Feel the need to start 2025 with something special? Already looking for a way to break those winter blues? Well don’t worry, because here at Kiwi.com we’ve collected our favorite destinations for all types of winter breaks to the mountains, including sports, relaxation and places that just have some wonderful scenery, plus we’ll tell you the best airport to fly to and the easiest way to get there (with Kiwi.com of course!).

Best for: a ski trip on a budget

Košice, Slovakia

Let’s start with a bit of a left-field choice: eastern Slovakia might not even be on your radar when it comes to skiing destinations, but with daily passes from as little as €15 and relatively low-cost accommodation, it’s somewhere worth considering. The immediate region surrounding the city has a number of ski areas, with an average of around 40 kilometers of slopes in each. The majestic Cathedral of St. Elizabeth gracing the skyline of Kosice, Slovakia © Getty Images Even if you don’t want to base yourself in Košice itself , you can explore the region and find a place that suits. The Muránska planina National Park , for example, to the west of Košice, is dotted with smaller ski centers for both downhill and cross-country skiing, while other small towns and cities like Spišská Nová Ves and (at a push) Poprad are within fairly easy reach of local slopes. To combine it with a bit of driving, you could even venture just over the border to the popular Polish ski base of Zakopane and fly back out of Kraków , a bit more of an adventure, but a way to extend your trip. Remember, with Kiwi.com, you can refine your search to arrive and leave from different places, so it’s certainly something to consider!

Nearest airport: Košice

With direct flights to a number of big cities in central Europe, two in the UK, and connections to hundreds more, Slovakia’s second-largest airport is getting busier as the years go by. It’s an easy 20 minute bus ride from the center of Košice on the city’s public transport system.

Best for: hiking

The Peloponnese, Greece

We’re not sending you up a frigid Alp with this suggestion, rather we’ve chosen a region that will suit any level of walker and, crucially, won’t freeze your toes off. People come to Greece for its scenery, cuisine, storied history and laid-back way of life, all elements that will add to your hiking trip. Scenery? Absolutely: from easy coastal walks that won’t even take a day, to multi-day hikes across rugged mountains and deep forests, you’ll constantly come across picturesque villages, ancient ruins, tiny churches and sparkling waterfalls. On the food and drink front you’ll be able to get locally-sourced produce to take with you on your route, or simply find a local taverna at the end of the day in which to relax and toast your success. Skip the cold Alps—hike Greece’s scenic trails with ancient ruins and cozy tavernas, all without freezing your toes! © Getty Images You’ll tick the history box by simply walking through it: explore the fortress of Mystras, built into a hillside above what was once Sparta, or the Philosofou Monasteries, one dating from the 10th century and the second from the 17th. And the laid-back way of life? Well, you can simply choose to have a day off from walking!

Nearest airport: Athens

A slightly tricky prospect, as there are really only two airports in the region (Araxas and Kalamata) both of which only usually run seasonal flights. The best (and pretty much only) option at this time of year is to fly into Athens then take a bus, around two and a half to three hours. There are trains, but these only go to Patras (the largest city in the region) and even that isn’t a direct connection. In short, Athens, bus.

Best for: a relaxing city break with scenery

Brașov, Romania

The second most-visited city in the country after the capital, Bucharest, Brașov is a beautiful, historical city worth anybody’s time that also (conveniently, for the purposes of this article) happens to be surrounded by mountains. It’s a lively city, full of cafes, bars and interesting little shops, and the medieval city center (not actually in the center but slightly to the south-west) is charismatic and colorful. A number of the main landmarks, the Black Church and the White Tower, as well as the hillside Weavers Bastion will give you easy points to navigate from and to as you explore the winding streets and narrow alleyways. Climb out of town to the top of Tâmpa mountain (or take the cable car) for views over the city one way and the Carpathians the other or, if you do fancy hitting the slopes, head to the nearby Poiana Brașov ski area. It’s also a great time of year to try some of the local food and drink, including bowls of warming tarragon soup washed down with a shot of pălincă, Romania’s signature plum brandy. A lively, historical city nestled in the Carpathians, offering charming cafes, winding streets, and stunning mountain views © Getty Images

Nearest airport: Brașov-Ghimbav International

Opened in 2023, Brașov’s airport has routes to the UK, Germany, Italy and others, and is only 10 kilometers from the city, meaning you can hop on public transport bus A1 to easily get to and from the airport. Alternatively you can fly into Bucharest and take one of the regular trains to Brașov, a trip of around two and a half hours.

Best for: a family winter break

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

If the locals come, it’s bound to be good, and this is certainly true of Lake Bohinj, the glacial lake surrounded by the Julian Alps. You’ll be able to ski (both downhill and cross-country) at one of the most affordable ski regions in Europe, but for non-skiers there’s fun to be had as well. The surrounding landscape is home to all manner of wildlife including lynx, bears and wolves, and there are guided hikes out into the silent, snowy forests to see if you can spot them. You can go walking in the foothills or take the cable car up to the top of Brown Rock, 1,000 meters above the lake, for views that stretch for miles on every side. There’s pony trekking on sure-footed, hardy horses, ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding. When you’ve had your fill of fresh air there’s other activities to be had near the lake including an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, a museum of the area’s history and customs, and even workshops to learn handicrafts or cooking. A hidden gem with affordable skiing, stunning mountain views and wildlife hikes © Getty Images

Nearest airport: Ljubljana

The capital of Slovenia is around 80 kilometers from Lake Bohinj and a bus leaves Ljubljana’s main bus station every hour, completing the journey in around 90 minutes. Buses run from the airport to Ljubljana every half an hour, with that journey taking 30 minutes.

Best for: a combination of everything

Milan and Lombardy, Italy

The Italian Alps have long been a challenging and glamorous destination for skiers, combining some of the region’s best slopes with all of the fine living that Italy stands for. That remains true today, so our pick for a winter break that has a bit of everything is to base yourself in Milan (there’s your city break box ticked) and explore the huge nearby ski areas, including the 115km of downhill routes across the vast Livigno resort. If you’re not a skier but you still want to get out into the mountains, the region offers dog-sledding, nighttime snowshoe trekking and a bunch of hot springs and spas for when all that activity simply gets too much. When the weather improves you can even explore Lombardy’s many lakes and fashionable lakeside towns that are, of course, nowhere near as crowded as in summer. Winter in Milan and Lombardy has a lot to offer as well. Explore the Italian Alps, indulge in luxury, or unwind with dog-sledding and lakeside escapes © Getty Images

Nearest airport: Milan (Malpensa, Bergamo, Linate)

Milan is one of the easiest European cities to get to with its three airports moving over 51 million people annually. Flights from around the world land in Malpensa , while Bergamo is, despite being a “regional” airport, Italy’s third-busiest. Bergamo itself is worth spending a few hours in at least, and getting to Milan and around is easy enough, while Linate is only 15 minutes from the city by Metro and has bus connections to Monza, Brescia and beyond.

Those are our top tips for winter mountain vacations around Europe in 2025

Wherever you’re heading this year, make sure you search and book with Kiwi.com to get low prices, special offers, travel hacks and much, much more.