While some people prefer escaping to sunnier climes when the cold weather descends, there’s something to be said for embracing the unique effect winter has on attractions and destinations around the world. Thanks to frost, snow, ice, Christmas delights and Northern Lights, these landmarks and destinations all look dramatically different to their usual selves at this time of year – and, arguably, better for it.
From natural wonders to man-made marvels, click through the gallery to discover how winter looks at these iconic places…
The oil-slick winter skies above Mount Kirkjufell and the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall are completely unblemished by light pollution, making this one of the best places in Iceland to spot the aurora borealis. Seen here, dancing like gymnastics ribbons above the majestic, frozen landscape, the Northern Lights can be viewed on clear, cloudless nights between September and mid-April. Kirkjufell is located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, just over two hours’ drive from Reykjavik.
Centred around New Zealand’s tallest mountain and its longest glaciers, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is no stranger to the white stuff throughout the year – in fact, around a third of this extreme alpine region is perennially covered in snow and ice. But during the southern hemisphere’s winter months of June, July and August, the park becomes submerged under a far heftier blanket of snow that transforms it into a wonderland of pavlova-like peaks.
Check out more of New Zealand's most beautiful natural wonders
While snow is relatively rare in Istanbul, the occasional flurry can leave one of the city’s most striking sights sprinkled with an icing-sugar-like coating. The 6th-century Hagia Sophia, which began life as a Byzantine church before converting to a mosque in the 1400s, recently dropped its museum status and was reinstated as an Islamic place of worship. It is still open to visitors, with crowds and queue times slashed significantly during the winter months.
In the forests of the Jigokudani valley, you’ll find the only place in the world where wild monkeys bathe in natural hot springs. Come wintertime at the Jigokudani Monkey Park, families of crimson-faced Japanese macaques flock to the onsen to keep warm and reduce their stress levels – a wellness practice humans could learn a lot from at this intense time of year. January and February are the best months to see these serene snow monkeys basking in the therapeutic waters.
A land of extremes, temperatures in the Gobi can soar to 42°C (108°F) in summer and plunge to as low as -38°C (-36°F) in the winter. Its unusual beauty becomes even more stark in the chillier months; the Gobi is one of only a few of Earth’s deserts to see snowfall, where white powder settles on the sand like sifted flour. In March, when the cold air still bites, the annual Thousand Camel Festival takes place in celebration of Gobi camel-herder culture.
Between May and October, the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentine Patagonia is at its most impressive, having recovered from its seasonal retreat. This is low season in Los Glaciares National Park, where visitors prepared to endure the piercing cold will have the vast, haunting glacier largely to themselves – the park’s viewing platforms and walkways take you so close that you can feel the ice sheet’s biting breath heaving in your face.
Love this? Follow us on Facebook for more photos and stories from around the world
When winter grips the Great Lakes region, it turns the shores of Lake Superior into a rugged kingdom of ice. The moisture within the sandstone caves of Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands freezes into icicles, crystals and ice shelves that drape from the rocks like bleached Spanish moss. As accessing the ice caves involves walking on the surface of Lake Superior, it might not always be possible to visit them. Check the NPS website for the latest updates before you go.
The most common images of this prehistoric stone circle show it on the summer solstice, when the monoliths perfectly align with the rising June sun. But Stonehenge, which lies on Salisbury Plain in the south of England, takes on an equally ethereal edge when dusted with fresh snow. Thousands also gather at the neolithic monument for the winter solstice every December, as they have done for millennia. It doesn’t snow too often here (overcast skies, wind and rain are far more likely in British wintertime), but it’s a truly special scene if you’re lucky enough to see it.
One of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, the Jinshanling Great Wall is 650 years old and carves through a landscape known as the ‘Gold Mountain’ ranges. But from November to March, white is the colour that reigns supreme as snow starts to fall over this medieval wonder, creating a stunning spectacle. Hiking the wall can be treacherous during this time – brace yourself for slippery steps and slopes, as well as bitter temperatures.
These are the most remarkable ancient sites you've probably never heard of
Comprising three waterfalls along the US-Canada border, this colossal cascade last froze solid in 1848. But despite winter temperatures regularly dipping below zero here, it is impossible for the falls to freeze completely anymore, due to the constant movement and power of the water. Instead, ice builds up from the Niagara River and creates an optical illusion, making the falls appear frozen when the water continues to flow. The nightly Falls Illuminations are even more spectacular in the colder months, especially during the Winter Festival of Lights, which transforms the whole area from mid-November to early January.
Feeling inspired to visit? These are the best things to do and see in the Niagara Falls district
Connecting Prague’s beautiful Baroque old town to the castle districts and surrounding areas on the other side of the Vltava River, Charles Bridge has been a fixture of the Czech capital since 1402 when it was completed. The 30 statues that line its balustrade, most of them blackened with age and staring as you cross the bridge, seem slightly less ominous under a dusting of snow. Winter is a magical time to visit the city – all Christmas markets and cosy craft breweries.
Stunning images of the world's amazing snow and ice festivals
It's no wonder this enchanting schloss (or palace) inspired the fairy-tale castle in Disney's Cinderella – and it looks even more magical when dashed with a little seasonal sparkle. Built in the latter half of the 19th century, Neuschwanstein overlooks the foothills of the Bavarian Alps from its clifftop perch. When winter casts its spell upon the limestone castle, its skyscraping turrets and ornate balconies seem fit for the Snow Queen herself.
Ever since it was unveiled in 2004, this huge sculpture – officially named Cloud Gate – has become one of the most recognisable landmarks in all of Chicago. The Bean is one of the largest permanent outdoor art installations in the world, created by Anish Kapoor; its curved design and mirror-like sheen, inspired by liquid mercury, abstractly reflects the lively city. It takes on an extra dimension when the Windy City turns icy, frosting its surface with a glittery glaze.
There are few places that look and feel their absolute finest in wintertime, but Amsterdam is definitely one of them. A highlight of the season is the annual Amsterdam Light Festival, which typically runs from late November into January and features an open-air gallery of 20-plus illuminated artworks, best enjoyed from the warmth of a canal boat. Some years, if the city experiences a particularly long or harsh cold snap, the canals can also freeze solid enough to be skated on (though this is becoming increasingly rare).
Think of Bryce Canyon and you’re most likely to envisage the summer sun beating down on its orange hoodoos, scorching the evergreen trees that lie among them. But from October to as late as May, this fascinating national park resembles the inside of a snowglobe. With ranger-led snowshoe hikes, winter astronomy events (the canyon has some of the darkest skies in the American West) and the annual ‘Christmas Bird Count’ conservation survey on offer, you might never visit in any other season again.
We love the contrast of the brown latticed frame of the 'Iron Lady' against the twinkly frost and snow. In the colder months, as the panoramas from her three public floors are likely to be encumbered by poor weather, expect much shorter entry lines. Fun fact: the Eiffel Tower shrinks in winter, as low temperatures cause its metal skeleton to contract, shrinking the structure by up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) compared to its summer height (when it grows in the heat).
These brilliant landmarks were built for World's Fairs – and are still standing
Also known as the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Our Lady of the Flower) is one of the world’s largest churches and without doubt Florence’s headline attraction. While the historic streets surrounding it can be unbearably busy in the warmer months, wintertime sees tourism slow right down in this charming city and makes it far more pleasant to explore. As global average temperatures continue to rise, snow is becoming ever rarer in Florence, but you may see a light layer settling on the surrounding Tuscan mountains.
While it’s hard to deny the lure of sunrise hikes, cooling dips and balmy evening boat trips that a summer on Lake Bled affords, don’t discount it in winter. From snow-capped peaks to mist hovering over the water in thick plumes, we believe the stunning scenery of the Julian Alps is at its best below freezing. In the past, Bled used to freeze solid in winter, making it possible to walk across the ice from the mainland to the church-adorned islet, but this seldom happens anymore.
The Swedish capital’s medieval old town dates back to the 13th century, with its oldest square – Stortorget – being one of the most emblematic sights in the city. Boxed in by colourful terraced coffee houses and bars, as well as the Nobel Prize Museum, Stockholm's Stortorget also becomes home to a Christmas market throughout December, shilling everything from glogg (warm spiced wine) and sausages to trinkets and handicrafts. It's especially festive under a blanket of snow, which you're most likely to see at this time of year.
Experiencing Christmas in New York City tops many travellers’ bucket lists, and a non-negotiable component of making that dream come true has to be seeing the Rockefeller Center in its holiday finery. The annual tree-lighting ceremony usually takes place at the end of November, with more than 50,000 tiny bulbs decorating the towering spruce throughout December and into January. Another rite of passage is taking a spin on the Rockefeller’s ice rink, which has featured in several festive film favourites including Elf and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Winter replaces the rose-pink cherry blossoms of a Japanese spring with lashings of snow, submerging the summit of Fujisan under a dense white cloak and framing it with bare trees speckled with frost. This time of year is your best chance to catch a glimpse of Japan’s tallest mountain in all its glory, as winter offers the clearest visibility due to the dry, cool air. Its slopes also transform into a haven for winter sports enthusiasts between December and February.
Looming above Austria’s world-famous music city, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest fully preserved castle complex in Central Europe – and looks particularly impressive during wintertime. With a dusting of snow resting on its ivory walls and clinging to the crags of the promontory on which it stands, the fortress resembles an elaborate iceberg jutting out from the sea of Baroque architecture that characterises Salzburg’s city centre.
Owing its name to the Romans who called it “Silva Nigra” (‘black forest’ in Latin), Germany’s Schwarzwald is one of the country’s most important natural wonders. But there isn’t much black about its forests during the wintertime, when the trees undergo a magical metamorphosis that turns their evergreen needles as white as cotton. Don a pair of skis or snowshoes to best see the Black Forest in this unearthly state, or venture into the surrounding quaint towns for festive markets.
Explore more secrets of the Black Forest, Germany's most fabled landscape
More quintessentially Athenian than a souvlaki wrap, this ancient citadel atop a limestone plateau is dominated by the stately ruins of the Parthenon temple. While it teems with hordes of visitors in the warmer months, winter offers a little respite for both the millennia-old monument and anyone wishing to enjoy it on quieter terms. For the first time in decades, snow fell upon the Acropolis of Athens in February 2021, rendering it almost unrecognisable.
On the other hand, the Chinese capital gets hit with substantial snowfall most winters, due to the seasonal influence of the Siberian anticyclone blowing in from the north. Flurries can start in November and persist until as late as March, smothering Beijing in a carpet of snow and ice. This is the time when the Forbidden City, a former imperial palace, sees its fewest tourists – but also looks its most beguiling, its red and ochre facade popping against the white powder.
Located in the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near the England-Wales border, Castle Combe is one of the region’s most gorgeous villages and looks lifted straight from the front of a postcard. Summer can see it straining under the weight of visitors, but the inclement weather of a British winter keeps them at bay, allowing for more tranquil explorations of its rural lanes and walking paths. Snow here is not unheard of, making the cottages appear hewn from slabs of sugar-speckled shortbread.
One of the most beautiful sights in the Pacific Northwest, Multnomah Falls crashes into Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. Its double cascade is fed by rainwater and snowmelt, experiencing its most abundant volumes in winter and spring. But in the depths of winter, the falls have also been known to partially freeze, resulting in some incredible natural ice sculptures suspended in mid-air. If that wasn’t reward enough for stepping out in the cold, you’ll also meet far fewer vacationers and day-trippers at this time.
Check out the West Coast's most charming small towns and cities
This wild, Atlantic-beaten beach can set itself apart from most beaches on Earth all year round, thanks to its unusual volcanic ash shores. But it looks even more different after a snowstorm, when its charcoal-black sand starts to resemble the filling of an Oreo cookie as it mingles with the frozen flakes. Add to this the peachy backdrop of a late sunrise (around 11am in an Icelandic winter) and you’ve got yourself a truly breathtaking spectacle.
When the turquoise waters of central Canada's Abraham Lake freeze in the winter, something remarkable happens: spherical patterns and milky blobs, like the contents of a lava lamp, appear under the ice. But these pearl-like bubbles aren’t sunken treasure rising to the surface – they are actually pockets of methane that form when plants, leaves and tree limbs trapped at the bottom of the lake begin to decompose and excrete gas.
Now take a look at some of the oldest photos ever taken in Canada