Best Places to Travel in Winter
Winter vacations have a magical ambiance all of their own. Without the summer crowds, you can take in the scenery at your leisure and get a better sense of your destination’s real culture. What’s more, you can unlock off-peak prices that will help your holiday budget reach further. Let flynas show you some of the best places to travel this winter.
Which winter vacation is the best?
Whether you want to embrace the cold or escape from it, flynas has vacation options for you. Delight in the snowscapes of the mountains, or enjoy some winter sun on the coast. Discover your ideal winter getaway with flynas.
Winter travel destinations
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Fly from: Jeddah
Average winter temperature: 1° high / -8° low
Almaty is at its best in winter, thanks to its stunning snow-capped mountains and the wealth of winter sports on offer. Here you’ll find top skiing, ice-skating, and snowboarding facilities, while the city's bustling markets exude warmth with traditional cuisine and generous hospitality. The blend of outdoor adventures and vibrant village life makes Almaty a captivating winter destination.
Brussels, Belgium
Fly from: Abha, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh
Average winter temperature: 6° high / 2° low
Brussels is truly magical in the winter, thanks to the enchanting lights that decorate the city and the festive markets that fill the air with the scent of seasonal spices and warm waffles. Landmarks like the Grand Place look even more impressive lit up during the long, dark nights, and the many museums offer an escape from the cold. However, the city’s chocolate shops are the ultimate cozy retreat, making Brussels a winter wonderland for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fly from: Jeddah
Average winter temperature: 5° high / -2° low
Where better to plan a winter vacation than to Sarajevo, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984? The city’s snow-capped mountains boast world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities, for a lower price than you’d find in better-known resorts in France or Switzerland. The city's cobbled streets and cozy cafes also hold enough charm to captivate even if you have no intention of hitting the slopes.
Baku, Azerbaijan
Fly from: Dammam, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh
Average winter temperature: 7° high / 2° low
Temperatures in the UNESCO-listed Baku are relatively mild in the winter, meaning you can comfortably explore the city’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. The traditional Azerbaijani dish, plov, is a hearty rice-and-meat dish that tastes particularly delicious after a day spent sightseeing in the fresh winter air. Want to fully embrace the cold? It only takes a few hours to drive to the mountain resorts of Shadag or Tufandag, where you can ski, snowboard, or simply enjoy the snowy scenery.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Fly from: Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh
Average winter temperature: 9° high / 1° low
The name Tbilisi literally means “warm place” – so where better to escape the winter chill? The city earned its nickname for its naturally occurring hot sulfur springs, where people have come to bathe for hundreds of years. It’s best to visit the sulfur baths in the winter to enjoy the full contrast between the chilly outdoor air and the warm, steamy atmosphere inside.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Fly from: Jeddah
Average winter temperature: 8° high / -1° low
Tashkent has a seasonal climate and is generally cool in the winter, but don’t be put off – if you visit during this off-peak season then there’s a good chance you’ll get to enjoy the city’s cultural treasures all to yourself. Take the opportunity to see historic sites, like the Khast-Imam complex and Chorsu Bazaar, without the summer crowds. Festivals, traditional performances, and the warmth of Uzbek hospitality make exploring Tashkent's rich heritage a delightful way to spend your winter.
Ankara, Turkey
Fly from: Jeddah, Medina
Average winter temperature: 7° high / -1° low
Türkiye has a long and rich cultural heritage, and celebrates some of its most significant festivals in the winter. The start of the New Year in January is marked with many festivities, particularly in the capital. Visitors can expect to see locals celebrating with spectacular fireworks and street parties. From Ankara, you could also take a train to Koya to see the famous Whirling Dervish dancers – there’s a week-long festival in December to celebrate this art form and the life of the poet Rumi.
The best winter-sun destinations
Marseille, France
Fly from: Jeddah
Average winter temperature: 13° high / 6° low
Located on the south coast of France, Marseille enjoys a Mediterranean climate that’s mild even in the winter. Tourists flock to the city’s beaches in the summer, so you may have a more relaxing vacation during the off-peak season. The famous Old Port looks just as picturesque in the winter, and the saffron-spiked specialty bouillabaisse still offers a taste of sunshine, whatever the weather.
Istanbul, Turkey
Fly from: Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh
Average winter temperature: 10° high / 4° low
Istanbul is a famously bustling city, so it’s smart to visit top attractions like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in the winter when the city is less crowded, queues are shorter, and the atmosphere is more peaceful. The Turkish bathing experience also feels more luxurious when it’s cooler outside, and it’s a better time to enjoy a warming Turkish coffee or the creamy, spiced winter specialty, boza.
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