Best European cities to visit next month for cheap thrills and gorgeous scenery

Christmas might be done and dusted, but there's no reason why you can't think of a 2025 getaway already?

The New Year is creeping up fast and if you're in desperate need of some winter sun next month, one travel expert has got you covered. Emma, who shares her trips on TikTok, listed her top three city breaks for those keen on some vitamin D.

Having visited all three spots herself in January, she believes each spot offers something incredible for the upcoming year. Not only are they great, but also cheap and cheerful too.

In a post with her 16,100 followers, Emma said: "Here are three European city destinations coming from someone who has visited all three in January."

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Stockholm, Sweden

"I actually went here this January [2024] and I was very sceptical at first," Emma admitted. "It is so cold - I'm talking minus numbers with an average daytime temperature of -1C to -5C and it was a lot colder than that even at the time."

She went on to advising packing thermals before hailing the city as "beautiful" in the winter sun. "There was a lovely thick layer of snow when we went," she said. "The water was beautiful too with a crystal clear layer of ice."

Emma also recommended travellers embark on a boat trip while there and explained the city's weather felt like it "extended" Christmas a little. "It was just so cosy in all of the cafes and restaurants," she gushed. "There are also plenty of indoor activities to keep you busy - it has some amazing museums."

Also Emma suggested the Vasa Museum and Nobel Museum in particular. "I wish I had time to do the ABBA Museum too, but sadly did not," she said.

Reykjavík, Iceland

Next up, Emma recommended the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík. "I went here quite a few years ago," she revealed. "I absolutely loved it - one benefit of visiting in the winter months is the long nights and really dark skies gives you a great opportunity to see the Northern Lights."

Emma said she witnessed the spectacle during a tour in the city, but confessed if she had chance to visit again she'd hire a car and venture out to see the Northern Lights by herself.

"Another thing about visiting Iceland in January is that the snow and ice really enhance the natural landscape," she continued. "It's just so beautiful - I did the Golden Circle tour, and the waterfalls looked absolutely amazing." However, she warned you can expect to be "very, very cold".

Munich, Germany

Completing Emma's list is the German city of Munich. "This is by a long way, the cheapest of my destinations," she enthused before revealing you can expect a January temperature of somewhere between freezing and 7C.

"It's the off-season, so you'll definitely find fewer tourists at this time of year," she added. Emma went on to highlight her trip to the city's beer halls and listening to the music on offer as one of the most enjoyable parts of her stay, describing them as a "great place to go to relax".

"Winter is also a good time to enjoy the more hearty Bavarian foods," she added, listing pretzels, bratwurst, and schnitzels as prime examples. Emma closed: "Munich is quite close to Neuschwanstein Castle, which is the very famous Disney castle and it's worth a January trip."