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Winter doesn’t get more magical than being in the midst of a snow-covered landscape. But a recent survey from Europe ferry operator DFDS found that 63% of British holidaymakers have experienced overcrowding at popular winter hotspots. A third now prefer to visit lesser-known destinations.
To help travellers discover new places for a white Christmas, and snow-filled trips abroad, DFDS analysed 23 years of weather data in 164 European towns and cities. Hidden gem destinations were based on low Google search volumes, identifying them as less crowded alternatives.
Europe’s top 5 hidden gems for a snow-filled winter getaway
| Rank | Place | Country | Avg. monthly Google searches | Avg. days of snowfall in winter |
| 1 | Ålesund | Norway | 50 | 59 |
| 2 | Kristiansand | Norway | 60 | 37 |
| 3 | Jūrmala | Latvia | 70 | 45 |
| 4 | Košice | Slovakia | 70 | 33 |
| 5 | Freiburg | Germany | 70 | 25 |
The research revealed the destinations with above-average snowfall across winter (compared to all locations in the study) and ranked these in order of ascending search volume to find Europe’s snowiest hidden gems.
Ålesund, Norway, topped the rank. Holiday-goers can enjoy husky sledding and even see the Northern Lights at this hidden gem that 85% 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 destination’s breathtaking coast from a completely different perspective.
Find more information about each location on the URL above.
Europe’s top 5 hidden gems for a white Christmas
| Rank | Place | Country | Avg. monthly Google searches | Probability of snow on Christmas Day |
| 1 | Kiruna | Sweden | 100 | 70% |
| 2 | Lillehammer | Norway | 120 | 65% |
| 3 | Turku | Finland | 100 | 57% |
| 4 | Tallinn | Estonia | 520 | 57% |
| 5 | Innsbruck | Austria | 230 | 52% |
There’s nothing more magical than snow on Christmas Day, which is why half of Brits (50%) said they would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ travel abroad to experience a white Christmas.
An analysis of snowfall on the 25th of December 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% chance of snow on Christmas Day, this fairytale destination was unknown to 88% of British travellers.
This remote town in northernmost Sweden is renowned for its stunning arctic landscapes and iconic Icehotel.
Lillehammer in Norway ranked second (65% chance of snow), followed by Turku in Finland (57% chance of snow). Although Estonia’s Tallinn had a slightly higher search volume, almost three-quarters (73%) of Brits have never heard of this snowy escape.
See the URL above for more details and what to do in each location.
Where to find a white Christmas in the UK
| Rank | Place | Probability of snow on Christmas Day |
| 1 | Isle of Man | 52% |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 35% |
| 3 | Snowdonia | 30% |
| 3 | Isle of Skye | 30% |
| 3 | Glasgow | 30% |
| 4 | Durham | 22% |
| 5 | Aberdeen | 17% |
The analysis also revealed the destinations to enjoy a white Christmas closer to home, which revealed the Isle of Man has a one in two chance of snow on Christmas Day. Cities however with a 0% chance of snow include London, Bath, Norwich, and Plymouth.
