Five must-see European destinations that are ideal in winter.
London, United Kingdom
Britain’s capital comes alive during wintertime: from the festive lights illuminating the streets to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park – a Christmas festival featuring an amusement park, ice skating, a Ferris wheel and various other activities for all ages. At the end of the day, take time to enjoy the indoor pool, sauna and spa treatments at your London hotel (Pestana Chelsea Bridge).
Madrid, Spain
Try Spanish tapas at the local markets, where madrileños congregate in the late afternoon, and visit the city’s historic buildings, such as the Royal Palace, which are specially lit during the colder months. If you’re after a hotel in Madrid, pick one of our two strategic locations in the city: the Gran Vía hotel (Pestana CR7 Gran Vía Madrid) or the Plaza Mayor hotel (Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid), both of which have wonderful rooftops to discover.
Barcelona, Spain
With fewer queues and shorter waiting times, winter is the ideal time to explore this city’s more cultural side. Discover the work of Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Familia church and Parc Güell, and visit the Picasso Museum, Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art or Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Wander the city’s green spaces to your heart’s content and end the day in Parc Juan Miró, which is right next door to our hotel in Barcelona (Pestana Arena Barcelona).
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Temperatures may be a touch unfriendly but the city acquires a rather special charm in winter. In addition to its many excellent museums, the city’s canals often freeze over, offering an even more picturesque landscape and the chance for some natural ice skating. It’s no coincidence that our hotel in Amsterdam (Pestana Amsterdam Riverside) overlooks the water.
Berlin, Germany
Explore some of the city’s rich history at the Berlin Wall, the Second World War bunkers and Checkpoint Charlie, which is only a 20-minute ride on public transport from our hotel in Berlin (Pestana Berlin Tiergarten). The city’s more contemporary and fun side is another attraction for visitors. Did you know that Berlin’s nightlife is world-famous?