These Snowiest Cities in Europe Deliver Winter Wonderland Vibes
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Most of the snowiest cities in Europe are renowned for their breathtaking appearances, Christmas winter wonderlands, and winter sports activities. While snow can disrupt local life, making the daily commute to work challenging and closing schools, many tourists go looking for it. We don’t know what it is, but there’s something magical about snow.
Many tourists, including us, would agree that there is no better sight than a city blanketed in snow. It creates an alluring atmosphere, especially at Christmas when many places come to life with bright lights, traditional markets, and unique attractions. Here are 12 of Europe’s snowiest cities for those searching for snow this year.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Likely, you’re not surprised to find Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, on this list of the snowiest cities in Europe. After all, Iceland is famed for its spectacular winter landscapes covered in thick snow. The Icelandic capital experiences approximately 50 days of snow yearly, with most snow falling in December.
For context, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, only experiences 20 to 25 days of snow yearly. Better yet, the snow around Reykjavik can be much deeper. It’s common for snowfall across Iceland to reach up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) in places. Meanwhile, some areas experience snow for up to seven months of the year. That said, it might be worth packing some snowshoes for your trip to Iceland.
Read also: Cozy European Winter Destinations
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia and its cultural center, is one of the snowiest cities in Europe. In the winter, it experiences at least ten days of snowfall per month, with some months experiencing over 20 days of heavy snowfall. As such, this already breathtaking city is a mesmerizing winter wonderland around Christmas.
Admittedly, the snow in Tallinn isn’t often deep, but that’s a good thing because it makes it much easier for us to explore the city’s magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In winter, the historic center of Tallinn, Kesklinn, is an excellent place to explore Christmas markets with a hot chocolate in your hand and have fun in the great outdoors. It is also one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Unsurprisingly, skiing and snowboarding are both popular winter activities. Meanwhile, must-visit attractions include Tallinn Town Hall, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Tallinn TV Tower.
Read also: Warmest Places in Europe in Winter
Helsinki, Finland
If you cross the Gulf of Finland from Tallinn, you’ll come to Helsinki, the capital of Finland and one of the snowiest cities in Europe. According to Visit Finland, Helsinki’s snow season lasts almost 100 days. Most of the snow falls in January and February, but it’s common for the capital to experience snow-covered streets in March and April.
Like Reykjavik, the landscape surrounding Helsinki experiences more snow. Snow usually covers the ground in the far north of Finland from early November until late May. Helsinki draws travelers in with its iconic landmarks, such as Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral, and the National Museum of Finland.
Helsinki is also an excellent place to try winter sports, especially ice skating. You can buy a “pulkka”, a type of sled sold in the city, and hit the parks like the locals. At the end of the day, go to a sauna to relax.
Read also: Winter City Breaks in Europe
Rovaniemi, Finland
Helsinki isn’t the only one of Europe’s snowiest cities in Finland; Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus, also experiences a lot of snow. In the capital of Finland’s Lapland region, snow can fall for over seven months of the year. The snowfall in Rovaniemi helps create a breathtaking winter wonderland that is begging to be explored.
Rovaniemi is at its snowiest between October and May, so you could experience a white Christmas in the city. Most people who visit Rovaniemi do so to explore Santa Claus Village and the city’s immense surroundings. Unsurprisingly, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and dog sledding are popular in this cold weather. You should also keep your eyes peeled for the Aurora Borealis, which regularly appears.
Read also: Winter Sun Destinations in Europe
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius, the vibrant capital of Lithuania, experiences 40 to 50 snowy days per year, making it one of the snowiest capital cities in Europe. Snow cover can be persistent throughout the year but is most common in January and February when the city consistently experiences temperatures below freezing.
The average annual snowfall in Vilnius is 1.6 to 2 feet (0.48 to 0.6 meters), so you can expect the capital’s iconic orange roofs and baroque architecture to be blanketed in white snow. The snowfall in Vilnius creates an alluring winter wonderland, but you’ll need to wear a waterproof coat and wooly jumper, as the temperature can drop as low as 18°F (-8°C) in winter.
Read also: European Cities With Stunning Winter Landscapes
Kyiv, Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital and biggest city, is even more magical in the winter when its world-famous buildings and historic museums are covered in snow. In winter, Kyiv experiences an average of 16 snowy days a month. That said, this is another destination you don’t want to forget your big coat.
On a clear winter day in Kyiv, the city’s golden spires stand out brilliantly against a snowy backdrop while cars battle their way to work on icy roads. While the snow is alluring in Kyiv in winter, the historical attractions are also a significant draw. Noteworthy points of interest in the capital include Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, and the Ukrainian Motherland Monument.
Read also: Warmest Cities in Europe During Winter
Bern, Switzerland
The snowy period of the year in Bern only lasts for four months, but that doesn’t stop the city in west-central Switzerland from being one of Europe’s snowiest cities. For context, major cities like London and Paris can average less than ten days of snow a year. The snowy season in Bern typically lasts from mid-November to mid-March.
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During this period, Bern experiences freezing temperatures and dark skies, creating a magical atmosphere for exploring the city. Most of the snowfall occurs in December, so you might be able to explore the Bern Christmas market surrounded by snow. We don’t know about you, but a white Christmas in Switzerland sounds lovely.
Read also: Top Warm Destinations in Europe for November
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Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden, so it’s hardly surprising to hear it’s also one of the snowiest cities in Europe. In Kiruna, residents experience snowfall for approximately seven months of the year. In fact, snow is so common in the city that an annual Snow Festival takes place.
Residents and visitors participate in winter sports, watch light shows, and eat delicious local cuisine during this event. It has been an annual tradition in Kiruna since 1986. As expected, the snow makes it difficult for people to get around Kiruna by car. As a result, dog sledding and snowmobiling are popular. You can go on a dog sledding and snowmobiling tour during your visit. You might even spot the Northern Lights.
Read also: Enchanting European Cities for Winter Getaways
Erfurt, Germany
Generally speaking, Erfurt is a relatively unheard-of city in Central Germany, but that doesn’t stop it from being considered one of the snowiest cities in Europe. A 2021 report by Statista found that Erfurt is the third snowiest city in Europe, behind Tallinn and Vilnius. The report found that Erfurt experienced an average of 17 snow days from December to March between 2009 and 2021.
The most snowfalls in Erfurt occur in January, when the city experiences an average of 0.91 feet (0.28 meters). Meanwhile, it’s very rare to see any snowfall in Erfurt between June and September. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t experience much snow in December, so you might want to go somewhere else for a white Christmas.
Read also: European Towns with Stunning Winter Views
Riga, Latvia
The same Statista report ranked Riga, the capital of Latvia, as the joint eighth snowiest city in Europe, with an average of 15.5 snow days from December to March between 2009 and 2021. Riga is already a beautiful city, so it’s a sight to behold in winter when a snowy backdrop complements its vibrant architecture.
However, snow isn’t usually a major draw to the city. Instead, most people visit Riga to explore the historic Old Town (Vecrīga), eat traditional Latvian cuisine, and walk along the Daugava River. Notable points of interest in the Latvian capital include the House of the Black Heads, Riga Central Market, the Freedom Monument, and St. Peter’s Church.
Read also: Stunning European Destinations for Christmas
Berlin, Germany
If you’re looking for a snowy European capital city for a Christmas getaway, look no further than Berlin, the capital of Germany. The snowfall in Berlin might not be as deep as other cities on this list, but it still snows approximately 40 days a year. Snowfall in Berlin primarily falls between December and February.
Therefore, there is an excellent chance you can spend Christmas at Berlin’s Christmas markets surrounded by snow. Berlin is one of the best places to visit in Europe for Christmas. For starters, there are over 80 official markets to explore, most of which are traditional. Berlin is also home to iconic European attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag Building, and Berlin Cathedral.
Read also: Beautiful Christmas Towns in Europe
Turku, Finland
Turku, Finland’s oldest city, may not be as famous as Helsinki and Rovaniemi, but it certainly is one of Europe’s snowiest cities. Located in the southwestern part of Finland, Turku experiences significant snowfall during the heart of winter.
Turku is a great destination for those who love historical architecture and riverfront strolls. The medieval castle dates back to the 13th century. When the Aura River freezes completely, you can grab some ice skates and stroll along.
Read also: Best Places To Go for Christmas in Europe
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø’s location in Northern Norway makes it one of the snowiest cities in Europe. The city experiences snow approximately 7.5 months of the year. In fact, according to the Weather Atlas, snow is usually only absent in Tromsø between June and August. This makes Tromsø one of the best places in the world for a winter escape.
The snowfall in Tromsø is at its heaviest in March, when up to 1.8 feet (0.5 meters) is common. Regarding things to do in Tromsø, the opportunities seem endless. When you’re not visiting popular attractions like the Polar Museum, Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden, or Arctic Cathedral, you’ll find yourself exploring the great outdoors, searching for wildlife, and snowmobiling across the snowy landscape.
Read also: Top December Destinations in Europe
Innsbruck, Austria
In the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck is one of the European cities with the most snowfall and a great destination for winter sports. With 13 ski resorts around the city and 300 km of pistes, the capital of Tyrol and the fifth-largest city in Austria, it is a paradise for ski enthusiasts.
The snow turns the city into a magical winter landscape, perfect for strolling around the old town, visiting the Golden Roof, and enjoying traditional Austrian cuisine. With 15.5 days of snow per month, Innsbruck is a great city break for winter sports lovers.
Read also: Lesser-Known Christmas Markets to Explore in Europe
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