Traveling Europe in winter: The good, the bad & the uncomfortable.

There’s a version of Europe most people never see.

It’s not splashed across Instagram feeds with summer dresses and Aperol Spritzes. It doesn’t come with crowds funnelling through narrow streets or queues snaking around cathedrals and it definitely doesn’t arrive wrapped in convenience.

Europe in winter is quieter, colder, richer and so very honest.

If you’re travelling as a family it will test you, surprise you and soften you… and in many ways it will restore you.

Here’s what traveling in Europe over winter has really been like for us the good, the great, the bad and the uncomfortable truths no one really talks about.

The Great:

To put it simply there are fewer people and this has been the biggest win for us.

We love nature! We love walking, history and the little details.

As parents we strive to protect our peace and mental wellbeing by having presence and calm around us which in turn allows us to breathe and regulate. We stay more balanced and supportive for our children and each other. Nothing breaks the magic of a place faster than thousands of people arriving at the exact same viewpoint at the exact same time!

In winter we found that the hiking trails are quiet and peaceful. The old towns feel lived in, not like a performance.

The Lakes, ruins and forests offer solitude and you get space to breathe and be present. Soaking it all in. There’s something deeply regulating about moving through places without urgency, without competition for the “best photo” or shuffling for the best viewpoint. We get to choose your flow and day instead of being funnelled from one must-see point to the next.

The Good:

One of the biggest myths about Europe is that it’s “too expensive” for families.

In winter, that simply hasn’t been our experience.

Many of Europe’s UNESCO sites, museums, castles, historic towns and landmarks remain fully open and here’s where it really shows in our slow travel budget.

Entrance fees are often discounted in the off-season.

As a general rule of thumb we’ve found:

• Children under 6 are often free

• Children 6–14 are frequently 50% of adult entry

• Off season prices are often reduced between 25-50% off the high season prices.

• Staff are less rushed and more generous with time, helpful and willing to dive into a conversation.

  
  

We can see how it could feel rushed and overwhelming in summer. We loved that at the more popular sights have been more spacious, educational and calm. Our kids can linger, explore without being ushered along which means deeper engagement and meaningful learning.

For families who value experience over speed, winter is a gift.

The In-Between:

Being able to park our car is blessing but the cost can be a slow travellers budget killer. Here’s where things get nuanced.

Parking in winter is easier, fewer tourists mean more availability near old towns, trailheads and historic centres; however here’s the catch! With the average parking being $4/hour and if your spending 6-10 hrs or more exploring, eating, sight seeing and hiking you could be up for a significant amount on parking alone.

Daily parking fees across multiple locations can quickly drain the slow-traveller daily budget.

What’s worked for us?

• Choosing accommodation just outside historic centres

• Parking once and walking everywhere

• Staying near winter parking zones so we’re within easy walking distance

• Watching for towns and attractions that offer free winter parking. They do exist!

  
  

Walking has become part of our daily routine, we average 20,000 steps a day. A small feat when travelling with 5 & 6 yr olds.

This one simple action means we are not leaking cash on parking and we can keep it within our slow travellers budget.

Expect closures and limited dining options.

When travelling in winter you may need to adjust your expectations and have a plan. We found that small restaurants, family-run attractions, seasonal cafés, coastal businesses and many services are closed during winter months. Do not rely on Google Maps...sometimes when businesses say they are open they are in actual fact closed and we have unfortunately learnt this firsthand more than once.

If you love eating out or plan on dining nightly, you may need to keep your expectations in check.

Please don't worry there is plenty of amazing food experiences still to be had, and new and amazing foods to try, but the variety and volume of places open is much less than in the high season.

We suggest doing the following to avoid disappointment:

• Booking accommodation with a kitchenette

• Cooking in the accommodation (like we love to do)

• Shop at local markets and grocers. Fresh is best!

Where we find eating out in winter does slip into frustrating is when the only thing open is a tourist-style, westernised food. When you finally find somewhere open only to discover its prices are high but quality is low. Sometimes you may find yourself paying good money for meals that feel… well... average and underwhelmed.

Our Top Tip: Eat out with intention. On long travel days and to easy the burden of travelling with kids, wait until you have settled into your accommodation before checking out the vibe and menus of the surrounding restaurants.

With the current exchange rate, eating out frequently can quickly erode a slow travellers budget.

In many places, dining and eating out costs on par with Australian prices.

The Best Part That No One Prepares You For:

Real human connection.

This has been the unexpected magic.

In smaller towns, villages and less touristed places, winter strips everything back.

And what’s left is people. Without crowds, we’ve had warm real and revealing conversations, genuine curiosity and recognition not as tourists, but as fellow humans. Behind many of Europe’s bustling summer destinations are communities under immense pressure from tourism. Locals have told us openly (and its something worth considering) how summer tourism effects them and how they struggle to live normal lives with the negative pressures of housing becoming unaffordable and how their towns feel taken over, not shared.

Winter allows them space.

It opens conversations about sustainability. About how we travel and how we participate in cultures without consuming them.

Europe in winter has reminded us that travel or life isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about how lightly you walk through someone else’s home.

Choosing off-season travel reduces pressure on local communities, supports year round economies, creates deeper cultural exchange and most importantly models conscious travel for our children.

We still get to experience the wonder of different cultures, food, history, landscapes but in a way that feels respectful and humanistic.

If you’re considering winter travel with kids in winter to Europe we say go for it but keep this in mind when planning.

It won’t be glossy, it won’t always be easy but travel never is...especially with children. If your adventure is anything like ours it will be grounding, affordable, expansive and quietly transformative.

And for families craving slower days, deeper connection and real-world learning…it might just be the best season.

With love Ash x

Holistic mama of 3, barefoot dreamer, forever chasing fresh air, slow mornings, wild places and a life lived well