The Best Warm or Cold Destinations to Visit This Winter

Typically, we think of summer as the prime time for leisure travel. However, winter also presents many exciting opportunities to discover new places. Yes, really, you don’t just have to fly to spend the holidays at your grandparents’ house. In fact, the winter season provides a vast array of options for leisure travel, from skiing the European Alps to surfing some of Mexico’s finest waves. And with a rental car on hand, you can reach even more places and engage in plenty more fun activities.  

If you’re trying to figure out where to go and what to do this winter season, fear not. We have a few of our own inviting ideas, and you can hopefully find some inspiration in our shortlist of the best warm or cold destinations to visit this winter. 

Why travel during winter?

In short, winter is a great time for travel because travellers have so many possibilities to choose from. At some places, such as major ski destinations, winter is the time to visit for ample snow for skiing and snowboarding. Funny enough, the same can also be said about tropical regions like the Caribbean and Mexico’s Pacific coast, since winter means drier weather and no risk of hurricanes washing ashore. 

Meanwhile, winter marks the low season in other places, so this can also be a great time to save money while travelling if you’re willing to venture off the most beaten paths. Another benefit of travelling during the low season is the lack of massive summertime crowds. While major European cities like Paris and Rome draw visitors year-round, the chilly winter months (outside big holidays like Christmas) do tend to provide more room to roam. 

The best cold winter travel destinations

Reykjavík, Iceland

In recent years, Iceland has taken off as a popular destination thanks to its ethereal natural scenery and uniquely Nordic culture. Not only does Reykjavík shine bright during this season with its Christmas lights and New Year’s fireworks show, but Iceland stays bright after the holidays with northern lights at night in January and February. These months offer the best chance to see the aurora, and many travelers use the local aurora forecast to drive out of the city with a rental car to find darker, clearer skies. While sightings are never guaranteed due to cloud cover and weather, catching the northern lights can be a spectacular bonus to a winter trip. And though Reykjavík car rentals tend to be somewhat more expensive than those in Munich, averaging €58 or US$67 per day in January, they’re still much cheaper than Icelandic rental cars during the much busier summer season. To put it in perspective, winter car rentals are about 46% cheaper than in summer.

If you’re looking for more to do around Iceland in winter, you’re in luck. Though Iceland’s ski resorts aren’t as famous as those on the European mainland, you still have solid options like Hlidarfjall, Isafjordur, and Kerlingarfjoll. And since this is winter, this is the best time to tour the ice caves. Basically, as long as you don’t mind very short days, long nights, and cold (but usually, not that cold, often around −1°C / 30°F at its lowest) temperatures, Iceland makes a phenomenal winter destination.

Munich, Germany

At first glance, Munich might seem like an odd place to visit long after (or before) Oktoberfest. But, when you look more closely, a very beautiful portrait emerges. For one, Munich has several fantastic Christmas markets worth exploring in December, from the traditional Munich Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz square to the more forward-thinking “Pink Christmas” market. Beyond the markets, you can also do everything from ice skating at the Nymphenburger Canal to enjoying thinner crowds at this German city’s storied museums. 

Beyond the city, wintertime means gloriously snowy scenes at Bavaria’s grand castles, including Schloss Neuschwanstein and Nymphenburg Palace. If you’re looking for more to do on the open snow, Munich is also within a two-hour drive of ski resorts like Zugspitze, Garmisch Classic, Zillertal (Austria), and Kitzbuehel (Austria). Even better, since Munich has a large international airport, it offers more direct flights to and from other big cities around the world. And since prices tend to be lower during the winter months, roughly 30% cheaper than the summer season (even in December, with car rentals averaging €42 or US$49 per day), a Munich winter trip might make for a cheaper journey than the typical Switzerland ski trip, yet one that’s just as satisfying.

Dolomites, Italy

Perched high in northeastern Italy, the Dolomites are an incredibly beautiful corner of the Alps with dramatic landscapes and world-class skiing. More specifically, Dolomiti Superski amounts to a supergroup of local ski resorts (including popular Cortina d'Ampezzo, Alta Badia, and Val Gardena) that you can access with one pass. Even if you’re not into skiing, there’s a whole lot more to do, from wandering the charming streets of Selva di Val Gardena to simply taking in the views at Alpe di Siusi.

Depending on where specifically you want to go in the Dolomites, you can fly into Venice or Milan, then pick up a rental car and drive up to the mountains. Usually, rental cars cost around €35 (or US$41) per day in Venice and €30 (or US$35) per day in Milan. Both cities tend to be much cheaper and less crowded in winter than summer.

Banff, Alberta, Canada

Generally within a two-hour drive of Calgary, Banff is one of the most beautiful places in the Canadian Rockies. It has not just one, or two, but three ski resorts—Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay—that offer exciting excursions on snow. In addition, Banff National Park has plenty more mountain terrain for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and even dogsledding. And for après-ski, you can take your pick of craft spirit tastings at Park Distillery, soaking in the area’s natural hot springs, and doing a pub crawl in town. 

Since Banff is one of Canada’s most popular destinations year-round, accommodations and entertainment can be expensive up here. But, at least, car rentals in Calgary are usually cheaper in winter, averaging CA$42 (€26, or US$30) in December and January, though you should also note that rates can spike higher later in the season. 

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Often within a three-hour drive from Vancouver, Whistler may be Canada’s most famous winter sports destination. Since hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler Blackcomb has secured its place at the top tier of North American ski resorts for its daring slopes, generous snowfall, and dramatic mountain views. Beyond the ski runs, there’s also ice skating at Whistler Olympic Plaza, rejuvenating at the region’s posh resort spas, snowshoeing in the Coast Mountains’ backcountry, and even just driving up and down the stunning Sea to Sky Highway.

Speaking of driving, car rentals in Vancouver actually tend to be at their cheapest during the winter season, averaging some CA$36 (€22, or US$26) per day. That’s roughly half the price of summer rentals, which makes winter easily the best-value season for renting a car in the region. At the very least, that can help soften the blow of the very pricey hotel rates up in Whistler. But if you really want to experience the Canadian ski scene at its best, Whistler is very much worth it. 

The best warm winter travel destinations

Dubai, UAE

This might be such an easy and obvious pick for a warm-weather destination, but that’s for good reasons. Dubai enjoys balmy days with temperatures often soaring above 23°C (or 73°F), and you can easily take advantage of those warm days by soaking up the sun at Jumeirah Beach and strolling around Dubai Marina. If money is no object, you can also flex like an A-List star by checking into the city’s famed five-star luxury resorts, dining at Michelin-starred celebrity chef restaurants, and celebrating big during holidays like New Year’s Eve. 

Since we’re talking about Dubai, we have to note that this city often doesn’t come cheap. In fact, winter is Dubai’s high season, when hotel rates and airfare can be their most expensive, and when car rentals average around 136 AED (€32, or US$37) per day, much higher than the hotter yet slower summer season. 

Madeira, Portugal

Returning to Europe, we reach Madeira: a Portuguese archipelago that stays mild while the mainland gets the winter chills. As long as you don’t mind the occasional showers and morning “sweater weather,” winter is a great time to go to Madeira for chilling at spectacular beaches like Praia do Porto do Seixal and Praia da Alagoa, riding up and down the teleféricos (or cable cars), and catching waterfalls while hiking the levada trails. Even better, you can enjoy some authentic Madeira wine and eclectically delectable cocktails while feasting on delicacies like espada (black scabbardfish) and bolo de mel (spiced molasses cake). The island stays fully open throughout the holidays, and Madeira’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show is famously one of the biggest in the world.

Thankfully, car rentals tend to be much cheaper in the winter season than summer (roughly 44% cheaper), averaging some €19 (or US$22) per day. Even better for budget-conscious travellers, hotels and flights also tend to stay cheaper in winter, but keep in mind that demand starts to ramp up again in spring. 

Tenerife, Spain

With daytime temperatures regularly surging above 21°C (or 70°F) during winter with little rainfall, abundant beaches, and relaxing vibes, it’s no wonder why this Spanish island (that’s part of the Canary Islands) is a popular wintertime destination for escaping the cold weather elsewhere. Of course, this also means demand and prices can get high. More specifically, in December car rentals average €39 (or US$45) per day, though prices do come down in the new year with car rentals averaging €24 (or US$28) per day in January. 

So, what’s there to do in Tenerife during winter? Well, what’s there not to do: walking the historic streets of La Laguna, tasting tapas and wine at La Orotava, riding a cable car to the top of El Teide, and soaking up the festive spirit of Santa Cruz de Tenerife… And we almost forgot to note Tenerife’s incredible beaches like Playa Martiánez and Playa de las Teresitas!

Puerto Rico, USA

Though Puerto Rico is a U.S. Caribbean territory, this island region definitely has its own culture and calendar. Come for the extensive Christmas celebrations that last well into January, and stay to enjoy some great beach weather. Winter temperatures typically sit around 26–29°C (79–84°F), with plenty of sun and low rainfall, making it one of the most reliable warm-weather destinations this time of year. In fact, areas like Rincón on the north western corner of the main island get their best swells in winter for surfing. Even if you don’t want to hop on a board or into a swimsuit, there’s plenty more to see and do, such as exploring the lush rainforest at El Yunque and chowing down on the legendary lechón asado (or slow-roasted pork) of Cayey.

Unlike most other parts of the Caribbean, prices don’t surge in winter in Puerto Rico. Though car rentals at San Juan average US$44 (or €38) per day, that’s actually cheaper than the usual summertime prices (22% cheaper in winter). So, if you’re looking for a Caribbean destination that doesn’t completely break the bank, Puerto Rico might be the perfect fit for you. 

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

About one to two hours north of Puerto Vallarta is the Riviera Nayarit, a spectacular stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast with gnarly surf towns, posh resort towns, and so much more. Winter weather here is warm and stable, usually around 27–30°C (81–86°F) with low humidity and very little rainfall. Punta Mita is usually honoured as the region’s crown jewel, as this is the town with the poshest five-star luxury resorts. But if you’re looking for a more laid-back holiday, Sayulita has great surfing beaches and cool beach bars, while Bucerias still exudes authentically Mexican hospitality. And to the north of Sayulita, San Pancho and Lo de Marcos are even more laid-back beach towns that are becoming go-to expat havens. 

Though the State of Nayarit has its own airport in Tepic that’s starting to offer flights to and from the U.S., you will probably have an easier time flying to and from the much larger international airport at Puerto Vallarta. Here, you should prepare for higher demand and prices, with car rentals averaging MX$554 (€26, or US$30) per day in December. With that said, you might be able to save on a trip later in the season, as car rentals average under MX$320 (€15, or US$18) per day.

What are the best places to travel in December, Christmas, New year?

If you’re aiming to experience the spirit of the season in proper style, you have plenty of options. As noted above, Munich is a phenomenal pick for its wealth of Christmas markets and holiday cheer. In addition, Prague, Vienna, Cologne, Zürich, and Strasbourg have great Christmas markets. Meanwhile, in the United States, mountain towns like Asheville (North Carolina) and Aspen (Colorado) go all out on yuletide charm, as do big cities like New York City and Chicago.

When it comes to New Year’s celebrations, New York and Las Vegas anchor the party scene in North America. Across “the pond,” Tenerife keeps it pumping into the New Year, and Madeira puts on one of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve fireworks shows, lighting up Funchal Bay in spectacular fashion. And of course, there’s nothing quite like the over-the-top reveling in Dubai. 

What are the best and most affordable winter destinations?

While prices tend to surge at popular ski resort and beach resort destinations around the world, there are a few places you can try when you’re trying to stay within a set budget. For those looking for epic snow, Quebec City combines uniquely historic charm in town with incredible ski resorts like Le Massif within a short drive. For more wallet-friendly ski trip options, Taos (New Mexico) is a fun North American destination that combines rich indigenous culture with sporty ski slopes, while Munich (see above) makes a more approachable European Alpine “base camp” than the far pricier resort towns in Austria and Switzerland. And if you’re really trying to save on transportation, Vancouver is one of the cheapest car rental gateways mentioned in this guide, averaging just €22 (US$26) per day in winter (roughly half the summer price).

Meanwhile, for tropical beach destinations that don’t break the bank, the Caribbean actually has quite a few. Thanks to its abundance of all-inclusive resorts, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) is always a solid option for value seeking travellers. In addition, the island realms of Curaçao, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis offer more affordable yet just-as-thrilling alternatives to more expensive and crowded island destinations. Madeira is a mentioned standout for affordability, with winter car rentals averaging only €19 (US$22) per day (about 44% cheaper than in summer).

Whatever your budget is looking like for winter travel, we at EconomyBookings.com can help you stay within it. With us, you can choose from over 600 suppliers to score a great deal on the perfect car to suit your itinerary. And since we offer rental cars in over 180 countries, we can probably hook you up with a great car no matter where you decide to go this winter.