Best Places to Visit in Winter 2027–28: Aurora, Alps & Southern Sun

Best places to visit in winter 2027-2028: the shortlist

Northern-Hemisphere winter, roughly December 2027 through February 2028, forces one honest question: do you want to lean into the cold or flee it? The list below covers both instincts. It runs from the aurora belt and snow-sure Alps to tropical winter sun and the southern hemisphere, where the same months are high summer. Match the destination to the kind of winter you actually want rather than fighting the season.

Finnish Lapland

Lapland delivers the storybook northern winter: deep snow, frozen forest, husky sledding and a real shot at the Northern Lights, which are best in the dark, clear-sky months of the northern winter. Days are very short this far north, so plan activities around the limited daylight and reserve evenings for aurora watching. It suits families chasing the Santa-and-snow experience and anyone who wants winter at its most theatrical.

Iceland

Best months: Jun–Aug · 9–13°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)

Iceland pairs aurora hunting with ice caves, geothermal lagoons and dramatic coastal scenery you can reach on a short ring-road loop. Winter weather is changeable, so build in buffer nights for clouds and storms rather than pinning everything on one evening. It works well for photographers and active travelers who accept that conditions, not the calendar, run the show.

Tromso, Norway

Best months: Jun–Aug · 14–21°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)

Sitting inside the auroral zone, Tromso is one of the more reliable and accessible places to chase the lights, with a walkable town as a base between excursions. Beyond the aurora you get whale-watching trips, fjord scenery and cozy Arctic dining. It suits travelers who want strong Northern Lights odds without organizing a full wilderness expedition.

The Alps

For guaranteed snow, the high French and Austrian resorts such as Val Thorens and Obergurgl hold their season best when lower slopes turn patchy. Skiing and snowboarding are the headline, but mountain villages, spas and long lunches make it worthwhile even for non-skiers. The quieter weeks after the holiday peak typically offer noticeably better value than the Christmas-New Year crush.

Hokkaido, Japan

Best months: Sep–Nov · 14–22°C days · rainy (ERA5 climate data)

Japan’s northern island is famous for exceptionally light, abundant powder snow, with resorts like Niseko and Furano drawing skiers worldwide. The signature move is pairing the slopes with an evening in a hot-spring onsen, plus Sapporo’s winter festival culture nearby. It suits keen skiers and anyone who wants a snow trip with a distinctive food-and-bathing rhythm.

Canary Islands, Spain

Best months: Apr–Jun · 12–25°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)

The Canaries are the closest reliable winter sun to Europe, with mild spring-like conditions when the mainland is cold. Expect beaches, volcanic hiking on islands like Tenerife and Lanzarote, and short flights that make a week feasible without a long haul. This is the pick for sun-seekers who want warmth without crossing the planet.

Thailand

Best months: Dec–Feb · 22–32°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)

The northern winter lines up with much of Thailand’s dry season, making it a strong bet for beach time, island-hopping and warm-weather sightseeing. Bangkok’s culture, the northern hills around Chiang Mai and the southern islands can be strung into one trip. It suits travelers who want dependable warmth, strong value and variety in a single country.

Maldives

Best months: Jan–Mar · 27–28°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)

The Maldives hit their dry, sunny stretch during the northern winter, which is exactly why prices climb over the holidays. The appeal is simple and specific: overwater villas, clear water and some of the best snorkeling and diving anywhere. It suits honeymooners and anyone happy to pay a premium for near-guaranteed sun and calm seas.

Patagonia

Best months: Dec–Feb · 10–17°C days · some rain (ERA5 climate data)

Because the seasons flip below the equator, the northern winter is Patagonia’s summer, which is the prime trekking window when trails, refuges and long daylight are all working in your favor. Think the granite towers of Torres del Paine, glaciers and wildlife with young. It suits hikers and outdoors travelers willing to plan and book well ahead for the short high season.

Cape Town, South Africa

Best months: Jul–Sep · 7–21°C days · dry (ERA5 climate data)

Another southern-hemisphere summer play, Cape Town enjoys warm, bright conditions while Europe shivers, with Table Mountain, beaches and the surrounding winelands all at their best. Add coastal drives and easy add-ons toward the Garden Route or a safari. It suits travelers who want a city-plus-nature mix and summer weather during the northern cold.

Winter 2027-2028 at a glance

Practical winter travel tips

• Decide sun versus snow first. Winter-sun spots and snow destinations need completely different packing, budgets and flight lengths, so pick your archetype before you compare specific places.
• Give the Northern Lights room to work. The aurora is best in the dark, clear-sky months of the northern winter, but it is never guaranteed. Book at least a few nights and stay flexible so cloud cover on one evening does not sink the trip.
• Expect holiday-peak pricing. The Christmas and New Year window is typically the tightest and most expensive of the season. Traveling in the quieter weeks that follow can bring meaningfully lower prices for similar conditions.
• Pack real layers for cold destinations. Thermal base layers, an insulating mid-layer and a windproof, waterproof outer shell handle Arctic and alpine conditions far better than a single heavy coat.
• Mind the short daylight up north. Far-northern destinations have very few daylight hours in midwinter, so plan outdoor activities early and treat evenings as aurora or indoor time.
• Consider the southern-hemisphere alternative. If you want summer rather than winter, places like Patagonia and Cape Town are in their warm high season during these months, which also means booking well ahead for the short peak.
• Book snow and premium sun early. Ski resorts and marquee beach destinations fill their best rooms far in advance for the holidays, so lock in accommodation before you finalize flights.