Top winter city breaks voted by travellers revealed!

Over the past few decades, cities in northern Norway have become thriving tourist destinations (Picture: Getty Images)

We’re drawing ever closer to the season of Christmas markets and glistening lights, and as the weather turns colder there are some places we’d rather be heading for a winter getaway.

There’s something romantic about a European city break when it’s chilly and snowing. And if you live in the UK, there’s dozens of charming capitals and second cities to choose from.

Vienna

‘An amazing city with many world class art galleries and other attractions,’ he writes on Facebook. ‘Beautiful architecture and everything very high standard.

‘Not cheap but worth it. A personal favourite; the Haus Des Meeres mini zoo.’

Vienna is full of history, good food and great shopping (Picture: Getty Images)

Make sure to visit the palace, opera house, cathedral, town hall, and art museums – both classic and modern (and the turn-of-the-century Secession Building with its dome of golden leaves).

The Christmas Market at Rathausplatz transforms the city’s historic square into a winter wonderland, and this year it’s running from November 14 to December 26.

Flights to the Austrian city start from as little as £37 on Skyscanner, so get booking.

Prague

From major UK airports in London, Birmingham and Manchester, flights start from £35.

Prague is one of our readers’ top choices for a winter city break (Picture: Getty Images)

Facebook user Sissa Sevelda described the Czechia capital as ‘mystical’ in the winter, with its Old Town Square, St Vitus Cathedral, and Klementinum, a stunning Baroque library.

You’ll even be able to witness the lamplighters in the city, who manually light the street lights in the evening.

Another reader, Lynn Carr, suggested Prague as a great stopover on a twin-city break, if you’re heading to the likes of Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary (both also in Czechia).

‘Both are magical in the winter,’ she says. Cesky Krumlov is a two-hour drive from the capital, with an International Folklore Festival and The Castle Stairs which look stunning in the dark.

Karlovy Vary is just an hour-and-a-half away from Prague, and offers a great hike up to its Diana Lookout Tower which overlooks the town.

Tromsø

Reader Yasmin Oxford suggested Tromsø, a small island city in Norway, and its major draw is it’s a great place to see the Northern Lights.

Known as a ‘gateway to the Arctic’, it has magical activities available like dog sledding and whale watching – plus you’ve got a solid chance of seeing snow.

If you’re a runner, there’s the Polar Night Half Marathon, or maybe you’d just prefer to feed the reindeer.

‘Anywhere that’s chilly, with excellent cuisine and has lit candles on the table at midday,’ Yasmin adds.

Flights to the city start at around £50 with WizzAir – sounds like a steal to us.

Forget your classic city break — I spent 24 hours in the ‘Paris of the North’

Our Travel Editor Alice Murphy made a flying visit to Tromsø earlier this year, and found a place that’s surprisingly refined, with plenty to see beyond the Northern Lights.

Reykjavik

It has several annual Christmas markets on offer, coupled with incredible sights like Hallgrímskirkja church and Klambratún park.

When it comes to cuisine he Icelandic hot dog is a must-try, often considered the best in the world – made with a blend of lamb, beef, and pork.

Reykjavik is a great base for seeing the Northern Lights (Picture: Getty Images)

And like all Scandi cities worth their salt, Reykjavik boasts excellent café culture. Just picture yourself nibbling on hearty Icelandic delicacies such as rye bread topped with butter or smoked salmon, coffee in hand, beside a roaring fire.

New York

Recommended by readers Orsolya Horvath, Caroyln Magor and Wayne Kinder, it’s a favourite for a good reason.

From Central Park, taking a helicopter ride over the Hudson, the Christmas tree at Rockerfeller Centre, or enjoying a Broadway show, there’s no shortage of things to do.

Our very own senior reporter, Courtney Pochin, spent just £37 in New York each day when she visited, praising the iconic Ellen’s Stardust Diner and the Radio City Music Hall.

While flights start from £235, you can stay at the Riu Plaza Times Square, where rooms from £112 per night.

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