrounded by mammoth mountains on the land. This quaint village was inaccessible by land until the 1940s, when a long tunnel was dug through the rock.
17. Loket, Czech Republic
Photo by ewitsoe
Loket means “elbow” in English, the town is named this because the town centre and castle are surrounded on three sides by the fierce Ohře River.
18. Funes, Italy
Photo by ewitsoe
Surrounded by the Italian Alps, Funes is blanketed by a layer of crystal white snow every winter.
19. Reine, Norway
Photo by James Boardmen-Woodend
Reine is a quaint fishing village that can be found on the beautiful arctic island of Moskenesøya. The port has a population of only 329, but was rightfully voted the most beautiful village in all of Norway – during winter, it’s easy to see why.
20. Calitri, Italy
Photo by Diuseppe di Maio
Calitri is built on the beautiful hills of Campania. The town is a labyrinth of historic houses and cobble streets which become even more interesting to navigate after a snowfall.
21. Zermatt, Switzerland
Photo by Herbert Stachelberger
Zermatt lies in the picturesque Matter Valley at an elevation of over 5,000 feet in the shadow of Switzerland’s highest peaks. At times, it’s hard to see the roofs amongst the snow.
22. Qaqortoq, Greenland
Photo by Joel Tettamanti
This area has been inhabited for around 4,300 years, when the Saqqaq first settled the land. The modern town is famous for its multi-colored houses, which contrast rather starkly with the white snow.
23. Chichilianne, France
Photo by Erwann Fourmond
Chichilianne is dominated by the breathtaking Mont Aiguille, which is nearly 7,000 foot tall and offers amazing views of the French Prealps.
24. Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is a sleepy rural town in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. The small houses of this ski town are dominated by their landscape, especially during winter. A climb to the peaks offer an incredible panorama of the town below.
25. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Photo by Chrissy
From the capital of Iceland, you’ll need to get on a once-weekly plane to Greenland and then get a helicopter ride to this small, colorful town which sits by the longest glacial river system in the world.
26. Langwies, Switzerland
Photo by ehutphoto
This small town of a few hundred is perched precariously on the edge of the vast Langwies valley. Lucky visitors can take a train ride over the valley and trek among the snow covered trees.
27. Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic
Photo Source Reddit
The name of this town roughly translates to ‘Apple Orchard on the River Neisse’ because of its immense beauty. Founded in 1356, this town rose to fame in the 18th century for producing the first piece of artificial jewellery.
28. Jamnik, Slovenia
Photo by Simon Benedičič
Jamnikeastern can be found on the slopes of the Jelovica Platea. The local church is built upon a hill with a breathtaking backdrop of the Julian Alps.
29. San Marino, Italy
San Marino is a micro-republic of just 24 square miles in the beautiful landscape of Northern Italy. Founded in 301 AD, it is one of the oldest surviving sovereign states and constitutional republics in the world.
30. Engelberg, Switzerland
Photo by Svetlana Peric
Engelberg is a resort town surrounded by the Alps on one side and the crystal clear waters of four lakes on the others.
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