8 Great European Cities to Visit in the Off-Season

What’s the best time to visit Europe? We make the case for winter, when you can take in cultural events, heritage sites, and specialty foods – without the peak season crowds and prices.

|

In summer, it can feel like everyone you know has jaunted off to Europe, with friends, family, and coworkers posting photos of spritzes on the Amalfi Coast and tapas in Barcelona. If you fear you’re missing out, remember that off-season Europe has its advantages.

Between November and March, you can expect fewer crowds, better value, and a generally more relaxed and local vibe – you’ll experience popular tourist destinations without, well, all the tourists.

Book your European stay through American Express Travel® at a Fine Hotels + Resorts® property* and Platinum Card® Members enjoy an exclusive suite of benefits that includes daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4pm check-out, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available1, and a $100 credit that can be applied towards eligible charges, such as food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges².

When staying two nights or more at a property in The Hotel Collection*, Platinum Card® Members receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges2, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available, and 12pm check-in and late check-out, both when available1.

Plus, with the $200 Hotel Credit* get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection³ bookings through American Express Travel with your Platinum Card. And remember, you can explore with no foreign transaction fees4 on purchases made abroad with your Platinum Card.

To spark your wanderlust, we’re highlighting European destinations that shine bright in the off-season, along with must-try dishes and tips to prepare you for the local weather. 

Explore Vienna, Austria | Valletta, Malta | Venice, Italy | Prague, Czech Republic | Reykjavik, Iceland | Edinburgh, Scotland | Budapest, Hungary | Dubrovnik, Croatia

Vienna, Austria

In early evening. Vienna City Hall looms over rows of small pop-up sheds strung with lights and crowded with shoppers at a Christmas market.
Aerial view past the gothic spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and over the rest of the domes and buildings of Vienna at sunrise.
White statues of mermaids entwine in the center of a glassy fountain at the Belvedere Gardens, looking down a wide path towards Lower Belvedere.

Austria’s capital is full of grand Baroque, Gothic, and Rococo architecture. In winter, cobbled streets are strung with lights, markets set up their artisanal wares, and you can channel your inner aristocrat at a Viennese Ball, extravagant ticketed affairs. The rich cultural scene carries on year-round with classical music concerts and exhibits at the Museumsquartier. 

Where to Stay

Rosewood Vienna (Fine Hotels + Resorts), a stately resort in Vienna’s Old Town within walking distance of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg palace complex, and Naschmarkt, a 16th-century marketplace. Suites are outfitted with locally crafted furniture, separate sitting areas, and marble soaking tubs. Start your day with coffee and Viennese pastry at the hotel’s Salon Aurelie and end it with a cocktail at the stylish Neue Hoheit Bar.

Must try: Wiener schnitzel, a simple but filling traditional dish.

How’s the weather?  Temperatures sometimes drop into the 20s in January and February. Snow, however, is rarer – Vienna gets less winter precipitation than other Austrian cities closer to the Alps.

Valletta, Malta

View of the sandy-brown Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and matching nearby walls bordering the bright blue Mediterranean water.

The late winter and spring are an ideal time to explore this Mediterranean archipelago’s scenic harbors bobbing with colorful boats. The capital city of Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the last inhabited walled cities in the world.

Where to Stay

Iniala Harbour House & Residences (Fine Hotels + Resorts), centrally located at the top of the St. Barbara Bastion overlooking Valletta’s Grand Harbour Area. The boutique hotel comprises four restored 17th-century townhouses and retains its original stone vaults, painted staircases, and cupola. Inquire at check-in about arranging a private tour of the National Library of Malta.

Must try: Hobza, a traditional Maltese bread akin to sourdough, drizzled with olive oil and simply topped with olives or tomatoes.

How’s the weather? Sunny and temperate compared to other European destinations. Still, pack layers as it can get chilly and damp at times.

Venice, Italy

Early-evening view past buildings with glowing windows over the canal, looking towards the dome of Baslica Santa Maria della Salute.
View down wide steps into a Venice street strung with lights and packed with storefronts, including pastry shops and masquerade stores.

The enchanting canals, squares, and narrow winding streets of Venice are so flooded with tourists that the city introduced an entry fee for day trippers during peak periods. A more serene experience awaits in the off-season. The exception is the Venice Carnival, a festival with roots in the Middle Ages that runs from mid-February through early March, when Venetians and visitors alike fill the streets clad in colorful masks and elaborate costumes.

Where to Stay

Moor yourself on the Grand Canal at the Aman Venice (Fine Hotels + Resorts), a stunning 16th-century palazzo with two lush gardens. Among the hotel’s private tours, you have the appealing option to join a sunset tour of the canal while sipping an aperitivo and nibbling Venetian cicchetti, Venice’s version of tapas (or small plates).

For a quieter base, opt for the Hyatt Centric Murano Venice (The Hotel Collection). It occupies a former glass factory on the island of Murano, famed for its glassmaking and easily reachable by ferry.  After a day out and about, it’s a treat to bask in the hotel’s sauna.

Must try: Baccalà Mantecato (salted cod served on crostini) and small meatballs paired with a warming glass of wine.

How’s the weather?  Pack an umbrella – winter in Venice can bring frequent rain showers.

Prague, Czech Republic

Looking through an arch down a cobblestone street in Prague’s Old Town. The street is lined with pastel buildings with ornate white trim.

In the off-season, you’ll have more space to stroll the Old Town holiday markets, enjoy classical concerts that pop up around the city in winter, and visit the variety of museums (many of which offer free-admission times). The weather can get cold – often seeing snowfall – but you can pop into one of the city’s many cozy pubs for a restorative quaff and a fortifying meal.

Where to Stay

Mandarin Oriental, Prague (Fine Hotels + Resorts), an upscale, riverside resort in a former 14th-century monastery in the Lesser Quarter, near the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. It offers an hour-long river cruise during which you can soak up the sights with a glass of Champagne in hand.

To stay closer to Prague’s historic Old Town, book a suite with local art and heated bathroom floors at Almanac X Alcron Prague (The Hotel Collection), an art deco property also in walking distance of  Wenceslas Square. Inquire at check-in about a bespoke city tour and fuel up beforehand with the additional property benefit of complimentary daily breakfast for two.

Must try: Kulajda, a traditional Czech soup of potatoes, dill, and sour cream, topped with a poached egg.

How’s the weather? Winters get cold in Prague. January is the coldest, with annual temperatures ranging between 27° and 36°F.

Reykjavik, Iceland

 At night, beyond a glassy harbor and forested shores, green and purple bands of aurora borealis swirl over the Reykjavik skyline.
Aerial view over the snowy city and especially Hallgrímskirkja, a tall church with a spire and wings tapering to the side like a pipe organ.

Iceland is known for its staggering natural beauty. During the off-season (November through April), you have a good chance of witnessing the Northern Lights. Of course, you can visit scenic attractions like the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle year-round but in the off-season, you’ll have the luxury of fighting fewer visitors for photo ops.

Where to Stay

Marvel at glacial views from your suite at The EDITION Reykjavik (Fine Hotels + Resorts), a contemporary haven along Old Harbor port in downtown Reykjavik. After hiking Iceland’s fjords or whale watching at sea, unwind at the resort’s spa, which offers a buffet of treatments inspired by the region’s natural landscape.

Must try: Treat yourself to a Kleinur, also known as a twisted donut, an indulgent fried pastry so popular in Iceland you’ll find them everywhere from cozy bakeries to gas stations.

How’s the weather?  Daylight hours dwindle significantly in the chilly off-season, with only around four to six hours of sunlight each day.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Evening view across the Water of Leith at the Signal Tower topped with battlements. Stout boats and streetlights are reflected in the water.
View down Circus Lane, which is full of houses overgrown with creeping ivy. The clocktower of Ashton Hall peeks over the roofs.

As the tourist crowds thin out, you can expect to rub shoulders and raise pints with locals at cozy pubs and cafes. Once properly warmed up, set out to see Edinburgh’s popular sites at your own pace, such as Edinburgh Castle and National Portrait Museum. Toast to your visit with a tasting through the Johnnie Walker Whisky Experience.

Where to Stay

The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton (Fine Hotels + Resorts), a stately railway hotel marked by a red sandstone façade and featuring an original station clock. Rooms feature enviable views of Edinburgh Castle and select suites have working fireplaces.

Another historic stay awaits at InterContinental Edinburgh The George (The Hotel Collection), comprising five Georgian townhouses from the late 1700s. The boutique hotel nods to Edinburgh’s literary history throughout (be sure to grab a bite at the Printing Press Bar & Kitchen) and suites feature historical maps of the city.

Must try: Meat eaters should drop by a local pub to sample the haggis, a minced meat pudding that’s become synonymous with Scotland.

How’s the weather? Winters are cold in Edinburgh and the sun sets early. Weather can be unpredictable, varying between being simply a bit gloomy to cold and wet.

Budapest, Hungary

View from just above the waters of the Danube, calm patches of which reflect parts of the gothic revival Hungarian Parliament Building.
A woman in a knit cap with a pom-pom stands on a stone balcony and looks across the Danube at Budapest's parliamentary building.
View from behind as two people in dark coats and hats with pom-poms sit on a red bench next to the Danube and the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

January ushers in Budapest’s peak opera and theater season. In February, meat eaters can feast at the Mangalica Festival, which serves up handmade sausages, salami, and more. Bundle up for a winter river cruise to tour the city by boat and make time for another type of aquatic adventure – immersing yourself in the local bathhouse culture.

Where to Stay

The opulent Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest (Fine Hotels + Resorts) offers a fairytale-like stay in Budapest’s gastronomic district, with  views of the Royal Castle and the Chain Bridge. Select rooms overlook the Danube River, and all suites include additional living areas and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Culture enthusiasts can opt for Kempinski Corvinus Budapest (The Hotel Collection), a Card Member favorite near the banks of the Danube that boasts spacious suites with king-sized beds – and its own art gallery. On Saturday afternoons, settle in for live music performances while sipping coffee or tea in the onsite café The Living Room.

Must try: A steaming bowl of goulash, a traditional Hungarian stew of well-seasoned meats and vegetables perfect for fortifying yourself for a bracing walk.

How’s the weather? Temperatures dip significantly (with lows as cold as below zero) and scattered snow and sleet, so bring waterproof gear.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Aerial view of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, tightly clustered buildings with tan stone and red roofs separated from the Adriatic Sea by tall walls.
View over the orange rooftops of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, broken up by the blue roof and dome of a monastery.

Croatia has become an undeniably popular destination, with solo travelers and bachelorettes flocking to the Balkan nation. Beat the crowds while still enjoying all the walled city of Dubrovnik has to offer during the off-season, including the annual Dubrovnik Carnival, a historic extravaganza that takes over the city each February with ornately costumed revelers, parades, and music.

The living area of the Presidential Suite is roomy with white walls, a white basket chair, and a wall of glass looking out on the water.
Map Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
The pool has a zigzag tile pattern along the bottom and the desk is lined with cabanas, white sun beds, and square white umbrellas.
Map Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
A guest room has a long counter along one wall and a long photo over the bed along the other, with glass doors to a patio on the far end.
Map Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
The Umi Teppanyaki restaurant is full of small tables and wicker chairs, and open on one wall to reveal a view over the Adriatic Sea.
Map Rixos Premium Dubrovnik

Where to Stay

A Card Member favorite, the Rixos Premium Dubrovnik (The Hotel Collection) is a charming, seaside property with suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows through which you’ll admire vistas of the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Amenities include plush robes and soaking tubs.

Must try: Peka, both a traditional dish and a method of cooking that involves slow cooking under a domed lid.  

How’s the weather? Winters in Croatia are generally mild, although periods of heavy rain aren’t uncommon, so bring an umbrella or a rain jacket.

Of course, winter is also a fine time to visit classic European favorites like Paris and London, both of which offer much to do, eat, and see in the off-season. When you’re ready to plan your off-season European trip, visit AmexTravel.com to get started.

 

 

Don't Live Life Without It