The 7 Most Beautiful Snowy Cities in the World

Some cities are made for winter. Filled with cosy cafes and pubs, and often set on the snow-dusted shores of beautiful lakes or seas, there are plenty of cities worldwide that are perfect to visit in the winter. If you’re searching for a perfect winter getaway, then get your bags packed, gloves and hat on, and settle down to find out about the 7 most beautiful snowy cities in the world.

Which Cities Around the World Look Best in the Snow?

1. Banff – Canada

From late October to mid-April, Banff transforms into a pure winter wonderland. With averages of over four metres of snowfall during the period, the remote city in the Canadian province of Alberta is perfect for those wanting a getaway to a snowy city this winter.

Surrounded by natural beauty such as the soaring peaks of mountains, glacial lakes, deep green pine forests and more, Banff is a nature lover’s dream.

As for accommodation, you can opt to stay in a log cabin for the extra cosy vibes, or opt to stay in a state-of-the-art hotel in the centre of downtown Banff where there’s always plenty going on. You can try out all sorts of winter activities from ice skating, skiing, ice hockey and more, or simply enjoy walking through the city’s streets with one of the best backdrops in the world.

For nature lovers who want to combine the best of both a city break and an escape into nature, Banff is easily one of the most beautiful snowy cities in the world – and with around six months of snowfall guaranteed, few other places on the planet are as snowy for such a long period of time.

2. Helsinki – Finland

The capital of Finland is the second-most northerly capital city in the world (behind Reykjavik, Iceland), so snowfall here is guaranteed in the winter months.

The snowy season generally starts in early November and lasts until early April, coating the Finnish capital in a blanket of snow for the majority of the winter.

Helsinki is known for its stunning architecture and how easy it is to walk around, making it perfect for a visit during the winter months.

January and February are typically when the heaviest snow comes to Helsinki, but as long as you come prepared with winter boots and appropriate clothing, you are guaranteed to have a good time in the city.

On the harbour, there are numerous public saunas – male, female and mixed gender – as well as spots in the frozen water which are purposefully melted for a traditional Finnish winter dip.

If you want to experience authentic Finnish sauna culture, there’s no better time to visit Helsinki than in the winter, and brave the cold waters of the harbour before hopping straight into one of the traditional wood-fired sauna to warm back up in an instant.

3. Innsbruck – Austria

Set in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck is a simply stunning city to visit this winter.

Looking like it has been plucked right out of a postcard, the city is practically buried in snow from November to March, and is the ideal city to visit for a snowy escape.

If you’re into winter sports, Innsbruck is an excellent place to base yourself, as the region is home to some of the Alps’ best ski resorts, and it is also easy to access other snowy regions from Innsbruck in southern Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

The snow-covered mountains are a breathtaking sight to behold, while the lush green pine forests offer a sharp contrast to the whites and greys of the sky and ground. Traditional Alpine lodges are dotted throughout the city, given it an Alpine town feel rather than a major Austrian city.

Because the snow season lasts so long, you can opt to visit the city’s magical Christmas markets if you come in November or December, or you can plan a winter escape and get some guaranteed snow if you come in January or February, making Innsbruck the ideal city for a snowy escape.

4. New York City – USA

If you’re asked to picture a white Christmas in any major global city, chances are you’re thinking of New York City, right?

The Big Apple might not be as snowy as the aforementioned cities, but when it does snow, it transforms into one of the most beautiful snowy cities in the world.

While the snow is not guaranteed to last for months on end like in other cities, New York City generally experiences heavy snowfall in December, January and February every year, while snow as late as April is not unheard of.

Witnessing Central Park in the snow is a bucket-list item for millions of people around the globe, and the New Yorkers know how to transform it into a true winter wonderland, with ice skating on the lakes, stalls selling steaming hot coffee and hot dogs, and everything you could possibly imagine in an authentic New York winter scene.

Areas like Manhattan, Fifth Avenue and Times Square are equally as magical in the snow, and given how many Christmas films are set in NYC, it’s so easy to imagine yourself in the midst of Miracle on 34th Street or Home Alone 2 once there’s a bit of snow on the ground.

For those who want to see New York City at its very best and most beautiful, a visit in the winter is a must.

5. Kiruna – Sweden

Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden, in the heart of Swedish Lapland, where snowfall typically begins in October and lasts until May.

For a minimum of six months of the year, Kiruna is transformed into a winter lover’s paradise, with metres of snow covering everything.

Because it is so remote, there is next to no light pollution, which makes it one of the few cities in the world where you can star gaze and see the Northern Lights directly from the city centre.

Kiruna also pays respects to the Sami people, who call this area home (as well as other areas of northern Finland and Norway), and there are numerous traditional Sami-based activities, such as dog sledding, staying in traditional Sami tents and huts, and many traditional Sami food outlets, serving up everything from blood sausage to moose burgers.

It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop as low as -30℃ and Kiruna is so far north that it experiences the Polar Night – meaning that in the depths of winter (January and February), the sun does not rise above the horizon, giving the city a beautiful twilight glow all hours of the day.

Few places on Earth rival Kiruna as one of the most beautiful snowy cities in the world.

6. Harbin – China

From authentic snowy scenes in Sweden to what some might argue are over the top scnowy scenes in China, Harbin is still nevertheless one of the most beautiful snowy cities to visit.

Every year, from December to February, Harbin is changed into a winter wonderland, so much so, that it is commonly known as China’s ‘Ice City’.

This is because, making use of the sheer amount of snow and ice that the city is covered with in the winter, enormous sculptures made entirely out of ice and snow line the city’s streets and parks throughout the winter, making it one of the most mesmerising places to visit for a winter holiday.

Found in northeast China, a few hundred kilometres from the Russian border, the Harbin Ice & Snow Festival makes this city one of the most spectacular in the world during the winter months.

Temperatures frequently drop as low as -20℃, and because of the dry air in the region, it means that the structures can be fully illuminated throughout the day and night, which is why millions of visitors flock here for the winter.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable winter experience, then a visit to Harbin is a must.

7. Tallinn – Estonia

Fairytale magic almost doesn’t do Tallinn justice because it’s so pretty in the winter months.

The snow generally lasts from December to March, with December and January seeing the heaviest snowfall.

As such, Tallinn’s medieval Old Town looks like something right out of a childhood Christmas movie, with its narrow winding streets and snow-dusted church spires dominating the landscape.

If you visit Tallinn in December, you’ll get to see one of the most stunning Christmas markets in the world, which is set up in the Old Town Square with a huge Nordic Pine as the centrepiece.

In addition, many of the restaurants and pubs in Tallinn (even outside of the Old Town) have huge blazing log fires which offer warming relief from the bitter temperatures outside.

The Estonian capital is just a short ferry ride from Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland, making a visit to both incredible snowy cities a real possibility if you visit in winter.