Most Romantic Cities in Europe in Winter

Top 6 Romantic Cities in Europe in Winter

Winter in Europe appeals to many travellers around the world, whether to enjoy the warmer winter escapes in southern Europe or go for a city escape or skiing in the Alpine and Dolomites mountains.

With the gothic designs and the great architecture found everywhere in Europe, it gives Europe a special appeal to visit, especially during the winter season when the snow covers the Northern European cities which makes it the perfect Romantic and Dreamy Escape.

Top 6 Romantic Cities in Europe  

In this article, I am sharing my absolute top 6 romantic cities to visit in Europe for a quick romantic getaway!

Bonus: when visiting European cities in winter, you will get to enjoy wandering the cities with fewer tourists and cheaper stays and flights!

Number 1: Venice – Italy (City of Love)

I couldn’t start my list without listing the absolute cherry on the top of the cake, Venice, the city of love and passion and one of the most romantic cities in the world.

For me, when I am in Venice, I enjoy wandering in the Narrow alleys, walking over the beautiful bridges while watching the Gondolas roaming in the water canals.

I particularly enjoy visiting Venice during winter, I feel with the less tourists and the crisp fresh air, it makes Venice more romantic and more beautiful to pause and admire the artistic buildings and bridges.

Venice Top Attractions

The question here is, what should you do and see if you are visiting Venice for a quick escape? My personal highlights, whether you are staying for a few days or visiting Venice for a day trip, the highlights would be:

• Piazza San Marco is a wonderful and big Piazza to explore some of the Venetian Medieval Architecture and enjoy the Basilica San Marco and its stunning Façade. Sitting at one of those lavish restaurants at the Piazza is an experience by itself and although it may tip you over the budget, I believe, it is a must-do experience for once in a lifetime. After all, what is Venice without indulging in a hopeless romantic meal or drink at the main Piazza.  
• Walking over the Rialto Bridge and admiring the sparkling turquoise water and taking a photo is another must-do and see when in Venice.
• A visit to Venice wouldn’t be complete without taking a Gondola ride, you can book your ride here (Gondola, is the long Venetian boat stirred with a handsome Venetian skippers!). Perhaps in this ride you want to steal a kiss underneath one of those beautiful bridges connecting the city together in an artistic way.

If you want to explore a comprehensive guide about on what to do and where to stay in Venice, grab your detailed itinerary to Venice.

Number 2:  Verona – Italy (City of Romeo & Juliette)

Clearly, Italy is making the top of my list for European Romantic escapes, because Italy is well-known worldwide for being the leader for top and best romantic escapes in the world!

Verona should be added to your romantic escape bucket list if you want to celebrate love! Romantic getaways must include Verona, After all, it is the city of Romeo and Juliette, from the famous Shakespeare love novel.

You will be pleased to hear, that Verona is not far away from Venice, they are in fact, 1 hour drive away if you take the speed train, which makes it the perfect to visit Venice for a full day trip!

Top Romantic Experiences in Verona

Verona is full of romantic experiences, the historic city centre is perfect for an easy and flat walking to explore Verona’s hidden gems.

My top romantic things to do in Verona are:

• Enjoying an Italian breakfast at Piazza Bra while having the Roman Arenaa in front of you.
• Visiting Juliet’s House and Museum is another must-do while in Verona, here, you will find a Bronze statue representing Juliet, and the legend says that if you and your partner touch the Juliet’s statue breast, you will both will be meant to be together forever!
• Not far away from Juliet’s house, after a couple of minutes of walking distance, you will find yourself in another Piazza, called, Piazza delle Erbe. This smaller Piazza, you will find amazing architecture all around, and the Piazza flooring is made of Veneto pink marble tiles. Around the Piazza, you will find nice places to sit, drink and eat while watching people passing by.
• One of my personal favourite romantic thing to do while in Verona is to stroll with my partner along the River Adige. It is a nice stroll for day and night, to me walking by this river is very Romantic and refreshing at the same time!

Verona the Wine Region

Lastly, you cannot leave the Veneto region without tasting its finest wines of Valpolicella and Amarone wines, and I have the perfect place for you to try the wines and the olive oil while admiring the infinite sceneries of the Valpolicella Valley, a visit to Tenuta Santa Maria is a must, check out their place here: Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde | Winery Boutique in Valpolicella | Verona

Detailed Verona & Venice Itinerary

If I made you curious enough to visit this wonderful city and Venice, I have created a detailed travel itinerary for both cities, that includes the top places to stay, eat, and do with bookable links, it is a great E-Guide to explore Venice and Verona in 7 days.

Number 3: Prague – Czech Republic (The Gothic City)

Away from the Italian beauties, another romantic escape that is unique and located in the Czech Republic, its gothic capital, Prague. Prague is a city full of medieval gothic vibes and architecture and an easily walkable city for romantic strolls inside the Old Town.

Romantic Prague

To access the old city, the first thing you will see is the entrance to Charlie Bridge, it is a pedestrian-only bridge. The bridge by itself is a masterpiece of art, wherever you look, there are beautifully detailed statues and the Vltava river runs underneath it levelling up the city charming levels.

Prepare your camera to capture lots of its beauty!

The Best Dates Ideas in Prague

• Visiting the famous astronomical clock built in 1410, the architecture of the clock itself is stunning and it will leave you pretty much astonished. To book tours and know more about this famous clock,  click on this website Astronomical Clock – Prague.eu
• Wandering around the main square and town alleys to grab a hearty local meal of Beef Goulashes and fried cheese to warming up your hearts. Honestly, if I knew the food in Prague would be this good and tasty, I would have visited this city way earlier! The food in Prague is so delicious, to explore more authentic yumminess, make sure you book this amazing food TOUR.
• Enjoying a warm and delicious local dessert from the many kiosks scattered around the city selling it, this dessert is named Trdelnik, it is made from a spiral dough covered with cinnamon sugar that is prepared over heated charcoal, the preparation technique is so unique and interesting to watching! Tip: prepare lots of napkins and find a place to sit while eating the Trdelnik, it can get really messy, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

• Vltava river cruise is another romantic date idea while in Prague. To enjoy a unique experience which covers a nice walking tour and a river cruise, I would recommend booking this excellent tour here.

• Enjoying a tasty breakfast at the famous vintage Louver Café. At this vintage-themed café, Albert Eisenstein used to dine back in the time. I am not saying that I picked up Mr. Eisenstein’s intelligent brain, but the café left a deep mark my heart for the excellent service and romantic ambience! (I recommend booking your spot before your visit, as it tends to be busy, you could book your visit here Home – Café Louvre (cafelouvre.cz))
• Throughout walking inside the old town you will notice horse carriages wandering the old paved streets, I think this is so dreamy and romantic experience for you and your partner, book your experience directly here.

Prague Nightlife for Couples

If you and your partner enjoy beers and cocktail drinks, Prague is a well-known host of 2 main places that attract tourists worldwide:

• For beer lovers, there is a Beer Spa for you! Yes, you heard it right, a beer Spa that offers spa treatment ranges made of beer! To Book your visit if you are a beer lover, click here
• For those who like to enjoy unique cocktail experience, I would recommend going to Black Angels bar located in the old city, this bar is rated amongst the top 10 bars in the world. Just make sure you book in advance for your visit here and remember no photos are allowed to be taken inside!

Special Day Trip Visiting 2 Countries – For Magical Sceneries

When you are staying in Prague, I would recommend taking a day trip to the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park for one of the romantic places in Czech Republic to visit, just remember to wrap up, and wear comfortable hiking shoes and clothes (it is not a difficult hike, I would say it is easy with a few uphill/ stairs that are suitable for all levels).

This national park is so beautiful and scenic, not far away from Prague, around 2 hours ride in a comfortable minivan/ bus.  

The views, even on a rainy and misty day are very dramatic and I was so pleased to be able to go and see some of the natural wonders.

During this trip you will also try a local meal in a gothic-styled restaurant tucked away between the beautiful mountains, my meal was so good that I requested another meal (I paid extra 10 euros for the additional meal, my choice was the beef with cranberry sauce and dumplings option, the beef was very tender, and the sauce was just perfect!). After the meal, the guide will take you to the other part of the National Park that is located inside Germany (bonus for visiting 2 countries in one trip!). To book this specific tour, you can click here.

My Favourite Romantic Place to Stay in Prague

In Prague, we stayed at a charming old-built house, that is full of character in the ceiling, flooring, the rooms, wherever you turn your head, this accommodation illustrated the beauty of Prague, it is called Nerudova 211.

At the entrance, you will be greeted by warm-hearted owners who will give you a full guide and recommendations for Prague, including the top places to eat and drink. Also, at the reception area, you will have a selection of teas, homemade cakes and cookies that are made by the mother of the owner, I never tasted such tasty cakes in my life before!

Number 4: Krakow – Poland (The Hidden Gem)

A bit for an unusual city to list for a romantic escape, and that is why I am calling Krakow the hidden gem for exploring unusual destinations in Europe.

When I booked to go to Jordan, my home country, during the Christmas period, I found a cheap flight deal to Jordan on Ryanair via Krakow, where I spent magical and white 3 days in this romantic city.

I listed Krakow under one of the best romantic escapes to visit in Europe during wintertime, because when I visited, mid of December 2022, and I was super lucky that it was snowing for the 3 days I was staying.

During those 3 days, which make Krakow, a great destination for a short and romantic getaway, I stayed in a hotel that is 5 minutes’ walk from the main city centre and close to all amenities. I would list Krakow as a budget-friendly destination too, as I found food, accommodation, and transportation are all affordable.

Best Food in Krakow

Because I am a big foodie and I love walking to explore cities in general, I managed to find an amazing walking food and drink tour. We were wandering this beautiful city for around 4 hours on foot while stopping at different places to enjoy the local foods and drinks. I truly enjoyed the Polish Mead, an alcoholic drink made of honey, very tasty and perfect for those cold wintry days.

Some of the local foods I tried, were the Polish Dumplings, those are a must try and super delicious, Potatoes Pan Cake, Mushroom Soup and the finale was a yummy dessert that is called the Pope Cake, made of layers of crunchy dough and filled with custard cream. There is an interesting story behind why it is called the Pope Cake, however, I will leave it as a surprise to when you go to Krakow and book this tour to ask your tour guide about the story! You can book this experience directly here. This wonderful tour can be booked directly here.

Things to do in Krakow

• You could do a full day visit to Auschwitz Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mines, this is a highly rated and recommended tour, for more info and details about the trip, you could check here.

• A short, nice trip from Krakow would be visiting Zakopane Tour with the Hot Bath pools, grab your towel and bathing suit and prepare to relax yourself in the hot bath pools, a must do romantic activity! Book this experience directly here.

Magical Christmas in Krakow

Because I also visited Krakow during the Christmas season, it really lived up to its reputation for having one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. The Christmas market was spacious, nicely decorated, and they were selling very authentic local products sold at a reasonable price, where I bought a lot of souvenirs and handmade wool shawls! For all related information about Krakow Christmas Market, you can visit this link.

Another place to see at the main square is the Rynek Główny,  which is a beautifully designed authentic roofed Polish market, where you will find lots of merchandisers selling authentic bits of Poland, this market is open all year-round market.

My recommendation is to book your romantic escape to Krakow during the festive month to enjoy best of both worlds of celebrating a romantic Christmas together.

Krakow recommended Accommodation

I stayed at Ventus Rosa Boutique Aparthotel, hotel, very convenient, service was excellent and the rooms have all the amenities you need as well as delicious homemade roasted coffee, to book this hotel, click here.

Number 5: York – United Kingdom (UK) (The Unusual Choice & Individual Cuisines)

York the city where I currently live, I would consider it another unusual romantic destination to visit in Europe. Being one of the Roman capitals in the past, it holds lots of charm within its old city centre roman walls.

York is perfect for date nights and quick romantic escapes because you could walk everywhere within a relatively short distance inside the city centre. It’s filled with interactive museums, escape rooms, roman ruins, Victorian houses, and one of the oldest streets in Europe, the shambles.

Best Romantic Place to stay in York

My personal favourite accommodations for a Romantic weekend in York, I would recommend:

• The Grand Hotel, the only 5 stars hotel in the city. It has an amazing restaurant, does wonderful cooking classes and a spa with an indoor heated pool perfect for those rainy days and nights. You could book this luxurious hotel by clicking here.

• Number 1 Guest House York, this guest house is simply a stunning place to stay at. Similar to the Grand hotel, they have a cosy restaurant, a vintage vibe cocktail lounge, and an aesthetic spa. I love this hotel because once you step inside through its tall arched and beautiful entrance, you will be transported back to the great Gatsby era, the glitz and glam era! I like having a glass of espresso martini at their cocktail lounge, it feels so lush and of course… romantic! Just click here to book your stay.

Romantic Restaurants in York

Italian Themed Restaurants

I might be biased when I am listing 2 Italian restaurants in this list, but trust me, both serve amazing Italian dishes from different Italian cuisines this is why I am recommending both, just make sure you book in advance as they are very popular:

• Paradiso del Cibo, serves delicious and authentic Sardinian meals. I love this restaurant so much for its quirkiness and the cosy vibes, this restaurant makes you feel as if you are dining at one of those tiny Rome trattorias, but you are actually in York.  For bookings and more info, click here.
• Little Italy, is the other Italian restaurant, it is at the fancier side, yet still cosy and romantic, they serve their own homemade pasta in their upstairs restaurant. The ground floor is dedicated to their Italian deli where you will find a selection of Italian cheeses and meats. For more info and reservations details, click here.

Other Romantic Restaurants and Cafés in York

Stepping away from the Italian cuisine, there are extensive choices for either romantic dinners, lunch dates, or grabbing a coffee/ hot chocolate choice to make your walking memorable ones, my Top Choices are:

• Best for fancy dinners; The Ivy. It is posh and perfect to celebrate special occasions. For more info and reservations, click here.
• Best for Jazz Nights and the great Gatsby ambience, Nola, is another personal favourite, they hold Jazz nights on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (you need to book at least 2 months in advance for the Jazz nights, they are so popular and the food is delicious). For more info and reservations, click here.
• Best for Romantic French dinners, Rustique, where they serve, the best onion soup in town, at least in my opinion! Literally the best of what I tried so far!! Plus, their French moulin rouge decoration stands out for special dinner/ lunch dates. For more info and reservations, click here.
• Best for quirky coffee shop with outdoor seating by the River Ouse (if the river is not flooded!), The Perky Peacock Café, which is placed in one of the city walls towers. If it was rainy, cold and river flooded, go and sit indoors, the decoration is just quirky and the owners are so lovely. For more info, click here.
• Best for Turkish coffee and Turkish tea and some homemade sweets, Trio Café and Patisserie. Located at the longest street name in the UK with the shortest length, that is called Wip ma Wop Ma Gate! Whether it is cold or warm, I love their outdoor seating that is perfect for people watching! They also have a very nice mezze bar just next to the café, both worth checking for coffee, lunch and dinner dates. For more info and reservations, click here.
• Best for authentic and organic hot chocolate, is Cocoa House, where they also make chocolate-making tours. Their chocolate drinks and selection is so yummy and delicious and definitely a very romantic choice. For more info and bookings, click here.
• Best for Wine tasting and cheese boards, Wine Pairings, honestly, I have no more words to say other than, this is a must-try for a date night! Just make sure you book a table in advance; they are so popular! For more info and reservations, click here.
• Best for weekend late night coffees, wines, light bites, North South Café located close from the National Gallery of York. To me, this cute little and cosy café offers a unique concept to York, as you could late night coffee or enjoying a tastefully wine selection with divine small bites. They hold several events every month, from quiz nights, Galantine days, wreath making for Christmas and many more, just keep an eye on their Instagram page, which can be found here.

For Unique Date Ideas in York, you could explore my top selection below:

• A private walking tour around York to explore the hidden gems in the City, click here for this amazing tour.

• If you are into historical myths and mysteries, then this tour is not to be missed, being voted among the best tours in the UK, it surely add a different flavour to your romance, click here to reserve your spot.
• You and your partner can enjoy cruising by yourselves along the River Ouse by renting one of the self-drive boats, click on this link to book your boat York Self-Drive Boat Hire 2023 (viator.com)

And if you want to explore the romantic York during Christmas and festive season and all what it offers, you could simply head towards my blog and read this article in detail.

Number 6: San Martino Di Castorozza – Italy (The Ski Escape)

A romantic winter escape must include a few nights spent between the pure white snow and the mountains, again, back to Italy, the town of San Martino di Castorozza, located in the Trentino region in the Dolomites, is another romantic town nestled between the huge Dolomite Mountain range.

This town is perfect for a short and romantic ski holiday in the Trentino region, it is small and very close to the slopes, the closest one, which you could walk to, is Tognola point which is suitable for all ski levels.

Trentino Ski Resort – Personal Favourite

I fell in love with this town from the first moment I saw it, we stayed at the Savoia Hotel is super nice and the service is great. They offered us a room upgrade to a suite because I was celebrating my 40^th birthday, and let me tell you, you need to book that suite, it was huge with big balconies that give you views of the beautiful snowy mountains.

A snuggly coffee with your partner in bed while watching the snow fall was one of the best feelings ever. To book this amazing hotel, just click here.

If you are new to skiing, do not worry, I got you covered, check out my detailed article here about the best ski schools and activities to do while in Trentino .

Ski Holidays in Trentino

Honestly, this skiing in Trentino was one of my best memories for a romantic escape. Because in Trentino, you could have a chilled and laid-back romantic ski holiday or you could do some adventures, such as hang-gliding, sunrise skiing, snowmobile ..etc which is so much fun to do with your partner. I always believed that snow brings people closer to each other and probably it strengthens any relationship, you could explore full range of fun and romantic activities just clicking here, where you will also find all the necessary details about your ski holiday.

Which city of the above appealed to you the most to go on a winter romantic escape in Europe? Make sure you add them to your bucket list and start booking your next trip, your partner will thank you later!

Bon Voyage and Safe Travels!