Winter is just around the corner and many Brits are looking for a getaway. In fact, Google searches for ‘winter holidays 2025’ have increased by a staggering 332 percent over the past month in the UK.
A new study by Europe ferry operator DFDS has revealed 63 percent of British holidaymakers have experienced overcrowding at popular winter hotspots.
Now in a bid to help Brits find somewhere new, DFDS has analysed 164 European towns and cities to identify the lesser-known snowy getaways.
Researchers also revealed the destinations with above-average snowfall across winter and ranked these in order of ascending search volume to find Europe’s snowiest hidden gems.
Ålesund, Norway, topped the list as the best hidden gem in Europe for winter. Holidaymakers can enjoy husky sledging and even see the Northern Lights at this hidden gem that 85 percent of Brits have never heard of.
Another Nordic gem was Kristiansand, which is typically known for its beaches during the summer months. With 37 days of snowfall over winter, visitors can enjoy the location’s breathtaking coast from a completely different perspective.
Europe’s top five hidden gems for a snow-filled winter getaway:
1. Alesund, Norway
Avg. monthly Google searches – 50
Avg. days of snowfall in winter – 59
2. Kristiansand, Norway
Avg. monthly Google searches – 60
Avg. days of snowfall in winter – 37
3. Jurmala, Latvia
Avg. monthly Google searches – 70
Avg. days of snowfall in winter – 4
4. Kosice, Slovakia
Avg. monthly Google searches – 70
Avg. days of snowfall in winter – 33
5. Freiburg, Germany
Avg. monthly Google searches – 70
Avg. days of snowfall in winter – 25
Meanwhile, half of Brits said they would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ travel abroad to experience a white Christmas.
Researchers looked at the snowfall on December 25 over the last 23 years ranks Kiruna in Sweden as the top destination for a white Christmas break.
With only 100 Google searches per month and a 70 percent chance of snow on Christmas Day. This fairytale destination was unknown to 88 percent of British travellers.
The remote town in Sweden is renowned for its stunning arctic landscapes and iconic Icehotel.
Lillehammer in Norway ranked second (65 percent chance of snow), followed by Turku in Finland (57 percent chance of snow). Although Estonia’s Tallinn had a slightly higher search volume, almost three-quarters (73 percent) of Brits have never heard of this snowy escape.
Europe’s top five hidden gems for a white Christmas:
1. Kiruna, Sweden
Avg. monthly Google searches – 100
Probability of snow on Christmas Day – 70 percent
2. Lillehammer, Norway
Avg. monthly Google searches – 120
Probability of snow on Christmas Day – 65 percent
3. Turku, Finland
Avg. monthly Google searches – 100
Probability of snow on Christmas Day – 57 percent
4. Tallinn, Estonia
Avg. monthly Google searches – 520
Probability of snow on Christmas Day – 57 percent
5. Innsbruck, Austria
Avg. monthly Google searches – 230
Probability of snow on Christmas Day – 52 percent
